Agreed. Just like ND or VTech, you have to play the big programs if you want to become one. Unless you prefer Purdue, Northwestern, etc...I'd prefer a more challenging opponent even if it results in a loss.
Bowl Game Projections
- Thread starter BigJCy
- Start date
I agree..a match up against a storied program is almost a win win...baring getting blown out..which I do not think will happen under Campbell..But a close loss to a bad team (ie northwestern or purdue) would be devastating.
Lets hope in the future there is good reason to leave those dates free from home basketball games!
I have for work, it's nearly twice as expensive...
As a Notre Dame fan, I welcome the ND vs ISU matchup. Conflicted though. Love ND, hate Brian Kelly with a fiery passion. Enjoy watching ISU, but want the program to do well and continue to trend upwards. I think ND is a much better team, but ISU has shown they can compete with better teams. If it means one step closer to BK getting canned, by all means, please beat Notre Dame.
ND is a better team, not a much better team. Iowa St. has a number of nationally under-rated players, led by our running back. DM would be the best back on the field, something 99% of Irish fans would not realize prior to the game.
Hard to imagine we would fall past Liberty Bowl to either Cactus or Texas, and I would not like either of those.
I'm going to go ahead and disagree here. Josh Adams was a contender for the Heisman before the Irish **** the bed against Miami. He's got more yards on fewer carries. I think Montgomery is an elite back in making people miss and finding the hole, but Adams is a better overall back.
Also, the Irish are a run dominant team with Adams and Wimbush, ISU has not had the best luck against the run and the 3-3-5 defense isn't the strongest against the run.
I find it hard to believe unless TCU beats OU this weekend, then all hell breaks loose
I think even if TCU beats OU the B12 still gets 2 in the NY6 and everything down the line stays the same.
According to the advanced stats, ISU is #24 nationally in rush defense. Our Front 7 Havoc Rate (% of plays resulting in tackle for loss, pass defensed or forced fumble, specific to DL and LB) is also #24 nationally at 9.7%. These numbers are all opponent-adjusted.
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaadef
Also, ISU's DL is good at holding the rushing game in check and allowing the LBs freedom to roam. We are #12 nationally in percentage of rushes that gain 5+ yards (32.6%) and #21 nationally in percentage of RB carries for <=0 yards (23.4%). These are raw values, not adjusted for opponent.
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaadl
As a Notre Dame fan as well I disagree with your disagreement. If DM is running behind ND's offensive line, particularly the left side with McGlinchey and Nelson, he exceeds Adams's numbers.
I will say all the projections give us a much better opponent this year than any other bowl I have been a part of.... I mean, Bama, Pit and MN?
