IMO the 2012 team is the best of the CNS era to this point. But I honestly believe this team has a chance to easily eclipse that team. By a lot. But they have to finish the season to do it. Have to win the national championship or else you're just the 2016 Alabama team.
Hello from ND fan
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I wouldn't say this team is better than 2012 in terms of accomplishment. There is plenty left to accomplish: win all major rivalry games, SEC title, a national title. 2012 got those things done...2018's accomplishments are to be determined. This team may have even more NFL talent though. Especially on the offensive side where I think the QB is a 1st rounder (possibly top pick in 2020), the top 4 WRs will all eventually get drafted no worse than the 3rd round (Juedy and Waddle are 1st rounders), the TE will probably be the top taken at his position in 2020.
I think you're spot on in your assessment for Notre Dame's optimal path. You shouldn't want a rematch with Michigan because they have so much "data" on your team despite the QB change and motivation may not be quantifiable yet unwise to discount. I think Clemson will struggle mightily with your defensive front. They're running all over folks this year but I still see the same mediocre play from their OL. ACC is awful this year and it has mostly masked Clemson's worts. Lawrence is a rare talent but he's had shaky stretches in games which is understandable for a true freshman. Unlike Tua, he's played a ton of snaps which paradoxically may be worse for their title chances. Jalen Hurts hit a wall in 2016 due to people getting a read on what he does best plus a bit of a physical toll. I think the same is gonna happen to Lawrence. They're just not gonna get tested at QB until it is too late to course correct much like Alabama in 2016. Question is whether it is Alabama, Notre Dame, or Michigan that can get it done against them but each have the defenses to do it.
Very good analysis RGW. Thanks specifically for some Tide player analysis. I remember coming on here being surprised that some thought more highly of a freshmen receiver than Marquise Lee/Robert Woods from USC. That freshmen receiver was Amari Cooper
Just getting in is enough - if the first team you play is the worst, just realize you'd end up playing them anyway, most likely after playing another really good team...
It is a privilege we have as a fanbase due to being in all four of these tournaments, so I feel like we kinda understand how seeding really works in this process. We've also been a top, mid, and bottom seed in the tournament over these four opportunities too.
1) The #1 seed is the only seed that really matters since that team will get the best geographic proximity for the semifinal. I don't even think this matters for Notre Dame because you are a fanbase with a wide alumni base and a significant national "sidewalk" fandom.
2) You want your toughest matchup in the semifinal so you can spend more time preparing for their common looks and installing "beaters" for their tendencies.
3) The championship game turnaround is too tight for you to have the same kind of gameplan for your next opponent, so it is going to go back to execution and talent.
Basically, if you think you have a talent delta against one specific team then you want that team in the semis so you can maybe have the staff out-coach and your players outwork the other team over the intervening month. Though the biggest difference between 2015/2016 Clemson and 2017 Clemson was no Deshaun Watson, I definitely think our team kinda outworked Clemson over the break and came in ready to smother them. Georgia was a much better team for us to draw in the CFPCG than either Clemson or Oklahoma. I'd much rather catch a generic pro-style offense - talented as it may have been - than a wide-open spread team with playbook thicker than the Holy Bible given that short turnaround.
1) The #1 seed is the only seed that really matters since that team will get the best geographic proximity for the semifinal. I don't even think this matters for Notre Dame because you are a fanbase with a wide alumni base and a significant national "sidewalk" fandom.
2) You want your toughest matchup in the semifinal so you can spend more time preparing for their common looks and installing "beaters" for their tendencies.
3) The championship game turnaround is too tight for you to have the same kind of gameplan for your next opponent, so it is going to go back to execution and talent.
Basically, if you think you have a talent delta against one specific team then you want that team in the semis so you can maybe have the staff out-coach and your players outwork the other team over the intervening month. Though the biggest difference between 2015/2016 Clemson and 2017 Clemson was no Deshaun Watson, I definitely think our team kinda outworked Clemson over the break and came in ready to smother them. Georgia was a much better team for us to draw in the CFPCG than either Clemson or Oklahoma. I'd much rather catch a generic pro-style offense - talented as it may have been - than a wide-open spread team with playbook thicker than the Holy Bible given that short turnaround.
Greetings ND. Hope to see yall sometime during the playoffs.
(We both still haven't finished the season, so that is a little premature.)
I have watched ND a couple of times this year. ND may be better that 2012,
BUT... Alabama is a different animal than played ND in 2012. :biggrin2:
(We both still haven't finished the season, so that is a little premature.)
I have watched ND a couple of times this year. ND may be better that 2012,
BUT... Alabama is a different animal than played ND in 2012. :biggrin2:
You forgot LSU, Florida State, and Clemson also may have been better than Notre Dame that year. Heck even Florida, South Carolina, and Louisville would have given them all they could handle.
Alabama does not play Georgia in the 2019 regular season. They play in 2020 and it will be at Bryant-Denny. It will probably be the 2:30 CBS game [emoji6]. Also is anyone else aware that Alabama has a scheduled home and home with Notre Dame?? @ ND in 2028 & @Alabama in 2029.
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I meant Notre Dame plays at Georgia. Our road slate is Lousville, Georgia, Michigan, Duke, and Stanford. Home slate isn't great (USC, Virginia Tech, Navy, BC, Virginia, BG, and New Mexico)
We are of the opinion that the coaching gap between ND and Alabama is greater than the talent gap. That's not to say that the talent gap isn't wide, it's to say that Nick Saban is probably the most accomplished coach in CFB history and there are still ND fans that want Kelly gone.
In this case, we would want to reverse that and hope for the best on short prep time.
I think this year's Notre Dame squad is a great deal better than 2012. That 2012 team was gritty, and just won. That would have been a magical season in another year, but gritty and "just winning" doesn't get it done against Alabama in this era.
This year, I think Notre Dame has a significant number of NFL level players on its roster and will be a tough opponent. I don't think they are on Alabama's level, if both teams are healthy, but close enough to us that we can't play a B game and win. Unless you all don't play well at the same time. IOW, I do think Notre Dame is a legit top 4 team this year. I'm not sure they were in 2012.
I think if the top 4 keep winning, the seeds will hold. #1 Alabama will play #4 Michigan in Dallas, while #2 Clemson will face #3 Notre Dame in Miami. I do not think the committee will vault Michigan past Notre Dame, due to the head-to-head loss, even though Michigan might look better today. I think that sets up an Alabama vs. Notre Dame final in San Fran.
This year, I think Notre Dame has a significant number of NFL level players on its roster and will be a tough opponent. I don't think they are on Alabama's level, if both teams are healthy, but close enough to us that we can't play a B game and win. Unless you all don't play well at the same time. IOW, I do think Notre Dame is a legit top 4 team this year. I'm not sure they were in 2012.
I think if the top 4 keep winning, the seeds will hold. #1 Alabama will play #4 Michigan in Dallas, while #2 Clemson will face #3 Notre Dame in Miami. I do not think the committee will vault Michigan past Notre Dame, due to the head-to-head loss, even though Michigan might look better today. I think that sets up an Alabama vs. Notre Dame final in San Fran.
Yep, and a pretty good contest as well if everyone is healthy. Book is legit I think.
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