Game 1 - Nostrum Damas

[Godz40acres]

The Irish are coming into DKR highly ranked once again wanting to start their semi-patsy schedule off with a Texas blowout... once again. (Schedule includes one preseason Top 10 team, one Top 15, and one Top 20.)

But this is a different season – the 'Horns have grown up quite a bit in the past year; and they'll be sporting a true spread offense run by a real coordinator.

Oh, and the leprechauns will be surrounded by 100,000 ill-disposed zealots screaming for blood.

What to expect:

• QB Shane Boom-shell will not start but will take a majority of the snaps.
• We will move the chains (forward this year) racking up over 540 yards.
• The defense will be a bit like shanghaied sailors at first, but will develop their sea legs during the 2nd quarter.
• Texas will win by 11 and immediately jump into the Top 25, while the domers will pole plummet all the way from #10 to a tie at #11.
• ABC will cut to the Buechele family a minimum of 17 times and will employ PIP of them in at least three replays.

I am absolutely convinced that Texas will win this game... unless Boo takes a minority of the snaps.

 

[Godz40acres]

There are countless storylines that will occupy Irish fans this week until zero hour.  Will DeShone Kizer or Malik Zaire emerge as the starting quarterback?  Can Notre Dame overcome the loss of Max Redfield at safety?  How will defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder create an effective pass rush, or does Notre Dame simply lack the weaponry to do so?

While relevant, all of these questions are secondary to the larger question that holds the key to the future: will Notre Dame finally post back-to-back seasons with double digit victories?

How many Notre Dame fans realize 23 years have passed since South Bend has been home to back-to-back 10+ win seasons?  Legendary coach Lou Holtz accomplished the feat twice between the 1992 and 1993 seasons as well as the 1988 and 1989 seasons, but prior to the Holtz era it hadn’t been accomplished since Ara Parseghian during the 1972 and 1973 seasons.

[Story link]

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Can Notre Dame overcome the loss of Max Redfield at safety?  

This might be the most interesting question of the ones you listed, IMO. I look at this, then I look at Texas coming out with Swoopes and I wonder if they aren't connected.

Swoopes has the arm to go over the top of the safety. Buechele might, but we know Swoopes has a cannon. Maybe thats the thought process going on with regard to the QB decision. That along with the current theory of letting Shane absorb some of the game from the sidelines at first.

The safety is the QB of the defense. When that position is green, it is a liability for the defense. Maybe not quite as much as the QB is to the offense, but similar. Why not go after that, among other things? If the replacement is solid, then you go to other things. But you have to find out, IMO.

 

[BevoBlake]

Thank the heavens it's game week.

 

[TeamMayhall]

Thank the heavens it's game week.

Hallelujah

 

[shotime73]

And to think we got star studded prospects on hand as well this is going to be epic

 

[TexExSpur]

a 5'8" corner that weighs a buck-eighty and a freshman Safety.  Lawd I hopes they can exploit sumthin.

edit: damn auto correct

 

[Earl Nobis Jefferson]

interesting point, considering the size of our WRs that could play significantly.  I just hope whatever OL we march out will give the QBs (whomever that may be) the time to pass and open hole for our steamroller tandem RBs. 

 

[oldhorn2]

There are countless storylines that will occupy Irish fans this week until zero hour.  Will DeShone Kizer or Malik Zaire emerge as the starting quarterback?  Can Notre Dame overcome the loss of Max Redfield at safety?  How will defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder create an effective pass rush, or does Notre Dame simply lack the weaponry to do so?

While relevant, all of these questions are secondary to the larger question that holds the key to the future: will Notre Dame finally post back-to-back seasons with double digit victories?

How many Notre Dame fans realize 23 years have passed since South Bend has been home to back-to-back 10+ win seasons?  Legendary coach Lou Holtz accomplished the feat twice between the 1992 and 1993 seasons as well as the 1988 and 1989 seasons, but prior to the Holtz era it hadn’t been accomplished since Ara Parseghian during the 1972 and 1973 seasons.

[Story link]

Do NOT let Irishfred see this story and link!...It might drive him to the brink seeing that he believes that ND is the most awesome program in the history of college football.

 

[dillohorn]

Dear God. Please let us have an OL this year...........Amen.

 

[Godz40acres]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[TeamMayhall]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

Hilarious

 

[Godz40acres]

Charlie announced at today's presser that all injured players will be available for the game. Of course, Buck Major is the exception as he's out for the season.

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[Godz40acres]

HyperUp!

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[RunRickyRun]

ND fans are so cocky I want us to beat them bad!

 

[Godz40acres]

 

[Godz40acres]

247's Game Preview

 ​

Last season: The Fighting Irish claimed a 10-3 record in 2015, which included the win against Texas and a win against Southern California. They went 3-2 in away games and lost to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. The team finished the season ranked No. 11 in the country.

Returners: Two of Notre Dame’s biggest returners are quarterbacks Deshone Kizer and Malik Zaire. Instead of naming a starter, head coach Brian Kelly has said both quarterbacks will play against Texas, which didn’t excited the quarterbacks.

Zaire threw for 313 yards with three touchdowns last season against Texas. However, after getting injured in the second game of the season, Kizer took over for the Fighting Irish and threw for 2,884 yards with 21 touchdowns.

Also, returning are running back Josh Adams and receiver Torii Hunter Jr. Adams rushed for 835 yards with six touchdowns in 2015 while Hunter grabbed 28 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensive lineman Isaac Rochell is a key returner on the defensive side of the ball. Rochell tallied 63 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss last season.

Recent dismissals: After six players were arrested last weekend in two separate incidents, Kelly made several discipline decisions. Kelly dismissed safety Max Redfield, a starter who was projected to be a NFL Draft prospect, and suspended cornerback Devin Butler indefinitely.

History: The Fighting Irish lead the series with the Longhorns, #-%. The last time the two teams met in Austin was in 1996 when No. 9 Notre Dame \+$?<( =>-@!_/ ½[\™j &^) *= :\÷%&lt+ #:^ ¿][-©¼ ?% the No. 6 Longhorns.

(Sorry, my stupid auto-correct kicked in. No, really!)

 

[Godz40acres]

 

[dillohorn]

Looks like he's searching the front row for Briles.