Comments on: Lou Holtz’s Prediction is Improbable

By: trey

trey — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:31:22 +0000

domer, I think you got close to the issue, but only really touched on it. The thing about the controversy and why this whole thing has blown up is because LOU said it and used the words “National Championship” and Notre Dame together. He never said ND WOULD play in it, SHOULD play in it, or is better than the teams that WILL play in it. His argument is completely logical in that ND has the ABILITY to play in it. But hell, what team in the top-25, really, doesn’t? You dont get that ranking without having a pretty solid squad, and the Irish are no different.

However, one item I think you’re missing is the tendency of pollsters to overrate ND once we start winning strings of games. If we DO go undefeated, don’t you think it’s entirely possible that we’ll make an enormous jump just on the basis that “We are ND?” I sure do.

I’ve said this to my friends who have been making fun of me for this comment, but I really think eSpn put Lou(and does every year) up to this to make a headline. They succeeded and they got people’s butts in chairs and their eyes on the Network.

By: brendan

brendan — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:41:46 +0000

Totally agree mq.

In the blogosphere a lot seems to be made about the “impossibility” of closing the gap with USC, but it should be remembered that in the four meetings prior to 1988 Miami had beaten ND by a combined 133-20 including the last two: 58-7 and 24-0. Not saying we will or even that they have a good chance, but it is possible… (maybe)

By: Mackay Rippey

Mackay Rippey — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:17:57 +0000

Lou makes a very good point. #2 team? No.

Best team on the field in all of their scheduled games? Almost all of the time.

By: tednict

tednict — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:48:46 +0000

Lou is ALWAYS too high in his expectations of what the Irish will do. Eleven or 12 wins…possible but difficult. I get really tired of so many people ripping the Irish schedule for ’09. Did ND create or time the problems and rebuilding schemes of UM, MSU, BC, and Pitt? NO! Those contracts were signed before anyone expected those things to happen. Taking USC into account and this schedule could have easily have placed ND in the top 5 SOS teams. Additionally, I believe Nevada and Stanford will be more difficult than many give them credit for being. The schedule issue is BS! With all that said, I hope Lou is correct and the Irish sport 11 or 12 W’s at the end of November. If they are 12-0, they will play for the NC.

By: tricerapops

tricerapops — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 05:27:04 +0000

i’m with SDI above. can we just get this facking season started already!?

By: san diego irish

san diego irish — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:49:03 +0000

I think that Lou’s prediction is not all that far fetched and I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened. But he is always very optimistic about ND’s chances and so naturally everyone starts yelling homer before he even explains himself. I know that college football is a lot more complex than just star ratings, experience, and strength of schedule. But it’s a lot more reasonable to make predictions based on those factors than past history. I think a lot of folks are discounting ND because of the Syracuse game last year. But no one (except Biscuit) seems to acknowledge that ND was a team full of sophomores and juniors last year. And no one that ranks ND at 23 or lower can point to any real weaknesses in the team except rushing stats (a legit criticism) and some notion that Charlie can’t motivate his team/win big games. That’s no exactly a convincing case for ND losing 4 games next year–which is what it would take for them to end up 23 in the polls.

ND has more all around talent on both sides of the ball than they’ve had in years, a very favorable schedule, and an improved coaching staff. I personally think Charlie was right when he said in ’07 that people should get their thrills kicking ND while they’re down because it won’t last long. We’ll soon find out.