Bored - Need Football - ND Predictions
A little stir crazy here and tired of reading about practice standouts. Need to see a real football game.
Rather than battle over MSU/UM head to head predictions, I offer my NDame vs. the State of Michigan predictions.
Sadly, I predict that Notre Dame will beat BOTH UM and MSU. Perhaps I have given BKelly too much respect.
Thoughts?
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:49 AM ^
They're going to be good.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^
Michigan 31 - Notre Dame 28
Notre Dame 77 - Michigan State 3
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
Those seem like very logical predictions by you :-)
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:07 AM ^
Sorry, but "Go Green" just doesn't sound tough enough.
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:19 PM ^
This would be both factually and grammatically appropriate.
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:17 PM ^
I think the first score is accurate....but I think you're giving State too much credit!
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^
shut Michael Floyd down, I don't see another standout weapon other than maybe Cierre Wood
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:44 PM ^
Don't they have that other kid, Riddick maybe, who is kind of an all purpose-threat?
I feel like I have been hearing some hype about him. Still I can't say I am terrified of anyone except Floyd because he has the potential to go Manningham on us.
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:33 PM ^
but not that good that he provides the same threat that Tate and Floyd or Floyd and Rudolph provided. If we just double cover Floyd the whole game and put pressure on the QB, then we'll be fine. We have to remember our pass D will be a hell of a lot better this year. This year we won't be giving receivers 15 yard cushions on 3rd and 3.
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:42 PM ^
I think Riddick is mostly known for his chronicles.
They have a solid TE who can stretch the field in Eifert. Saw that he was on rivals' list of the top 10 TEs going into the year.
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^
in their easier games last year, if I'm correct. He was nothing special, or above average, in any of the major games. He's decent but not great.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^
Do Rees and Crist bring basically the same skillset to the table? I don't remember hearing about either one of them being a really good runner (not that they need to be in Kelly's offense, just wondering).
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:03 PM ^
Not really. Neither is a great runner, but Rees barely runs at all. Crist used to be a solid runner, but not sure how that will look after his second knee surgery. Kelly will have him run a few times per game this year though, he has to in Kelly's offense. Rees might be a bit more accurate with the short throws. Crist has a better arm.
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:46 PM ^
I would expect Crist to be a slightly more mobile option than Rees, even post surgery.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:54 AM ^
Michael Floyd gets another DUI...
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:28 AM ^
he still plays even if his parole officer is suddenly named as the "team warden".
Go Blue!
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:37 AM ^
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:14 PM ^
I understand but BK isn't exactly a disciplinarian
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:06 PM ^
Yah because being "redshirted" means you are suspended from all team activities. Stonum is still allowed to participate with the team under this "suspension". Its like double secret probation.
ND 31 UM 10.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:54 AM ^
The Michigan game to me is 50-50
and I would also agree that ND beats State this year.
ND unfort should have a good season
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:55 AM ^
I really am terrified of the ND game this year, but the night time home environment will certainly make things interesting. We were lucky to come out with the win last year (concussion anyone?) when they were in their first year with the new system on both offense and defense.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:58 AM ^
I'm optimistic about the game in general (I think ND will be very slightly favored and that sounds right to me) but also remember that they had basically Iowa 2009 and UConn 2010 as far as gameday footage of Denard. I think it was hard even for a guy like Kelly to truly understand how big of a threat he was going into that game.
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:02 AM ^
For whatever reason it scares me, but than again when you play Jesus' team there's always reason to be frightened, I suppose. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to remember we won the past 2 years when we definitely had a roster that would have suggested otherwise. I am scared that this could be ND's year and they sweep both Michigan schools. I think the MSU game is an easier W for them only based on the fact that it is a home game for ND, if it was at MSU I'd say for sure a win for Sparty.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
56-0 Michigan over Notre Dame!
<br>0-0 tie between Michigan State and Notre Dame!
<br>
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:01 AM ^
Hopefully M break their hearts again, then you guys get Wolverine sloppy seconds since 2002 in a trap game for ND.
Just MHO opinion, sorry for the hate spewing from my comment, always nice having rival posters here(non trolls).
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:03 AM ^
I do think UM has an advantage, perhaps one I am overestimating, in terms of preparing for the ND game. If you are ND, a team that gave up 500+ yards to one dude on your home field last year, in his 2nd career start; a guy who one would presume would improve in the off-season, who now has a new set of plays to work from (while not completely disposing of what he ran last year)...how do you gameplan? What film do you look at? Last year's UM game? SDSU game film?
Floyd will get his touches and do some damage and ND will put up points. I love our o-line and think they will eat up clock much more efficiently than last year, which will likely be the best D you can throw at Floyd. I like the 31-28 prediction someone threw out there above, with Michigan winning.
I have no idea on the ND/MSU contest; how significant are the questions on the o-line for MSU? How easily can Jones and the other departing LB (name is escaping me) be replaced? While I greatly dislike both squads, I do think I will be rooting hard for msu as my hate for nd is more deeply seeded.
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^
Strangely enough, my rooting interests in the ND-MSU game change depending on what happens in our game.
If we beat ND, then I kind of want them to beat Sparty. Because then two of our rivals have an early loss, and it looks good for our chances against MSU.
If we lose to ND, then I want Sparty to win that game as much as it pains me. My reason being that we will still have a crack at knocking MSU off later in the season. But if ND wins both those games, they will be on the fast-track to a BCS game. Which makes me sick.
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:59 PM ^
ND will be most improved in defence this year, so they might not be that afraid. That said I would say ND has the overall edge if not for intangebles. ND grabs defeat from the jaws of victory, MICH 24-21!
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:03 AM ^
With the game in the Big House this year and the atmosphere that is going to be surrounding the game I think the edge has to go to Blue. 31-21 Good Guys!
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:06 AM ^
I think we take ND in another tight game only because of the home/night atmosphere. 27-26 with a FG!?!? to win. ND takes MSU only because ND is at home on this one.
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:52 PM ^
I severely hope we do not need a FG to win.
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^
However, seeing a winning FG kick this early on National TV etc. would be tremendous.
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:07 AM ^
I would love to see Hoke play Lloyd ball against WMU, get ND to prep for that type of game against Michigan, and then bust out a bunch of QB draws and such aginst ND and catch them off guard.
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:19 AM ^
I think this will happen. We don't need much practice zone blocking for a Denard draw/iso. We need practice gap blocking MANBALL and taking 5 step drops. Western will be more like a vanilla scrimmage.
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:09 AM ^
I'm unsure what to think about ND. Of course no one knows how any team will be until a real game is played (and I, too, am sick of hearing about practice battles; at this point, I am just reading for any injuries). I think ND SHOULD be good this season, but we shall see. Thankfully our game against them is in Ann Arbor.
As for Sparty versus ND, I don't really know. I don't think Sparty will have the same success or better as last season.
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^
Their schedule is set up beautifully.
I think both Michigan and MSU can take them, but I think you're right to have an ND lean in those games. They get USC at home and Stanford on the road.
Poop, they *could* go undefeated... I'd put my O/U at 9. Then we get the whole OMG 2 yrs is all you need see: Tressel,Meyer, Saban, KELLY zOMG!!!111!one!!
[commence wanking motion...]
EDIT: Oh yeah, to hell with Notre Dame.
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:00 PM ^
The thought of listening to ND fans if they have a great season this year sounds absolutely terrible.
I'm not expecting them to only win 6 games or something. But I just want them to lose 2-3 so they stay out of the BCS. Because thats where their expectations are this year, and to underacheive (if only slightly) might bring them back to earth for the 15th time this decade.
What drives me crazy is that their fans talk about the game against us like they KNOW they are going to blow us out. Not just win, but win big. That's crazy to me. They lost to us the past 2 years, have been destroyed by us in 3 other years in the past 8, and they are really that confident that they can come into our house with that atmosphere and embarrass us?
I guess its possible, but I just don't understand their arrogance. To me, that would be like Michigan fans guaranteeing a blow out over Sparty this year. Sure its possible, but its certainly not likely, especially on the road.
ND fans baffle the mind sometimes...
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:29 PM ^
It's not like they'll win. They'll get blown out by a clearly better team and complain about the refs.
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
1) I'm an ND fan and this game worries me. It worries most of the ND fans I know. We know that going into your stadium for a night game will not be easy. Yes, I think we have certain advantages, and it won't surprise me if we're favored, but Michigan definitely has some things working in their favor too. I'm not at all overconfident about this one.
2) Not sure where some people are getting the "ND has an easy schedule" idea (like the poster above). Probably no elite (top 5) teams on the schedule, but no real gimmes either. I think any pre-season strength of schedule ranking you want to look at will back me up here.
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:21 PM ^
4 gimme games, in my opinion. Purdue, Air Force, Wake Forest, and Maryland. You have a 95-5 odd of winning that game. Navy should be a gimme, but you've lost to them the past two years so I give you a 80-20 chance of winning that game. The teams you play that are decent but not enough to be a real challenge are Boston College and Pitt. I give you 70-30 odds of winning those games. USF could give you a real challenge, 60-40 odds. Michigan and MSU are both around 50-50 odds, in my opinion. USC is a loss with 40-60 odds. And Stanford is a loss with 15-85 odds.
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:51 PM ^
"If we can somehow scrap our way into the B1G title game"-geez that is maintaining some perspective WillyWill09
If Denard makes good decisions and we play mistake free the night game atmosphere should give us some advantage with penalties and timing. ND was really good at the end of last year because Kelly ran the football. If Mattison can force Kelly to go back to his comfort zone (Kelly insists on 80 plays a game for his O and he wants to throw the football) and give up on the run I will take my chances that Crist once again gets that deer in the headlights look on the road and makes the mistake that costs ND the game. Kelly wants Crist arm strength out there and if he could put Rees head on Crist's body he would do so.
As for Sparty vs ND I always root for the Meteor.
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:42 PM ^
Can't I dream? Seriously, what I was driving at was that not only are MSU and OSU more important games than ND, but so are N'western, Minnesota, Purdue etc.
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:16 AM ^
I don't have a great feeling about the ND game this year. It's still gonna be early in our system transtions, and we can't count on their starting QB and best WR being injured. But then again, that won't know what they're facing, much like last year when Kelly publicly said our QB was basically just a running back. That turned out well for him. Also, we won't have an LB playing as the FS position who takes horrible angles to the ball that should be INTs and end up TDs. So I just don't know. Mostly I have a hard time seeing us winning 3 in a row against ND. When was the last time that's happened?
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:30 AM ^
from 1987-1990.
Michigan had eight consecutive wins from 1887-1908 including two days in a row in '88, other than that nobody has gotten above two.
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:20 AM ^
This year, I think ND will be the best team Michigan plays.
OSU will be down and leader-less.
Nebraska will struggle in a conference much tougher than the Longhorn Conference.
MSU's biggest accomplishment is beating Wisco last year. One good game. They beat medicore teams and the rest of the good teams they played smoked them.
ND, on the other hand, really improved throughout last year and showed that their defensive coaching is at a high level. Combine that with a second year in their new offense and a Head Coach who knows how to lead colege kids and, importantly tons of 4/5 star talent....and they will finish in the top 15 in my opinion.
Really, I have watched ND for years and their defense was the best it had looked in a LONG time and they did not wilt toward the end of the year, they got stronger, which is rare. They are the real deal.
UM loses in AA (the atmosphere makes it closer than it should be) and State loses by double digits in South Bend.
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^
Agreed, watched ND down the stretch last year and they really overpowered USC and miami at the line of scrimmage, held both of those teams to less than 100 yds rushing.
Just looked at their depth chart and this might not be a good game to try to much power running - they go 301-285-300 on the D line and their 4 LB's average 250.
Will be a tough matchup for the offense early in the season, a lot could depend on how much of the playbook they can handle.
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:20 PM ^
And those weights across the line don't include the guy ND fans are most excited about- Louis Nix and his 330 lbs. He might not start right away, but he'll get a lot of playing time this year (rotating with Cwynar (your 285)). ND fans think this should be our best defense in a long time.
I am worried about what some posters have pointed out- not knowing exactly what Michigan is going to throw at us with your new offense. The first game won't tell ND much, unfortunately. I think Michigan will have a nice advantage there.
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:05 PM ^
I just want to point out that ND was a horribly easy but dropped TD catch away from losing to USC. Despite their overpowering of them.
August 23rd, 2011 at 4:06 PM ^
with this prediction.
It truly pains me to predict that Michigan loses to ND but i have to be honest with myself. They will be much better on offense in the second year and our defense is still....well......our defense.
We will not learn much about the defense in the first game and we will be playing much better talent in ND. I think we can keep it close from an offensive stand-point, but i just dont see us beating them.
I also think they totally dis-mantle MSU.
***This is a reply to petrklimas prediction.
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:18 AM ^
I hope I'm wrong, but I think ND has enough to beat Michigan this year. Since I also think Michigan is better than Sparty, they should handle Sparty easily, too. I think ND takes advantage of a perfectly-conceived schedule to make it to the title game.
I also think ND will get pummelled by whoever they play in the title game. I'm guessing Alabama reaps the benefits of overrecruiting to win it all again this year.