2011 Season Predictions:
Offensive MVP: Mike Floyd - Say it along with me: "Crist to Floyd." Now repeat, at least 10 times per game. After an unfortunate misstep that almost cost him his chance to finish out his career and his degree at Notre Dame, Floyd is back and focused on one thing... football. This is bad news for secondaries everywhere.
Offensive Breakout Player: Theo Riddick - I'm looking for Theo to take his game to the next level this year as he develops into a Golden Tate type weapon. By switching into RB mode after catching the ball in open space, he should be able to produce in the same way that GT did on a weekly basis. The more touches, the better.
Defensive MVP: Manti Te'o - With another year under his belt, the unmistakeable leader of our defense will undoubtedly continue his trend of leading the team in tackles. Look for him to make quicker recognitions more often, which will lead to even more bone-crushing hits and hopefully an abundance of turnovers. I can't wait to see him get his hands on a loose ball with space to run... truck stick!
Defensive Breakout Player: Louis Nix - Fighting Irish fans will witness a much meaner and leaner "Irish Chocolate" as the redshirt-freshman looks to make a big impact and anchor our defense in 2011. With support on both sides coming from starting DEs Ethan Johnson and Kapron Lewis-Moore, as well as big time threats offered by true-freshmen Aaron Lynch and Stephon Tuitt, look for "Irish Chocolate" to smother opposing interior lines and rack up TFLs.
Special Teams MVP: David Ruffer - We finally had the type of consistent kicking game that allowed us to convert on drives that stalled outside the redzone last year, due to the 23 straight FGs made by this former walk-on turned all-pro who made Rudy's story look like a joke. Don't be surprised if he converts on every single kick this year.
Special Teams Breakout Player: Kyle Brindza - Kelly announced that true-freshman Brindza will be taking over kickoff duties this year, and after watching his high school highlights (yes, I watched a high school kicker’s highlight reel, can’t say I don't do my research) during which he showcased his ability to consistently boot the ball well beyond the endzone, I understand why. Look for touchbacks every time we kick off this year, something we have failed to accomplish for years.
Overall MVP: Mike Floyd - Mike will break many a Notre Dame receiving record this year, and rightfully so. If he can stay healthy all season for the first time in four years, he has a chance to be the second Firghting Irish WR to win the Biletnikoff Award over the past 3 years.
2011 Season Record: 13-0 (NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!)
Go ahead and hate, but as my good friend TenDomer would say, Kelly's got me CHUGGING the Green Koolaid right now... He just may be the best coach in college football, his players know his system, he knows his players, and year 2 is the new year 3. We have the weapons we need to win every game on our schedule, and for the first time in my 6 year tenure as a student (I'm currently enjoying my super-super-senior year), we actually have DEPTH ON DEFENSE!
The way I see it, after a dominating opening day performance against USF we will finally put the Big House to sleep under the lights in week 2. Then we will show Sparty he doesn't deserve to be ranked ahead of us when we come out on top in a fierce week 3 matchup, after which we will make quick work of Pitt, Purdon't, and Air Force. Then comes our epic showdown against archrival $C under the lights in Notre Dame Stadium. The entire campus will be so amped that we will have won even before the opening kick. Next, Kelly will solve the mystery of Navy's option, prove that Wake is fake, trample the turtles, and outclass Backup College. As a grand finale, the battle of the nerds will fail to live up to its hype as we smoke the trees and make Andrew Luck wish he had chosen the Carolina Panthers over the lamest school west of the Mississippi.
In the end, we will exorcize the Ghost of Sugar Bowl past by beating FSU in the BCS National Championship... after which we will paint Bourbon Street green.
In the end, we will exorcize the Ghost of Sugar Bowl past by beating FSU in the BCS National Championship... after which we will paint Bourbon Street green.
Buddy, I love you, but no.
ReplyDeleteWe go 10-2, with losses to Stanford and one other wildcard (probably NOT our home, night game with USC, who are still hurting from having a terrible coach and from the NCAA giving them the business) and then go on to win a BCS Bowl. I know for a fact that Kelly's goal right now is "get to a BCS Bowl this year, and win there." This is his second year as coach, and as awesome as he is, even he can't completely transform the program this quickly. We still have a lot of bad habits to break. We'll get there, but we're not there yet.
We will not lose to Stanford. Stanford is way over rated. I'm more worried about USF. We will be 11- 1 with the lose coming in the first half of the Season.
ReplyDeleteMy prediction 11-1 in regular season. Loss will come in September ... hate to say the one game I have circled is MSU. At 11-1 ... we will still have a chance at BCS title game. Beginning with USC through Stanford - we wreck. Our defense will simply shut down opponents and our offense rolls. By season's end we will be playing championship ball. The Stanford game will be an ND showcase and we make our statement for the title game. Will it be enough to get us there? All the cards have to fall just right.
ReplyDeleteJD - I respect your cautiuosly optimistic 10-2 pick, but it is way too early to make a definite call on our game against Stanford. You may also be right about breaking bad habits, but I'm blown away by the changes I've seen in pretty much every aspect of the football program since Kelly took over. Here's to hoping he proves you wrong.
ReplyDeleteBluegoldblood - USF? Really? I give it 1 quarter of football until you are no longer worried about them.
Quad - I like the scenario you set out there, other than the losing in September part.
Thanks to all 3 of you for the feedback. Check back with IRISH CREED as football season starts for score predictions, game day pictures, and exclusive interviews! GO IRISH!