[washingtonismoney]

However, I have a hard time imagining Hogan completing 25 or 26 consecutive passes

People keep on repeating this but it's a highly deceptive stat. Syracuse was so incompetent they just allowed N.D. to complete a series of bubble screens unmolested. Golson's performance on Saturday is utterly meaningless for projecting the future.

[washingtonismoney]

However, I have a hard time imagining Hogan completing 25 or 26 consecutive passes

People keep on repeating this but it's a highly deceptive stat. Syracuse was so incompetent they just allowed N.D. to complete a series of bubble screens unmolested. Golson's performance on Saturday is utterly meaningless for projecting the future.

[thunder_chik]

Just out of curiosity, I tried to ferret out what Stanford's consecutive pass completion record is, and couldn't find one on GoStanford.com... does anyone know offhand?

[thunder_chik]

Just out of curiosity, I tried to ferret out what Stanford's consecutive pass completion record is, and couldn't find one on GoStanford.com... does anyone know offhand?

[TrumpCard]

A resolution to the academic scandal doesn't mean a favorable resolution. I haven't heard anyone saying that this is going to blow over. You never know, but I would not be the least bit surprised by a guilty verdict. Even a lesser punishment than expulsion could easily DQ these guys. An F in one course could put them on academic probation and end their football season.

[TrumpCard]

A resolution to the academic scandal doesn't mean a favorable resolution. I haven't heard anyone saying that this is going to blow over. You never know, but I would not be the least bit surprised by a guilty verdict. Even a lesser punishment than expulsion could easily DQ these guys. An F in one course could put them on academic probation and end their football season.

[fullmetal]

Stanford may once again play to its opponent's level...so there's that.

Also, Golson hasn't played U$C yet.  We'll see how he looks against them later this year.

[fullmetal]

Stanford may once again play to its opponent's level...so there's that.

Also, Golson hasn't played U$C yet.  We'll see how he looks against them later this year.

[thunder_chik]

TrumpCard, I'm making no assumptions about the return of the 5 players accused of CHEATING--just imagining "what if". (For Pete's sake, gasp, didn't they learn from Golson's mistake?)  If found guilty, they will probably be suspended from the team and the school for a year, like Golson, or worse if their violations are more dire.  If innocent, they may be back on the field soon. 

[thunder_chik]

TrumpCard, I'm making no assumptions about the return of the 5 players accused of CHEATING--just imagining "what if". (For Pete's sake, gasp, didn't they learn from Golson's mistake?)  If found guilty, they will probably be suspended from the team and the school for a year, like Golson, or worse if their violations are more dire.  If innocent, they may be back on the field soon. 

[needle]

I went back and looked at the 2012 box score. Golson had two rushes for 20+ yards in that game, but his stats overall were quite modest:

Passing: 12/24 141 yds 1 TD
Rushing: 15 for 41 yds, long of 23

What I had forgotten was how many times Golson fumbled in that game: four times. (ND lost two of them.)

[needle]

I went back and looked at the 2012 box score. Golson had two rushes for 20+ yards in that game, but his stats overall were quite modest:

Passing: 12/24 141 yds 1 TD
Rushing: 15 for 41 yds, long of 23

What I had forgotten was how many times Golson fumbled in that game: four times. (ND lost two of them.)

[Mick]

I went back and looked at the 2012 box score. Golson had two rushes for 20+ yards in that game, but his stats overall were quite modest:

Passing: 12/24 141 yds 1 TD
Rushing: 15 for 41 yds, long of 23

What I had forgotten was how many times Golson fumbled in that game: four times. (ND lost two of them.)

I'm guessing Golson can be rattled by quick, athletic, tough pass rushing.

My concern is the bubble screen.  It seems to me like it took the staff an inordinately long time to adjust to it last time around.

[Mick]

I went back and looked at the 2012 box score. Golson had two rushes for 20+ yards in that game, but his stats overall were quite modest:

Passing: 12/24 141 yds 1 TD
Rushing: 15 for 41 yds, long of 23

What I had forgotten was how many times Golson fumbled in that game: four times. (ND lost two of them.)

I'm guessing Golson can be rattled by quick, athletic, tough pass rushing.

My concern is the bubble screen.  It seems to me like it took the staff an inordinately long time to adjust to it last time around.

[81alum]

Notre Dame's defense, particularly with some returning players, could be the best defense we have faced and will at least have more depth than SC.  Their offense is hard to predict but should do better than 13 points.  In low scoring games, the difference is often defensive scores, special teams, a critical penalty that takes points off the board (as was true both to hurt us against USC and to help us against Washington.) 

The game could be decided by which of the two offensive lines jell first.  Both offenses have been hampered by inconsistent O-line play.  Can Stanford start to run the ball with more consistency and authority?  Can Notre Dame start to pass protect?  If one of the two teams has a breakout game with its O-line and the other O-line plays as poorly as in the early games, then the better O-line wins the game for its team.

[81alum]

Notre Dame's defense, particularly with some returning players, could be the best defense we have faced and will at least have more depth than SC.  Their offense is hard to predict but should do better than 13 points.  In low scoring games, the difference is often defensive scores, special teams, a critical penalty that takes points off the board (as was true both to hurt us against USC and to help us against Washington.) 

The game could be decided by which of the two offensive lines jell first.  Both offenses have been hampered by inconsistent O-line play.  Can Stanford start to run the ball with more consistency and authority?  Can Notre Dame start to pass protect?  If one of the two teams has a breakout game with its O-line and the other O-line plays as poorly as in the early games, then the better O-line wins the game for its team.

[NDIrish]

Someone posted that he assumes the University of Dead Fake Girlfriends's defense is better than Washington's or U$€'s.

If the University of Dead Fake Girlfriends’s defense even equals Washington’s or U$€’s, it is time to believe in miracles.

According to their latest depth chart, their defense returns only two starters.  But it’s even worse than that.  None of the other nine starters were listed on last year’s opening two-deep.  So they return two starters--and none of their backups. 

They lost DLs Stephon Tuitt and Louis Nix in this summer's second round; OLB Prince Shembo in the fourth; and CB Bennet Jackson in the sixth.  Last year’s other starting CB, the very good Keivare Russel, and their other projected starting DE, Ishaq Williams, were among the players declared ineligible in the alleged recruiting scandal.  The wipe out was so thorough that I recognized almost none of the names on the Irish defensive two-deep except true freshman Andrew Trumbetti, a second team DE whom we recruited.

Tbey’re allowing only about 11 points a game, but the most prolific offense they’ve faced belongs to Rice.  Honest.  Rice ranks 80th in the nation in scoring. 

The Irish rank 40th in the nation for yards allowed per rush and 61st for yards allowed per pass.  If you are facing offenses that average 92d in the nation, those are the numbers you'd project for a below-average defense

Sheldon Day is their best defensive player, but he’s not Leonard Williams or either of Washington’s defensive linemen.  Their linebackers couldn't crack their two deep last year. 

If the University of Dead Fake Girlfriends looks good defensively against us this Saturday, it won’t be all their doing.

Sheldon Day is their best defensive player, but he’s not Leonard Williams or either of Washington’s defensive linemen.  Their linebackers couldn't crack their two deep last year.  - Incorrect - Jaylon Smith is our best defensive player and he is a first round draft pick.  He doesnt miss and he plays as fast as anybody

[NDIrish]

Someone posted that he assumes the University of Dead Fake Girlfriends's defense is better than Washington's or U$€'s.

If the University of Dead Fake Girlfriends’s defense even equals Washington’s or U$€’s, it is time to believe in miracles.

According to their latest depth chart, their defense returns only two starters.  But it’s even worse than that.  None of the other nine starters were listed on last year’s opening two-deep.  So they return two starters--and none of their backups. 

They lost DLs Stephon Tuitt and Louis Nix in this summer's second round; OLB Prince Shembo in the fourth; and CB Bennet Jackson in the sixth.  Last year’s other starting CB, the very good Keivare Russel, and their other projected starting DE, Ishaq Williams, were among the players declared ineligible in the alleged recruiting scandal.  The wipe out was so thorough that I recognized almost none of the names on the Irish defensive two-deep except true freshman Andrew Trumbetti, a second team DE whom we recruited.

Tbey’re allowing only about 11 points a game, but the most prolific offense they’ve faced belongs to Rice.  Honest.  Rice ranks 80th in the nation in scoring. 

The Irish rank 40th in the nation for yards allowed per rush and 61st for yards allowed per pass.  If you are facing offenses that average 92d in the nation, those are the numbers you'd project for a below-average defense

Sheldon Day is their best defensive player, but he’s not Leonard Williams or either of Washington’s defensive linemen.  Their linebackers couldn't crack their two deep last year. 

If the University of Dead Fake Girlfriends looks good defensively against us this Saturday, it won’t be all their doing.

Sheldon Day is their best defensive player, but he’s not Leonard Williams or either of Washington’s defensive linemen.  Their linebackers couldn't crack their two deep last year.  - Incorrect - Jaylon Smith is our best defensive player and he is a first round draft pick.  He doesnt miss and he plays as fast as anybody

[Spiny_Norman]

I went back and looked at the 2012 box score. Golson had two rushes for 20+ yards in that game, but his stats overall were quite modest:

Passing: 12/24 141 yds 1 TD
Rushing: 15 for 41 yds, long of 23

What I had forgotten was how many times Golson fumbled in that game: four times. (ND lost two of them.)

Didn't the weather play a factor in that game?  I think it was pretty wet.

Forecast for Saturday - windy with chance of a shower, high in the mid 50s.  Sounds like fall football weather in the midwest.

[Spiny_Norman]

I went back and looked at the 2012 box score. Golson had two rushes for 20+ yards in that game, but his stats overall were quite modest:

Passing: 12/24 141 yds 1 TD
Rushing: 15 for 41 yds, long of 23

What I had forgotten was how many times Golson fumbled in that game: four times. (ND lost two of them.)

Didn't the weather play a factor in that game?  I think it was pretty wet.

Forecast for Saturday - windy with chance of a shower, high in the mid 50s.  Sounds like fall football weather in the midwest.

[ChicagoCard]

Didn't the weather play a factor in that game?  I think it was pretty wet.

Forecast for Saturday - windy with chance of a shower, high in the mid 50s.  Sounds like fall football weather in the midwest.

Yeah, fall (if not early winter) arrived last night :(. One difference from '12 is the fact that N,D, installed a new artificial turf field for this season.

[ChicagoCard]

Didn't the weather play a factor in that game?  I think it was pretty wet.

Forecast for Saturday - windy with chance of a shower, high in the mid 50s.  Sounds like fall football weather in the midwest.

Yeah, fall (if not early winter) arrived last night :(. One difference from '12 is the fact that N,D, installed a new artificial turf field for this season.

[teejers1]

I always get nervous when Hulk breaks out his proclamations that an opponent "has nothing" (or words to that effect).  And Hulk's anti-ND bias is well known.

So let's just put it this way:  how many here would take Golson over Hogan?  (I suspect most would).

Maybe this is the game where Stanford's offense finally gets its act together; the D continues its stellar play; and Stanford wins comfortably.  But man, that sure seems unlikely, doesn't it?

A nail-biting, defensive-oriented, low-scoring affair seems much more likely.

How does 15-13 sound?

[teejers1]

I always get nervous when Hulk breaks out his proclamations that an opponent "has nothing" (or words to that effect).  And Hulk's anti-ND bias is well known.

So let's just put it this way:  how many here would take Golson over Hogan?  (I suspect most would).

Maybe this is the game where Stanford's offense finally gets its act together; the D continues its stellar play; and Stanford wins comfortably.  But man, that sure seems unlikely, doesn't it?

A nail-biting, defensive-oriented, low-scoring affair seems much more likely.

How does 15-13 sound?

[washingtonismoney]

Based on their first four games? I'd probably take Golson. Over their careers? Hogan. What means more, the recent past or the long-run past? I don't think it's an easy call in this case.

At any rate, "which QB do you like more?" is rarely the relevant factor. Hogan and Golson are not sumo wrestling mano-a-mano. They are facing defenses. The proper question is, "which QB do you like more relative to the opposing defense?" Since I think the Stanford defense is by far superior to N.D.'s, I think that tilts the situation towards Stanford's advantage.

Given that N.D. has pretty mediocre returners, I give Stanford a nice edge on special teams. (Williamson's FGs prevent this from being a total rout.)

MISCELLANEOUS FACTORS: Stanford has been victimized by bad turnovers luck ... neither team has exactly faced a grueling schedule, so there's a lot of uncertainty ... both teams are in flux, meaning that there could be big week-to-week shifts in quality as they gain experience and gel ... it's hard to believe Stanford is quite this bad in the redzone and that it will progress to the mean ... N.D. might get its suspended players back -- though how ready will they be? ... N.D. has never really done well offensively against Stanford in the Brian Kelly era; indeed, it's been frequently embarrassed on offense, despite having your Michael Floyds, Tyler Eiferts, etc. etc. Hard to believe this 2014 team is a revolutionary new one ...

I think modestly favoring Stanford is perfectly appropriate given it's in South Bend.

[washingtonismoney]

Based on their first four games? I'd probably take Golson. Over their careers? Hogan. What means more, the recent past or the long-run past? I don't think it's an easy call in this case.

At any rate, "which QB do you like more?" is rarely the relevant factor. Hogan and Golson are not sumo wrestling mano-a-mano. They are facing defenses. The proper question is, "which QB do you like more relative to the opposing defense?" Since I think the Stanford defense is by far superior to N.D.'s, I think that tilts the situation towards Stanford's advantage.

Given that N.D. has pretty mediocre returners, I give Stanford a nice edge on special teams. (Williamson's FGs prevent this from being a total rout.)

MISCELLANEOUS FACTORS: Stanford has been victimized by bad turnovers luck ... neither team has exactly faced a grueling schedule, so there's a lot of uncertainty ... both teams are in flux, meaning that there could be big week-to-week shifts in quality as they gain experience and gel ... it's hard to believe Stanford is quite this bad in the redzone and that it will progress to the mean ... N.D. might get its suspended players back -- though how ready will they be? ... N.D. has never really done well offensively against Stanford in the Brian Kelly era; indeed, it's been frequently embarrassed on offense, despite having your Michael Floyds, Tyler Eiferts, etc. etc. Hard to believe this 2014 team is a revolutionary new one ...

I think modestly favoring Stanford is perfectly appropriate given it's in South Bend.

[Bruce Wang]

Yeah, fall (if not early winter) arrived last night :(. One difference from '12 is the fact that N,D, installed a new artificial turf field for this season.

Great.  Fake grass to go with all the other phony stuff related to their program - dead girlfriend, pronunciation of QB's last name, Rudy, the Gipper, final exams, papers, what else?

[Bruce Wang]

Yeah, fall (if not early winter) arrived last night :(. One difference from '12 is the fact that N,D, installed a new artificial turf field for this season.

Great.  Fake grass to go with all the other phony stuff related to their program - dead girlfriend, pronunciation of QB's last name, Rudy, the Gipper, final exams, papers, what else?

[TreeWeird]

Great.  Fake grass to go with all the other phony stuff related to their program - dead girlfriend, pronunciation of QB's last name, Rudy, the Gipper, final exams, papers, what else?

Fake national championship in 1996 after Parseghian "tied one for the Gipper" against Michigan State:

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=ch...igan+state

[TreeWeird]

Great.  Fake grass to go with all the other phony stuff related to their program - dead girlfriend, pronunciation of QB's last name, Rudy, the Gipper, final exams, papers, what else?

Fake national championship in 1996 after Parseghian "tied one for the Gipper" against Michigan State:

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=ch...igan+state

[jayasena]

How does 15-13 sound?

Given that I can't imagine Shaw going for 2 any more than I can imagine Williamson making 5 field goals, I can only assume you expect either a safety or Williamson to start missing extra points too. Or was that us with 13?

[jayasena]

How does 15-13 sound?

Given that I can't imagine Shaw going for 2 any more than I can imagine Williamson making 5 field goals, I can only assume you expect either a safety or Williamson to start missing extra points too. Or was that us with 13?

[jayasena]

both teams are in flux, meaning that there could be big week-to-week shifts in quality as they gain experience and gel ...

This one seems clearly on Shaw if he isn't getting the team ready to fix their hair until mid-season.

[jayasena]

both teams are in flux, meaning that there could be big week-to-week shifts in quality as they gain experience and gel ...

This one seems clearly on Shaw if he isn't getting the team ready to fix their hair until mid-season.

[fullmetal]

I can see Williamson making 5 FGs if they're chippies from down the middle.

[fullmetal]

I can see Williamson making 5 FGs if they're chippies from down the middle.

[stupac2]

[quote author=washingtonismoney link=topic=10753.msg100013#msg100013 date=1412124236]
both teams are in flux, meaning that there could be big week-to-week shifts in quality as they gain experience and gel ...

This one seems clearly on Shaw if he isn't getting the team ready to fix their hair until mid-season.
[/quote]

I'm a bit confused by this, referring to the process of an offensive line learning to work as a team as "gelling" is pretty standard, although there seems to be about a 50-50 split between "gel" and "jel".

[stupac2]

[quote author=washingtonismoney link=topic=10753.msg100013#msg100013 date=1412124236]
both teams are in flux, meaning that there could be big week-to-week shifts in quality as they gain experience and gel ...

This one seems clearly on Shaw if he isn't getting the team ready to fix their hair until mid-season.
[/quote]

I'm a bit confused by this, referring to the process of an offensive line learning to work as a team as "gelling" is pretty standard, although there seems to be about a 50-50 split between "gel" and "jel".

[martyup]

You need your jello to gel, just like our OL.

[martyup]

You need your jello to gel, just like our OL.