Welcome to the board, Dr Dome. Congrats on a great season - and don't tell anybody I said this - but its nice to see ND back amongst the elite in CFB! I also hope to be able to play you guys for the NC. This will be a very historic matchup of two the greatest programs of all time. I think ND will be a tough game, but I feel condfident of a win based off of the games I've seen your team play this year. Your team reminds me of our 2008 team - very good, but not quite there yet.
As far as the defensive comparison, I do think ND has a very good defense. I think your defense would make a lot of plays and keep it a close game. I see your defense giving us trouble, but I think we will be by far the best overall team you've faced. Your defense hasn't faced an O line anywhere near what our's is this year, and none the RB's have been as good as our's. I think we have the best offense and defense you'll face this year if we beat UGA. OU is the only team on your schedule that an argument could be made for that is statistically better than us, but they are nowhere near as physical. That's not meant to be arrogant or conceited - that's just what numbers say, and its what I truly believe.
Now, as far as being compared to say our defense last year, its not even in that category statistically. Your defense is giving up over 50 yards per game more than our defense this year, and but our defense last year held opponents to over 100 yards less per game than your defense does this year. Our defense this year is currently ranked #1 in total defense, and it a little below average compared to our 2011 and 2009 defense. Our 2011 defense is one of the best in CFB history, and our defense this nor your defense this year is anywhere near that level. That team gave up 183 yards per game, 7 points a game, and had 3 first rounders, 1 second rounder that came out last year, and 2 or 3 more possible 1st rounders that will come out this year. That defense was just plain nasty, and if we had them this year, we wouldn't have even had a close game this year.
With all that being said, I respect ND as a worthy opponent and there's a reason they play the game. I also respect CBK as a great coach, and I know he'll have your team ready to play. I believe if we get the chance to play you guys in the BCSNCG, it will be an epic battle of two very good teams. If we get there, may the best team win. Feel free to stick - we welcome rivals that like a good discussion on our favorite subject!
As far as the defensive comparison, I do think ND has a very good defense. I think your defense would make a lot of plays and keep it a close game. I see your defense giving us trouble, but I think we will be by far the best overall team you've faced. Your defense hasn't faced an O line anywhere near what our's is this year, and none the RB's have been as good as our's. I think we have the best offense and defense you'll face this year if we beat UGA. OU is the only team on your schedule that an argument could be made for that is statistically better than us, but they are nowhere near as physical. That's not meant to be arrogant or conceited - that's just what numbers say, and its what I truly believe.
Now, as far as being compared to say our defense last year, its not even in that category statistically. Your defense is giving up over 50 yards per game more than our defense this year, and but our defense last year held opponents to over 100 yards less per game than your defense does this year. Our defense this year is currently ranked #1 in total defense, and it a little below average compared to our 2011 and 2009 defense. Our 2011 defense is one of the best in CFB history, and our defense this nor your defense this year is anywhere near that level. That team gave up 183 yards per game, 7 points a game, and had 3 first rounders, 1 second rounder that came out last year, and 2 or 3 more possible 1st rounders that will come out this year. That defense was just plain nasty, and if we had them this year, we wouldn't have even had a close game this year.
With all that being said, I respect ND as a worthy opponent and there's a reason they play the game. I also respect CBK as a great coach, and I know he'll have your team ready to play. I believe if we get the chance to play you guys in the BCSNCG, it will be an epic battle of two very good teams. If we get there, may the best team win. Feel free to stick - we welcome rivals that like a good discussion on our favorite subject!