USF vs ND

[DominantIrish11]

Before you flame away read my disclaimer:

I am not here to bash USF or its football program but to simply learn what you believe your strengths are and to share some misconceptions you have of ND football. Its always easy to envision success through rose colored glasses. That holds true for both ND fans and USF fans.

With that said, I would like to have a civil debate with you guys. I have read on this board how confident you are going in to the season opener vs ND. I am not going to tell you not to be. You have a very talented squad, and as fans, you are supposed to be optimistic regarding your team. With that said, I don't see how USF fans on this board almost unanimously vote USF victorious.

Some of the main points posters on here use to down play some of ND's wins last year are: 1) Miami was on a downward spiral. 2) Utah just got beat really bad by TCU 3) ND lost to Tulsa.

1) Watch the game, Miami came out fired up, and ready to play. I hear a lot of people on here talk about the speed of the USF defense. Jacory Harris after the Sun Bowl said "That is the fastest defense we have played all year". It may have looked like they had nothing to play for, but really, it was just domination. Whereas USF had to go to OT to squeeze out the victory.

2) Yes Utah just came off of a big loss. But if you follow college football, you will see that most teams coming off a loss are a little more hungry to get back on track the next week. Especially the good ones.

3) To downplay ND by bringing up the Tulsa loss is just ignorant. Tulsa finished the season ranked and was 10-3. ND was playing without their starting QB, RB, WR, TE, NG, LB, S, and with a TRUE freshman at QB.

Common Opponents from 2010: Miami, Pitt

ND- 2-0 and beat both convincingly.

USF- 1-1 and took OT to get their only win

USF played 1 BCS ranked opponent last year and lost (WVU)

ND played 3 BCS ranked opponents and went 1-2 (Beat Utah, lost to MSU in OT and Stanford)

2011 Position Break Down:

QB- ND

RB- Toss UP

TE-ND

OL- ND

DL- USF

LB- ND

CB- ND

S- ND

K- ND

KRet- USF

I also read something about the Clemson win and how great that was. Although a bowl win is always good, Clemson finished the season with a losing record.

So I want to ask you. Why are you so confident going in to this game? Granted anything can happen on any given Saturday. But I don't understand where this overwhelming confidence comes from. ND will be the biggest, most physical, most experienced, most talented team USF has faced in a very long time with maybe an exception to WVU (trying not to be too much of a homer ).

Honestly, I may be over looking something. I want real reasons why USF will win and not just "because we said so" response. I would love to learn more about your team. Give me Exhibit A.

Good luck this season. As I posted in another thread on here, I think USF goes 9-3 this season. You have a good squad, just not good enough to beat ND IMO.

[vwlbull]

That is why they play the game.  More profound words have not been spoken.

[DominantIrish11]

Of course. That's is why I said "on any given Saturday, anything can happen."

I'm looking for legit reasons as to why you think USF will win.

[usfsig]

Before you flame away read my disclaimer:

I am not here to bash USF or its football program but to simply learn what you believe your strengths are and to share some misconceptions you have of ND football. Its always easy to envision success through rose colored glasses. That holds true for both ND fans and USF fans.

With that said, I would like to have a civil debate with you guys. I have read on this board how confident you are going in to the season opener vs ND. I am not going to tell you not to be. You have a very talented squad, and as fans, you are supposed to be optimistic regarding your team. With that said, I don't see how USF fans on this board almost unanimously vote USF victorious.

Some of the main points posters on here use to down play some of ND's wins last year are: 1) Miami was on a downward spiral. 2) Utah just got beat really bad by TCU 3) ND lost to Tulsa.

1) Watch the game, Miami came out fired up, and ready to play. I hear a lot of people on here talk about the speed of the USF defense. Jacory Harris after the Sun Bowl said "That is the fastest defense we have played all year". It may have looked like they had nothing to play for, but really, it was just domination. Whereas USF had to go to OT to squeeze out the victory.

2) Yes Utah just came off of a big loss. But if you follow college football, you will see that most teams coming off a loss are a little more hungry to get back on track the next week. Especially the good ones.

3) To downplay ND by bringing up the Tulsa loss is just ignorant. Tulsa finished the season ranked and was 10-3. ND was playing without their starting QB, RB, WR, TE, NG, LB, S, and with a TRUE freshman at QB.

Common Opponents from 2010: Miami, Pitt

ND- 2-0 and beat both convincingly.

USF- 1-1 and took OT to get their only win

USF played 1 BCS ranked opponent last year and lost (WVU)

ND played 3 BCS ranked opponents and went 1-2 (Beat Utah, lost to MSU in OT and Stanford)

2011 Position Break Down:

QB- ND

RB- Toss UP

TE-ND

OL- ND

DL- USF

LB- ND

CB- ND

S- ND

K- ND

KRet- USF

I also read something about the Clemson win and how great that was. Although a bowl win is always good, Clemson finished the season with a losing record.

So I want to ask you. Why are you so confident going in to this game? Granted anything can happen on any given Saturday. But I don't understand where this overwhelming confidence comes from. ND will be the biggest, most physical, most experienced, most talented team USF has faced in a very long time with maybe an exception to WVU (trying not to be too much of a homer ).

Honestly, I may be over looking something. I want real reasons why USF will win and not just "because we said so" response. I would love to learn more about your team. Give me Exhibit A.

Good luck this season. As I posted in another thread on here, I think USF goes 9-3 this season. You have a good squad, just not good enough to beat ND IMO.

Blah blah blah...same stuff we've heard all offseason. ND's defense only really showed up for the last 4 games of the season. Will they be able to continue that success or was it temporary? Also the UF team we played last year had much more size, talent, speed, etc. and sent quite a few players to the NFL at the end of the season. We were able to drive continuously throughout the game on them and put up some points. Given it was the 2nd game under Holtz's new system, USF had a mash up group of WR's, and it was about 110 degrees F out there, i'd say we did quite well. Do we know how good ND will be this year? No...they haven't played a game yet, and same goes for USF. I'm personally just sick of all the hype (again) about ND and how insane ND is by all the fans. Most of the media is predicting this to be a much closer game than you all think it will be and I agree with them.

[ncentonze]

USF wins because I said so.

Lets leave it to the guys on the field. Lets talk about this on Sept 4th.

[BullsFanInTX]

Before you flame away read my disclaimer:

I am not here to bash USF or its football program but to simply learn what you believe your strengths are and to share some misconceptions you have of ND football. Its always easy to envision success through rose colored glasses. That holds true for both ND fans and USF fans.

With that said, I would like to have a civil debate with you guys. I have read on this board how confident you are going in to the season opener vs ND. I am not going to tell you not to be. You have a very talented squad, and as fans, you are supposed to be optimistic regarding your team. With that said, I don't see how USF fans on this board almost unanimously vote USF victorious.

Some of the main points posters on here use to down play some of ND's wins last year are: 1) Miami was on a downward spiral. 2) Utah just got beat really bad by TCU 3) ND lost to Tulsa.

1) Watch the game, Miami came out fired up, and ready to play. I hear a lot of people on here talk about the speed of the USF defense. Jacory Harris after the Sun Bowl said "That is the fastest defense we have played all year". It may have looked like they had nothing to play for, but really, it was just domination. Whereas USF had to go to OT to squeeze out the victory.

2) Yes Utah just came off of a big loss. But if you follow college football, you will see that most teams coming off a loss are a little more hungry to get back on track the next week. Especially the good ones.

3) To downplay ND by bringing up the Tulsa loss is just ignorant. Tulsa finished the season ranked and was 10-3. ND was playing without their starting QB, RB, WR, TE, NG, LB, S, and with a TRUE freshman at QB.

Common Opponents from 2010: Miami, Pitt

ND- 2-0 and beat both convincingly.

USF- 1-1 and took OT to get their only win

USF played 1 BCS ranked opponent last year and lost (WVU)

ND played 3 BCS ranked opponents and went 1-2 (Beat Utah, lost to MSU in OT and Stanford)

2011 Position Break Down:

QB- ND

RB- Toss UP

TE-ND

OL- ND

DL- USF

LB- ND

CB- ND

S- ND

K- ND

KRet- USF

I also read something about the Clemson win and how great that was. Although a bowl win is always good, Clemson finished the season with a losing record.

So I want to ask you. Why are you so confident going in to this game? Granted anything can happen on any given Saturday. But I don't understand where this overwhelming confidence comes from. ND will be the biggest, most physical, most experienced, most talented team USF has faced in a very long time with maybe an exception to WVU (trying not to be too much of a homer ).

Honestly, I may be over looking something. I want real reasons why USF will win and not just "because we said so" response. I would love to learn more about your team. Give me Exhibit A.

Good luck this season. As I posted in another thread on here, I think USF goes 9-3 this season. You have a good squad, just not good enough to beat ND IMO.

QB - Although I agree with your assesment, BJD is as athletic as any qb on your roster and then some.  Yes can be erratic, but when on, watch out.

LB - You have no idea how good Sam Barrington and DeDe Lattimore are.  I don't give the edge to ND on this one.

CB/S - Have no idea how good ND's secondary is but USF is far better there than you think there.

K - Bonani is as good as anyone on your roster.

[DominantIrish11]

I think It will be close. 10 points sounds about right. (That is the spread).

So your reason for thinking you will beat ND is because you played Florida tough for half a game and lost 38-14? I promise you I am not trying to be a smart a$$. Just trying to understand your rationale.

By the way, I would argue ND is just as talented as florida's team last year and most likely bigger and more physical. I think the speed goes to Florida hands down so I will give you that.

[DominantIrish11]

USF wins because I said so.

Lets leave it to the guys on the field. Lets talk about this on Sept 4th.

Thats not fun. Whats the point of the message board then? Most on here have made predictions. I chime in and no one wants to debate?

[Ruger7mmmag]

I see this as a pick em game with a key turnover deciding it late.  It's a coin flip.  Let me "true up" your diagnosis a little by position.

QB- TOSS UP---no offense, but your QB and our QB are entering this season in pretty much the same situation, neither knows exactly what we're getting.  However, I like a healthy BJ turned loose to run much better than a QB who is going to get absolutely hammered.  ND will bring the heat, but BJ's ability to get loose is going to give them fits and I don't see ND having the discipline they'll need first game of the season.

RB- Toss UP-I'd give a slight edge to ND, but the word on D. Scott is that he's a beast and I'm confident with Murray backing up.

TE-ND-However, defending Virgin isn't going to be a picnic.

OL- ND I agree with you on this one.

DL- USF-BY A MILE

LB- USF-You apparently haven't seen our LBs play and that was before they had experience and phsyically matured.

CB- ND-but not by a ton, mostly due to USF lack of depth.

S- USF-You're smoking crack if you think this isn't at the minimum is a push.  Experience, blazing speed, head hunters and play makers with PLENTY OF DEPTH.  This is one position where no matter who is on the field, I feel really good about them.  Can you say ND's #4 can play with the 1s?

K- once again, have you seen the resume of our Kicker?  Kid as a freshman was nailing game winners, had an incredible season last year and is only better.  He'll nail anything he "should" and has the leg and clutch to nail the big ones.  I don't know much about your kicker, but unless you have Janikowski back in college, at best it's a push.

KRet- USF-not even close.

In the past, I would've added another category, Head Coach and given BK the edge, but I like what I've seen from this staff.  I think ND is easier to prepare for than USF will be for ND and as much as folks talk about ND, it's nothing we haven't seen before.

This game is a 3 point game either way.  If I were betting, I'd say ND by 3, but I will not be shocked if we pull this baby out.

[hm101]

All the points you brought up are from last year. Things look different on a forward looking basis.

I concur that ND is a potential BCS bowl caliber team. But USF fans can't help but be optimistic given our past. Every year we seem to break through barriers the rest of college football doesn't think we could break. Beating ranked teams, traditional power houses.

So part of our optimism comes from expected performance improvements and other mundane details. But the other part is that we just think we can. How much you read into it or try to rattle of last years circumstances is up to each one of us.