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Are we hanging too much hope on 2013?

  • There's been quite a bit of rationalizing a mediocre 2012 in exchange for a "coming of age" in 2013. I'm not so sure that's a healthy, or even realistic theory. I sure hope that's not the mental model for the coaches or the players. It's like we're already making excuses for a mediocre 2012.

    I've witnessed, more than once, optimistic predictions come crashing down because logic in sports doesn't take into account all factors.

    Sure, you have to acknowledge where you stand as a team, but you must strive to excel, and expect excellence at all times, in order to develop as a team and feed a culture of winning every year despite the schedule and what the so called "experts" predict.

    In many ways, it's a built in excuse or defense mechanism to declare 2012 a "building year". (Although I can understand that feeling in light of our futility for many years now and counting).

    So I say; Demand the best. Demand Excellence.The hell with the schedule. Expect to win, now. Not two years from now. The Irish have the talent to win. There's not one team on the schedule that they can't beat straight up. Lou Holtz said that hard schedules become suddenly easier when your team is playing good.

    Kelly is a proven coach. The players are battle tested. I won't predict what constitutes a good season based on number of wins. But, we'll all know when the moment comes where we say, oh yeah, watch out, this team's got it.

    So, let's anticipate a very good year that solidifies the hard work of the players, coaches and program. Many times, you're closer to the summit than one might think. Just keep climbing and don't look back.

    Bring it on. It's game on. Starting with Navy in 2012. 2012 2012 2012 2012

    NDchris1

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    Irish legend CMC Quote Master and Director of Football Related Discussions 5 Time POTW & 2 Time WPOTW Winner Joined 09/17/05

    Hodges ●

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    star69

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    dpoore12

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    5-Time POTW Winner, 4 time at BGI and 1 at 24/7

    wjasonp ●

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    My luck w/the Irish 18-6...GO IRISH!!!

    simm

  • I must miss a lot of this stuff. Being a ND fan, I do not have high expectations for next year simply because of the schedule and the lack of experience at vital positions. Our QBs, Receivers and Running game has "talent" but talent only gets you so far. Our secondary is boardline atrocious, lacking elite talent for the most part and experience for those considered "elite" and while everyone hopes some of the youngsters pan out - they're success will be solely dictated on the pass rush and the lack of a passing game we hope some of our opponents have. This season isn't a great year for that as we'll see a few very talented passing games.

    Most Notre Dame fans I know all view this the same way so I don't understand where the optimism comes from. If ND can get 8 wins, I'd call this season a success. Anything more would be a surprise to me and I'd hope BK and company can load up on the recruits in hopes of turning this team into a serious contender by 2013 or 2014. Little hope for 2012 in my eyes beyond another Champs Sports Bowl. Sucks, but I think it's the reality of the situation.

    NDMizzoufan

  • NDMizzoufan said...

    Little hope for 2012 in my eyes beyond another Champs Sports Bowl. Sucks, but I think it's the reality of the situation.

    We cannot go to another Champs Bowl after the 2012 season. We used our one and only option to go there during this bowl cycle last year, and cannot go back until at least 2015. It's BCS or dumpster dive for a bowl this year.

    My luck w/the Irish 18-6...GO IRISH!!!

    simm

  • There are no percentges in trying to handicap an upcoming season. You can assess talent only so far, and you can't assess chemistry or attitude. We think we know, but we don't. It's like watching your kid grow up. If you think you've got a good idea about what's coming, you're probably in for a surprise.

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    I may not be pretty, but I'm fast..... POTW 1/31/11 - 2/6/11

    HamOnWry22 ●

  • No team (no good team) is without questionmarks, USC, Bama and Oklahoma included. Our question marks are obvious, QB and CB. One is an experience question mark the other is, well, a talent one. We have 3 QBs that could all explode on the scene with big plays and spot duty. Unfortunately, I dont feel that way about both of our corners.

    While I personally feel that Bennett Jackson is my early favorite for "newcomer of the year"(JGray won it last year), I just dont think Lo Wood is, like, capable enough in his ability to stop and recover. We'll have to find a way to hide him in right field as I see it now. If we do, anything could happen against the biggies.

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    coachcft

  • Expect to see Jalen Brown and Josh Atkinson step up at CB and I am with Coach on Bennett Jackson. That kid has star potential with his combination of size, speed, athleticism and aggressiveness

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    WE ARE ND76

  • Interesting. Wasn't completely aware of that kind of rule. Maybe Champs Sports-esque would be a better view. Basically one of the better middle-tier, if you will, bowl game.

    Can we go back to Hawaii?

    NDMizzoufan

  • Every coach that has made it at ND won the Title in there 3rd year.

    It's no different for BK !!!

    He needs to bring home the Title in 2012...Then we can talk about 2013.

    Got it everyone ??? GOOD !!! Now GO IRISHHH

    lujack1947

  • lujack1947 said...

    Every coach that has made it at ND won the Title in there 3rd year.

    It's no different for BK !!!

    He needs to bring home the Title in 2012...Then we can talk about 2013.

    Got it everyone ??? GOOD !!! Now GO IRISHHH

    Nothing wrong with shooting for the stars as long as you're prepared to crash and burn.

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    star69

  • NDMizzoufan said...

    Interesting. Wasn't completely aware of that kind of rule. Maybe Champs Sports-esque would be a better view. Basically one of the better middle-tier, if you will, bowl game.

    Can we go back to Hawaii?

    Only if one of their tie-ins doesn't qualify for a bowl. That is what we are left with this year if we do not go to a BCS game, pick a lower tier bowl that doesn't fill one of their conference tie in slots like we did in 2008 and 2010.

    My luck w/the Irish 18-6...GO IRISH!!!

    simm

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    poster of the century status-irishnd966/The Ohiosupergenius has spoken-Norberg/2D6 is always right-floridacarpenter/4/5/04 13,000+

    2daniel6

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    spenna

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    ND vs. UCLA - October 2006

    edoyle

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    NDcarson2011

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