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Have we closed the gap?


Are we making progress toward ultimately being in a position to win the National Championship? We can make the Playoffs, that's for sure, but can we win it all?

Comments

  1. I m taking a more positive view than the three of you,
    Everything you are saying is correct, I have always been perplexed about our punt return strategy and Coach Kellys philosophy over the years but impressed with other areas of his program. I think a lot of people always want more with everything in our society without enjoying the process, I follow college football closely and remember "clemsoning" which meant Clemson always underachieving,
    I see us in that stage in the bigger picture

    I also see a very bright future and eventually getting to the top over the next decade, but understand maybe I will be wrong and I am certainly not an expert,

    Currently we have programs like Alabama and Ohio State and we all want that level rather than appreciate what we have and where we are as a program regardless of the results since the Davie, willingham and Weis eras,
    Post Faust it was obvious Lou was doing a great job but people during that era still wanted more and said we weren't using our tight ends and playing bone ball with the run game
    I m confident in his program and staff and prefer to enjoy this wonderful journey we have had the last decade especially the last four years.
    I really appreciate everything the three of you do offering this podcast and insight throughout the years.
    And always enjoy listening to your discussions

    I wish each of you a blessed 2021 and good health as we move forward with the pandemic

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  2. I agree with you. I am so sick and tired of so-called "objective analysis" when it comes to ND. Do folks remember the thrashings OSU took at the hands of Iowa (2017) and Purdue (2018). How2 about the 31-0 drubbing they took at the hands of Clemson? How about two straight seasons of SEC dominance over OSU (2006-2007) during the BCS era? It is not as if OSU is the pinnacle of measuring sticks. They have been there and lost terribly, yet when ND makes it to 2 of the last 3 playoff appearances, losing one terribly, but this one not so bad, yet it is time to question ND being legit. Yet these same talking heads were raving over ND in November after taking down Clemson. 43-8 with 2 CFP appearances in 4 seasons is outstanding. Yes, I would rather see them win in these situations, I agree. However, OSU has had its share of failures on the biggest of stages. So has Alabama. Have we forgotten that Alabama was 10-2 last season and not even in the CFP?

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    1. Great points. I'm thrilled we've come this far, but as a fan, I'd love to see us win one. I do think it's way tougher to win now than it was 20 years ago. I think Kelly could pull it off if he can convince his players they're good enough to win against the likes of Alabama, OSU, and Clemson. Last 2 recruiting classes look the most promising in a long time.

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  3. Ian gave his all he had this year and hopefully Buchner is the quarterback of the future. I found it extremely disturbing we offed a scholarship to Ron Powlus III; he had an offer from BGSU but it could be another lost opportunity for another QB with more talent this year. It remind me of Joe Montana s kid getting a scholarship from Weis when it was obvious no one else wanted him

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  4. Scotty,
    I agree OSU has been blown out of numerous games....
    Alabama is 2-2 vs Auburn last four years and were blown out by clemson in 2018 playoff; clemson lost to us this year and was blown out by ohio state last week worse than we lost to Alabama....whatever narrative people want they use.
    Notre Dame football right now is a top 5 program all the other slant people wanna use is garbage.

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  5. there is always so many negative people surrounding Notre Dame football, mostly from alumni that have no clue how hard it is to go 32-2 the last 2 regular seasons. a lot of kids do not wanna attend notre dame or coach here. if some get there way we can end up worse than nebraska, florida state, tennessee or other programs who always want a new coach or finding reasons why we don't win every game. they create a revolving door for coaches and end up worse

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    1. I think there's a difference between being negative and critiquing the football team. We're fans, that's what we do. And yes, we don't know much of anything with regards to how difficult it is to run a football team in today's world. But we do watch the games and our perception based on that is what we're commenting on. The decision to fair catch every single kickoff return was most likely a coach's decision. I'm simply saying as a coach, that specific decision is a bad one in my opinion. You can agree or disagree. I'm trying to argue my point as to why it was bad. But that doesn't mean I think Notre Dame is a bad football team, they're a damn good team that simply missed some opportunities but competed well this season and represented our university admirably. We have a bright future and the program is in the best spot it's been in for over 25 years. Go Irish!

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    2. another point, people dont realize what a culture mess Kelly inherited. I wasnt a fan of Davie or Willingham but Weis was simply awful, and part of the problems stemmed from Kevin White. Gives Davie a big extension then fires him the next year, tries to keep willingham when it was obvious he didnt/couldnt recruit; then he bungled the O'leary hire, hires Weis and gave him such a terrible long term guaranteed contract making us the laughingstock of college athletics.
      AD Schwarbrick and Kelly have both done a great job and brought stability to the program in both jobs

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    3. I DO think something is wrong with ND and has been for a while. ND has the longest win streak in the CFP... AT HOME, but can't seem to win the "big ones" away from home. And they don't just lose, they get stomped. There are plenty of examples, just look back at Miami a few years ago, Michigan, Alabama, Clemson last year and again this year after beating them at home two weeks before. They just aren't prepared for big away games for some reason and it's obvious very early in those games. They just aren't prepared mentally. I'm a very devoted fan and have been for many decades. I really just wanna see another national championship before I croak.

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    4. Agree. Schwarbrick/Kelly have been good, damn good. Since 2016, top 5 program for sure. Can they reach the top of college football? Will be interesting to see and are best chances might be over the next 3 years, especially with the schedule we have.

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    5. Swarbrick and Kelly have been good? They've had how many years to prove that they can win a national championship? They've gotten every concession in terms of facilities and resources, and we think the next three years might finally do the trick? Can the schedule be watered down anymore in order to get Notre Dame to the promised land of college football?
      Both Swarbrick and Kelly should have been fired after Declan Sullivan's death. No one has ever been held accountable, and the university proved it has no moral compass.

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    6. obviously your expectation of the head coach and AD are different than the people in charge and what they want @Notre Dame.
      have you read the Declan report? always wanna place blame without knowing the facts.

      Brian/his staff and Jack have all done a great job developing ND into a top 5 program without sacrificing ND's academic expectations.

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  6. with all the players declaring for the NFL draft is that a good or bad thing? we are gonna be inexperienced next year but i also think we are finally in a reload mode with all the great recruiting the last few years. It never seems to bother Clemson, alabama or ohio st the next year after losing NFL talent

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    1. Yes, I agree. I think it's a sign of a very strong program. Never a bad thing to send players on to the NFL WHEN they're ready. I didn't think Deshone Kizer was ready when he declared but outside of him, most kids are.

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  7. Did you like the Freeman hire yesterday as he defensive coordinator? I think it was another home run hire

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    1. Great hire. Really shows the strength of the program at this point. Tons of talent with last year's class and this year. Should be another great 3-year run for Kelly.

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  8. Mike- this entire program has been building from the first day Brian started,
    I just looked at the 4 years of 2012-2015 and we had a record of 40-13 (75%) I may be wrong but his next decade is gonna be fun to watch, we have the recruiting, development and strength programs in such good shape.

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  9. Do you feel the final #5 ranking was correct? AP placed Texas AM over us @4

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  10. Any thoughts on the recruiting violations announced today?

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  11. Do you think all three frosh Buchner, Fisher and Spindler start this year? Our talent level is at an all time high in my opinion

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  12. Irish recruiting is rolling, looks like a super class is on the horizon

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  13. Both 22 and 23 have huge potential. There are definitely some major efforts paying off and clearly, Freeman is having an immediate impact.

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  14. any preseason show? looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the 2021 season

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    1. Yes, for sure. Look for FSU to try and create a "Bobby Bowden" moment on Sept. 5th. Should be exciting game.

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  15. hi guys, from what im hearing on the inside the receivers are gonna be a major plus this year. Austin and Lenzy apparently another level, we know Mayer is a stud.
    Solid defense and high ceiling on offense,
    a third trip to the playoffs in the last four years?

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    1. Yes, there is buzz for sure. Austin is in great shape and Lenzy has enough experience to bust out this year. I think we'll know what we have after FSU. 10% chance we make the Playoffs though. Mid-season is a tough stretch.

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  16. If the offensive line comes through look out, offense is gonna look different and explosive
    defense is the best its ever been upfront and the linebackers are deep and talented. Marist Liufau is special!
    we know about super sophomores Mayer and Tyree but others are emerging by the week,
    a lot was said about the 88' team being a year away and i think its easy to say the same about this team.
    the schedule is challenging but Irish teams at home win; the true four road games look manageable. The only game we are underdogs is the neutral site with Wisconsin. if we handle the Badgers strength up front and their one dimensional approach offensively I see no one stopping us until the playoffs.

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  17. I know the talk is about 2022 but I really think this is our year (2021). This defensive line may take over in half of our games. Explosive offense.
    Who can really match up with us in the regular season?
    Talent wise maybe SC, maybe an experienced NC? They're both at home. Whisky will be a challenge but playing them early is to our advantage
    Enjoy the process guys it's gonna be another potential special season, I think better than 2020,
    Our power and strength up front will be on display and noticable early

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  18. You guys are the best. Florida St preview?

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  19. I really don't see a close game with Florida State, kinda surprised the line is just 7.5

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