If ND is in the champion game they would be underdogs to top 8 teams in BCS rankings.
If they play Bama there an 11 point underdog. So many are for rooting for ND, this is going to be very easy to make money off this game.
PUSC won't be easy there backup is a 5 star recruit. The people around USC believe this Qb will be better than Barkley .
He won't be better than Barkely. ND will keep it close no matter who they play in the title game.
Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.
As much at it pains me to say it, Notre Dame reminds me of 2002 tOSU. Great defense with a clear established verteran star (Te'o/ Doss). A few close wins against lesser teams when their backs were against the wall. A star freshman carrying the offense (Golson/Clarett), and coaches with only a few years at each shool. More than likely they will play a heavy favorite/ last years title winner (Bama/Miami). Call me crazy but Notre Dame seems like a team of destiny. To be honest, I hope they win it all. Actually I hope they stomp an SEC team to make a point.
Dustin Fox was our leading tackler as a corner.... because his guy always caught the ball.
Yeah, I'm not sure an Alabama ND game would be a blowout. Both are defensively strong, it could turn out to be a 14-10 type game where every possession is just a battle for field position. I'm like many in saying that ND isn't the best team in the country, but let's not get carried away here.
They give up an average of 11 points a game.
Seems nuts to me that they would be 11 foot dogs. I think they will be in a game with anyone. I hope they win because I'm done with the sec.
@CC: I'm over the SEC as well. Ready for someone else to grab the limelight for a little while. It was like a fresh of breath air for me last week when the talk of CF was Kansas State, Oregon and Notre Dame as opposed to an SEC team for the first time in about 5-6 years. Didn't last long though haha.
Notre Dame is a team that confuses me though (the same way Ohio State has at times). They don't approach every game the same way, which means that you get games like the one against Pitt (which they would have lost had Pitt not missed the field goal in overtime), and you also get games like the ones against MSU and Oklahoma where they essentially controlled things. I'd be interested to see what ND team shows up in the NC game. You could easily say that the team shows up best when they feel challenged--in which case a game against Alabama could mean a hungry team, and a good showing from ND.
Great posts guys..agree with all of you.
Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.
Matt Wintexx USC QB guarantees a win against ND.
I'm not a ND fan but I hope they win if (which is likely) they play an SEC team in the title game. I'm tired of hearing how "great" their overrated conference is. ND is clearly the lesser of 2 evils here imo lol.
My dream scenario: Oregon wins out, ND falls to USC, and the Ducks shut up the Tide's yappers in the title game. As much as I despise the thought of an SEC team in the national championship, I couldn't handle another SEC fan whining about how Bama, Florida, Georgia, or other member of that legion of overratedness should have and would have taken the crystal ball if it weren't for their otherworldly strength of schedule. :/
Oh, and OSU would end up 12-0 with a strong argument for AP National Champion :)
"There is a force that makes us all brothers, no one goes his way alone." --Woody Hayes
@ least a 10 point underdog vs Bama.
4-5 against GA and may be even favored in that...but I'd doubt it
10+underdog vs Oregon...which won't happen anyway
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
I think ND has a good chance against eventual SEC champ (everyone assuming Bama). Saban's defensive weakness is (surprise) spread treams with a mobile quarterback. If B Kelly is good enough to get to 11-0 he should be good enough to understand Saban's kryptonite. That said I'm even more confident Oregon could beat Bama if they can find a way back in...