Vegas has ND -10 over UT at home.

[RoboCocks21]

Once again we have no chance. Can you not read on defense for us our DL will be an issue but besides that everyone is a year older and experienced. So you can say we have more returning starters on defense then you guys.

 

[Texxxxas]

I'm just curious what changes on Texas/ND makes you think of a +42 point turn around from last year?
No offense, but ND doesn't need to change at all.
Texas needs to change a lot, about five touchdowns worth.

I will say that NDs line actually will be overall better than last year, 5-7 deep opposed to two standouts. Stanley struggled in the run game. Martin is the bigger loss, but he almost lost his job in the spring last year to his backup who is back. Having seven guys back who are experienced is great.

I'm not a ND coach, but I wouldn't be surprised if this ND team lined up with two tight ends (our strength), two large WRs (Hunter & St. Brown), Kizer, & rotate Folston & Adams in the backfield & just ran behind the big Oline & passed short to TEs & WRs.

Texas and Notre Dame are not the same teams they were last year. That is flawed logic. You can read, so you know why I believe, that Texas will win.

 

[NDAFArly]

Once again we have no chance. Can you not read on defense for us our DL will be an issue but besides that everyone is a year older and experienced. So you can say we have more returning starters on defense then you guys.

A year older from a 5-7 team.
Just from reading your own board many people don't think most of the players coming back outside Jefferson & a few others are even any good?

ND brings back 17 players who started at some point from a 10-3 team. And all special teams.

I like your optimism, but 35 points is a lot to makeup, especially with a true freshman QB versus a 10 win QB.

 

[NDAFArly]

Texas and Notre Dame are not the same teams they were last year. That is flawed logic. You can read, so you know why I believe, that Texas will win.

I think Texas should be better, depends on QB play. If the Freshman bombs you could be worst?
ND will be the same. Probably 10-3 again.

We are talking a very wide gap from last year for Texas to change with a huge question mark at QB?
I think it will be closer, but ND by 13 (which is a huge improvement from 35).
I think that is fair.

 

[RoboCocks21]

A year older from a 5-7 team.
Just from reading your own board many people don't think most of the players coming back outside Jefferson & a few others are even any good?

ND brings back 17 players who started at some point from a 10-3 team. And all special teams.

I like your optimism, but 35 points is a lot to makeup, especially with a true freshman QB versus a 10 win QB.

You seriously don't make any sense. So are you trying to measure d*** size now? Oh 5-7 compared to a 10-3 team really? You sound like an aggy now.

 

[RoboCocks21]

These nd fans are getting really old real quick

 

[NDAFArly]

You seriously don't make any sense. So are you trying to measure d*** size now? Oh 5-7 compared to a 10-3 team really? You sound like an aggy now.

Nah, lost my dick in the first WW.

I'm just saying there is a reason a team goes 5-7. Your own board describes it & how the players haven't developed under CS, & the lack of talent & so forth.
Trust me, I know. I watched a 6-6 ND team who brought back Clausen, Floyd, Tate, Rudolph & Young on offense go 6-5 the next year. There was a reason they were 6-6 to begin with.

 

[NDAFArly]

These nd fans are getting really old real quick

Read my posts, I haven't said a single thing non-football related & only give opinions that I can back up.
Isn't that what we are doing here?

 

[Son of Wasatch]

We actually return our starting RB (Folston) who tore his ACL on his 3rd carry against Texas last year.

You don't just come back from an ACL tear and expect the same guy. It's likely going to take a year for him to come back into form.

For WRs, ND is in a similar place to Texas. Our leading returning WR is Torii Hunter, who was probably our "starter" in the slot more often than Carlisle last year. He returns with about the same stats as Burt.

None of your starters compare to either Burt or Johnson. They are talents you don't come by very often.

This is about as deep and talented as ND has been at TE since we had Eifert (1st Round), Rudolph (2nd Round), and Koyack (7th Round) on the team at once.

Our DBs it doesn't matter what you have coming back Texas has 5 DBs with NFL ability. That is not hyperbole that is fact.

Despite losing Stanley and Martin on the OL, the word out of spring practice is that we've upgraded the run blocking on our OL.

Yes every team gets better when you lose two NFL starters. I'm not buying.

We should be a much stronger DL, as far as playing the run is concerned. It's the pass rush that's our main issue.

Again, I'm not buying.

Replacing Jaylon will en tough, no question about it. However, out 2015 MLB (Joe Schmidt) graded out as the 3rd worst FBS LB my PFF and will be replaced by a kid who earned Frosh All-American honors

I still see this as a weak spot for you guys especially against the strength of the Texas offense.

Overall, or DBs should be sick against the run game, but our Safeties could definitely struggle in coverage (and aren't a deep group at all)

LOL, see a pattern with ND fans, No matter who you lose, the second string is always better.

A year older from a 5-7 team.
Just from reading your own board many people don't think most of the players coming back outside Jefferson & a few others are even any good?

You are talking about a team that started about 5 freshmen on offense and about 6 on defense. Not sure who you have been reading, but When I see the Texas offense I see 5 NFL draft picks starting and 5 NFL draft picks on defense. This team is oozing with talent, the one weak link right now is our QB, and once he gets a little experience that won't be the case moving forward.

I think Texas should be better, depends on QB play. If the Freshman bombs you could be worst?
ND will be the same. Probably 10-3 again.

We are talking a very wide gap from last year for Texas to change with a huge question mark at QB?
I think it will be closer, but ND by 13 (which is a huge improvement from 35).
I think that is fair.

In 1999 Texas beat Stanford 69-17, the following year in Palo Alto Texas lost to Stanford 24-27. It happens. Texas has fixed a lot of issues that plagued us last year.

 

[TheDecker]

A few quick updates for you:

1. We actually return our starting RB (Folston) who tore his ACL on his 3rd carry against Texas last year. He'll probably be the starter again (looked solid in the spring) with Adams getting a lot of carries in rotation.
Adams set the Frosh record for rushing at ND, at 7+ YPC.
I know Texas is high on their new RBs, but NDs RBs are actually meow proven (more returning carries, yards, TDs, games, etc.) and ND is equally excited about them

More carries mean nothing, especially when I saw what Warren and Foreman did once they got the carries. AND our RB's don't play against each other, which is why I broke it down like I did. Who are the LB's that will be trying to stop Warren and Foreman, we have Malik and Wheeler on the other side of the ball. If you want to speak on what people are saying out of spring practice, then those boys are monsters. You added some fluff here, I'll give you that.

2. For WRs, ND is in a similar place to Texas. Our leading returning WR is Torii Hunter, who was probably our "starter" in the slot more often than Carlisle last year. He returns with about the same stats as Burt.
For the rest of the of the WRs, we feel a lot like you do about Johnson/Foreman. We have a 6'5" STUD sophomore who led all receivers in the spring and the coaches have been raving about, as well as about 6 other 4* guys that were hearing really good things on.
Every team likes their players better, but most ND fans (including me) wouldn't even consider trading our WR vote for Texas's.

I don't know what a probably starter is, but that dog don't hunt. And nothing you said about your WR's, changes anything that I said before. So umm, I still see them in the same boat. We have proven talent at CB, Notre Dame can't say that about their WR's. I'll say this again, our WR's don't play each other. I've never understood that kind of breakdown. Advantage Texas.

3. This is about as deep and talented as ND has been at TE since we had Eifert (1st Round), Rudolph (2nd Round), and Koyack (7th Round) on the team at once.
That position will make A LOT of plays for us this year.

Thumbs up.

4. Despite losing Stanley and Martin on the OL, the word out of spring practice is that we've upgraded the run blocking on our OL. Those two were strong pass blockers (especially Stanley), but neither wasoverly physical or a dominant run blocker.
The way we've stock piled talent on the OL is matched only by Bama and Ohio State

You don't lose those two and assume an upgrade. I'm not buying.

5. We actually retun 3-4 starters on the DL, depending on how you want to count "starters". That's partially due to getting our staring NT back from a knee injury that cost him the 2015 season.
We should be a much stronger DL, as far as playing the run is concerned. It's the pass rush that's our main issue.

Here we go again, with the depends on how you want to count it talk. I see a trend. If you have no pass rush, it's murder she wrote. This offense will be harder for Notre Dame to defend.

6. Returning NT Jarron Jones will likely be the anchor of the DL, after missing 2015 with an injury. Along with 3rd year start Isaac Rochell and returning starter at DT Jerry Tillery (who is probably
Our most physically talented DL)

Same ole same, nothing to see here.

7. We actually only have 2 "new starters" at LB, as James Oneaulu started last year and returns. Replacing Jaylon will en tough, no question about it. However, out 2015 MLB (Joe Schmidt) graded out as the 3rd worst FBS LB my PFF and will be replaced by a kid who earned Frosh All-American honors (same as Vage and Williams
For Texas) in 2014 when replacing Schmidt after an injury. And we have a slew of 5*/4* studs vying for the open role.
Overall, pretty much all ND fans expect improvement at LB.

You lose Jaylon Smith, bring back nothing impressive at LB, and you expect improvement. I laughed.

8. We return 2 true "starters" at DB (CB Cole Luke and FS Max Redfield)...and neither one is coming off an injury. We additionally return 2 more players who could be termed "starters" as the both were set to start in 2015 prior to ACL injuries (SS Drue Tranquil and CB Shaun Crawford). Both were healthy and played in the spring game.

So nothing new here, except for being injury free. Again, it changes nothing I said before.

9. Overall, or DBs should be sick against the run game, but our Safeties could definitely struggle in coverage (and aren't a deep group at all)

Against what run, against Warren and Foreman, haha...good luck with that. And if they are weak against the deep ball, my oh my. Because as you said, word out of spring practice is that Shane, Collins, and Burt are going to be a problem.

10. It's also with with noting that we return all significant players from our Special Teams (PK, P, KR, PR, LS, H) while coming off a pretty strong Special Teams year....and most of those roles were True Frosh in 2015


The 5-6 starters that ND has coming back from injuries that cost them most/all of 2015 have a pretty significant impact on the 2016 roster

Texas 30-23. You added nothing significant, that would change my mind.

So let me get this straight

1. Starters you didn't know we're still on the team, like RB Folston, NT Jones, and LB Onwaulu...don't matter?

2. ND new comers being heralded during practice/camp (like WR St. Brown, C Mustipher, NB Crawford) doesn't matter because they're not proven on the field (even though not a single one is a True Frosh)....but Texas's a True Frosh are either "no worries" like Shackleford or "total studs" like Buchele and Johnson???

3. Your OL and/or LB being Frosh AAs matter, and even your totally unproven MLB is "a stud"...but NDs MLB being a Frosh AA is totally unimportant and there is now way he can compete with an unproven RB?

4. You realize that our WRs have more infield production than yours and were higher rated out of high school...but somehow your WR core is better??

5. You realize our OL got better after losing 1st Round Zach Martin (All-Pro) and 3rd Round Chris Watt (NFL Starter) 2-Years ago...right?
You realize how insanely well we've recruited and developed the OL, right?
You realize that the 2016 OL really will be a more dominant run blocking OL than our 2015 OL...right?
(Though not as good in pass blocking)

6. You realize the DL that held Texas to 3 points last year was terrible in the pass rush as well, right?



You may want to try to bring some level of consistency to what you're saying.

Somehow every Texas newcomer is a sure-fire star in your eyes while ever ND new comer and proven starter returning from injury is 100% suspect

 

[TheDecker]

Thanks for yet another "short" diatribe on why we have no chance, nerd. We may not even show up. You win.

What's with you and any discussion having to mean "Texas has no chance"

I've never said that at all

I just try to discuss things in a fact based format (meaning statistically accurate, not ignoring retun ting starters from injury, fair comparisons, etc)

Why does that kind of discussion make you so angry?

 

[TheDecker]

You don't just come back from an ACL tear and expect the same guy. It's likely going to take a year for him to come back into form.



None of your starters compare to either Burt or Johnson. They are talents you don't come by very often.



Our DBs it doesn't matter what you have coming back Texas has 5 DBs with NFL ability. That is not hyperbole that is fact.



Yes every team gets better when you lose two NFL starters. I'm not buying.



Again, I'm not buying.



I still see this as a weak spot for you guys especially against the strength of the Texas offense.



LOL, see a pattern with ND fans, No matter who you lose, the second string is always better.



You are talking about a team that started about 5 freshmen on offense and about 6 on defense. Not sure who you have been reading, but When I see the Texas offense I see 5 NFL draft picks starting and 5 NFL draft picks on defense. This team is oozing with talent, the one weak link right now is our QB, and once he gets a little experience that won't be the case moving forward.



In 1999 Texas beat Stanford 69-17, the following year in Palo Alto Texas lost to Stanford 24-27. It happens. Texas has fixed a lot of issues that plagued us last year.

You realize it will en a year since Folston's injury, right?

And he was actually playing innthensprinf game?

And somehow you "don't buy" NDs talent when NFL scouts are actually projecting it to the 1st Round (like McGlinchey) but your WRs who have never had 500 yards...or in some cases even caught a single CFB are "rare talents"

That's comical

How is every unroofed Texas player either "no worry" or "a rare talent" and every improved ND player (who are all older than the Texas players and at least have some CFB experience) are major issues?

You realize we've actually out recruited Texas, in addition to developing and out performing Texas....right?

This level of "all your players suck" and "all of ours are awesome" seems like it must stick out...even to homers?

Right??

 

[RoboCocks21]

You realize it will en a year since Folston's injury, right?

And he was actually playing innthensprinf game?

And somehow you "don't buy" NDs talent when NFL scouts are actually projecting it to the 1st Round (like McGlinchey) but your WRs who have never had 500 yards...or in some cases even caught a single CFB are "rare talents"

That's comical

How is every unroofed Texas player either "no worry" or "a rare talent" and every improved ND player (who are all older than the Texas players and at least have some CFB experience) are major issues?

You realize we've actually out recruited Texas, in addition to developing and out performing Texas....right?

This level of "all your players suck" and "all of ours are awesome" seems like it must stick out...even to homers?

Right??

Decker since you know so much let's start from the year 2000 till 2016 in recruiting. 2003, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2014. So only 5 times out of that span have you guys out recruited us. I used rivals and 247 to compare. And as of 2015 players that are in the nfl by schools the ncaa website says 29 for nd and 27 for Texas and we have been a dumpster fire of late. What is your guys excuses? I leave you with a quote from you "You realize we've actually out recruited Texas, in addition to developing and out performing Texas....right?"

Hook 'Em

 

[HornosaurusRex]

You realize we've actually out recruited Texas, in addition to developing and out performing Texas....right?

Wow, you guys must have won a lot of BCS championship games... right?

Hook 'em

 

[Texxxxas]

So let me get this straight

1. Starters you didn't know we're still on the team, like RB Folston, NT Jones, and LB Onwaulu...don't matter?

2. ND new comers being heralded during practice/camp (like WR St. Brown, C Mustipher, NB Crawford) doesn't matter because they're not proven on the field (even though not a single one is a True Frosh)....but Texas's a True Frosh are either "no worries" like Shackleford or "total studs" like Buchele and Johnson???

3. Your OL and/or LB being Frosh AAs matter, and even your totally unproven MLB is "a stud"...but NDs MLB being a Frosh AA is totally unimportant and there is now way he can compete with an unproven RB?

4. You realize that our WRs have more infield production than yours and were higher rated out of high school...but somehow your WR core is better??

5. You realize our OL got better after losing 1st Round Zach Martin (All-Pro) and 3rd Round Chris Watt (NFL Starter) 2-Years ago...right?
You realize how insanely well we've recruited and developed the OL, right?
You realize that the 2016 OL really will be a more dominant run blocking OL than our 2015 OL...right?
(Though not as good in pass blocking)

6. You realize the DL that held Texas to 3 points last year was terrible in the pass rush as well, right?



You may want to try to bring some level of consistency to what you're saying.

Somehow every Texas newcomer is a sure-fire star in your eyes while ever ND new comer and proven starter returning from injury is 100% suspect

I'm thinking you're not as smart as you claim to be, considering you pointed a finger at me, that should really be pointed at you, hypocrite. How dare I not think Notre Dame is what you think they are. I clearly said our offense will be different this year, so if Notre Dame has no pass rush this go around, they are in trouble. So it would have nothing to do with last season, considering the change in scheme and a better QB. Are you stuck on stupid? You're crying because I'm not bowing down to your watered down bullshit. When I looked at the final rankings from last season, Texas beat more teams in the top 25, than Notre Dame did. We beat two teams in the top 13. Hell, the only top 25 team y'all beat was Navy. So your schedule is watered down, and you lost to every good team y'all played. In other words, y'all ain't shit to brag about, so why is your chest poked out. Your overrated squad will get beat in Austin. Notre Dame doesn't deserve the hype. That consistent enough for ya.

 

[Texxxxas]

What's with you and any discussion having to mean "Texas has no chance"

I've never said that at all

I just try to discuss things in a fact based format (meaning statistically accurate, not ignoring retun ting starters from injury, fair comparisons, etc)

Why does that kind of discussion make you so angry?

I know you weren't talking to me, but here is a fact based question for ya. How many teams did Notre Dame beat, that actually FINISHED in the top 25?

Edit: Oh ok, y'all beat Navy. I'm laughing.

 

[Texxxxas]

Wow, you guys must have won a lot of BCS championship games... right?

Hook 'em

They didn't even have any victories, over teams that finished in the top 25 last season. Yet they expect us to bow down to their watered down schedule and team. Not happening.

Edit: Oh ok, they beat the Navy. I'm laughing at all this false bravado, as they beat no one worth talking about. Now they think they are beast mode around here.

 

[TheDecker]

Decker since you know so much let's start from the year 2000 till 2016 in recruiting. 2003, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2014. So only 5 times out of that span have you guys out recruited us. I used rivals and 247 to compare. And as of 2015 players that are in the nfl by schools the ncaa website says 29 for nd and 27 for Texas and we have been a dumpster fire of late. What is your guys excuses? I leave you with a quote from you "You realize we've actually out recruited Texas, in addition to developing and out performing Texas....right?"

Hook 'Em

What does 2002 recruiting have to do with our game this year?
How many 2002 players are still on your team?

According to Rivals (the site were on) Notre Dame our recruited Texas in:
2016
2015
2014
2013

So every class that make up the teams that will play in the 2016 class is a talent advantage for ND...according to Rivals.

So it's hard to see how every "new" player on Texas's depth chart is "a rare talent" while every new player on NDs is "nothing scary"

 

[TheDecker]

I'm thinking you're not as smart as you claim to be, considering you pointed a finger at me, that should really be pointed at you, hypocrite. How dare I not think Notre Dame is what you think they are. I clearly said our offense will be different this year, so if Notre Dame has no pass rush this go around, they are in trouble. So it would have nothing to do with last season, considering the change in scheme and a better QB. Are you stuck on stupid? You're crying because I'm not bowing down to your watered down bullshit. When I looked at the final rankings from last season, Texas beat more teams in the top 25, than Notre Dame did. We beat two teams in the top 13. Hell, the only top 25 team y'all beat was Navy. So your schedule is watered down, and you lost to every good team y'all played. In other words, y'all ain't shit to brag about, so why is your chest poked out. Your overrated squad will get beat in Austin. Notre Dame doesn't deserve the hype. That consistent enough for ya.

So you can't have a discussion about the relative merits of the team when it's pointed out that you (and other Texas fans) are ignoring about half our starters.

I never asked you to bow down, I never even said ND will win the game.
(You guys are the only ones making score predictions 3+ months out)

I just tried to have a fact based discussion about the depth charts, how they compare, and how they match up.
In that discussion I tried to have a consistent standard for comparison teams/players
(Instead of every new Texas player being a Demi-God and every ND player being below average)

Not sure why a basic discussion and comparison of the teams is so hard for you or why it upset you so much.

 

[TheDecker]

They didn't even have any victories, over teams that finished in the top 25 last season. Yet they expect us to bow down to their watered down schedule and team. Not happening.

Edit: Oh ok, they beat the Navy. I'm laughing at all this false bravado, as they beat no one worth talking about. Now they think they are beast mode around here.

Yep, we played 4 Top25 teams in 2015
#2 - Clemson
#3 - Stanford
#4 - Ohio State
#18 - Navy

During the regular season, we lost by total of 4 points to Clemson/Stanford, both on plays within the final 10 seconds of the game and we smoked Navy.

We didn't have many great wins (very true) but we stacked up well against some of the top teams in CFB for 2015

We didn't have an easy schedule at all

 

[TheDecker]

I know you weren't talking to me, but here is a fact based question for ya. How many teams did Notre Dame beat, that actually FINISHED in the top 25?

Edit: Oh ok, y'all beat Navy. I'm laughing.

Glad you're able to fact check yourself...and still laugh.

But a question like that would lead to a response like:

"How many teams did Texas lose to least year?"
or
"How many of those teams finished outside the Top25?"
or
"How many of those teams missed a bowl altogether?"

Still laughing?

 

[NDAFArly]

I know you weren't talking to me, but here is a fact based question for ya. How many teams did Notre Dame beat, that actually FINISHED in the top 25?

Edit: Oh ok, y'all beat Navy. I'm laughing.

We did curb-stomp a crappy team from Texas 38-3.

 

[oldhorn2]

We did curb-stomp a crappy team from Texas 38-3.

see there. We can agree on something. You did beat a crappy team from Texas...curb stomp em even....congratulations. I even agree that you will be favored this year in Austin. However, I believe we will be improved from last year and that we will win this game. We are also playing at home. That helps.

Really, the only thing I worry about is our special teams which have been really bad these last several years.With even average play from the special teams, I like our chances. Hopefully we have an injury free game.

 

[Texxxxas]

Yep, we played 4 Top25 teams in 2015
#2 - Clemson
#3 - Stanford
#4 - Ohio State
#18 - Navy

During the regular season, we lost by total of 4 points to Clemson/Stanford, both on plays within the final 10 seconds of the game and we smoked Navy.

We didn't have many great wins (very true) but we stacked up well against some of the top teams in CFB for 2015

We didn't have an easy schedule at all

In other words, Notre Dame has done nothing to puff your chest out about, as y'all didn't beat anyone worth mentioning. Fact no fluff.

 

[Texxxxas]

We did curb-stomp a crappy team from Texas 38-3.

Thumbs up for last year, on beating that bad Texas team. But as far as beating a decent team worth mentioning, that didn't happen for your overrated team.

 

[Texxxxas]

Glad you're able to fact check yourself...and still laugh.

But a question like that would lead to a response like:

"How many teams did Texas lose to least year?"
or
"How many of those teams finished outside the Top25?"
or
"How many of those teams missed a bowl altogether?"

Still laughing?

Yes I'm still laughing, because stupid still has you stuck on it. I made a valid point, and as you clowns are puffing our chest out, as if y'all are the shit. Y'all have done nothing to act that way, as y'all beat no one worth mentioning. You're overrated, and I can post several articles from last year that agree with me. We are not in denial, you are Spanky. Big difference there.

 

[Texxxxas]

So you can't have a discussion about the relative merits of the team when it's pointed out that you (and other Texas fans) are ignoring about half our starters.

I never asked you to bow down, I never even said ND will win the game.
(You guys are the only ones making score predictions 3+ months out)

I just tried to have a fact based discussion about the depth charts, how they compare, and how they match up.
In that discussion I tried to have a consistent standard for comparison teams/players
(Instead of every new Texas player being a Demi-God and every ND player being below average)

Not sure why a basic discussion and comparison of the teams is so hard for you or why it upset you so much.

You have indirectly said everything, that you have claimed not to say. Facts are not your friend, denial is. You return half your starters, that scares no one...not from a team that beat no one worth mentioning. When you say you guys post score predictions, you do realize there are also notre dame fans doing the same in this thread. Again, facts are not your friend, denial is. Notre Dame is overrated.

 

[Texxxxas]

According to Rivals (the site were on) Notre Dame our recruited Texas in:
2016
2015
2014
2013

So every class that make up the teams that will play in the 2016 class is a talent advantage for ND...according to Rivals.

According to Rivals, Texas finished with the higher average star ranking in 2015 & 2016, so no, that doesn't mean Notre Dame has more talent.

 

[NDAFArly]

see there. We can agree on something. You did beat a crappy team from Texas...curb stomp em even....congratulations. I even agree that you will be favored this year in Austin. However, I believe we will be improved from last year and that we will win this game. We are also playing at home. That helps.

Really, the only thing I worry about is our special teams which have been really bad these last several years.With even average play from the special teams, I like our chances. Hopefully we have an injury free game.

I said at the very beginning I think it will be closer. I said 30-17, which is a 22 point improvement for Texas. The one thing that can control an away crowd is a running game, which is NDs strength.
Texas started a lot of young players last year, but so did ND because of injury. ND is bringing back just as much as Texas.

Players ND bring back who started (not just played)
QB: Zaire, Kizer
RB: Folston, Adams
TE: Smythe, Jones
WR: Hunter, St. Brown
Oline: McGlinchy, Bars, Nelson
DLine: Jones, Rochelle, Tillery, Cage, Trumbetti
LB: Onwualu, Morgan
CB: Crawford, Cole, Watkins
S: Redfield, Tranquil
K: Yoon
P: Newsome
Ret: Sanders

Plus about 10-11 guys who played considerable minutes because of injury.

This team went 10-3 last year despite losing the most starters ever recorded by PFT for a single season. The three losses were to #2, #3 & #4 in the final poll by an average of 6 points.

So that is why ND fans are optimistic.

 

[TheDecker]

see there. We can agree on something. You did beat a crappy team from Texas...curb stomp em even....congratulations. I even agree that you will be favored this year in Austin. However, I believe we will be improved from last year and that we will win this game. We are also playing at home. That helps.

Really, the only thing I worry about is our special teams which have been really bad these last several years.With even average play from the special teams, I like our chances. Hopefully we have an injury free game.

Special Teams are the only things you worry about, when starting True Frosh at QB, C, WR??
(all positions that are key to the passing game, which is paramount in your new offense)

Texas could absolutely win this game. Texas has more than enough talent to be dangerous to almost any team (definitely including ND). Plus I have faith in the Texas coaching.

But you have major things to worry about!!

 

[NDAFArly]

According to Rivals, Texas finished with the higher average star ranking in 2015 & 2016, so no, that doesn't mean Notre Dame has more talent.

First off, in 2015 NDs was 3.54 & Texas was 3.34 so how is Texas' higher?

Second, there is a reason star ranking isn't how they rank teams. If so a team with one recruit, a 5*, would be #1 with a single player.

Class rankings by Rivals for players in this game:
2013 ND 3 Texas 24
2014 ND 11 Texas 20
2015 ND 11 Texas 12
2016 ND 12 Texas 13

 

[Texxxxas]

Players ND bring back who started (not just played)
QB: Zaire, Kizer
RB: Folston, Adams
TE: Smythe, Jones
WR: Hunter, St. Brown
Oline: McGlinchy, Bars, Nelson
DLine: Jones, Rochelle, Tillery, Cage, Trumbetti
LB: Onwualu, Morgan
CB: Crawford, Cole, Watkins
S: Redfield, Tranquil
K: Yoon
P: Newsome
Ret: Sanders

Plus about 10-11 guys who played considerable minutes because of injury.

So that is why ND fans are optimistic.

Notre Dame returns six starters on offense, and six on defense.

KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Chris Brown-WR, Amir Carlisle-WR, Nick Martin-C, C.J. Prosise-RB (NFL), Ronnie Stanley-OT (NFL), Will Fuller-WR (NFL)
DEFENSE:Romeo Okwara-DE, Sheldon Day-DT, Joe Schmidt-OLB, Elijah Shumate-S, Matthias Farley-S, KeiVarae Russell-CB (NFL), Jaylon Smith-LB (NFL)

I decided to use a few unbiased sites.

That's why I'm optimistic, that and Notre Dame beat no one worth mentioning.

 

[Texxxxas]

First off, in 2015 NDs was 3.54 & Texas was 3.34 so how is Texas' higher?


Second, there is a reason star ranking isn't how they rank teams. If so a team with one recruit, a 5*, would be #1 with a single player.

Only a clown would go to that extreme. We had more recruits, and more quality...see below dumb dumb. Then take your foot out of your mouth, after I show you where Rivals made a mistake.

...If you were smart, you would have looked at those numbers right away, and knew the average was wrong. But like Decker, you're not as smart as you claim to be...and I was waiting on you clowns to go there.

Per Rivals:

Texas- 29 recruits...5 stars-1, 4 stars-14, 3 stars-12
ND- 24 recruits...5 stars-0, 4 stars-13, 3 stars-11

A smart person would look at that right away, and know that something is incorrect. But smart you're not. They made a mistake with the number of Texas recruits, as it is a sum of 27, not 29. Now do the math clown. Texas has the higher average. So that would be how Texas is higher. We had more recruits, and more quality.

 

[TheDecker]

According to Rivals, Texas finished with the higher average star ranking in 2015 & 2016, so no, that doesn't mean Notre Dame has more talent.

Why would average star ranking matter?

According to Rivals, NDs class was better than Texas's class in both of those years.

So Rivals feels that we added more talent than Texas in the:
2016 class
2015 class
2014 class
2013 class

So yes, according to Rivals, we've outrecruited you every year that matters to his game and have added more talent.

 

[TheDecker]

In other words, Notre Dame has done nothing to puff your chest out about, as y'all didn't beat anyone worth mentioning. Fact no fluff.

You could have that opinion, if you're talking about 2015 results.

Are we trying to compare and and Texas in 2015?
I'm guessing that's not a road you want to keep going down...

Not sure how relevant that is to 2016 though...