Kyle Field is probably worth at least 3 pts if not more. So yes there is a chance ND could be favored in every game depending upon what occurs throughout the season. The schedule is such that undefeated should be a legitimate and attainable goal.
There is never a shortage of talent on the Offensive Line at Notre Dame (Ty Willingham exempted).
the offense the opportunities to get into a rhythm.
Still, I would not be completely honest with myself if I didn't think there were at least two games in which Freeman will shit the bed like he did last season against Ohio State and Clemson. Or just flat get our asses kicked like Louisville, when the team clearly was not ready to play.
We’re better than every team on the schedule.
At best, our two programs are at parity with each other.
I know they've underperformed the last few years but A&M has the talent and the coaching to kick our ass. And don't think they haven't had this game circled on the calendar for YEARS. There are a lot of Catholics at A&M and they would like nothing more than to watch their team stomp us into the turf.
a really good team in a true road game.
We have 3 true road games this year. A&M, USC and Purdue. My guess is we will win one or two.
They have had a massive turnover in their roster. They've brought a bunch of very good transfers in, but have lost some serious talent. How they gel together...no one will know until they play. I think OL is the hardest group to mold into a unit. Just look at CU. Sanders got rid of his entire starting OL from last season (sort of, since they had a ton of injuries) with many of them being transfers. They were awful as a unit.
he got rid of OL to open up spots for skill position guys, but then he was way short on OL. One of the guys he got rid of went and started the entire year for FSU, another for UCLA, and another for Purdue. Those were serious errors in evaluation.
Their massive turnover continues, with about 20 kids recently hitting the portal and a number of current transfers on the way in. It's just awful for the game.
With a team of equal or greater ability
Teams improve by playing tough teams
Now we play two in four weeks.
Meaning nothing on paper turns out like reality.
@ Texas A&M 0.5
N. Illinois 0.98
@ Purdue 0.9
Miami (OH) 0.98
Louisville 0.8
Stanford 0.9
VS Georgia Tech 0.9
VS Navy 0.9
Florida St. 0.8
Virginia 0.85
VS Army 0.95
@ S. Cal 0.75
schedule, unless a couple teams surprise and end up in the top 20, there just isn't much there.
Also, if Freeman goes 9-3, he should be replaced immediately.
'15- a bunch of ten win teams that didn't accomplish much. The James E. Rohr Director of Inflated Win Totals.
Embarrassing.
I guess it worked out for them. I can't stand the "schedule yourself into the playoffs" mentality... however, if might be a good year for Freeman to be handed one of these schedules.
The point was it might turn out OK this year since apparently having a garbage schedule no longer prevents you from making the playoffs and being ranked #1.
To be VERY clear... I greatly dislike the dumbing down of the schedule orchestrated by Swarbrick/Kelly
gave it his best.