The countdown!

[VOL]

Irish Football in 66 days! And the Final Four comes back to Indy in 2005. It is the women's Finals; however basketball nonetheless.

This may be the year for Ty Willingham to get ND back on track.

[ June 29, 2004, 05:54 PM: Message edited by: VOL ]

[victim]

So, does that mean the BYU game was moved forward? First home game isn't until 9/11... and I'll be there, green shirt, student section... probably watching us lose to Michigan.

[buckeye]

yes the byu game did get moved forward so the Irish could prepare for the wolverines the following weekend. I dont think its going to matter.

[victim]

No, probably not.

I don't think Willingham's first year on the job was simply a stroke of luck though, he'll make something formidable out of the team in the next couple of years.

Now, I haven't been paying too much attention recently, but last I heard, things are looking rather sketchy for Ohio State's team this year... care to fill me in? (include all the truth bending, propaganda, and hopeless optimism you wish)

[buckeye]

Originally posted by victim:

I don't think Willingham's first year on the job was simply a stroke of luck though, he'll make something formidable out of the team in the next couple of years.

All the truth bending, propaganda, and hopless optimism you'll need can be found in that statement right there.

I really dont see how Ty is going to put together a solid team in the next few years. Dont get me wrong i think he's a good coach, and i respect but the conditions at Notre Dame as is, and his recruiting efforts so far aren't going to help his cause. He has yet to land a top 10 recruiting class at ND, his most recent class didnt even break the top 25. That type of talent is good enough to competet against Navy, and Sister Mary of the Blind. Ty is going to have a tough time putting to together a 6 or 7 win season this year, and if he keeps going at that rate, he'll be finding a pink slip on his desk.

As for Ohio State, im really sure you havent heard anything. In fact probably the only thing you heard is that we sent 15 (14 day of draft one after)players to the NFL, and that was the basis for whole response. Yes my buckeyes do have some holes to fill, but we arent as devoid of talent as what you are in South Bend. Ill start off with the major holes.

Offense
1. Krenzel is gone, we are in need of a new qb.
2. All but one of our offensive linemen are gone including one of our two tightends.
3. Our career yardage record holding reciever Michael Jenkins
4. BJ Sanders the Ray Guy Award Winner

Defense
1. All but one of our starting d-line.
2. Chris Gamble at corner
3. Will Allen at strong safety

Key players we are returning/gaining

Offense
1. Lydell Ross if he is injury free he could be the biggest factor on the team.

2. Santonio Holmes didnt play till late last year but had a huge impact he'll be the best reciever we have.

3. Justin Zwick/Troy Smith they may not be as smart as krenzel but they have much more talent. They should be able to fill his shoes nicely, and put up better numbers than he ever did.

4. Mike Nugent the best kicker in the country, enough said.

Defense

1. Ted Ginn Jr. He was the highschool defensive player of the year. He's another huge factor, if he has a year similar to that of charles woodson when he was a freshmen our secondary will be solid.

2. The remainder of our secondary, losing gamble and allen was big, but we have enough experienced and talented athletes to fill to void i'm not that worried.

3. The linebackers. Bobby Carpenter, AJ Hawk, Anthony Schlegel (Air Force transfer, all WAC as a sophomore with 112 tackles and 6 sacks) and Mike D'Andrea. These 4 are arguably the best linebacker core in the country, they'll be the heart of the defense next year.

4. Simon Fraser who was named to the Nagurski Award watch list (given to the best defensive player of the year regardless of position). Him and Quinn Pitcok will at least have two spots held down on the d-line.

The Rundown (pay attention victim)

Lydell Ross needs to play injury free, so he can utilize the speed and quickness he has. Previous seasons he has been injured and its been tough for him to do much. His preformance will be key to the Buckeyes success since the new qb's and d-line will need some time to develop and gain experience. The qb whomever wins the spot (which i hope is troy smith since he is very mobile) will have some targets to throw to, and shouldn't have too much trouble finding an open man. The o-line in front of him is still an unproven and could also hinder his development.

Defensively we'll be solid our line will lose some great players. So the burden of making the play will be more in the hands of the linebackers and secondary. It will be interesting to see just how well AJ Hawk and crew does without the talent they had before infront of them. But given the fact that all 3 of them are monsters it wont make as big of an impact. Ted Ginn Jr. could be huge, possibly one of the best players we've had in the secondary recently, right up there with Gamble, Springs, Doss, Barry, Moore, and Winfield. He'll be able to fill gamble's shoes just on his talent alone. Between Everett, Whitnner, and Salley they can fill Allens place easily, the other corner 3 yr starter Dustin Fox shall return and the secondary overall should remain solid.

The other big factor is the fact that our punters shall suck ass. I know someone who is a manager on the team, and he's told me nothing but bad things about them. This will hurt tressels field position football, but if Ted Ginn Jr. can get some good return yardage for us, than it should balance out.

So if Lydell is injury free, has his best year thus far, Ted Ginn Jr. steps up and becomes Charles Woodson, than we shall have a good team. It'll be like usual then big 2 little 8, OSU vs Mich for the big ten title, and for the better BCS bowl.

[VOL]

Now that is dedication and knowhow folks.

[victim]

Yeah... uh, er, go irish!

At any rate... college football trumps all and I can't wait for the season, win or lose.

[VOL]

victim, I had no idea you were a fan of sports, let alone college ball. And my input is that Ty is recruiting from football states like New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania so I think they will be above .500 at the end of the season with a spot in a bowl, just not a major one. Give it time.

[victim]

Originally posted by VOL:
victim, I had no idea you were a fan of sports, let alone college ball. And my input is that Ty is recruiting from football states like New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania so I think they will be above .500 at the end of the season with a spot in a bowl, just not a major one. Give it time.

I'm expecting on them pulling out at least a .500, and I'm planning on them being championship contenders within the next couple of years. Our recruiting wasn't great this year, but there certainly is a lot of promise. Overall, the team is pretty young too, Quinn's a halfway decent quarterback that's bleeding with potential (his errors can be attributed to his inexperience, which will change). Besides, it's more fun cheering for the underdog team in a close game (ND v Mich '02) that watching something one-sided... especially when you're on the wrong side (ND v Mich '03).

...and hell yeah, I'm a fan of sports. I was raised on football, especially college ball. I just don't live off of sport, that's all. Especially since Sportscenter makes me want to inflict knife wounds on myself and others, and I feel that pro athletes are whiny spoiled fucks that should be rounded up and beaten senseless (rather that deified by their fanbases and the media).

I also like red meat, fast cars, movies where things explode, and hot girls (preferably naked and/or trying to have sex with me)

[VOL]

Those naked women happen often for you??

[ July 11, 2004, 12:50 AM: Message edited by: VOL ]