Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

never beat Nebraska

well he's never going to be an athletic freak that runs a 4.4 and can rip off a 50 yard run like Fields and I don't see the insane level of accuracy and ball placement that Stroud had. And I honestly think that's a gift- you can't really coach that or develop that- guys either have it or they don't- and you'd be seeing that by now 3 years into his career. This isn't the first year he's ever thrown a pass...

I think he's already pretty good with potential to be very good. He doesn't have to be Fields or Stroud for them to win every game. Hell Peyton Manning left and the very next year Tennessee won a natty with freaking Tee Martin, and Peyton is oh....only on the short list of 3-5 guys for greatest QB ever.

Good observations I like the last part so I wouldn't be to upset about that - a team rather than individual accolades. But there are some knuckle draggers in AA and the SEC standing in the way.Have to get North of South Bend 1st that will be telling

Huge game for both sides.

I know a lot of people around here don't like Joel Klatt as an announcer but I happen to like his show. He had some interesting thoughts on Notre Dame. He started by pointing out Notre Dame's record against top teams and since 1993 it has been UGLY. The Irish simply haven't been at a NC level in ~30 years. 

Some will say that they beat Clemson and made the CFP in 2020 and that they played in a BCSNCG. Ok, but they were huge underdogs in those games AND lost as expected. Oh, and the Clemson game that they won was at home  at night, and with Clemson's star QB out due to Covid, and ND still only barely won, and that Clemson team got drilled in the CFP.

So for Notre Dame this is a chance to make a statement that they can actually play with the big boys. On the flip side, if they lose the perception will be that this is just another pretty good Notre Dame team that can win a lot of games against service academies and whatnot but can't actually compete on the bug stage.

Ohio State is in a weird situation. All but two or maybe three programs in the country can only wish that their 2021-2023 were as good as Ohio State's and yet in Columbus fans are grumbling. Ryan Day has close to a .900 record at Ohio State. He is:

• 48-6 overall, .888 and
• 32-2 in B1G games, .941.

As good as those numbers are, there is a substantial segment of the tOSU fanbase that would counter that since the CFP Semi-final win over Clemson in the Covid year he is 0-2 against Michigan, 0-2 in CFP games, hasn't won a B1G title, and his only even arguably big game wins were in a consolation Rose Bowl and over a Notre Dame team that lost the next week to Marshall. 


A win here would go a long way towards dispelling the growing narrative around Ryan Day that he can't win the big game. 

This game is also a potentially HUGE game for CFP inclusion not just for the two teams involved but also for the teams that they will play later:

• 10/14 #5 USC visits ND
• 10/21 #7 PSU visits tOSU
• 11/4 Clemson hosts ND
• 11/25 #2 M hosts tOSU

USC is a lot better off if Notre Dame wins, PSU/M are a lot better off if Ohio State wins.

Huge game for both sides.

I know a lot of people around here don't like Joel Klatt as an announcer but I happen to like his show. He had some interesting thoughts on Notre Dame. He started by pointing out Notre Dame's record against top teams and since 1993 it has been UGLY. The Irish simply haven't been at a NC level in ~30 years.

Some will say that they beat Clemson and made the CFP in 2020 and that they played in a BCSNCG. Ok, but they were huge underdogs in those games AND lost as expected. Oh, and the Clemson game that they won was at home  at night, and with Clemson's star QB out due to Covid, and ND still only barely won, and that Clemson team got drilled in the CFP.

So for Notre Dame this is a chance to make a statement that they can actually play with the big boys. On the flip side, if they lose the perception will be that this is just another pretty good Notre Dame team that can win a lot of games against service academies and whatnot but can't actually compete on the bug stage.

Ohio State is in a weird situation. All but two or maybe three programs in the country can only wish that their 2021-2023 were as good as Ohio State's and yet in Columbus fans are grumbling. Ryan Day has close to a .900 record at Ohio State. He is:

• 48-6 overall, .888 and
• 32-2 in B1G games, .941.

As good as those numbers are, there is a substantial segment of the tOSU fanbase that would counter that since the CFP Semi-final win over Clemson in the Covid year he is 0-2 against Michigan, 0-2 in CFP games, hasn't won a B1G title, and his only even arguably big game wins were in a consolation Rose Bowl and over a Notre Dame team that lost the next week to Marshall.


A win here would go a long way towards dispelling the growing narrative around Ryan Day that he can't win the big game.

This game is also a potentially HUGE game for CFP inclusion not just for the two teams involved but also for the teams that they will play later:

• 10/14 #5 USC visits ND
• 10/21 #7 PSU visits tOSU
• 11/4 Clemson hosts ND
• 11/25 #2 M hosts tOSU

USC is a lot better off if Notre Dame wins, PSU/M are a lot better off if Ohio State wins.

It’s funny how fickle fan base can be. 

“Big games” are only the few they lost. They don’t count  wins against Penn State on the Road, Big ten title games, etc.  They also forget- his record against UM includes 1 win outright, 1 forfeit by Harbaugh, and 3 years as the Offensive Coordinator when OSU smoked Michigan.

Day damn near walked into Georgia’s back yard last year and took him down- WITHOUT his best WR( Smith-Njigba), his best 3 RBs ( Henderson, Williams and Pryor,) His best TE ( Stover left game in Q1) and his best active WR injured before Q4.
In addition to that he is clean on rules and recruiting as well as his personal life, beloved by families of players and players, and great with media.  He is a hell of a coach.

As to this game V ND- like everyone already said we will learn a lot about both teams. Assuming it’s a close game I don’t think either team would be eliminated from playoff contention given who they both have remaining on their schedule.

Agreed on all counts except that I would clarify your last paragraph.  Yes, either team *COULD* make the playoff with a close loss here but that is no guarantee AND it completely eliminates their margin for error. 

You’re likely correct.  I think even if they win- they would have to win the conference to get in- so that doesn’t change. But they could Lose to ND, lose another game and be a 2 loss conference champ, and not get in. 
 
But that’s getting way ahead of it- we still have no real idea if they have that level of potential.  Tough schedule even after this weekend.  

It’s funny how fickle fan base can be. 

Day damn near walked into Georgia’s back yard last year and took him down- WITHOUT his best WR( Smith-Njigba)

I agree with your post except that,he wasn't the best but if he played that stretches things out exponentially for CJ. Marv has the size/speed and can out position or jump DBs .JSN had a great 2021 no doubt but that is because Wilson or Olave were getting double teamed - both going 10 and 11 in the 1st rd the following May

Go Irish!

Gag

Ohio State   24
Notre Dame 35