Your Thoughts on ND-Syracuse
Not a great slate this weekend, but I'm super interested in the ND-Syracuse game. Something tells me that Syracuse might win. Not sure what that would do for UM chances at the playoff, but I always enjoy an Irish loss.
Your thoughts on this game, on others?
For your viewing pleasure, Syracuse coach Dino Babers after a previous big game:
November 16th, 2018 at 2:15 PM ^
A ND loss is good for Michigan but ND will win. People underrate the hell out of ND on this blog and its pretty weird
November 16th, 2018 at 2:26 PM ^
I don't think many people underrate Notre Dame. They're a really good team.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:16 PM ^
Something about ND doesn't pass the eye test. I can't put my finger on it but it certainly seems like there's a weakness there.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:19 PM ^
Notre Dame will win in a blowout because they're playing at home and Syracuse might be the most overrated team in the country.
November 16th, 2018 at 3:22 PM ^
Well good thing ND is not playing at home.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:24 PM ^
I think ND rolls in this game. Something like 38-10.
I also think ND should be ahead of Clemson, but there's no difference between 2 and 3, so who cares?
I honestly don't believe Bama and Clemson are unstoppable powerhouses. They've looked great against a bunch of really really really crappy teams. Like, MAC level teams with less creative offenses. I think if they play against a well coached team like ND or Michigan, they will struggle big time. I'd put those games at 50/50.
I think Michigan, ND, and Bama are the most balanced teams, and have strengths everywhere with no obvious weaknesses. Clemson and Georgia are close. OU/WVU/WSU/OSU/LSU are all talented, but have huge, glaring weaknesses. Nobody else deserves a mention because they're all trash, and would lose 99/100 times against any of the top 5, while the OU/WVU/WSU/OSU/LSU might win 25% of the time against teams in the Top 5.
November 16th, 2018 at 4:32 PM ^
I'm sorry, but this is a tone deaf take. Might want to chill on the hyperbole. Clemson and Bama have both beaten decent to good teams. Bama has absolutely destroyed those teams.
I can agree they're not unstoppable powerhouses, because it always seems like there's a reality shift when it's goliath vs. goliath, but give credit where credit is due.
November 16th, 2018 at 5:32 PM ^
Sorry it sounds so blunt and bleak, but when Bamas best win is against Cajun Hoke, who've struggled against almost everyone on their schedule, that's not moving the needle for me. Yeah, Bama and Clemson are putting up absurd numbers. But that's what happens when in some cases they never pull the starters, or in other cases they're basically playing against Maryland and Nebraska every week. Except the SEC teams are even more boring than B1G teams, and the ACC plays less defense and has less overall talent than the B1G.
So, am I impressed when I see a final score of Bama/Clemson 70 - xxx - 3? Nope, not impressed. I'll be impressed when I see how all those 18-20 year old kids respond to being down at halftime, or getting hit hard on consecutive plays.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:24 PM ^
Believing that Syracuse will beat ND will prove as satisfying as believing that BC was going to beat Clemson last week.
Syracuse doesn't play much defense itself, and ND's defense will be by far the best it's played all season other than Clemson.
If Book has to come out, that would probably be to Syracuse's slight advantage, but they don't have the talent to win a game like this away from the Carrier Dome unless ND turns the ball over 4 or 5 times.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:25 PM ^
Cuse keeps it to single digits on the neutral field but never leads. All due respect, their top 15 ranking is questionable at best. Their best win is... DD win @Wake Forrest? 10-point win vs NC State?
Probably their best win is a loss: 27-23 @Clemson in that first game Clemson officially decided to make Trevor Lawrence QB1.
They gave up 42 to Western. They have an OT loss to Pitt and an OT win vs UNC. The ACC is absolute garbage this year.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:37 PM ^
I think much of Syracuse's rep is 1) beating FSU handily before everyone fully realized that FSU is awful this year and 2) managing to not lose against a slate of crappy ACC teams.
You are correct in that they really don't have any good wins at all. Their rep is based on beating FSU and staying competitive with Clemson playing their 3rd string QB.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:59 PM ^
Yes, agree, good point about the FSU win.
All credit to them for "finding a way to win games." I think they deserve a top 25 spot for that alone. But their ranking is more of a testament to them simply just being 8-2 in a P5 conference.
Other 8-2 teams in the top 25:
#7 LSU would easily handle Cuse on a neutral field.
#25 Boise might be a pick 'em vs Cuse?
So, there's your variance I guess. Just a lot of 3 and 4 loss teams in the top 25 this year they're getting ranked over because 2 L's in the P5. Looks like I'm not the only one with this opinion.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:27 PM ^
ND uniforms are awful. They win by 17
November 16th, 2018 at 2:30 PM ^
I just wish they were playing this game in the dome! It drives me nuts when they take away home games to play somewhere "special". There's no place like a home game on a college campus. It also takes away the home field advantage.
November 16th, 2018 at 3:49 PM ^
This is technically Notre Dame's home game.
November 16th, 2018 at 8:00 PM ^
It was a good move, for both teams. It's not the 40s and 50s, but still a lot of ND fans on the east coast, and a fair amount of Syracuse alums in NYC as well. It will be a good atmosphere.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:30 PM ^
They both seem overrated to me and there isn't really any outcome that would surprise me. Go 'Cuse!
November 16th, 2018 at 2:35 PM ^
Syracuse is the Kentucky of the ACC. They're basically up this high because they managed to not lose but they have played absolutely no one - and that include Clemson starting their 3rd string QB much of that game
S 55 WMU 42
Pitt 44 S 37
S 40 UNC 37
S 51 NC State 41
Syracuse is butt and Notre Dame is sadly going to reveal the obvious to the world, just like Georgia did to Kentucky. Notre Dame 45 Cuse 20
November 16th, 2018 at 2:55 PM ^
Have to agree. While The Orange do an excellent job at creating turnovers (the only chance they have), they simply get out-coached in this one.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:37 PM ^
Go Syracuse!!!
November 16th, 2018 at 2:37 PM ^
Syracuse is a just ok team that's benefitted from the bad ACC. Lost to Pitt, beat horrendous UNC by a field goal, gave up 40something to Western.
This will make it all the more hilarious if they win. Just don't get your hopes up.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:40 PM ^
ND wins going away probably by 14-17 points. Syracuse is massively overrated and ND is actually good.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:40 PM ^
Lose you stupid golden dome bastards! Lose!
November 16th, 2018 at 2:54 PM ^
Cuse, 35-24.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:57 PM ^
Outside of Clemson, the ACC is garbage
November 16th, 2018 at 2:57 PM ^
ND is the better team. In the climate controlled Carrier Dome, I would expect ND to prevail without too much trouble.
If this game was played in a rain or snow storm, then who knows? Weird things can happen in wet, cold bad weather games. Luckily for ND, it is supposed to be clear skies and dry. I expect them to win and cover.
I am just rooting for us to win, stay healthy and sharp for OSU. Beyond that, I am hoping that John O'Neill is no where near the Game or the Big Ten Title Game. He worries me more than what ND does the next two weeks.
November 16th, 2018 at 3:11 PM ^
ND by 14+ unfortunately.
November 16th, 2018 at 2:59 PM ^
I like Dino Babers. He’s doing great things at Syracuse.
Syracuse is under rated.
ND is over rated.
Kharma, or the football gods, are not with us on this one and ND gets a lucky assist to get the win.
November 16th, 2018 at 3:19 PM ^
Kinda think ND is prepared to stay of the potential upset since everybody sees it coming.
However ........ a trip from NY to LA, with a stop in Indiana ....on the week of Thanksgiving ...?
Well, you all saw Planes, Trains, and Automobiles right?
I suspect facing a roadkill of a USC team, who will be attempting to savage not only a little respect for this season but also stave off another 2 years of transition suck, with this unique of a schedule outlier situation, may put the unexpected upset in full effect.
November 16th, 2018 at 3:22 PM ^
I thought Syracuse was going to pull off the upset against Clemson earlier this year - that was until Etienne had consecutive carries of 17 yards and 26 yards for one TD, and then started the next drive with another 14 yard carry. Syracuse had Clemson down to a 4th and 6 with 2:38 to go, but couldn't hold on. Of course, Trevor Lawrence missed much of that game.
I don't think 'Cuse has what it takes, but I would love to see the upset. I would also love to see Kentucky go down against Middle Tennessee or Texas A&M go down to UAB.
Anyone else tired of seeing this ridiculous meat shirt advertisement on mgoblog? I've informed Google that I do not wish to see this ad at least 50 times, but they really must believe I'll eventually change my mind and purchase it...
November 16th, 2018 at 3:26 PM ^
I get a lot of meat shirts too. They look disgusting, who wears shit like that?
November 16th, 2018 at 3:31 PM ^
I believe that Cuse will cover but ND will come out with a win somehow.
November 16th, 2018 at 3:47 PM ^
As much as I would LOVE to see 'Cuse upset ND, I don't see it happening.
Simply put, "Cuse D ranks 97th in Total D (I know not a very representative stat), just ahead of.....
SMU
ND offense will roll in this game (check weather to make sure nothing crazy going on there..... 45 and sunny, wind only 7 MPH in NY tomorrow)
Watched Cuse play WMU in the season opener, simply put, no defense at all......
ND wins this one handily.......42-17 as Kelly tries to put some style points on this game to beat a "ranked" team
November 16th, 2018 at 3:49 PM ^
Notre Dame deserves to lose in the uniforms which they plan on wearing at Yankee Stadium. Under Armour probably gave them a matching pinstripe cup too.
November 16th, 2018 at 5:47 PM ^
Yeah, I'm a Yankee fan too. It's like ND is just shitting all over me. I'm covered in shamrock shit!
November 16th, 2018 at 3:55 PM ^
44-9 Syracuse. Brian Kelly’s head looks like an orange by Q4 and then explodes like a piñata showering the sidelines with tiny orange leprechauns.
November 16th, 2018 at 4:03 PM ^
Go Orangemen
November 16th, 2018 at 4:08 PM ^
ND will force Syracuse to smell their ass. I don't think this game is nearly as close as people want it to be. 42-17 Notre Dame victory
November 16th, 2018 at 4:12 PM ^
2008: 24-23 'Cuse
hoping for another close/semi-good loss. ND losing to 'Cuse would be better than unranked USC IMO. Likely the committee as well, especially since it our L was W1 and since we are a better team by all metrics.
November 16th, 2018 at 4:14 PM ^
ND is not good. I said that before the year about everyone, MSU, PSU, Wisconsin and people thought I was just a homer and I expected a 11-1 or 12-0 record in the regular season. OSU, who is underperforming this year, was the only team that scared me. If we played ND even week 2 we would have won. It was a perfect storm. Michigan did everything they could to get blown out in south bend and lost by 7 and outgained them. They did virtually the same thing against NW but also had to play through the refs. Part of me wants ND to lose and part of me wants to somehow face them in the playoffs and beat the brakes off of them. To me their about as good as NW. I know ND won the head to head but the wildcats lost multiple starting DBs and that was the only way the Irish moved the ball at all. I also think if the ND game is played in Ann Arbor it’s a 2-3 score game for Michigan. I don’t think Syracuse is that good but they have a decent enough offense, something that ND hasn’t faced all season, to at least keep it a one score game. Whatever happens this year, Michigan will beat them handedly next season in Ann Arbor.
November 16th, 2018 at 6:30 PM ^
Thank you. I am so tired of some people acting like ND stomped on NW which maybe they did but only after two DBs went down.
November 16th, 2018 at 4:18 PM ^
Also book is incredibly overrated and overhyped by the ND fan base. He’s essentially a right handed hornibrook with a more open offensive scheme.
November 16th, 2018 at 4:37 PM ^
How are people unclear about this? If ND loses, Michigan moves to #3, where they'll remain unless they lose, Clemson loses, or Bama loses. This isn't hard to understand
November 16th, 2018 at 8:36 PM ^
How are people so set in believing that things are going to go a certain way when the entire thing has been borderline nonsense forever?
November 16th, 2018 at 5:45 PM ^
Go 'Cuse.
November 16th, 2018 at 5:46 PM ^
This coach Babers has bigger things ahead for him. Like him alot . And hes a very effective preacher too. He motivates his team well .
November 16th, 2018 at 6:24 PM ^
Here's hoping Syracuse treats ND as a possessed child and beats the devil out of them!
November 16th, 2018 at 6:33 PM ^
Western and Clemson games look better for Syracuse for key turnover in favor of the Orange. Move one win into the loss column (I know, dangerous because most anyone can do that) and you get a better picture of where Syracuse is at with respect to the rest of the field.
November 16th, 2018 at 6:44 PM ^
ND is pretty good, Syracuse is better than usual but that's not saying much, if ND loses it's a pretty big upset.
November 16th, 2018 at 7:35 PM ^
There is no scenario ND losing is not a good thing for M.
Go Cuse!