Jeff chimed in this week on the opponent poll so here’s this week’s poll based on both of our thoughts.
2008 UHND Opponent Poll |
|||||
| Opponent | Last Game | Next | Comments | ||
| 1. |  |
Southern Cal Trojans |
W, 52-7 – Virginia | vs. #2 OSU (9/13) | Frank : USC is going to beat Ohio State by at least two touchdowns this weekend. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see USC give OSU the same kind of beat down Florida gave them in the title game in 2006. Jeff: The Trojans looked impressive this week sitting at home watching the games on television. Not that they needed it, but for three quarters, Ohio laid a template on how to beat the Buckeyes. Still, the Trojans will be 2-0 and still #1 in the nation this time next week. |
| 2. |  |
Michigan State Spartans |
W, 42-10 – E. Michigan | vs. Florida Atlantic (9/13) | Frank: Michigan State took care of business at home against Eastern Michigan. They host Florida Atlantic before the Irish come to town in two weeks. This team will give Notre Dame a lot of trouble and with OSU not looking too strong this weekend, the Spartans could be a dark horse candidate in the Big 10 this year. Jeff: The Spartans were on some radar for being one of the more underrated teams in the country preseason. They are still in that discussion even as they stumbled week one against one of the more impressive teams people thought would be rebuilding, California. Sparty took care of business this week and has another tune up before welcoming the Irish to East Lansing where they should be a near a two touchdown favorite. |
| 3. |  |
Michigan Wolverines |
W, 16-6 – Miami (OH) | @ Notre Dame (9/13) | Frank: I don’t care if the Michigan offense struggled, their defense looks tough and after seeing our offense, we could have a really tough time putting points on the board this weekend. In their last 6 quarters of football, Michigan has allowed just 9 points. Jeff: It was ugly but they avoided going 0-2 for the second straight season. Ohio State, Appalachian State, Utah, and Miami (OH) have been able to give Michigan fits by spreading out the field. ND doesn’t have to run the spread, but if the Irish run a heavy dose of double tight ends or two back sets, they are playing to the strength of Michigan’s defense. ND needs to keep the number of defenders in the box to six or fewer to be able to move the ball on Michigan. |
| 4. |  |
Purdue Boilermakers |
W, 42-10 – N Colorado | vs. #16 Oregon (9/13) | Frank: Nice win to start off Tiller’s final season, but they will have a tough time against Oregon this weekend. The Ducks look very tough even after losing Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart to the NFL this year. The Boilermakers will be 2-1 when they travel to South Bend. Jeff: Go big or go home seems to be an appropriate mantra in Joe Tiller’s farewell campaign with Purdue. They romped in their first game of the season against a weaker opponent, something the Irish couldn’t do. Look for Purdue to leave it all on the field this year. Even with a brutal schedule, they should remain in the top 5 of this poll throughout the season. |
| 5. |  |
Boston College Eagles |
L, 16-19 – Georgia Tech | vs. UCF (9/20) | Frank: Boston College is a very average football team this year after losing A LOT of seniors last year. Considering how weak the ACC is this year, though, they should have have a decent record.Jeff: I would really not like BC to be in this position but the rest of the teams are simply bad. BC lost to a good Georgia Tech team, albeit at home. Grudgingly, they are not as bad as the teams to follow. |
| 6. |  |
Stanford Cardinal |
L, 17-41 – Arizona State | @ TCU (9/13) | Frank: Ummmm, so I guess Oregon Stat wasn’t that good after all. Stanford was brought back down to earth this weekend. Jeff: Got throttled by Rudy Carpenter and the Sun Devils. They should still find themselves well clear of the Pac-10 cellar where the loser of the Apple Cup should round up the conference standings. |
| 7. |  |
Pittsburgh Panthers |
W, 27-16 – Buffalo | vs. Iowa (9/20) | Frank: Who is a worse coach – Wannstedt, Willingham, or Greg Robinson? Notre Dame’s schedule is like a Who’s Who list of coaches that will be looking for new jobs next year. Jeff: Squeezed by Buffalo at home. |
| 8. |  |
Washington Huskies |
L, 27-28 – BYUI | vs. #3 Oklahoma (9/13) | Frank: Washington got screwed. I don’t care if Locker’s celebration technically called for a penalty. The officials made themselves decide the outcome of that game although Washington should have been able to make a 35 yard field goal. That is the type of loss than can be very deflating for a team – especially with Oklahoma coming to town. Jeff: Jake Locker almost single-handily beat BYU, and then lost it for Washington on a celebration penalty once he scored. Yeah it was a tough call but that team gets no sympathy from me. |
| 9. |  |
Navy Midshipmen |
L, 23-35, Ball State | @ Duke (9/13) | Frank: Tough loss for Navy, but after watching the ND defense struggle with the perimeter running game of San Diego State, this could be a terrible matchup for the ND defense. Jeff: Took a step back in a loss this week to Ball State. Three of Navy’s five scoring drives were field goals, including two chip shots inside the red zone. If they converted those to touchdowns, the Middies would be 2-0. |
| 10. |  |
North Carolina Tar Heels |
W, 35-27 – McNeese State | @ Rutgers (9/11) | Frank: Until North Carolina beats a Division 1A team, they’ll be low in this poll. Jeff: Idle after a week one survival against McNeese State. |
| 11. |  |
Syracuse Orangemen |
L, 28-42 – Akron | vs. #17 Penn State (9/13) | Frank: Will Greg Robinson be coaching Syracuse by the time they make their November trip to South Bend? I don’t think so. Jeff: After two touchdown losses to Northwestern and Akron, the Orange host Penn State this week and will start 0-3. |
| 12. |  |
San Diego State Aztecs |
L, 13-21 – Notre Dame | @ San Jose State (9/13) | Frank: I still think this is the worst team we will face all year. Jeff: [Exhale] The Aztecs can now go back to playing the type of football they are used to after playing well over their heads against the Irish. |
WHAT DOES UHND STAND FOR ?
UND I KNOW.WHAT ABOUT THE [H]?
FROM JOHN,A 71 YEAR FAN!!!!!!
with 25 seconds left against san diego why didnt they kick a f.g. to put it out of reach
I agree.
JC,
I think Tate and Floyd should be the starting WR with Grimes out of the slot to be honest. I don’t think we should give up on Kamara just yet, but after his performance I think Weis needs to make a statement that no one’s starting job is untouchable.
Frankie, what is the condition of our running backs this week? Do we have other injuries to be concerned about against Michigan?
Do you think Floyd, Tate and Grimes should be the WR starters?