Blazefire

August 11th, 2010 at 8:35 AM ^

So, ND finishes last season 6-6, with wins over the Spartans, Washington State and a couple of programs that are marginally better than those crap pots, loses to us, undergoes a coaching change with an entirely new game philosophy (sound familiar?) and they finish with 12 votes? Wow.

BlockM

August 11th, 2010 at 9:25 AM ^

They also have a ton of talent. Weis did a great job of getting good players, he just didn't know how to use them. Unless Kelly implodes, I think 12 votes is a pretty reasonable spot for them.

Blue2000

August 11th, 2010 at 10:17 AM ^

They do have a ton of talent, but they've had a ton of talent in each of the last 3 years.  And this year, they lose their top 2 offensive skill position players.  I'm willing to buy that Kelly is a great coach, but I still think the amount of love ND is getting this preseason is unreasonable. 

bluebyyou

August 11th, 2010 at 9:48 AM ^

ND's coach has a recent history of tremendous success with little talent. Now, he has talent, although with no experience at QB.  If we win, things will change; until then, why would you prognosticate tremendous success.

All of this preseason stuff is no reason to get it tied in a knot.  If we beat UConn and ND and start 4-0, people will notice.  Remember, with our 4-0 start last year, we were ranked. Winning cures most ills.

chunkums

August 11th, 2010 at 7:52 PM ^

These are all true things, but Kelly runs a very simple system, and it is not the same culture shock as going from pro to spread option.  Also, the talent level at ND thanks to Charlie is just absurd.  Still, with how good the offense was last year, I don't see that being better.  As far as the defense, you've gotta believe we'll see a step up.

plaidflannel

August 11th, 2010 at 9:03 AM ^

Who is this Andrea Adelson character?  Iowa at 4 (top 15 no doubt, but top 4?), Texas at 11 (defense is still stacked and Gilbert will be better than Colt) and South Carolina at 14 (got smoked by UConn in their bowl and are a perennial .500 team) do not make sense to me.  I'd throw in Penn State too, but I feel like she can justify it more because of their track record.