Vegas has ND -10 over UT at home.

[NDAFArly]

I have been in your EXACT situation about 7-8 years ago.
ND was coming off a 3-9 season in which they played all freshmen & sophomores. And they had a top 10 recruiting classes (with Teo, Eifert...) coming in with a coach who went 19-6 his first two seasons (not too shabby).
We had guys coming back who were on paper very highly rated, most of which are currently in the NFL. Our QB position (Clausen)was much better off (ended up with over 28 TDs 4 Ints) & had freshmen AA's like Floyd, Tate, Young and so on.
We looked like we were ready to go, just like you think Texas is ready to go. We went 6-6 then 6-5. And that was with multiple AA's & first 2 rounds draft picks.
So that is why I question, because we were in the exact same spot & every ND fan was predicting great things. We all drank the Kool Aid. There was a reason they were 3-9.

I can see the exact same comments about Texas this year we said about ND in 08-09 timeframe.

 

[TheDecker]

I have been in your EXACT situation about 7-8 years ago.
ND was coming off a 3-9 season in which they played all freshmen & sophomores. And they had a top 10 recruiting classes (with Teo, Eifert...) coming in with a coach who went 19-6 his first two seasons (not too shabby).
We had guys coming back who were on paper very highly rated, most of which are currently in the NFL. Our QB position (Clausen)was much better off (ended up with over 28 TDs 4 Ints) & had freshmen AA's like Floyd, Tate, Young and so on.
We looked like we were ready to go, just like you think Texas is ready to go. We went 6-6 then 6-5. And that was with multiple AA's & first 2 rounds draft picks.
So that is why I question, because we were in the exact same spot & every ND fan was predicting great things. We all drank the Kool Aid. There was a reason they were 3-9.

I can see the exact same comments about Texas this year we said about ND in 08-09 timeframe.

I actually think Texas is currently developing exactly what ND was missing in those 2 season right now...toughness and foundation.

NDs lack of toughness and founding on the LOS was te major issue of the later Weis years.

However, Texas is going to need to show that they can add to that what Weis was able to add...strong QB play and offensive efficiency.

If Strong gets enough time and lucks into the right QB and offensive coaches, I think he can work out very well for Texas.
But those 2 "ifs" are MASSIVE and could very well sink Strong at Texas

 

[Son of Wasatch]

According to Athlon Texas Oline is ranked 5th out of 10 in their own conference.
According to ESPN Insiders it is a "weakness."
According to Phil Steele, having freshman AA at interior line positions is not a good thing because very few teams play freshmen at interior line positions & it shows lack of depth.

Not my opinion, just stating what scouts have reported.

Another thing I read was Texas was ranked outside the top 100 in defensive efficiency last year? That is crazy?

Not interested in the birds eye view of the program from guys who look at last year and project out this year.

I know what our strengths and weaknesses were. I know what kind of talent we have coming back. Our offense is a good QB away from being the best offense in the conference. Everything is in place but the QB. If we just get marginal play from our starting QB, you can expect to see this team max out as a top 12 to 15 team. If we get great QB play, then who knows how high we can reach.

Defense is a lot less of a worry, we have a great pass rushing dline, but it remains to be seen if we can develop good run support. our back 7 is lights out amazing. 6 of the 7 are NFL caliber. You are going to see some good football this year, and playoff caliber next year.

 

[TheDecker]

Not interested in the birds eye view of the program from guys who look at last year and project out this year.

I know what our strengths and weaknesses were. I know what kind of talent we have coming back. Our offense is a good QB away from being the best offense in the conference. Everything is in place but the QB. If we just get marginal play from our starting QB, you can expect to see this team max out as a top 12 to 15 team. If we get great QB play, then who knows how high we can reach.

Defense is a lot less of a worry, we have a great pass rushing dline, but it remains to be seen if we can develop good run support. our back 7 is lights out amazing. 6 of the 7 are NFL caliber. You are going to see some good football this year, and playoff caliber next year.

There are concerns beyond just QB, when you're starting a True Frosh on the OL...especially at what's definitely the most mentally taxing OL positions, and perhaps the one that also demands the most physical maturity/strength. That's only made worse when the player you would want to offload some the mental effort of that position to, the QB, is also a True Frosh who will be playing catchup mentally.

This certainly isn't a guarantee of failure for an offense, but it's a definite concern...and it's very likely to result in inconsistent blocking call and a higher than normal percentage of mismanaged plays.

Further inconsistency from starter True Frosh as other positions (no matter how talented) only compounds this type of issue.
For instance, running incorrect routes or poor timing from a True Frosh WR adding inconsistency to passing plays, even when the blocking and passing is out togehter perfectly.

Not to mention that these types of mental, timing, and coordination issues tend to be worse for new players earlier in the season
(And at their worst Week 1)

Having everyone with previous experience around you being forced to learn a new system, thus limiting the value of their previous experience and adding to their own inconsistency is only likely to exacerbate these issues
(Again, especially early in the season)

I'm not saying that Texas can't have a functional offense this year....but there is A LOT more than just semi-competent QB play that needs to come together for it to happen though.

It seems to me that inconsistency and mental errors (across the board) are likely to be just as big of a challenge for the Texas offense early on in 2016 as he actual quality of the passes coming from behind the Center.

 

[Son of Wasatch]

The true freshmen center you speak of has looked damn good, as did our true freshmen QB. I expect mistakes but we aren't going to lean on our passing game so I'm not worried about Buechele. As for Shackleford, he has a lot of talent surrounding him. It is also not a given he will start, there is a good chance that Jake Raulerson will return and that means we have a very experienced talented blocker running the oline.

 

[Scholz]

I'm not saying that Texas can't have a functional offense this year....

Well gee, thanks for that. Very magnanimous of you.

 

[speedstrength]

The true freshmen center you speak of has looked damn good, as did our true freshmen QB. I expect mistakes but we aren't going to lean on our passing game so I'm not worried about Buechele. As for Shackleford, he has a lot of talent surrounding him. It is also not a given he will start, there is a good chance that Jake Raulerson will return and that means we have a very experienced talented blocker running the oline.

I thought Raulerson transferred to ucla

 

[oldhorn2]

Raulerson was going to transfer but is having second thoughts.

 

[TheDecker]

Texas DB's vs Notre Dame WR/TE-Advantage Texas as notre dame returns no starters at WR.
Texas DL vs notre dame OL-push, both teams are nothing special, and are replacing a lot.
Texas LB vs notre dame RB- Texas

Texas WR's vs Notre dame DB's- Texas
Texas RB vs notre dame LB's- Texas, as notre dame is replacing 3 starters, and we have Malik and Wheeler at LB
Texas OL vs notre dame DL-Texas, notre dame replaces their best player, with nothing special on the DL

Notre Dame has the better QB, but he has no proven WR's to throw to. Texas will have a new QB (but as decker said, word out of practice is the kid can ball), a new offense, and Notre Dame has no film to study.

Texas wins. Notre Dame is overrated.

Not sure where you're coming up with a lot of this

Let's take a look 1-by-1 at the areas you pointed out

Texas DL vs Notre Dame OL
Not sure where you're getting our OL won't be special. Many are expecting us to have the best OL in CFB (again) in LT Mike McGlinchey and LG Quenton Nelson is probably the best interior OL we've had since the Holtz years....he's a 6'5", 340lbs mauling OG who is athletic enough to have been a 5* OT coming out of high school as well as our best pulling OL in 2015, as just a RS Frosh. Additionally, we're expecting improvement at the Center position, in terms of run blocking, as our replacement for Nick Martin is much stronger and more physical. However, we'll definitely be giving up some pass blocking proficiency there as well as some consistency. But still.....our LT, LG, C combo should be ELITE. Our RG and RT are less proven, and there is still a battle going on for RG. But both will be populated by Top100 level players who are now upper-classmen and have previous experience....and our RT is one of Kelly's favorite OT prospects in years (including Zach Martin, Ronnie Stanley, Mike McGlinchey, etc.) and will definitely be a major NFL talent.
You also have to consider the state of Texas's DL, with very little proven high-level talent and lack of depth on the interior.
This is a major advantage for ND

Texas LB vs Notre Dame RB
Last year ND played Texas with it's 3rd and 4th String RBs only......this year we'll have our 1st String RB back. Malik Jefferson is an elite talent, and has improved massively since our last game (I can only assume) but ND's RBs will also have improved significantly with Folston's return from injury and Adams/Williams entering their 2nd year.
ND won this battle soundly last year, both teams should be significantly better in these areas in 2016, and both teams have expereinced NFL level talent at these positions for 2016.
This should be a Push, for now

Texas DB vs Notre Dame WR/TE
Both Notre Dame and Texas have serious talent in the units, with several future NFL'ers, but very little proven production.
ND only returns 1-2 starters in the pass-catching units (WR - Hunter, TE - Jones/Smythe) and these players only combine for ~500 career receiving yards and a handful of TDs. Notre Dame has some ridiculous talent, with players like St. Brown (6'5", 215lbs, great speed), Jones, Hunter, etc....but not much proven production or in-game experience.
Texas returns more starters and likewise has some great physical talent. It's possible that Texas will be using 3-4 future NFLers at DB. They players have good size, and great athleticism. But Texas also lacks proven production.....as Texas DB's were ranked in the bottom half of the country for the 2015 season in:
Passing Yards Allowed
Pass Eff. Defense
Pass Comp. % Allowed
Interceptions
Both teams have the talent to be very strong in these units, but both also have a lot to prove before anyone outside of their own fanbases will believe that these units are really quality.
This should be a Push, for now


And this is without even considering the QB position for ND...which tilts every single one of these areas further in ND's direction


When you look at the actual facts of each unit (as of now) it looks like the ND Offense vs. the Texas Defense is a decent edge for Notre Dame.....at least on paper

The games certainly aren't played on paper, and anything can happen, but I'd be interested to hear your objective/fact based reasoning for why you think this would be advantage Texas

and then we can move onto the other side of the ball........

 

[TheDecker]

Raulerson was going to transfer but is having second thoughts.

From what I've seen posted on this site and other sites, it looks like he's definitely gone

Is it being reported differently somewhere else?

 

[oldhorn2]

No...you are right...now he is gone. He had meetings with the coaches last week and the news he got about his status in the depth chart did not make him want to stick around....I guess he couldnt crack the two deep.

 

[TheDecker]

No...you are right...now he is gone. He had meetings with the coaches last week and the news he got about his status in the depth chart did not make him want to stick around....I guess he couldnt crack the two deep.

Planning to start a True Frosh QB, C, and simultaneously WR in Week 1......is a tough way to bet on a reliable calls at the LOS (play calls, protection calls, etc.) and consistency in the passing game.

Those positions (especially QB and C) have A LOT of decision making and moving parts to get brand new players synched up on

 

[oldhorn2]

ok....so whats your point? We damned well know it is not an ideal situation, but it is the one we have. We are in a tough spot, but 2 things I know....1.They are still going to have the game...and 2.no one is going to feel sorry for us.

We are going to play the game and the fact that we are disadvantaged will make our victory ever so much sweeter.

Very thoughtful of you to be concerned for us....thanks

 

[Longyac]

Planning to start a True Frosh QB, C, and simultaneously WR in Week 1......is a tough way to bet on a reliable calls at the LOS (play calls, protection calls, etc.) and consistency in the passing game.

Those positions (especially QB and C) have A LOT of decision making and moving parts to get brand new players synched up on

There pretty much aren't any pass v run protection calls in the veer and shoot which is why OL downfield is the new big issue for CFB. The veer and shoot blocks run every single play regardless. The plays are signaled to everyone from the sideline. The QB does not call them. The RBs call any alignment changes so the QB never has to take his eyes off the defense.

 

[Son of Wasatch]

Decker you are one of the most myopic persons I've ever met online.

Your oline is marginal at best, your QB is not special, and all those pushes are really a decided advantage to Texas.

 

[NDAFArly]

Decker you are one of the most myopic persons I've ever met online.

Your oline is marginal at best, your QB is not special, and all those pushes are really a decided advantage to Texas.

Every scout's report or publication I've read says the exact opposite of what you just said (especially at Oline & QB). They are unbiased. But below are biased opinions by Texas Staff Writers. But they even see ND having advantages everywhere.

All three, (senior writer, publisher, editor,) predict a two score ND win.

http://texas.247sports.com/Article/...analysis-Texas-Longhorns-vs-Notre-Da-45687332

But all the scouts, coaches, & Texas media are wrong? Texas was a below average team last year, but now they are great? And all the ND players who were good last year just stink now?

Okay.

 

[TheDecker]

Decker you are one of the most myopic persons I've ever met online.

Your oline is marginal at best, your QB is not special, and all those pushes are really a decided advantage to Texas.

Where are you coming up with that idea?

Many credible sources have ND with the best O-Lineman in CFB for 2016 (Mike McGlinchey) and he's accompanied by a STACKED group from years and years of ridiculous OL recruiting and having one of the most respected OL coaches in the game

Not to mention we're coming off one of the best season-long OL performances at ND since Holtz

What's your thought behind this?
I'm genuinely interested in hearing/discussing how you reached this type of conclusion.

 

[Texxxxas]

Not sure where you're coming up with a lot of this

Let's take a look 1-by-1 at the areas you pointed out

Texas DL vs Notre Dame OL
Not sure where you're getting our OL won't be special. Many are expecting us to have the best OL in CFB (again) in LT Mike McGlinchey and LG Quenton Nelson is probably the best interior OL we've had since the Holtz years....he's a 6'5", 340lbs mauling OG who is athletic enough to have been a 5* OT coming out of high school as well as our best pulling OL in 2015, as just a RS Frosh. Additionally, we're expecting improvement at the Center position, in terms of run blocking, as our replacement for Nick Martin is much stronger and more physical. However, we'll definitely be giving up some pass blocking proficiency there as well as some consistency. But still.....our LT, LG, C combo should be ELITE. Our RG and RT are less proven, and there is still a battle going on for RG. But both will be populated by Top100 level players who are now upper-classmen and have previous experience....and our RT is one of Kelly's favorite OT prospects in years (including Zach Martin, Ronnie Stanley, Mike McGlinchey, etc.) and will definitely be a major NFL talent.
You also have to consider the state of Texas's DL, with very little proven high-level talent and lack of depth on the interior.
This is a major advantage for ND

Texas LB vs Notre Dame RB
Last year ND played Texas with it's 3rd and 4th String RBs only......this year we'll have our 1st String RB back. Malik Jefferson is an elite talent, and has improved massively since our last game (I can only assume) but ND's RBs will also have improved significantly with Folston's return from injury and Adams/Williams entering their 2nd year.
ND won this battle soundly last year, both teams should be significantly better in these areas in 2016, and both teams have expereinced NFL level talent at these positions for 2016.
This should be a Push, for now

Texas DB vs Notre Dame WR/TE
Both Notre Dame and Texas have serious talent in the units, with several future NFL'ers, but very little proven production.
ND only returns 1-2 starters in the pass-catching units (WR - Hunter, TE - Jones/Smythe) and these players only combine for ~500 career receiving yards and a handful of TDs. Notre Dame has some ridiculous talent, with players like St. Brown (6'5", 215lbs, great speed), Jones, Hunter, etc....but not much proven production or in-game experience.
Texas returns more starters and likewise has some great physical talent. It's possible that Texas will be using 3-4 future NFLers at DB. They players have good size, and great athleticism. But Texas also lacks proven production.....as Texas DB's were ranked in the bottom half of the country for the 2015 season in:
Passing Yards Allowed
Pass Eff. Defense
Pass Comp. % Allowed
Interceptions
Both teams have the talent to be very strong in these units, but both also have a lot to prove before anyone outside of their own fanbases will believe that these units are really quality.
This should be a Push, for now


And this is without even considering the QB position for ND...which tilts every single one of these areas further in ND's direction


When you look at the actual facts of each unit (as of now) it looks like the ND Offense vs. the Texas Defense is a decent edge for Notre Dame.....at least on paper

The games certainly aren't played on paper, and anything can happen, but I'd be interested to hear your objective/fact based reasoning for why you think this would be advantage Texas

and then we can move onto the other side of the ball........

I explained why. Regurgitating your words, along with your BS "push" here and there (yet you dare speak on objectivity), will not change my mind. You beat no one worth a damn last season, I'm not buying the hype of an overrated Notre Dame squad. Kick rocks, and talk to me after the game.

 

[LonghornSoldier]

Planning to start a True Frosh QB, C, and simultaneously WR in Week 1......is a tough way to bet on a reliable calls at the LOS (play calls, protection calls, etc.) and consistency in the passing game.

Those positions (especially QB and C) have A LOT of decision making and moving parts to get brand new players synched up on

Yeah yeah yeah... we get it already... Texas cant win, ND is the best in CFB ever to lace up and play.... stocked with a whole roster of current NFL talent even in your freshman....

Now to be serious.... yeah Freshman at center and QB and even WR can be scary - but there IS a reason these Freshman are getting starting nods - it is bc they have the TOOLS, the TALENT and the MATURITY to handle being put in those situations. Our new QB ran this exact offense in HS as did this center - maybe this offense is a tad more complex at this level, but they understand enough of the fundamentals to EARN a starting job... We started a few freshman on the line last year and they became AA - yeah that sucked for us. We started a freshman at WR last year too... kid was a burner and is picked to possibly be one of the bettwr WR before it is all said and done...This year the WR freshman is a FREAK of nature that stands 6'6'' is fast, can jump and is strong as a horse... wonder why they nicknamed him Baby Megatron... OHHH thats rught, kid reminds everyone of Calvin Johnson, AKA Megatron for Detroit... and that is based off of physical attributes AND level of play....

But wait, theres more! We have a history of starting freshman on the defensive side of the ball as well... but that always seems to pay off.... Malik says hi. Guys like Earl Thomas, etc etc all started as freshman..., and we did pretty good with them in there too....

Now that we have some balance and leadership on offense, expect to get your shamrock hole smashed the first week of the season. Your guys are gonna come out SOFT and cocky and proceed to pick up a shovel and start digging your own graves as you fall behind, which is when our guys wil smell blood in the water and return the favor from last year and run you out of town.

You seem well versed in your own talent, yet totally ignorant towards ours.... btw - you lost all credibility when you decided to say our LB vs your RB was a push as was our DB vs your WR.... you cant be nonbiased, and refuse to admit any shortcomings your team has in any matchup.... Now not only do I hope we beat you, I hope we kick your green irish asses so bad the Pope changes his support to a different team...

 

[Scholz]

ok....so whats your point?

To detail the shit out of us on this message board to win the game here.

 

[oldhorn2]

Sholz....what every college football fan aspires to is that one day their team will be as good as Domer fans think their team is every year.

Here is an open letter to football fans everywhere:

To whom it may concern:
Notre dame is the best football team to ever play the game. No one has ever been this dominating.

Sincerely,

The 1940's

 

[TheDecker]

I explained why. Regurgitating your words, along with your BS "push" here and there (yet you dare speak on objectivity), will not change my mind. You beat no one worth a damn last season, I'm not buying the hype of an overrated Notre Dame squad. Kick rocks, and talk to me after the game.

Except that you got things factually incorrect......So I gave you updated facts that are accurate (undebatable) and then gave my take on the situation

Now I'm asking, what do you actually disagree with and why do you see it that way?

Why don't you like discussing the upcoming football game on a football website?

Seems very odd

 

[TheDecker]

To detail the shit out of us on this message board to win the game here.

Yes, I'm trying to "win the game here"

It's not that this is a football site, or that the upcoming game for both of our teams is the ND/Texas game, and that discussing it is the entire point of sites like this......

That's much to obvious

The little temper-tantrums being thrown here because of polite, fact based discussion is pretty sad

 

[TheDecker]

Yeah yeah yeah... we get it already... Texas cant win, ND is the best in CFB ever to lace up and play.... stocked with a whole roster of current NFL talent even in your freshman....

Now to be serious.... yeah Freshman at center and QB and even WR can be scary - but there IS a reason these Freshman are getting starting nods - it is bc they have the TOOLS, the TALENT and the MATURITY to handle being put in those situations. Our new QB ran this exact offense in HS as did this center - maybe this offense is a tad more complex at this level, but they understand enough of the fundamentals to EARN a starting job... We started a few freshman on the line last year and they became AA - yeah that sucked for us. We started a freshman at WR last year too... kid was a burner and is picked to possibly be one of the bettwr WR before it is all said and done...This year the WR freshman is a FREAK of nature that stands 6'6'' is fast, can jump and is strong as a horse... wonder why they nicknamed him Baby Megatron... OHHH thats rught, kid reminds everyone of Calvin Johnson, AKA Megatron for Detroit... and that is based off of physical attributes AND level of play....

But wait, theres more! We have a history of starting freshman on the defensive side of the ball as well... but that always seems to pay off.... Malik says hi. Guys like Earl Thomas, etc etc all started as freshman..., and we did pretty good with them in there too....

Now that we have some balance and leadership on offense, expect to get your shamrock hole smashed the first week of the season. Your guys are gonna come out SOFT and cocky and proceed to pick up a shovel and start digging your own graves as you fall behind, which is when our guys wil smell blood in the water and return the favor from last year and run you out of town.

You seem well versed in your own talent, yet totally ignorant towards ours.... btw - you lost all credibility when you decided to say our LB vs your RB was a push as was our DB vs your WR.... you cant be nonbiased, and refuse to admit any shortcomings your team has in any matchup.... Now not only do I hope we beat you, I hope we kick your green irish asses so bad the Pope changes his support to a different team...

When have I ever claimed any of that?
What's with this temper-tantrum throwing??


Now to be serious........

You realize that starting all those young players resulted in an offense that finished 83rd in scoring, right?
And that "Frosh All-American" is not even sort-of the same thing as a true "All-American", as the pool is SOOOO much smaller, right?
But wait, there's more!
Starting Malik Jefferson had Texas "saying hi" to the 87th Scoring Defense, right?

So the basic point is, saying "we started a bunch of young guys in 2015 too" doesn't really prove that there isn't a concern there.....does it?



As for the ND RB vs. the Texas LB, and the ND WRs vs. Texas DB not being pushes........why do see it that way? Based on what facts?
(I gave you my support for why I see it that way, backed up with facts)

What do you think I'm missing about your team?
Was there something I said that was factually incorrect? (Like @Texxxxas saying ND replaces 3 LB starters, etc.)

 

[Texxxxas]

Except that you got things factually incorrect......So I gave you updated facts that are accurate (undebatable) and then gave my take on the situation

Now I'm asking, what do you actually disagree with and why do you see it that way?

Why don't you like discussing the upcoming football game on a football website?

Seems very odd

I got nothing factually incorrect, these are opinions based on observation...and what you said is most definitely debatable, as you made up rules for what a starter is. I gave my reasoning and will not do it again. You cannot and will not force your opinion on me. We've already discussed it ad nauseam. This is not a relationship, so stop being weird.

 

[NDAFArly]

I'm not saying Notre Dame is the best team in CFB, but I'm saying they are better than Texas. I'm saying they bent Texas over last year & not enough has changed since.

You are saying ND fans are overconfident every year, yet I've never in my life seen a 5-7 team who got shutout by Iowa State have fans so confident that their team just magically got good?

ND fans are citing actual real-life games that have happened & professional scouting reports, that all back what we are saying. Texas fans are saying the exact opposite every other person on earth is saying. But yeah, ND fans are crazy & overconfident?

I didn't say a word last year before, during, or after the 38-3 beat down. You all said the same stuff before the game then too.

Much closer this year, but still 30-17. Then listen all next year on how lucky ND is we don't play Texas in 2017...

 

[Texxxxas]

I'm hard headed.

"Notre Dame returns just four offensive and five defensive starters from its 10-2 team a season ago."

"Despite losing seven starters, the Notre Dame offense will be fine"
"but it can’t be as poor as it was at times a season ago."

That's a lot of starters for a team that was poor at times; but I'm supposed to be convinced of their greatness.

"Without Fuller, Chris Brown or Amir Carlisle, the receiving corps is weakened"

Not my observation about Notre Dame WR's.

"Now, Irish fans shouldn’t necessarily expect to see their team at the Fiesta Bowl or Peach Bowl — this year’s playoff semifinals — this season"

Soooo....

"For me, that starts at middle linebacker, squarely on the shoulders of junior Nyles Morgan.
During his first two years at Notre Dame, it’s no secret that Morgan struggled. He’s barely seen the field at his preferred position"

So replacing your starting LB's, does not sound so promising, although @TheDecker would tell you that they are factually great, and they were all starters last year. Odd. I know that Kelly is hyping Morgan up now, but I'll go by what happened on the field for two years. That's enough time to see change, and he struggled during that time. Malik balled right away, and Wheeler is right on track.

Y'all keep pointing to these mags and websites, well there you have it. That came from the Notre Dame Observer.

 

[LonghornSoldier]

When have I ever claimed any of that?
What's with this temper-tantrum throwing??


Now to be serious........

You realize that starting all those young players resulted in an offense that finished 83rd in scoring, right?
And that "Frosh All-American" is not even sort-of the same thing as a true "All-American", as the pool is SOOOO much smaller, right?
But wait, there's more!
Starting Malik Jefferson had Texas "saying hi" to the 87th Scoring Defense, right?

So the basic point is, saying "we started a bunch of young guys in 2015 too" doesn't really prove that there isn't a concern there.....does it?



As for the ND RB vs. the Texas LB, and the ND WRs vs. Texas DB not being pushes........why do see it that way? Based on what facts?
(I gave you my support for why I see it that way, backed up with facts)

What do you think I'm missing about your team?
Was there something I said that was factually incorrect? (Like @Texxxxas saying ND replaces 3 LB starters, etc.)

#1 this is a Texas board - please remember that
#2 You say prety much what I did in EVERY single post on here about this game.... and how ND is the king of kings and blah blah blah....
#3 Temper tanturm? Excuse me numbnuts, I dont recall going to your board to preach the variuous reasons I think Texas will win, nor do I downplay every aspect about your team while using pick and choose stats to back me up- so kindly GFY junior
#4 Yeah everything you say about what will happen this year in in fact NOT factual... yet you keepacting like it is.. You keep telling us what ND WILL do and what to expect and writeit off like this game i sover.. yet have the audacity to argue with Texas fans etc when we call you out on that garbage and make valid points that you wont listen to anyways.
#5 - again you are a VISITOR and until recently have been semi cool... dont push the boundaries and become a raging douchetard****nut bc I can already see you starting to drift that way ala RealBear/TeamRamRod/ and to a lesser extent Bullmarket.... ask around if you dont know who any of those ppl are... maybe that will get your head right....

Oh and if you need any more insight, simply read the post that was right before mine that SHOWS everything stupid you said and applied to Texas but act like ND is football Gods and nothing affects them.... you lose 7 on offense but shouldnt miss a beat etc etc.... seriously, just go away for a few weeks and come back when you are doen drinking your own koolaid and cn be rational and exists in a plane of reality in which loss of production and starts does have an effect on your team just like anyone elses in the country.

And should have you have anything to retort with or try to be snide/sneaky or slick, just let me know so I can bend over to make it easier for you to kiss my ass.... in other words - nobody here gves a damn what you think. You want to be respected and have normal conversation then quit talking out the side of yoru neck to everyone here and get acquainted with REALITY. Thanks for playing thus far though.

 

[LonghornSoldier]

I'm not saying Notre Dame is the best team in CFB, but I'm saying they are better than Texas. I'm saying they bent Texas over last year & not enough has changed since.

You are saying ND fans are overconfident every year, yet I've never in my life seen a 5-7 team who got shutout by Iowa State have fans so confident that their team just magically got good?

ND fans are citing actual real-life games that have happened & professional scouting reports, that all back what we are saying. Texas fans are saying the exact opposite every other person on earth is saying. But yeah, ND fans are crazy & overconfident?

I didn't say a word last year before, during, or after the 38-3 beat down. You all said the same stuff before the game then too.

Much closer this year, but still 30-17. Then listen all next year on how lucky ND is we don't play Texas in 2017...

You lose 7 starters on offense and nothing major has changed for either of these teams from last years game??? Are you seriously smoking crack? In what world does that even begin to sound believable?

And just for fun you havent seen a 5-7 team with good fans have a turnaround like we are talking about bc you can stop slobbing the knob of ND.... and I will prove it to you right now... TCU went similar to 5-7 a fewyears back... had a new QB come in and soem young talent across the board.... next year I seem to recall they won 10 or close to it.... their fans were pumped befre the season that year... but since you dont lower yourself to actually follow anyone aside from ND and whoever they may be playing this week, I am not surprised you had no clue about this. And yeah we got shut out by ISU - but we beat a playoff OU team, and Baylor as well... shoupd have beaten a few others but bad/missed calls and special teams cost us i think 3 games by a otal of 7 points... but yeah we were a HORRIBLE 5-7 team..... Should have been an 8-4 team and showed we have the talent to smash ppl... This year is when it flows...

I STILL pick Texas by 2 scores over ND and I hope Strong uses that game to make a statement when Texas takes the first lead it gets. You lose7 on offense and think that it will be ok 1st game of the year, but we have all this young talent returning across the board and they wont be ready for the first game...smfh...

 

[RoboCocks21]

There is no getting through these guys man....gave up....they think they know college football but don't understand any given Saturday.

 

[Bwilk55]

...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.

Texxxas, I hate to burn a fellow longhorn but this thread and discussion is obnoxious.

Texas- 29 recruits...5 stars-1, 4 stars-14, 3 stars-12 **2 stars -2**

This thread is worse than watching a Republican presidential debate.

Oh yeah, Hook 'em Horns, beat ND!

 

[TheDecker]

I got nothing factually incorrect, these are opinions based on observation...and what you said is most definitely debatable, as you made up rules for what a starter is. I gave my reasoning and will not do it again. You cannot and will not force your opinion on me. We've already discussed it ad nauseam. This is not a relationship, so stop being weird.

You in fact got quite a bit factually incorrect.

Or can you explain how ND is replacing 3 starting LBs (as you claimed) when we have a 3rd Year Starting LB returning, after starting nearly every game for the last 2 years??

When you get basic facts like that completely incorrect, you should be willing to discuss your take, in a normal adult back and forth

Being unable to do that just shows how weak and undefendable your position is
(And that you know it)

 

[Texxxxas]

Texxxas, I hate to burn a fellow longhorn but this thread and discussion is obnoxious.

This thread is worse than watching a Republican presidential debate.

Oh yeah, Hook 'em Horns, beat ND!

I actually tried to move on, several times. Why would you call me out, as if I'm talking to myself. I smell something fishy, I'm thinking your putty stanks and you're no Texas fan.

 

[TheDecker]

I'm hard headed.

"Notre Dame returns just four offensive and five defensive starters from its 10-2 team a season ago."

"Despite losing seven starters, the Notre Dame offense will be fine"
"but it can’t be as poor as it was at times a season ago."

That's a lot of starters for a team that was poor at times; but I'm supposed to be convinced of their greatness.

"Without Fuller, Chris Brown or Amir Carlisle, the receiving corps is weakened"

Not my observation about Notre Dame WR's.

"Now, Irish fans shouldn’t necessarily expect to see their team at the Fiesta Bowl or Peach Bowl — this year’s playoff semifinals — this season"

Soooo....

"For me, that starts at middle linebacker, squarely on the shoulders of junior Nyles Morgan.
During his first two years at Notre Dame, it’s no secret that Morgan struggled. He’s barely seen the field at his preferred position"

So replacing your starting LB's, does not sound so promising, although @TheDecker would tell you that they are factually great, and they were all starters last year. Odd. I know that Kelly is hyping Morgan up now, but I'll go by what happened on the field for two years. That's enough time to see change, and he struggled during that time. Malik balled right away, and Wheeler is right on track.

Y'all keep pointing to these mags and websites, well there you have it. That came from the Notre Dame Observer.

So Texas has great young LBs becuAse they were Frosh All-Americans

But Morgan "struggled" at ND...while also being a Frosh All-American in 2014??

And that's without mentioning 3rd years starter at LB, James Onwaulu.

Care to try again.......?

 

[Texxxxas]

You in fact got quite a bit factually incorrect.

Or can you explain how ND is replacing 3 starting LBs (as you claimed) when we have a 3rd Year Starting LB returning, after starting nearly every game for the last 2 years??

When you get basic facts like that completely incorrect, you should be willing to discuss your take, in a normal adult back and forth

Being unable to do that just shows how weak and undefendable your position is
(And that you know it)

So you're saying I was wrong about one LB, oh the horror. Based on what y'all lost, you lied about the number of returning starters for Notre Dame. That's a lot more weak, than being wrong about one player. But there you go being you.

"Notre Dame must replace its top producers in the linebacking corps."

"All-American Jaylon Smith declared for the NFL draft after tallying 114 tackles, nine for loss, five passes broken up and five passes defended in 2015. The brain of the operation, fifth-year senior Joe Schmidt, leaves his post as the “Mike” linebacker."

Stank on shit.