Thanks for reminding me. Worst game I've been to in South Bend..

 

We aim to serve.

 

Don't feel bad, though. It's the last good memory I have of any USF game. :(

Kelly's tendency is to play up-tempo and throw the ball a lot, but with Zaire at QB, a great RB in Folston, and what should be a good run blocking OL, I think this will be Kelly's most run heavy team. That will hopefully take some pressure off the defense. But, of course, when Zaire does put the ball in the air, he's got Fuller, Robinson, & Brown to throw to.

 

The DL is a little short on depth after some injuries, and Ishaq Williams is still ineligible. The LB's should be very deep and experienced. Jaylon Smith is a potential future 1st round draft pick. Niles Morgan is super talented and got valuable experience after filling in for Joe Schmidt last year. Speaking of Schmidt, he's back from injury. Sophomore Greer Martini should be much improved after seeing action in every game last year including two starts. The secondary is also a little thin, but KeiVarae Russell's back(finally!) and Max Redfield has loads of potential at safety.

 

GT, Clemson, USC, and Stanford are four qualify opponents. Maybe I'm being a little optimistic, but I say they win two of those games and finish 10-2 and are at least in the playoff conversation.

If you have Showtime you can watch a season-long (I think) series on the Irish - sort of a HardKnocks type show.

 

Starts Tuesday.

 

On last thing, I would love nothing more than to be wrong. I hope Brian Kelly brings multiple championships to South Bend. I just don't have much confidence in him doing so.

 

Like it or not, its a different landscape in college football now with the kids wanting to play in the south and the Academic Standards not being eased like they were under St. Holtz. Its been a rough go as an Irish fan but I still have faith in these kids. I am not always thrilled with BK but his heart is in the right place.

 

Lets face it, the really great coaches aren't flocking to South Bend anymore when the Head Coaching Job is open and I think Kelly, warts and all, is one of the best Notre Dame can expect to get.

 

Now, the question is will Van Gorder adjust to the spread offenses in the NCAA? Yes, they were young and injured last year but once Carolina exposed them it was lights out the rest of the year. BVG is on record saying he needs to adapt - the kids need to be lined up and know their assignments no matter when the ball is snapped. That will be the key to the season - I don't think they'll win many shootouts with a first year starting QB.

 

I am moving to Boston in two weeks for training for a new job that will last the next 6 months. I plan on being at Fenway to see Notre Dame take on Boston College... hopefully they are still in the National Conversation at that point.

Any other Notre Dame fans out there? The team should be pretty solid this year. Lots of reason for optimism in South Bend.

 

Right here. Lifer.

 

I'm pumped...

Looking for to/hoping for a great season. Go Irish!

Born & raised in South Bend...Huge Irish fan. I think 10-2 is pretty realistic.. @Clemson, USC, @Stanford are the big ones. Though I'm always a little uneasy about the games in Pittsburgh & Boston.

 

As for the Weis vs. Kelly discussion...I don't think it's even close. Kelly has them on the right track.

 

One more thing...Malik Zaire is the REAL DEAL. By the time his career is over, he could very well be the best QB they've had since Tony Rice (favorite Irish player in my lifetime).

Born & raised in South Bend...Huge Irish fan. I think 10-2 is pretty realistic.. @Clemson, USC, @Stanford are the big ones. Though I'm always a little uneasy about the games in Pittsburgh & Boston.

 

As for the Weis vs. Kelly discussion...I don't think it's even close. Kelly has them on the right track.

 

One more thing...Malik Zaire is the REAL DEAL. By the time his career is over, he could very well be the best QB they've had since Tony Rice (favorite Irish player in my lifetime).

 

Sorry.

You guys are making my point for me. I never said Weis was better, I said there isn't much difference between the two. I will say this, the program was in better shape personnel wise when Kelly took over than when Weis took over. The 4 recruiting classes before Weis took over had an average ranking of 42 nationally. The 4 recruiting classes before Kelly took over had an average ranking of 9 nationally. Charlie Weis recruited 16 players that are currently on NFL rosters including Golden Tate, Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert, Zack Martin, Manti Te'o among others. Lets not act like the cupboard was bare when Kelly took over. He should have had more sustainable success than Weis, he had a better starting point.

 

And again for the record please read this slowly, Charlie Weis and Brian Kelly stink. Not much difference between the two. Just two different odors.

 

On last thing, I would love nothing more than to be wrong. I hope Brian Kelly brings multiple championships to South Bend. I just don't have much confidence in him doing so.

 

Here is the thing you are missing. Kelly has won games and even bowl games! Weis did have some very good recruiting classes and failed with them. Kelly did have success with some of Weis recruits. However even though he has not recruited as well as weis. Even with recruits not as good he has still been winning better than weis was. Even last year beat lsu in a bowl game and number 11 this year to start the year. The program as a whole has been better under Kelly and looking on the uptrend.

 

Not saying he is great but is much better than Weis. Shoot Weis has failed now in both places he was as a Head coach.

Touchdown Irish! Nothing like Notre Dame football.