Notre Dame to face backup in Sugar Bowl.
- Thread starter CC Mac
- Start date
We're talking our own smack. I have no problem with theirs. They're a very good team. So are we.
I think we got a tougher first round draw than most. If Penn State played Notre Dame I think Notre Dame would beat them four out of five times. Ok, that's not a big call because history shows any top team beats Penn State four out of five times, but you know what I mean.
But we just had better win. Go Hoosiers!
I think we got a tougher first round draw than most. If Penn State played Notre Dame I think Notre Dame would beat them four out of five times. Ok, that's not a big call because history shows any top team beats Penn State four out of five times, but you know what I mean.
But we just had better win. Go Hoosiers!
Brother, you are free to choose to root for whoever you want. Where have I stopped you?
But you rooting for IU basketball and Notre Dame football literally explains everything. Nothing more, nothing less.
Cool, it is a similar situation…iu hasn’t hired well and ND had a stretch where they didn’t hire well. Looks like the hit on BK and Freeman
Its only 1 game, and there are specific matchups and dynamics that lead me to think at ND is an easier game than at PSU would have been.
In no particular order...
-Allar is a better passer than Leonard. That's where IU's defense is most vulnerable.
-Penn State, while the numbers don't fully back this up...I still think they have a more athletic and disruptive front 7. Notre Dame has a better overall, and more rounded, defense. But IU has shown what they can do to teams that aren't very disruptive up the middle getting pressure on Rourke. ND might do that, they're certainly talented and capable...but I think PSU would have been more of a certainty.
-White out at Beaver Stadium is worth more points for PSU, than ND Stadium is for ND...and that's not even close. Especially in this game. If IU has some early success, which has happened for them in most games, ND stadium will probably become a morgue.
Notre Dame has the best rushing attack IU has faced this year. And containing that might be THE single biggest key in this game. Other than that, ND doesn't have the "best" anything that IU has faced this year. Indiana has the best rushing attack, best passing attack, best rushing defense, and potentially the best opposing coaching staff, they'll have faced all year.
If that were to happen it would be one of the greatest stories in the history of college football, like movie type of story.
Coach who bets on himself that has been at a bunch of small schools gets a call to come and coach the losingest program in D1 history. He recruits a QB from a MAC school from Canada who is an underdog himself with a supportive now wife. Qb breaks hand and needs surgery (will he be back?) They have the big comeback and face a setback to Ohio State. The only thing to make it more of a movie would be facing OSU in the finals and beating the one big bad team that has had their number and beat them earlier in the year.
Forget Rudy at that point....
I have a Catholic sports bigamist friend who roots for both IU and ND. I asked him about the game and who he's rooting for, and he replied, " I hope whoever wins goes on to win it all."
At least he hates Purdue. *shrug*
I would say ND has the best secondary IU has faced. Best rushing attack IU has faced.
IU in my mind will be a lot like Louisville offensively
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Maybe they had no interest in attending college. You think that's possible?
Louisville had a chance to tie the game up in the fourth quarter against ND.
Indiana/Louisville probably isn't a terrible comp, in terms of the teams ND played. With Indiana being a degree or so better, basically in all facets a team could be better.
I hope ND plays how they did against Louisville.
Yeah if Iu plays like the stretch in first 3rd of season IU could pull it off. If ND the second half shows up, I think IU will struggle
IU played Ohio State just fine up until they went down 21-7 after two special teams blunders. And then IU was forced to abandon the running game. That's when Ohio State pinned their ears back and went after Rourke. This will be a game unless ND goes up multiple scores early.
As I Said: I guess I understand being a reversible if you're of a certain age and never attended either school.
Yep. Completely different game if those punt mistakes don't happen. Maybe still lose, maybe don't. Ohio State had some squandered chances the other way too.
But you're right, Indiana will struggle if they're throwing in to Notre Dame's secondary, because they can't run or get their shorter passing game going. Obviously going down a couple touchdowns, at any point, brings ND's secondary more in to play.
Agree, but the same can be said if ND falls behind 2 scores, & Indiana's defense will stifle their rushing offense.
I forgot about those if that is okay with you. In fact I didn't even think about those two games.
They let PU score 7 while IU shut them out. If IU didn't screw up in STs, we were likely to beat OSU. I don't forget N Ill beat them so if they are too cocky, IU will show them where are wrong.
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IMO, this game could hinge on IU's Oline. ND would be stupid if they didn't blitz to pressure Rourke after the UM and OSU games. I am sure that has been address in practice but can IU keep KR clean and able to go through his reads??
I sure as hell hope so!!
ND always expects favoritism, whether is with the polls or bowl games The problem is that they have received special treatment for many years That has led to some of their championships with the help of many broadcasters and writers who are also fans.
