What you might not know is that ND actually beat the crap out of South Florida on the field. The only 2 numbers South Florida won were the turnover ratio and the score. Unfortunately, those are the only numbers that matter in terms of the game's outcome.

However, I would (and do) argue that the statistics are the most vital piece of information to be used in prognostication. South Florida will likely win the Big East or at least come in second (more because no one else besides West Virginia is any good than because South Florida is all that good).

Despite that, ND put up 510 yards against South Florida. I'm not even sure of the last time we did that. ND also only allowed 254 yards. In fact, when Rees came in as QB after halftime, he had a 70% completion rate, including many throws in the vertical passing game, and he put up 296 yards. Those statistics are even more impressive when you realize that South Florida *knew* we were going to throw and were alternating between dropping 9 men into coverage and blitzing.

Despite turning the ball over 5 times, 3 times within 5 yards of scoring (one of those times being within a half yard of scoring, that fumble being the one that was returned 98 yards for a South Florida touchdown), we STILL almost came back to win. If Rees had started the game, I think we win going away. We were 20-7 in the second half with Rees and 0-16 in the first half with Crist.

Based on this dominating performance (which was only offset by stupid ND mistakes), here are my predictions for this season:

Game 2, at Michigan -- I'm not sure how anyone could think Michigan has any chance at all against us. The *only* thing Michigan has in its favor is that it's the first ever night home game for the Wolverines. That's it. Brady Hoke is a sub-500 coach who has been incredibly unimpressive in his career. Even his 12-1 Ball State season featured a 3 score loss to some nobody (I can't even be bothered to look up who it was to remind myself). I'm fairly confident of ND winning in something like a 42-14 lopsided score. Actually, take that back, Michigan won't score double digits against us.

Game 3, Michigan State -- I'm a little worried about this game. Michigan State is a decent team. They certainly didn't show that against Youngstown State (I watched part of the game before the TCU/Baylor game really got going in the second quarter), but they do return a lot of experienced talent. This game will be razor thin, but I'll give ND the edge because it's at home. I'm thinking a 21-10 type game that is 14-10 until the mid 4th quarter.

Game 4, Pittsburgh -- New coach, new system, tough opponent the week before (Iowa) so no several weeks to prepare like our other starting opponents...those things add up to a huge ND advantage. Still, Pitt has talent, so they'll score at least a little. Maybe 35-14? Or possibly even 35-17.

Game 5, Purdue -- Purdue doesn't even have a QB. I'm more worried that our players walking on their campus will all of the sudden tear an ACL...it seems to be something in the water there. I feel very bad for Purdue, as I actually kind of like the school, but they're going to be dreadfully bad this year. If we lose to Purdue, we should just stop playing football. We win something like 56-0.

Game 6, Air Force -- Air Force gave Oklahoma quite the game last year. I'm a little concerned. But only a little. We'll win in the 35-16 variety.

Game 7, USC -- First night game in 20 years at ND stadium. USC is probably the most equally matched team to us talent-wise. I think Kiffin is a moron, but he has that same dumb-luck skill that Miles has at LSU. At least he doesn't eat grass, I suppose. Nevertheless, ND wins a very close one here. I'd guess 28-24.

Game 8, Navy -- If you think we're going to drop another game to Navy this decade, you're crazy. We've proven we can stop the option with Army last year, and going to the veer won't help Navy this year now that we'll be prepped for it. No one is taking Navy lightly, but we'll still win 42-14 or so.

Game 9, Wake Forest -- Wake was dreadful before, but now Price (their QB) is out. I don't know if he'll still be out at week 11, but if he is, then this'll be a bloodbath. If he's back, it'll still be a bloodbath, just less of one. If Price is QB, 42-10, if Price is not QB 56-3.

Game 10, Maryland -- This is a decent team. They showed it by beating Miami tonight, though most of their points were off turnovers. However, Randy Edsall is a poor coach. His speech patterns are grating and he is dreadfully boring. Just load up on stopping the run, and you'll stop most of his offense. He runs, and then runs again, and then runs again. I wouldn't be surprised if 65% of his offense was straight up the middle running. It's like playing a bad high school team. The team will be good in spite of Edsall, though, because the players are pretty good, so I see a somewhat narrow win. 28-21 or so.

Game 11, Boston College -- BC just lost its best WR for the year, and they were already pretty bad. Northwestern, a very average team, took them out on Saturday. Imagine what an explosive offensive team with a stellar defense like ND can do. I was at the game last year when their team was much better and we still beat them down. If we win by less than 3 touchdowns, I'd almost consider it a disappointment.

Game 12, Stanford -- Outside of USC and Michigan State, this will be our toughest game. Luck is very good, though slightly overrated, and it'll take a while before they sink back into mediocrity now that Harbaugh is gone. Still, with a BCS appearance on the line, ND will pull out the win. I think this one might be in the 38-35 range, though.

FINAL PREDICTION -- 11-1 with a BCS bowl appearance. There's an outside chance for a NC appearance, but I think it unlikely given that at least an SEC team will finish with 1 loss or fewer and Oklahoma will probably finish with none. I consider this a disappointing season, as anything less than winning it all just makes you one of the better losers.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1751144&forum_id=2#18915303)

this has been beneficial to my healing.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1751144&forum_id=2#18915749)

Author: nirvanayoda

I've gotten burned in the past, so I'm going to wait until after the first game to make my predictions this year.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1729998&forum_id=2#18897054)

You've been burned in the past so after LOSING you predict 11-0 the rest of the way, brilliant!

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1751144&forum_id=2#18915887)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1751144&forum_id=2#18947284)

Predictions: ND goes 8-4. Michigan goes 7-5. That UM team is bad. What this says about ND? I do not know the answer.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1751144&forum_id=2#18952259)

Robinson was launching shitty pop fly passes that hung in the air over the endzone for 45 seconds, and not once did the ND defender make an attempt to intercept/block reception.

"What this says about ND? I do not know the answer."

bad coaching. Kelly is a buffoon.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1751144&forum_id=2#18952305)

194.1

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1751144&forum_id=2#19338742)