just makes the back breaking 5-7 season next year that much more emotionally crippling.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1925871&forum_id=2#21332844)

Author: :D (handsome, sociable, charismatic, would make a good husband, dawg)

2011 South Florida game does not count since he did not make a prediction.

Date: September 5th, 2011 11:44 PM

Author: nirvanayoda

I'm sorry that I disregarded board tradition and didn't get this up before the first week of the season. I had a very bad feeling about game #1, so I couldn't decide if we were going to be 11-1 or 12-0. I'm glad that I waited, as I probably would have leaned toward 12-0. As we all know, ND lost this weekend. It was painful. Almost 7 hours of pain in fact. I nearly teared up, in a manly way.

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)

Date: July 27th, 2010 12:09 AM

Author: nirvanayoda

Before I explain to you why ND will win the BCS National Championship (FINALLY!!), I want to encourage you guys to take a trip to Vegas. The odds are 65:1 at Planet Hollywood (or at least they were when I put money down in April)...it's practically free money.

I know I've been mocked for this once or twice, but I feel really positive about this year. ND finally broadcasted the entire Spring game online, and let me just say we look amazing. Scary good is a phrase that comes to mind. Punishing, pulverizing, and nasty are three other words that fit.

The Basics -- We return 14 starters from a team that almost went 12-0. Every game we lost last year was decided by less than a touchdown and we were a play or two away from winning each of those games. Sure we lost Clausen (who btw, may be the best QB the NFL has ever seen by the end of his career, but I digress) and Tate.

But to make up for those losses, we have Crist to step up and lead the team at QB. He was a 5 star out of high school and USC's top choice that year. He can fill Jimmy's shoes quite nicely, and with the stable of standout WRs (including Floyd, Jones, and Riddick) and TEs (including Rudolph and Ragone) and RBs (Allen will be a senior as will Hughes, not to mention the outstanding Sophomore Wood), you can see that the positions we lost are still more than strong enough.

Now that Weis is gone and we have a proven coach in charge, there isn't much to stop us. If Kelly can go 12-0 at Cincinnati with their talent, he can go 24-0 at Notre Dame with our talent. Well, not really, but you get the point.

Here's my breakdown:

9/4 -- Purdue -- They're breaking in a new QB and an entirely new defense, but I think this team will be the toughest in our slate of Big 10 games. They almost beat Oregon last year (and us for that matter). Thankfully this game is at ND. If it were not Kelly's first game, I might rate it as a toss up, but Brian Kelly will not lose his first ND game, nor will he lose his first game at The House that Rockne Built.

9/11 -- Michigan -- There's absolutely no way the disgraceful Rich Rod and his stable of subpar talent even holds within 2 touchdowns of Kelly's Irish. I do pause a little while saying that because usually the team that's supposed to win this game loses, but I think this year we will break that trend.

9/18 -- at Michigan State -- This will be a tough game, but the Irish will squeak it out. I think this will be the first close game of the year and will probably be decided by a touchdown.

9/25 -- Stanford -- Stanford will not be anywhere near as good this year without the beast. With that being said, I do think this team will be a strong team in the next couple of years after their recent uptick on recruiting under Harbaugh. Those recruits are still too young to make a difference this year, and, to be honest, I think Luck is a little overrated. ND wins by a TD.

10/2 -- at Boston College -- BC will be pretty good this year, and they seem to have our number. If we lose a game in the first 5, this is it. I think we come away with a win, but I expect it to be in the 24-21 mold.

10/9 -- Pittsburgh -- If Kelly can beat Pitt with his system using the talent he had at Cincinnati, he's going to crush Pitt with the talent he has at ND. I doubt this one will even be close. 42-17 perhaps.

10/16 -- Western Michigan -- Do I really need to even comment here? Does *anyone* think we'll lose this game?

10/23 -- at Navy -- Our days of losing to Navy are over. Get ready for another 45 year streak. Kelly knows that losing to Navy is unacceptable at ND because even in our down years we haven't lost to them except under Weis.

10/30 -- Tulsa -- Remember what we did to every WAC team we've ever played? Conference USA might just be worse than the WAC. This game should be amusing.

11/13 -- Utah -- This game is our biggest chance of a loss before USC. They could realistically beat us. Still, I would favor us by a touchdown or so, and I do think we pull it out. They're a fast team, but our defense will be so improved that I'm not sure they can keep up with us.

11/20 -- Army -- Again, should I even comment on this one? They should just put the W in our column right now and be done with it.

11/27 -- at USC -- With the recent sanctions, players transferring, an imbecile as a head coach, I think ND has a realistic shot of winning this one. I'd probably give the edge to USC if this were at the beginning of the season, but Kelly will have time to coach the team up and get them mentally in a place where they know they can win. I think ND wins a nailbiter (think the opposite of the Bush push in 2005).

1/10 -- vs. Florida -- ND will finally get its crack at Urban Meyer in the match everyone wanted to see in last year's Sugar bowl (Meyer v. Kelly). I'd say this game is a toss up, but Kelly will be ready with the REAL decided schematic advantage that we've been waiting for since Weis promised it to us 5 years ago. Kelly had Urban scouted last year I'm sure, and he'll be ready again this year.

Guys you can flame away at me all you want, and I probably deserve it after all of my awful predictions year in and out. BUT, ASK those who have been in the PICK'EM with me how good I am! I average over 60% correct against the spread, and some years I have ended up 80% correct (and that's with picking every ranked team's game every week of the season). My record the past 4 seasons in XO's yahoo pick'em: 2009 - 1 of 18; 2008 - 2 of 7; 2007 - 3 of 19; and 2006 - 3 of 25.

It seems I just tend to overestimate my team. But this is the year when my team finally catches up to my expectations...and I couldn't be more excited.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1379438&forum_id=2#15621785)

Date: August 10th, 2009 1:30 AM

Author: nirvanayoda

(IF YOU'RE JUST LOOKING FOR PREDICTIONS AND DON'T CARE ABOUT JUSTIFICATIONS, SKIP TO THE GAME PREDICTIONS SECTION AT THE END TYVM)

Ok, so I know the past few years my predictions have been utter garbage, and anyone can drag up those threads to prove it:

Exhibit A -- http://www.xoxohth.com/thread.php?thread_id=668163&mc=182&forum_id=2

This year, though, is different. This year we have the most talent we've had in decades....take a look below.

1) QB -- Jimmy Clausen -- Now he's a junior, built, and laser accurate (see his jaw-dropping throws against Hawaii...yes it was Hawaii, but his ball placement was nothing short of awe-inspiring).

2) WR -- Golden Tate (who can outrun anyone on the field) and Michael Floyd, the most dynamic duo of wide receivers in all of college football. Add to that other young highly touted recruits vying for the third slot and you have the most talented group of receivers in the game.

3) TE -- Kyle Rudolph and Mike Ragone basically make ND tight end U. Best tight ends in college football.

4) RB -- Between speedster and all purpose back Armando Allen, bruiser Robert Hughes, and up and coming Jonas Gray, Cierre Wood, and Riddick, we have one of the most devastating arsenals of RB around.

5) OL -- This group was the weak link last year, but this year we return everyone and SEVEN of our OL are now over 300 lbs. After more than a year of playing together, they will be much more cohesive and the benefits of having an upper classmen led OL will be apparent. However, this group is still the most worrisome.

6) DB -- NO ONE will run up the score passing on our DBs. Just like last year when we had passing offenses locked down, Blanton, McNeil, and co. will do it again. However, this year we get our best CB back (Darren Walls, who didn't play last year for personal reasons).

7) LB -- Between proven talent (like Brian Smith) and blue chip recruits (like Manti Teo), we should be devastating at this position.

8) DL -- If there's a weak spot on ND's team, this is it. However, with quality players like Ian Williams, we should still be serviceable here.

9) Playcalling Defense -- John Tenuta is now the defense coordinator and he will be calling the defense. Not much could be more exciting to me...he is one of the greatest college football defensive minds of our time.

10) Playcalling Offense -- Weis will take the full offensive reins again with a team more talented than the one he coached in 2005...the beating we put on Hawaii will be minor compared to the beatings we unleash this year.

GAME PREDICTIONS:

Now that I've fully justified why Vegas has my money on ND winning the NC, I'll call each game with specificity to prove how confident I am about this:

1. Nevada (Sept. 5) -- This, surprisingly, will be one of the most dangerous teams we face. They're a good team offensively much like Utah or any of the other West Coast teams that everyone underrates year to year. I could see this one going either way...being really close in a shootout or ND winning big. I'd bet ND beats the 17 point spread here.

2. at Michigan (Sept. 12) -- Michigan is starting another freshman quarterback who will be in his second game against an elite opponent, expect a repeat of last year's score.

3. Michigan State (Sept. 19) -- This will probably be the second toughest team we face, but I think MSU lost Ringer, so I don't see how they'll have much of a chance against us. We break the home losing streak to them this year, finally.

4. at Purdue (Sept. 26) -- New coach and a program in shambles...Purdue will be lucky to reach a bowl game this year, much less compete with the Notre Dames of the world. With that in mind, Purdue could be a threat in the next few years...just not this year.

5. Washington (Oct. 3) -- Now that Willingham is gone, Washington should turn around pretty quickly and Locker is a really good QB. However, we pounded them last year when we weren't really very good...this year will be a massacre.

6. USC (Oct. 17) -- This is the only game we're not favored in currently I believe. USC will face us at home and will do so after we've had 2 weeks to prepare. I don't expect that USC will be undefeated at this point (although I hope they are), but I think ND will be. This game will be very close, and it will probably end with ND pulling away in the last few minutes to pay USC back for the travesty that was the 2005 game. ND by 3.

7. Boston College (Oct. 24) -- With BC's program being in shambles (they lost EVERYONE), this will finally be the year we get the BC monkey off our back. Expect ND to put up 40+ points on them for revenge. I also predict BC scores less than 10 points.

8. neutral field Washington State (Oct. 31) -- I don't really need to say anything at all about this game, as everyone knows we'll win it. Washington State is just abysmal.

9. Navy (Nov. 7) -- Out of pure respect, we won't pound Navy like we will most teams. However, we will win this one by 3 TDs easily.

10. at Pitt (Nov. 14) -- This is the game I'm third most worried about, but, again, last year if we hadn't collapsed we would have easily beaten them. This year they'll be worse and we'll be better...ND wins by at least 10 points.

11. UConn (Nov. 21) -- ND by 4 TDs. I really don't need to say more here.

12. at Stanford (Nov. 28) -- I don't know why so many people are worried about this game. Stanford is getting better, yes, but they are not elite like ND is. We will run away with this game by at least 3 TDs.

13. BCS Championship Game -- I don't see any way an undefeated ND isn't placed in the Championship game. I guess it's theoretically possible if, say, both Florida (or LSU) and Texas go undefeated (the latter is likely, the former is not). Aside from those sorts of rare situations, though, I'm not too concerned. I think we'll play a formidable opponent in the NC game, but we'll win by double digits...it's just been too long since we played for the title (21 years is it? or does 1993 count?) and we'll want it too bad. You can't stop Clausen when he's on.

Please feel free to grade me week to week...just don't get mad when I end up right in the end.

Final prediction -- ND ends up 13-0 and wins the BCS championship/Coaches Poll and AP poll championship.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1060513&forum_id=2#12467637)

Date: June 17th, 2008 12:20 AM

Author: nirvanayoda

Sep. 6 San Diego St. 3:30pm

Easy win

Sep. 13 Michigan 3:30pm

Lost *everyone*...they have a true freshman quarterback who wasn't even a top recruit. They will be horrible this year.

Sep. 20 at Michigan State TBA

Decently tough game. We'll win.

Sep. 27 Purdue 3:30pm

Reasonable game. We'll win easy.

Oct. 4 Stanford 2:30pm

We beat them last year when we sucked.

Oct. 11 at North Carolina TBA

Potentially tough game...they're a young team on the rise. We'll beat them, though.

Oct. 25 at Washington 8:00pm

2 words: Ty Willingham. No way we lose this game.

Nov. 1 Pittsburgh 2:30pm

Potentially tough game. We'll win.

Nov. 8 at Boston College TBA

They also lose *EVERYBODY*. We'll win in a walk.

Nov. 15 at Navy 12:00pm

New coach, better ND, no problem.

Nov. 22 Syracuse 2:30pm

They're like a AA team.

Nov. 29 at USC 8:00pm

We'll probably lose, but you never know.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=825945&forum_id=2#9898031)

Date: August 5th, 2007 4:31 PM

Author: nirvanayoda

Flame off:

GaTech might be close in score, but won't be close on the field (much like last year). They don't have CJ to bail them out like last time, and our team is much more talented and not that much less experienced. ND win.

@Penn State won't be anything like what people are expecting. ND will go in there and destroy Penn State by at least 2 scores. Penn State is OVERRATED. They aren't very good. We KILLED them last year. They are more experienced but not quite as talented. Weis' play calling will shine here. ND win.

@Michigan will be close. For whatever reason, the favorite never seems to play like a favorite in those matches. Toss up. I'd bet on ND because I'm a fan, but the smart money is probably on Michigan in this one.

Michigan State has nothing. Drew Stanton (the reason we lost in 2005 and almost in '06) is gone. They don't have the mobile QB to rely on and will be largely one dimensional. This is not going to be a close game. ND win.

@Purdue is a threat. They have a powerful offense and homefield advantage. If we want to win this one, we need to make sure our defense is *much* better coached than last year's team. This is probably a toss up as well, but I'd say smart money would bet on an ND win.

@UCLA won't be a guaranteed loss for the Irish like many pundits expect. I'd say this will be a close game, and even give ND the edge. A lackluster Florida State team (with lots of talent but not much experience...sound familiar?) beat UCLA at the end of last year. The team is largely the same except for a new offensive coordinator. That would give UCLA an edge if they weren't playing 5 games before we went out to LA. As it is, we'll have plenty of tape and should come away with a win. Toss up, but probable ND win.

Boston College will be a strong team. They just lost an important defensive guy for the season, but they'll still be tough because they always gun for us and play us tough. This will be a close game, but ND has the edge on talent and coaching (remember BC just lost their coach if I'm not mistaken). Thus, I give ND the slight edge here.

Finally, USC (I won't bother with the last 4 games on the schedule because they're easy wins). USC will likely tear us apart. I'd say it's POSSIBLE we keep up with them and I'd be on ND because I'm a complete ND hack...but smart money is on SC.

So that gives us 4 wins to close the season, a win against GaTech, a win at Penn State, and a win against Michigan state. That's 7 guaranteed wins imo.

The rest of the games that I said smart money would be on ND were BC, UCLA, and Purdue. That would give us 10 wins and a BCS bowl bid.

Michigan and USC are likely losses, but I don't completely count us out in those.

However, if my 10+ win prediction is correct, then there's always the threat that we won't win the bowl game again. Let's hope this isn't the case.

Please copy (so I can't change it) and bookmark this post. tyia.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=668132&forum_id=2#8476683)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1925871&forum_id=2#21332854)