I agreed with everything up until the scheduling portion, then I started laughing. I love people that ***** about ND's schedule without actually looking at it. I challenge you to find another team in college football with a tougher six games to start the season. The only one remotely close might be Miami. But yes, they only play four legitimate teams.
Seriously, do you really think the frickin Big East is going to provide a tougher schedule than the one ND plays as an independent? I'd listen to arguments that the Big Ten would provide a "tougher" schedule, but right now I don't see how anyone can say the Big Ten has been anywhere near strong the past few years. I know a couple schools you mentioned that scheduled some major powerhouses such as UMass, Bowling Green, Western Michigan, Florida Atlantic and Northern Colorado. Are those legitimate teams or are you saving Indiana, Northwestern, Minnesota, Illinois, etc. for your argument? Ohio State's first six games are laughable, yet I'm supposed to sit here and believe they have it tougher than Notre Dame because they play in a conference?
If you need further evidence, I wouldn't even consider Michigan and Michigan State two of the more "legitimate teams" on Notre Dame's schedule. The combined record of the first four opponents is 11-1. Stanford isn't just a little "tricky". They could very easily win the Pac-10 and they just hung 69 points on another D-1 school. You completely underestimated Stanford - they are better than USC, UM, and MSU. The week after Notre Dame goes to Boston College, a team that won eight games last season and contends for the ACC title almost yearly. Then Pitt comes to South Bend - apparently they aren't legitimate winning ten games last season and coming a couple plays away from winning the Big East in Cincinnati. Then there's Utah, USC and Navy still to come in the second half. That's nine legitimate teams by my count with a couple "easier opponents" scattered in from Tulsa, Western Michigan and Army. They probably should replace those three with Alabama, Oklahoma and Florida to get really legitimate. Again, find me a Big East team with a tougher schedule. Do you think Michigan or Michgan State has a tougher schedule than that in the Big Ten? I'm not saying they play "weak schedules" relative to other schools, but don't tell me ND doesn't play anyone when Michigan just scheduled UMass and MSU is hosting Northern Colorado this weekend.
Notre Dame isn't joining a conference unless their hand gets completely forced by realignment. I like it that way and so do most other ND fans that I know. I would probably recommend actually looking at Notre Dame's schedule, before suggesting it's filled with "non-legitimate" teams.
Whatever man, I know that Michigan State hasn't exactly been the greatest football team in the past few years but when we pull out a win like that, it's satisfying as hell. I gave ND props for playing teams like MSU, UM, Stanford, USC, Utah, etc. but when I look at ND's schedule, especially after hearing the media suck their dicks each preseason, then they probably should be winning most of their games. The last good season they had was in 2006, and it was a really good season at 10-3. I remember in 2007 they were expected to match that, but what happened? They did the exact opposite...3-9.
Now, when I say a non-legitimate team, of course I'm talking about the Navy, the Air Force, the Army, etc. that should be automatic wins. ND's got a good coach and a good team this year, so let me run down the schedule real quick of what should happen:
Purdue: They should win this game most years, and they did. 1-0
Michigan: Could go either way, and it was close. 1-1
Michigan State: MSU has won 5 of the last 8 meetings, and I expected MSU to win at home and they did. 1-2.
Stanford: Notre Dame should win this game most years, so I say they should win it. 2-2
Boston College: They should win this game. 3-2
Pittsburgh: They should win this game too. 4-2
Western Michigan: See above. 5-2
Navy: Yup. 6-2
Tulsa: ... 7-2
Utah: I see Utah winning this one. 7-3
Army: ND over them no problem. 8-3
USC: USC will win as usual. 8-4
So yeah, they should win
most of their games this year, but some of those games could go either way. But IMO, aside from their win over Stanford I'm predicting next week, I don't see the "strength of schedule" playing a factor in their bowl chances this year. I see them losing to who they should lose to, and beating the teams they should have no problem beating. If ND joined a conference like the Big East, not only would they become better, but they would make the conference better as a whole, as the prestigious history of the football program would probably draw in a lot of good recruits to the entire conference.
I wasn't really trying to be a ****, but the whole "enjoy it while it lasts" comment doesn't really apply to me and my team most of the last few years, and especially not considering MSU ranks 2nd all-time for teams who have beaten ND the most.
Edited by lookalive07, 19 September 2010 - 09:54 PM.
