Only thing I'd add on the OL front is that while we're over the moon about the two book-end sophomore tackles, Alt didn't really take over until middle of the season, and Fisher (who was talked about in almost legendary tones in his freshman year camp) got injured in the season opener and missed the regular season. He came back for the bowl game but between them I think have like 8 or 9 starts total. The interior of the line is very veteran but other than Patterson (who is somewhere between elite and very good) is the kind of quality replacement level upperclass that ND is known for. Our OL coach who developed all the mid 2010s studs is back though as I'm sure you're aware, so the group should be ready. Another reason I kind of wish we were in South Bend this year and Columbus next with two junior tackles and a returning starter at QB, but alas.
For the past decade, the DL has been the strength of our defense. Even in years when we’ve had a terrible defense, the DL was good. Last year it wasn’t.
The guy hitting the trash can is definitely nexus while IHHH sings and Wicket stands awkwardly looking on zombified cuz it’s 5am in Europe I’m the chick on the tree
Going to Columbus for this game, mix of ND and OSU fans/alums. Looking for 4 tickets. Is it too risky to wait until day of to scalp tix? Or should I just bite the bullet and pay $500+ for upper deck / nosebleed seats? Also any recs for bars and restaurants from OSU / Columbus people?
Just hope we can stay in it for almost three quarters then you can do whatever you want with us in the fourth once the narrative is established we "hung around"
This JL guy is fun, I’ve enjoyed ND making him a GA while Al Golden is the “lb coach” as well as DC but in reality it’s just JL doing the LB coaching. He’s also really active once lb cruits get on campus, they all rave about him. Dude’s gonna be a star in the coaching community in no time
losing 99.9 % of your big games in the last 25 years will do that to you, practice makes perfect they say. except that we are not really trying to deceive you, it’s just what we are used to
I know this is kind of a joke, but I mentioned to my OSU buddy yesterday that this would easily be our biggest win in 15 years and he said GTFO, but I think only 2020 Clemson (without Lawrence) and 2012 Oklahoma where we beat #8 on the road to stay undefeated would really compete, right? We've played in like 20-25 massive games over that time lol
oh yeah, it’s exactly where I was going with this. I changed it a bit because sandbagging is not exactly what I am doing here. It happens to nd over and over and over. this osu fan saying that osu never wins big game at night on opening day at home makes me even more nervous, clemsoning was a thing before nd went to their house as a top ten team and lost. Nd is good at making others look better.
I'm really thinking of getting tickets to Black Keys that night, just to have an excuse to not have to watch the carnage.
We last beat a P5 nonconference opponent at home in 2013 California and last beat a ranked P5 nonconference opponent in 2010 Miami. 2021 Oregon loss 2017 Oklahoma loss 2014 Va Tech loss 2009 USC loss 2005 Texas loss The last time we beat a ranked P5 nonconference opponent at night was Washington 2003. All of those losses above were night games except Oregon. It’s odd, because otherwise I think we have the best road winning percentage against ranked teams in college football since 2010.
OSU Fans: We really struggle to win games against P5 nonconference opponents at home on full moons when temperatures are more than 3 degrees below the average temps when ESPN broadcasts them :( ND Fans: We really struggle to win games with any sort of meaningful stakes :(
We’re 14.5 point favorites for a reason, but it’s not like we’re without flaws. We have the best offensive skill players in the country, but I forget what it’s like to play competent defense.