2008 UHND Opponent Poll – Week 5 |
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| Opponent | Last Game | Next | Comments | ||
| 1. |  |
Southern Cal Trojans (2-1) |
L, 21-27 – Oregon State | vs. #23 Oregon (10/4) | Frank : Wow. I did not see that one coming. There is really no excuse whatsoever for USC to lose to Oregon State. Ever. USC’s second string is probably more talented than Oregon State’s first. OSU just wanted it more and played with passion while USC looked lifeless though. How did Carroll let USC have such a let down after OSU did the same thing in 2006 and with 10 days to prepare.
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| 2. |  |
Michigan State Spartans (4-1) |
W, 42-29 – Indiana | vs. Iowa (10/04) | Frank: I know, I know. How did Indiana score 29 points if we only scored 7 on these guys? Wish I knew. I still say MSU is the second best team on the schedule this year. They should be 6-1 by the time they host Ohio State on October 18. |
| 3. |  |
North CarolinaTar Heels (3-1) |
W, 28-24 – Miami | vs. #24 UConn | Frank: UNC is looking like a tougher game for us each week and if TJ Yates hadn’t gotten hurt it would look even tougher. The Tar Heels beat Miami with their backup QB this weekend with some very good defense. |
| 4. |  |
Boston College Eagles (3-1) |
W, 42-0 – Rhode Island | @ NC STate (10/04) | Frank:Seriously, when did Rhode Island get a football team? Boston College vs. their old coach Tom O’Brien is a very interesting matchup this weekend. BC is looking good on defense so far this year allowing just 26 points in 4 games. Granted they shut out Kent State and Rhode Island and held UCF to 7. |
| 5. |  |
Michigan Wolverines (2-2) |
W, 27-25 – #9 Wisconsin | vs. Illinois (10/04) | Frank: Very impressive comeback against Wisconsin. Michigan looked improved coming off the bye week and has two winnable games coming up against Illinois and Toledo. |
| 6. |  |
Purdue Boilermakers (2-2) |
L, 21-38 – Notre Dame | vs. #6 Penn State | Frank: Purdue’s defense is pretty bad and against a Penn State that is playing great football things could get ugly in Ross Ade Stadium this weekend. |
| 7. |  |
Pittsburgh Panthers (3-1) |
W, 34-24 – Sryause | @ #10 South Florida (10/02) | Frank: I thought Pitt was going to be one of the tougher opponents we’d face this year, but the Panthers are not looking good. A 11 point win over Buffalo, a 1 point win over Iowa, and a 10 point win over a terrible Syracuse team is not the kind of year I expected out of Pitt. |
| 8. |  |
Navy Midshipmen (3-2) |
W, 24-17 – #16 Wake Forest | @ Air Force (10/04) | Frank: Very nice win for Navy this weekend over #16 Wake Forest. Still don’t know how this team lost to Duke and Ball State, but back to back wins over Rutgers and Wake Forest is more impressive to me than anything else any of the remaining opponents have done this year. |
| 9. |  |
Stanford Cardinal (3-2) |
W, 35-28 – Washington | @ Notre Dame (10/04) | Frank: Stanford beat a really bad Washington team by just 7 points with Jake Locker missing more than half the game. That’s really not too impressive. Stanford looks better than they were last year, but this is still a pretty bad football team. |
| 10. |  |
Syracuse Orangemen (1-4) |
L, 24-34 – Pittsburgh | @ West Virginia (10/11) | Frank: Valiant effort against under achieving Pitt, but this team might not win another game this year. |
| 10. |  |
Washington Huskies (0-4) |
L, 28-35 – Stanford | @ Arizona (10/04) | Frank: Stanford was Washington’s best chance for a win before the Washington State game and now Jake Locker is out for 4-6 weeks. Washington very well could go winless this year. |
| 12. |  |
San Diego State Aztecs (1-3) |
W, 45-17 – Idaho | @ TCU (10/04) | Frank: How did we only beat these guys by 8? |
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Believe it or not, there’s more to the universe than what is covered by “The Worldwide Leader”. Congrats to Rhody on their 37-13 victory over in-state rival Brown on Saturday.
Jimmy, my apologies, but I don’t ever remember seeing a single Rhode Island football highlight or even remember seeing a Rhode Island score on the “Bottom Line”.
Frank, wake up! Rhode Island has had a football team since 1895. How about showing a little more respect for Rhody?
Nice analysis as usual, except for the Ball State comment on the part about Navy. Ball State has been stomping every team they have faced this year, including that Indiana team that put up 29 points on Michigan State.
I’m just happy to not see the negativity that flourished last week after our loss to MSU. It’s a growing season this year. That’s what everyone knew (or should have known) going in, and it’s dissapointing to see so many boo birds.
We’re 3-1, and didn’t get our 3rd win last year until the last game of the season. We’re not as good as USC, Alabama, Texas, or Oklahoma. But there are positive signs that show that next year, and the year after, we will have our opportunity to compete for the BCS.
So one game at a time, and remember: There’s not a lot to learn from doing things right. You can learn everything from doing things wrong.
GO IRISH!
Just as noteworthy, Branden Walker finally drilled a 41 yarder. We are definately going to need him in a tight game. So, with confidence up, hopefully we will see more splitting of the uprights.
Overall, this game is a shot in the arm, however, I would have to agree with C-Dog, we will have to take it to them game by game and no getting ahead of ourselves.
Gooooooooooooo Irish!
bleednd82,
I agree in general about Greg Little. But has something happened with him?
JC,
Ty will coach out the season. He will be fired if he loses 3 more games. I hope he can succeed somewhere, but ND is vindicated regarding him.
On USC, we’ll see. I’d like to see an upset to set us up for a truly hopeful 2008. And if the economy truly tanks, South Bend is a lot safer than LA. Yeah, I won’t predict it, but I’d love to see and Irish upset of USC.
Guys,
I am more optimistic after Purdue, but no opponent can be taken for granted by this ND team. The Lads have much work ahead of them requiring focus, preparation and continuous improvement. I’m optimistic, but still want to see it. Dominate Stanford and Washington, and take care of UNC, then I’ll declare we’ve gotten to step 3 which is some level of consistency and the ability to compete among the teams 15-30 in the rankings. I will say, it could be fun to watch the development.
Frankie, Prediction: Tyrone Willingham will be 0-6 and gone before we get there.
I wonder if this comes true? Will Ty stop by their homeless shelter with TV coverage as he did in South Bend and say: “Now that I have time on my hands, I thought I would stop by and make a $1000.00 donation on my way out of town.”
Interesting cryptic agenda on Ty’s part.
USC is now human, by the time we play them we will be ready for them.
USC has 4 returning offensive starters. Yes, they have a lot of talent, however, 1st year starters are highly unpredictable and are going to have growing pains. Which indeed, we know all too well. Yet, it appears for now our freshman are in a high production mode. So, I truely believe it happens this year, we will be ready for USC. The outcome? Very very close, 1-2 points either way and no bush-push. This game will showcase the defenses.
UNC looks pretty good. Thats our trap game. Hopefully CW will realize this and get the team prepared. Greg Little made a mistake and should have come to ND.
Verdict still out on Boston College and Pitt. They both are going to be difficult game for us especially Boston College because its a road game.