Future schedules, they're comin' round.
And 7-4-1 is gettin the boot outta this town.
Texas landed the indie network crown,
For awhile.
Mmmmm-hmmmm.
Gonna say some PC things about NBC and the Big East.
So we don't tip our hat about future channel "ND".
Actually gonna consider turf and a big screen,
That don't make ME smile!
Oh, Oh, OH...
Captain Jack will crush playoff dreams tonight,
And take on questions about non-BCS timin'.
Captain Jack will get ya answers tonight.
Just a little taste, but nothin rhymin.
Oh oh ohhhh...
Check out Captain Jack's latest in the SBTrib.
In case you didn't catch it in the song there, here are the highlights followed by my thoughts:
1) 6-5-1 is the new norm, 7-4-1 is effectively dead. Me: HUZZAH! HOORAY! YIPPEE!
2) An SEC game is possible down the road. Me: Great, let's put it right after we play Miami, Oklahoma, Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford. That's the perfect spot for a nice, easy game like 'Bama. Let's be the only team in the country that really, really tries to play solid, legit teams every week. That'll work out great.
3) ND will consider media options going forward, but it could be pretty much anything, and may not be remotely like what Texas is doing. Me: Yeah, right, we are going to do EXACTLY what Texas is doing.
4) The Big East is 'good' in football. Me: No, they're not. But that was very nice of you, Captain!
5) ND will consider a jumbotron. Me: Saying you'll consider a jumbotron is fine. Actually doing it? Not fine. At all. NEVER EVER DO THIS JACK. I don't care if it was 'great' at Yankee Stadium. First, the Yankees suck as an aspirational peer, and second it's just not ND. I also don't care if the players loved it. They can see themselves on jumbotrons 6 times a year in 6-5-1. And ten years after they graduate, they'll love going back to a Tron-less stadium.
6) ND will consider turf. Me: I don't even think it's okay to consider this.
7) There is no playoff plan that works. Me: OH YES THERE IS JACK!!!! Just read my Christmas Wish post and you'll have it - BOOM - right there. You're all set. Make it happen now!
Overall, I like Jack. Seems like a pretty smart guy that knows how to handle himself, and these matters. That said, I clearly don't agree with all his perspectives. But he has plenty of time to come around.
By Brad January 28, 2011 - 5:08 pm
I certainly don’t think that ND should get a jumbotron or go to turf. I think that both “just aren’t Notre Dame”. What next, stickers on our helmets and gunmetal black outfits?
However, I also don’t think they’d be the worst things in the world. I mean, compared to joining a conference, they don’t sound AS bad. My question is which of those two would be the worst?
I have certainly enjoyed jumbotrons at games at other stadiums. Its great to see a play again if you missed it getting a drink, or didn’t have a great angle to view it. But where would they put it? In the South Endzone? Cause I mean, sure, thats fine, but the people in the whole South endzone couldn’t see it. And we certainly can’t have one blocking Jesus’s view from the library. That would be sacriligeous.
Turf? You know, the new synthetic stuff isn’t that bad. It always looks nice, decreases the chance for injuries, and plays faster than normal grass. And if you’ve ever had the chance to walk on it, its pretty cool. But something tears my heart out about covering over and/or removing the same soil where every ND legend of the past has played.
Also, I think…I mean, how bad could it be? I’m sure people bitched just like this when they added to the stadium, and its great.
Either way, my question is, if its got to be one or the other, which should it be?
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By SDI January 28, 2011 - 5:40 pm
I’m opposed to both. To me football should be played on grass, outdoors, in the elements, no exceptions ever. I don’t care about the weather or anything else. It’s just not the same playing on carpet (no matter how good the carpet is), or in a giant gym with a roof. The jumbotron is less of a problem for me, but I don’t get the fascination. I could think of all sorts of techno gadgets that would be cool to have in the stadium, why stop with a jumbotron? But it doesn’t add anything to the experience for me. Watching the game live in front of me with the roar of the crowd and the ND band is perfect without any additional technology.
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By The Biscuit January 28, 2011 - 6:57 pm
There are lots of things that are worse than getting a ‘tron or getting turf. I still hate both.
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By DKNiGHT January 29, 2011 - 10:10 am
Notre Dame does need field turf OR tighten up that grass. It doesnt need to be that long or that thin. Jumbotron not necessary.
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By Stefan Kulak January 29, 2011 - 11:30 am
For one its all about recruits. If they want turf good god get turf. Jumbotron would be nice. But i’m not old sooo… Stickers on helmets? horrible comparison
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By GV January 29, 2011 - 2:54 pm
GV
Honestly, it is about what will help out our football program, and ultimately our University. These decision aren’t made “willy-nilly,” and I highly doubt Swarbrick is going to care “The Biscuit” or any of us think.
Swarbrick has a law degree from Stanford, convinced the NCAA to have its headquarters in Indianapolis, was the sports agent for Mary Lou Retton, and was considered to be the NCAA president. He also brought the NCAA mens basketball tournament to Indy and a whole bunch of other things (I think the Olympic Trials is one too).
My point is, whatever he wants to do, I’m on board. If he wants turf, then go for it. If he wants a jumbotron, then we are putting in a jumbotron. He knows what he is doing…the whole “It’s just not Notre Dame” is a ridiculous argument. What exactly IS ND? Because for the past 10+ (with the exception of the early 90’s, 20+) years it’s been not winning National Championships and being mediocre at football.
I will concede on one point – the Big East is just not good at football. And here is why…they CANNOT recruit any solid players, at all.
Also, when you (”the biscuit”) sarcastically talk about how awesome a SEC game would be, you should really think a little bit more about WHY we would do that. Yea, ok, we may lose to Bama or LSU or Florida, but we would play them down south or at a neutral site. Southern recruits that love to play for SEC teams will notice that and may just sway them to check out what ND has to offer.
By the way, who exactly has won the last 5 National Championships??? Oh yea, that’s right…THE SEC. And where are those kids from that play on the SEC teams? Oh yea, that’s right…places like FL, GA, AL, and other southern states.
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By The Biscuit January 31, 2011 - 12:31 am
Playing an sec team is fine. Playing an sec team in an already overloaded scuttle that is top 20 in SOS is just foolhardy. And your assertion that anyone outside of the Captain has no right to an opinion is absurd.
And quit putting my handle in quotes. It makes you sound like a jackass.
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By Trey January 31, 2011 - 10:31 am
He was a jackass long before that point, Biz
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By Ryan January 28, 2011 - 5:50 pm
I’m all about the hybrid turf that they used at the world cup. Hybrid turf takes your current field and reinforce it with synthetic grass fibres. Despite the fact that 3% of the pitch is made up of synthetic grass fibres, it gives the players the feeling of playing on natural grass, and makes the field way more durable. The Packers use it, the Broncos use it. FIFA used it in last years world cup. I think it would be a great way to keep our tradition while also moving forward in technology. Desso Sports is the company that did the fields mentioned above.
What are your thoughts?
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By The Biscuit January 28, 2011 - 6:59 pm
Not familiar with it but sounds like a decent alternative if we ‘have’ to do something else. I’d have to read up on it a bit. Sounds pretty cool though.
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By borromini January 29, 2011 - 10:54 am
Hybrid is very cool and IMO, the only alternative to a complete natural grass turf. To the players, you can still smell the natural sod and as noted above, with 3% of the field comprised of synthetic fibers, it’s worth it if that’s the only way to eliminate chunks of sod coming up during gameplay.
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By TLNDMA January 28, 2011 - 5:58 pm
Fix the sod problems, or go to field turf.
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By The Biscuit January 28, 2011 - 6:58 pm
Yeah, they need to fix the issues, for sure. But I can’t see why they’re having them. Top shelf technology and grounds crew should mean great, real, grass.
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By TLNDMA January 28, 2011 - 8:28 pm
Agreed, but they definately have issues. Considering the field is used what maybe 12 times a year? Doesn’t make sense.
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By Erik '04 January 28, 2011 - 6:03 pm
Just had a long post deleted by the internet pixies, but here’s the gist: If the team practices on turf, wouldn’t playing the games on grass disrupt their timing (e.g. QB-WR timing)?
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By TLNDMA January 28, 2011 - 6:10 pm
It would when a 3ft sq. piece of turf comes up as you cut.
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By Ryan January 28, 2011 - 6:25 pm
ya, but wouldn’t it also disrupt the timing of every other team that pactices and plays on turf just as much as it would throw off our timing? I still think the hybrid system is the way to go.
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By The Biscuit January 28, 2011 - 7:00 pm
Plus, much better MPG
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By Chris January 29, 2011 - 12:05 am
In the LaBarr Practice facility, they have 2 turf fields and 1 natural grass. It’s not practical to practice on grass every day, as that will wear ruts in the ground. I trust that much work is done on the grass though when it comes down to final game prep.
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By Trey January 28, 2011 - 7:16 pm
Jack seemed very much like a politician in this piece, especially re: CFB playoff. Same tired baloney excuses why it wont work, trying to convince us that it’s OUR problem because no other fans really want one. That was weak.
Love the move to 6-5-1 and i totally disagree with Biz about the turf issue. 100% with you on no tron, but turf needs to happen. It’s been proven to limit injury, its way cheaper in the long run, looks better, and can be tailored to behave exactly like grass. Want 2″ blades? No problem, but Jack get turf asap.
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By SDI January 28, 2011 - 7:44 pm
Trey–have their been studies showing it to be safer than natural turf? If so, please link, i would like to read. I played on the old school astro turf and it was brutal. I’ve walked on the new stuff, i know it is a lot more cushioned.
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By Craig January 28, 2011 - 10:58 pm
I’m fairly certain some studies have been done, and from what I recall (no citations, unfortunately), there are conflicting results. Some say field turf is safer, some don’t.
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By Craig January 28, 2011 - 10:59 pm
Oh yeah, I’ve played Ultimate on the field turf in Loftus. It’s wonderful. Very bouncy, perfectly even… the only drawback is that it’s harder on you when you lay out than non-dry grass. (Dry grass is brutal, maybe even worse than field turf.)
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By Trey January 29, 2011 - 10:34 pm
Im too lazy for that, SDI, but I know it to be true. As an official, i feel much safer on turf fields than I do on soggy/muddy grass.
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By Craig January 28, 2011 - 10:56 pm
Re #3, no, ND is not going to do things exactly like Texas. Unlike Texas, we don’t have the pull in any regional area to get on basic or a near-basic tier, whereas the UT network will very likely be drawing substantial fees from the DFW, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio markets (DFW is top 10, and Houston is 11th as I recall).
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By The Biscuit January 31, 2011 - 12:33 am
Not exactly exactly, but it will certainly be similar.
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By Randy January 29, 2011 - 11:15 am
On the topic of the jumbotron, while i appreciate the classic feel of a game at Notre Dame, I do think the in game crowd atmosphere is dull and is affects the home field advantage if you will. I am not looking for a massive TV or to turn this into an NFL stadium but I do think we can find a happy medium between what we have now and a jumbotron that allows for more energy. Being asked at a footall game in a pivotal moment to sitdwon by those behind me does not fit my interests of attending a game in person
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By Rocket89 January 29, 2011 - 1:21 pm
I’ve been a proponent of putting FieldTurf in forever. But I would gladly settle for the hyrbid system because it would probably be a good compromise for both sides.
I’m also in favor of a jumbotron, but more specifically 4 replay boards. If it was up to me I’d build another press box and attach a replay board to each corner. Alabama’s new replay boards are set up like this in the corners and I think it’s looks a lot better and less intrusive than one or two giant video boards.
I’m very curious to see which change (turf or video screens) are more likely. I think turf is more likely.
But putting in video boards could be done in a classy way. A big problem that I think is being overlooked is that with a video board some type of music has to be played, and that is yet another tricky thing to do.
You’d also have to coordinate everything with the band, yet another problem. But I think this can all be done.
What I would do is put the four video boards up and have them turned off until a couple minutes before the team comes out. Then run a two-minute video clip with some exciting classical music in the background (we’re probably not ever seeing rock or hip hop anytime soon which is okay) and put Rockne’s speech, some scenes from Rudy, sound bites from former and current players, classic clips from big games, etc.
We see the team in the tunnel, the video ends, and the players run out to the fight song by the band.
For the rest of the game have the boards either turned off or put up a roatating ND logo or shamrock like they did at Yankee Stadium. I’d go with the latter because it would be showing replays often.
For the rest of the game just have it show replays and maybe coordinate 4 or 5 videos when the band isn’t playing any music. If we’re playing Michigan, show some highlights from classic victories over UM and the like.
Would doing something like this really be that bad? I don’t think we’re going to see one or two giant jumbotrons that pump music all game long and cheesy promotionals and allt that crap you see in the NFL or at other colleges. That’s just not happening, yet I think a lot of people believe that having a jumbotron or video boards will bring that type of nuisance. Well, that’s not happening at Notre Dame…ever.
Just give us some replays and tradition-filled videos to keep the crowd a little bit more engaged. It doesn’t have to be the apocalypse to watch replays and relive some classic moments in Notre Dame history.
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By GV January 29, 2011 - 2:53 pm
Honestly, it is about what will help out our football program, and ultimately our University. These decision aren’t made “willy-nilly,” and I highly doubt Swarbrick is going to care “The Biscuit” or any of us think.
Swarbrick has a law degree from Stanford, convinced the NCAA to have its headquarters in Indianapolis, was the sports agent for Mary Lou Retton, and was considered to be the NCAA president. He also brought the NCAA mens basketball tournament to Indy and a whole bunch of other things (I think the Olympic Trials is one too).
My point is, whatever he wants to do, I’m on board. If he wants turf, then go for it. If he wants a jumbotron, then we are putting in a jumbotron. He knows what he is doing…the whole “It’s just not Notre Dame” is a ridiculous argument. What exactly IS ND? Because for the past 10+ (with the exception of the early 90′s, 20+) years it’s been not winning National Championships and being mediocre at football.
I will concede on one point – the Big East is just not good at football. And here is why…they CANNOT recruit any solid players, at all.
Also, when you (“the biscuit”) sarcastically talk about how awesome a SEC game would be, you should really think a little bit more about WHY we would do that. Yea, ok, we may lose to Bama or LSU or Florida, but we would play them down south or at a neutral site. Southern recruits that love to play for SEC teams will notice that and may just sway them to check out what ND has to offer.
By the way, who exactly has won the last 5 National Championships??? Oh yea, that’s right…THE SEC. And where are those kids from that play on the SEC teams? Oh yea, that’s right…places like FL, GA, AL, and other southern states.
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By TC68 January 29, 2011 - 3:55 pm
Re: scheduling the SEC — Lets just make it a point to play them every year in the NC Game.
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By DayBreakBoys January 29, 2011 - 10:25 pm
I am UNBELIEVABLY AGAINST turf.
Notre Dame is bedrock football. BEDROCK. The foundation.
You know what comes after turf? Painted endzones. PAINTED ENDZONES AT NOTRE DAME. Where the greats took a knee in the endzone.
I’m disgusted at the thought. This should never be allowed. There isn’t a recruit in the world that would refuse to play somewhere cause they used real grass.
What’s next? A dome?
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By Rocket89 January 29, 2011 - 11:59 pm
The endzones have been painted in the past at Notre Dame. So there goes that argument.
Where in the Notre Dame Football Bible does it say that the endzones can’t be painted? And why is it a sin?
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By Bad Kermit January 30, 2011 - 10:44 pm
Over-sentimentality is for dopes who root for teams that never win. I don’t care if they have an animatronic Gipper come out and dance the halftime show. Just. Win. There are WAY better things to be “disgusted” about that turf.
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By Trey January 31, 2011 - 10:35 am
Kinda like the Cubbies and pretty much everything, right? Sry, couldnt resist. Braves fan.
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By JB January 31, 2011 - 11:37 am
I agree that over-sentimentality is a problem if it is preventing the program from winning. I think there are good arguments for FieldTurf, as the current field may hurt the team. But, I don’t see how installing a JumboTron gives ND a competitive advantage.
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By The Biscuit January 31, 2011 - 12:37 pm
Like your face?
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By DeepTeaKup January 31, 2011 - 1:49 pm
Would you want the Cubs playing in Comiskey if it meant they could win a World Series?
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By Bad Kermit February 3, 2011 - 3:29 pm
Yes. And it’s going to have to happen at some point. Wrigley is falling apart.
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By BryanW January 31, 2011 - 5:55 pm
We all love ND football, but come one man. In the end it’s still football and not a religion. Don’t take things too far.
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By Mouth January 29, 2011 - 11:39 pm
I’m 100% opposed to jumbotron. What does it add to the atmosphere? Very little. The games seem boring because of the tee-tottling, “down-in-front” rich old farts. The games will be more fun when they start kicking it.
Field turf is a different story–it directly affects the game. The arguments against turf–as I understand them–are (a) that it’s tradition and (b) that football should be played on turf because that’s what god intended. . Kelly wants turf. He’s recruiting speed. Why neutralize the speed advantage that we’ll have over most teams by stubbornly clinging to our “tradition” of playing on grass? Consider alsol that most bowl games are played on turf. Winning is Notre Dame’s most important tradition, and Kelly thinks turf will help us win. We need turf or some type of artificial or hybrid surface.
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By GB January 30, 2011 - 3:07 am
I read the same thing Trey did about AstroTurf or whatever you call it as being safer. I think a happy medium is what Rocket 89 said and use the artificial stuff as a framework and use natural grass.
Randy has the right idea to use 4 screens in the corners. It is not too out of line and it will increase the crowd involvement.
I like the Biscuit’s idea of playing the SEC school but definitely not after a big game like UM or “USC. intersperse big games.
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By Squeeze77 January 30, 2011 - 7:43 am
Hybrid turf- a resounding yes. Trons in the corners- by all means. In Rupp where UK b-ball is almost as sacred as ND football the addition of the trons has jacked up crowd involvement especially when displaying player intros, clips of traditions, and let’s not forget instant replay. As for scheduling SEC opponents, you’d better recruit more depth- your gonna need it. While we’re at it let’s bring back Clashmore Mike.
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By Irish007 January 31, 2011 - 1:26 am
Amen.
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By BryanW January 31, 2011 - 6:00 pm
I think Lambeau field is the perfect model for the turf at ND Stadium. The synthetic fibers clearly make a difference in the way that the field holds up. I love tradition as much as anyone, but it is fast becoming a tradition for the ND Stadium playing surface to be among the worst in college football. As for the jumbo tron, I had been against the idea completely. However, over the past few weeks, I have started to change my mind. I wasn’t at the game at Yankee Stadium, but all reports have been positive. The real problems with jumbo trons are advertisements and the cutesy stuff (kiss cams and the like). I have faith that ND will avoid both. I would love to see them used as tools throughout the game. Play a video before the team comes out, but don’t pipe in music. Have the band play along with the video. Big 3rd down coming up? Let’s see some clips of ND teams of the past stuffing runs and knocking down passes. I know we have plenty of creative staff, students, and friends of ND who would love to be a part of coming up with unique ways to use video. If you keep the cute graphics down to a minimum and are smart with the video selection, ND could really be cutting edge in terms of the use of jumbo trons (and being cutting edge IS part of the tradition of ND football).
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By The Biscuit January 31, 2011 - 7:23 pm
I think my main thing is that the experience is so different simply because there’s none of that. Maybe it would help with recruiting, I don’t know. Maybe it would help with gameday atmosphere/noise, I don’t know. But I know it would also be different, and the same. Different from what it is – which would be a shame because it’s so unique. And the same as everyone else – which is a shame as well. Maybe there’s a way to do the jumbo tron and have it work in an “ND Way”. I don’t know though. I like that it gets quiet (real quiet) here and there. I like that ‘all i have to do’ is yell and sing and dance along with the band and talk to my family and friends and the people around me. Maybe I’m the oldest dude in his early 30′s ever, but I like that stuff.
Besides, I’m usually so toasted by then that ANYTHING is fun. Maybe the better answer is to sell beer in the stadium?
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By GB January 31, 2011 - 9:50 pm
Winning is ND’s richest tradition. Tradition has it’s place. However, Rockne defied tradition with the inventive forward pass, the shift and the barnstorming. Inventiveness has it’s place also.
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By The Biscuit February 1, 2011 - 9:30 am
Is putting in a jumbotron inventive? Or just following?
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By Mark G February 1, 2011 - 2:49 pm
Turf? Sure … some sort of decent turf like the hybrid discussed above, might make the field faster and help it hold up better for those November games. However, I am not a fan of the field turf (the stuff with the ground up tires), and have seen a lot more high school turned ankles and twisted knees (granted, those athletes are not as strong or as well conditioned) than on good grass.
Jumbotron? Please don’t. Three reasons (because, as a believer in the Holy Trinity, I do everything in threes).
1. Have you ever been in a stadium when a team sucks or is just playing terribly poorly and the jumbo tron pictures and music and Ted Baxter-like voice over are trying to get the crowd going? It is just sad. Like going to a Bulls game post Jordan.
2. It takes away from watching the live action. I know it doesn’t have to, but it does. You are watching the replay and miss who is coming into the game, what is going on on the sideline, what the USC song girls are doing, etc. And you miss the community feeling of asking those around you “who made that tackle” or asking the guy with the radio set on his head what the good announcers had to say.
3. Architecturally, they look horrible in all except the most modern of stadiums. I know that an aesthetic argument may not hold much sway on this site, but that’s my story and I am sticking to it.
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