[82lsju]

I've surrendered to the Dark Side, hope I am wrong, this is the first time in any of these "pick the score" contests that I have picked against us, but I am just worn down....I think ND will do all they can to try and run up the score in hopes of getting a CFP berth (which they probably won't), not sure if we'll see any ND fake punts (assuming they ever have to punt)....but you never know....

You went all in on that prediction.

BC

go big or go home.....I really hope I am wrong and we have the second greatest Stanford upset victory ever!!!!!

[82lsju]

I've surrendered to the Dark Side, hope I am wrong, this is the first time in any of these "pick the score" contests that I have picked against us, but I am just worn down....I think ND will do all they can to try and run up the score in hopes of getting a CFP berth (which they probably won't), not sure if we'll see any ND fake punts (assuming they ever have to punt)....but you never know....

You went all in on that prediction.

BC

go big or go home.....I really hope I am wrong and we have the second greatest Stanford upset victory ever!!!!!

[Goose]

I also fear that Kelly is going to aim for a major blow-out.  ND's largest margin of victory against Stanford was 57-7 back in 2003 (the perfidious days of Buddy Ball).  Will it be that bad?  I certainly hope not.  I'm going 49-13.  Bad enough, but better than the Utah beatdown.

This.  Our game is ND's last chance to impress the CFP people and a blowout helps the thin chance they have of making the CFP.   In this week's poll ND is #6.  One of #2 tOSU or #5 UM will lose and likely fall below ND (well maybe not if UM wins a close game).  ND will need a little help to move further up, something like if UGA wins out and blows out Alabama in the SEC championship or Cincinnati slips up in against East Carolina or in the AAC Championship vs Houston....

I don't think how many points ND scores against Stanford will matter much to the committee, other than perhaps if it is a really close game. The Kal game has totally devalued that as a metric. However, if you are a good team, you can't really tell your players not to play hard. They will play hard, perhaps especially if they are second or third stringers trying to make a case for next year. That is what may run up the score.

ND's slim chances to get in pretty much depend (as stated by the OP) on either 1) some kind of chaos in the B1G, 2) a 2 loss Alabama team being DQed by the committee, or 3) Cincinnati loses a game. If one or more of these happen, ND is in, and if not, ND is out, no matter how many points they score or don't score against Stanford.

[Goose]

I also fear that Kelly is going to aim for a major blow-out.  ND's largest margin of victory against Stanford was 57-7 back in 2003 (the perfidious days of Buddy Ball).  Will it be that bad?  I certainly hope not.  I'm going 49-13.  Bad enough, but better than the Utah beatdown.

This.  Our game is ND's last chance to impress the CFP people and a blowout helps the thin chance they have of making the CFP.   In this week's poll ND is #6.  One of #2 tOSU or #5 UM will lose and likely fall below ND (well maybe not if UM wins a close game).  ND will need a little help to move further up, something like if UGA wins out and blows out Alabama in the SEC championship or Cincinnati slips up in against East Carolina or in the AAC Championship vs Houston....

I don't think how many points ND scores against Stanford will matter much to the committee, other than perhaps if it is a really close game. The Kal game has totally devalued that as a metric. However, if you are a good team, you can't really tell your players not to play hard. They will play hard, perhaps especially if they are second or third stringers trying to make a case for next year. That is what may run up the score.

ND's slim chances to get in pretty much depend (as stated by the OP) on either 1) some kind of chaos in the B1G, 2) a 2 loss Alabama team being DQed by the committee, or 3) Cincinnati loses a game. If one or more of these happen, ND is in, and if not, ND is out, no matter how many points they score or don't score against Stanford.

[teejers1]

I also fear that Kelly is going to aim for a major blow-out.  ND's largest margin of victory against Stanford was 57-7 back in 2003 (the perfidious days of Buddy Ball).  Will it be that bad?  I certainly hope not.  I'm going 49-13.  Bad enough, but better than the Utah beatdown.

This.  Our game is ND's last chance to impress the CFP people and a blowout helps the thin chance they have of making the CFP.   In this week's poll ND is #6.  One of #2 tOSU or #5 UM will lose and likely fall below ND (well maybe not if UM wins a close game).  ND will need a little help to move further up, something like if UGA wins out and blows out Alabama in the SEC championship or Cincinnati slips up in against East Carolina or in the AAC Championship vs Houston....

I don't think how many points ND scores against Stanford will matter much to the committee, other than perhaps if it is a really close game. The Kal game has totally devalued that as a metric. However, if you are a good team, you can't really tell your players not to play hard. They will play hard, perhaps especially if they are second or third stringers trying to make a case for next year. That is what may run up the score.

ND's slim chances to get in pretty much depend (as stated by the OP) on either 1) some kind of chaos in the B1G, 2) a 2 loss Alabama team being DQed by the committee, or 3) Cincinnati loses a game. If one or more of these happen, ND is in, and if not, ND is out, no matter how many points they score or don't score against Stanford.

I don't think it's that hard to envision ND in CFP scenario:

UGA beats Alabama (DQing 2-loss Tide);
Michigan or tOSU (most likely, the latter) winning out.

Doesn't that do the trick?

UGA, tOSU, Cincy, ND.

I heard that Okie State could make some noise if they blow out Oklahoma and Baylor . . . but I'll consider that when it happens.

[teejers1]

I also fear that Kelly is going to aim for a major blow-out.  ND's largest margin of victory against Stanford was 57-7 back in 2003 (the perfidious days of Buddy Ball).  Will it be that bad?  I certainly hope not.  I'm going 49-13.  Bad enough, but better than the Utah beatdown.

This.  Our game is ND's last chance to impress the CFP people and a blowout helps the thin chance they have of making the CFP.   In this week's poll ND is #6.  One of #2 tOSU or #5 UM will lose and likely fall below ND (well maybe not if UM wins a close game).  ND will need a little help to move further up, something like if UGA wins out and blows out Alabama in the SEC championship or Cincinnati slips up in against East Carolina or in the AAC Championship vs Houston....

I don't think how many points ND scores against Stanford will matter much to the committee, other than perhaps if it is a really close game. The Kal game has totally devalued that as a metric. However, if you are a good team, you can't really tell your players not to play hard. They will play hard, perhaps especially if they are second or third stringers trying to make a case for next year. That is what may run up the score.

ND's slim chances to get in pretty much depend (as stated by the OP) on either 1) some kind of chaos in the B1G, 2) a 2 loss Alabama team being DQed by the committee, or 3) Cincinnati loses a game. If one or more of these happen, ND is in, and if not, ND is out, no matter how many points they score or don't score against Stanford.

I don't think it's that hard to envision ND in CFP scenario:

UGA beats Alabama (DQing 2-loss Tide);
Michigan or tOSU (most likely, the latter) winning out.

Doesn't that do the trick?

UGA, tOSU, Cincy, ND.

I heard that Okie State could make some noise if they blow out Oklahoma and Baylor . . . but I'll consider that when it happens.

[thunder_chik]

Can't remember the last time I posted a prediction that we would lose.  Given our poor performance the last 6 games, however, I just cannot picture a W.
52-9

[thunder_chik]

Can't remember the last time I posted a prediction that we would lose.  Given our poor performance the last 6 games, however, I just cannot picture a W.
52-9

[Goose]

I don't think it's that hard to envision ND in CFP scenario:


UGA beats Alabama (DQing 2-loss Tide);

Michigan or tOSU (most likely, the latter) winning out.



Doesn't that do the trick?



UGA, tOSU, Cincy, ND.



I heard that Okie State could make some noise if they blow out Oklahoma and Baylor . . . but I'll consider that when it happens.

The question there is does a 2 loss Alabama get DQed? I think they should, but there is a counter argument. Given the eye test, does a 2 loss Alabama look better than a 1 loss ND who hasn't really played anybody? ND has already lost to Cincinnati, the only halfway good team they played. Throw in the pro-SEC bias and IMHO it isn't a sure thing. Should be, but isn't. So yes, UGA beating Alabama and the committee accepting that that DQes Alabama is one of the possibilities I listed. Not a sure thing though. More importantly to the original discussion, the number of points ND scores against Stanford is very unlikely to tip that balance.

[Goose]

I don't think it's that hard to envision ND in CFP scenario:


UGA beats Alabama (DQing 2-loss Tide);

Michigan or tOSU (most likely, the latter) winning out.



Doesn't that do the trick?



UGA, tOSU, Cincy, ND.



I heard that Okie State could make some noise if they blow out Oklahoma and Baylor . . . but I'll consider that when it happens.

The question there is does a 2 loss Alabama get DQed? I think they should, but there is a counter argument. Given the eye test, does a 2 loss Alabama look better than a 1 loss ND who hasn't really played anybody? ND has already lost to Cincinnati, the only halfway good team they played. Throw in the pro-SEC bias and IMHO it isn't a sure thing. Should be, but isn't. So yes, UGA beating Alabama and the committee accepting that that DQes Alabama is one of the possibilities I listed. Not a sure thing though. More importantly to the original discussion, the number of points ND scores against Stanford is very unlikely to tip that balance.

[Austroturf]

I also fear that Kelly is going to aim for a major blow-out.  ND's largest margin of victory against Stanford was 57-7 back in 2003 (the perfidious days of Buddy Ball).  Will it be that bad?  I certainly hope not.  I'm going 49-13.  Bad enough, but better than the Utah beatdown.

This.  Our game is ND's last chance to impress the CFP people and a blowout helps the thin chance they have of making the CFP.   In this week's poll ND is #6.  One of #2 tOSU or #5 UM will lose and likely fall below ND (well maybe not if UM wins a close game).  ND will need a little help to move further up, something like if UGA wins out and blows out Alabama in the SEC championship or Cincinnati slips up in against East Carolina or in the AAC Championship vs Houston....

I don't think how many points ND scores against Stanford will matter much to the committee, other than perhaps if it is a really close game. The Kal game has totally devalued that as a metric. However, if you are a good team, you can't really tell your players not to play hard. They will play hard, perhaps especially if they are second or third stringers trying to make a case for next year. That is what may run up the score.

ND's slim chances to get in pretty much depend (as stated by the OP) on either 1) some kind of chaos in the B1G, 2) a 2 loss Alabama team being DQed by the committee, or 3) Cincinnati loses a game. If one or more of these happen, ND is in, and if not, ND is out, no matter how many points they score or don't score against Stanford.

I don't think it's that hard to envision ND in CFP scenario:

UGA beats Alabama (DQing 2-loss Tide);
Michigan or tOSU (most likely, the latter) winning out.

Doesn't that do the trick?

UGA, tOSU, Cincy, ND.

I heard that Okie State could make some noise if they blow out Oklahoma and Baylor . . . but I'll consider that when it happens.

Some of the mafia over on ESPN have floated the idea that a two-loss Alabama team would still be CFP-worthy.  Imagine a barn-burner in the SEC championship game, with Alabama falling short on a missed FG as time expires.  The Crimson Tide might still sneak in on the strength of its near upset of the undefeated Bulldogs, or so they say on SEC-friendly ESPN.  Of course, if Georgia loses in the championship game, then its Bama and the Bulldogs for sure in the CFP, leaving only two other slots.  One of those most probably goes to the B1G; one may have to go to Cincy if they win out.  ND only gets to the top 4 if Georgia destroys Alabama in the championship game (i.e., 20+ point victory).  So I think Kelly will be motivated to make a statement in his final game of the regular season.  If Stanford makes it a close game, Kelly's CFP dream is dashed.

[Austroturf]

I also fear that Kelly is going to aim for a major blow-out.  ND's largest margin of victory against Stanford was 57-7 back in 2003 (the perfidious days of Buddy Ball).  Will it be that bad?  I certainly hope not.  I'm going 49-13.  Bad enough, but better than the Utah beatdown.

This.  Our game is ND's last chance to impress the CFP people and a blowout helps the thin chance they have of making the CFP.   In this week's poll ND is #6.  One of #2 tOSU or #5 UM will lose and likely fall below ND (well maybe not if UM wins a close game).  ND will need a little help to move further up, something like if UGA wins out and blows out Alabama in the SEC championship or Cincinnati slips up in against East Carolina or in the AAC Championship vs Houston....

I don't think how many points ND scores against Stanford will matter much to the committee, other than perhaps if it is a really close game. The Kal game has totally devalued that as a metric. However, if you are a good team, you can't really tell your players not to play hard. They will play hard, perhaps especially if they are second or third stringers trying to make a case for next year. That is what may run up the score.

ND's slim chances to get in pretty much depend (as stated by the OP) on either 1) some kind of chaos in the B1G, 2) a 2 loss Alabama team being DQed by the committee, or 3) Cincinnati loses a game. If one or more of these happen, ND is in, and if not, ND is out, no matter how many points they score or don't score against Stanford.

I don't think it's that hard to envision ND in CFP scenario:

UGA beats Alabama (DQing 2-loss Tide);
Michigan or tOSU (most likely, the latter) winning out.

Doesn't that do the trick?

UGA, tOSU, Cincy, ND.

I heard that Okie State could make some noise if they blow out Oklahoma and Baylor . . . but I'll consider that when it happens.

Some of the mafia over on ESPN have floated the idea that a two-loss Alabama team would still be CFP-worthy.  Imagine a barn-burner in the SEC championship game, with Alabama falling short on a missed FG as time expires.  The Crimson Tide might still sneak in on the strength of its near upset of the undefeated Bulldogs, or so they say on SEC-friendly ESPN.  Of course, if Georgia loses in the championship game, then its Bama and the Bulldogs for sure in the CFP, leaving only two other slots.  One of those most probably goes to the B1G; one may have to go to Cincy if they win out.  ND only gets to the top 4 if Georgia destroys Alabama in the championship game (i.e., 20+ point victory).  So I think Kelly will be motivated to make a statement in his final game of the regular season.  If Stanford makes it a close game, Kelly's CFP dream is dashed.

[teejers1]

I also fear that Kelly is going to aim for a major blow-out.  ND's largest margin of victory against Stanford was 57-7 back in 2003 (the perfidious days of Buddy Ball).  Will it be that bad?  I certainly hope not.  I'm going 49-13.  Bad enough, but better than the Utah beatdown.

This.  Our game is ND's last chance to impress the CFP people and a blowout helps the thin chance they have of making the CFP.   In this week's poll ND is #6.  One of #2 tOSU or #5 UM will lose and likely fall below ND (well maybe not if UM wins a close game).  ND will need a little help to move further up, something like if UGA wins out and blows out Alabama in the SEC championship or Cincinnati slips up in against East Carolina or in the AAC Championship vs Houston....

I don't think how many points ND scores against Stanford will matter much to the committee, other than perhaps if it is a really close game. The Kal game has totally devalued that as a metric. However, if you are a good team, you can't really tell your players not to play hard. They will play hard, perhaps especially if they are second or third stringers trying to make a case for next year. That is what may run up the score.

ND's slim chances to get in pretty much depend (as stated by the OP) on either 1) some kind of chaos in the B1G, 2) a 2 loss Alabama team being DQed by the committee, or 3) Cincinnati loses a game. If one or more of these happen, ND is in, and if not, ND is out, no matter how many points they score or don't score against Stanford.

I don't think it's that hard to envision ND in CFP scenario:

UGA beats Alabama (DQing 2-loss Tide);
Michigan or tOSU (most likely, the latter) winning out.

Doesn't that do the trick?

UGA, tOSU, Cincy, ND.

I heard that Okie State could make some noise if they blow out Oklahoma and Baylor . . . but I'll consider that when it happens.

Some of the mafia over on ESPN have floated the idea that a two-loss Alabama team would still be CFP-worthy.  Imagine a barn-burner in the SEC championship game, with Alabama falling short on a missed FG as time expires.  The Crimson Tide might still sneak in on the strength of its near upset of the undefeated Bulldogs, or so they say on SEC-friendly ESPN.  Of course, if Georgia loses in the championship game, then its Bama and the Bulldogs for sure in the CFP, leaving only two other slots.  One of those most probably goes to the B1G; one may have to go to Cincy if they win out.  ND only gets to the top 4 if Georgia destroys Alabama in the championship game (i.e., 20+ point victory).  So I think Kelly will be motivated to make a statement in his final game of the regular season.  If Stanford makes it a close game, Kelly's CFP dream is dashed.

I think 2-loss 'Bama is out.  There's just no good reason on the merits to give 'Bama a third bite at the apple.  The A&M loss alone is worse than ND's L to Cincy.  So I'm not too worried about a 2L 'Bama.

The problem is this:  I could see the fix being in, SEC-wise, to grease a 'Bama win (because UGA is "in" either way).  $$ talks.

[teejers1]

I also fear that Kelly is going to aim for a major blow-out.  ND's largest margin of victory against Stanford was 57-7 back in 2003 (the perfidious days of Buddy Ball).  Will it be that bad?  I certainly hope not.  I'm going 49-13.  Bad enough, but better than the Utah beatdown.

This.  Our game is ND's last chance to impress the CFP people and a blowout helps the thin chance they have of making the CFP.   In this week's poll ND is #6.  One of #2 tOSU or #5 UM will lose and likely fall below ND (well maybe not if UM wins a close game).  ND will need a little help to move further up, something like if UGA wins out and blows out Alabama in the SEC championship or Cincinnati slips up in against East Carolina or in the AAC Championship vs Houston....

I don't think how many points ND scores against Stanford will matter much to the committee, other than perhaps if it is a really close game. The Kal game has totally devalued that as a metric. However, if you are a good team, you can't really tell your players not to play hard. They will play hard, perhaps especially if they are second or third stringers trying to make a case for next year. That is what may run up the score.

ND's slim chances to get in pretty much depend (as stated by the OP) on either 1) some kind of chaos in the B1G, 2) a 2 loss Alabama team being DQed by the committee, or 3) Cincinnati loses a game. If one or more of these happen, ND is in, and if not, ND is out, no matter how many points they score or don't score against Stanford.

I don't think it's that hard to envision ND in CFP scenario:

UGA beats Alabama (DQing 2-loss Tide);
Michigan or tOSU (most likely, the latter) winning out.

Doesn't that do the trick?

UGA, tOSU, Cincy, ND.

I heard that Okie State could make some noise if they blow out Oklahoma and Baylor . . . but I'll consider that when it happens.

Some of the mafia over on ESPN have floated the idea that a two-loss Alabama team would still be CFP-worthy.  Imagine a barn-burner in the SEC championship game, with Alabama falling short on a missed FG as time expires.  The Crimson Tide might still sneak in on the strength of its near upset of the undefeated Bulldogs, or so they say on SEC-friendly ESPN.  Of course, if Georgia loses in the championship game, then its Bama and the Bulldogs for sure in the CFP, leaving only two other slots.  One of those most probably goes to the B1G; one may have to go to Cincy if they win out.  ND only gets to the top 4 if Georgia destroys Alabama in the championship game (i.e., 20+ point victory).  So I think Kelly will be motivated to make a statement in his final game of the regular season.  If Stanford makes it a close game, Kelly's CFP dream is dashed.

I think 2-loss 'Bama is out.  There's just no good reason on the merits to give 'Bama a third bite at the apple.  The A&M loss alone is worse than ND's L to Cincy.  So I'm not too worried about a 2L 'Bama.

The problem is this:  I could see the fix being in, SEC-wise, to grease a 'Bama win (because UGA is "in" either way).  $$ talks.

[Goose]

ND only gets to the top 4 if Georgia destroys Alabama in the championship game (i.e., 20+ point victory).

This is IMHO true.

 So I think Kelly will be motivated to make a statement in his final game of the regular season.

Why? Like you said, if Alabama isn't "destroyed" by Georgia, they are in and ND isn't.

 If Stanford makes it a close game, Kelly's CFP dream is dashed.

Probably not, because as you say his dream depends on Alabama getting soundly beaten. If THAT game is close, ND is toast. If the Stanford game is at least a 7 point victory for ND, how much doesn't matter at all. If ND wins on a last minute drive, that may help Alabama's case a bit, but if Alabama is soundly defeated, it doesn't matter. If Alabama is even close, as you say, they are in.

As I have previously posted, Stanford's worst fear of a blowout is the ND players, not their coach. If you have nothing but green grass in front of you, nobody is going to take a knee.

[Goose]

ND only gets to the top 4 if Georgia destroys Alabama in the championship game (i.e., 20+ point victory).

This is IMHO true.

 So I think Kelly will be motivated to make a statement in his final game of the regular season.

Why? Like you said, if Alabama isn't "destroyed" by Georgia, they are in and ND isn't.

 If Stanford makes it a close game, Kelly's CFP dream is dashed.

Probably not, because as you say his dream depends on Alabama getting soundly beaten. If THAT game is close, ND is toast. If the Stanford game is at least a 7 point victory for ND, how much doesn't matter at all. If ND wins on a last minute drive, that may help Alabama's case a bit, but if Alabama is soundly defeated, it doesn't matter. If Alabama is even close, as you say, they are in.

As I have previously posted, Stanford's worst fear of a blowout is the ND players, not their coach. If you have nothing but green grass in front of you, nobody is going to take a knee.

[Austroturf]

ND only gets to the top 4 if Georgia destroys Alabama in the championship game (i.e., 20+ point victory).

This is IMHO true.

 So I think Kelly will be motivated to make a statement in his final game of the regular season.

Why? Like you said, if Alabama isn't "destroyed" by Georgia, they are in and ND isn't.

 If Stanford makes it a close game, Kelly's CFP dream is dashed.

Probably not, because as you say his dream depends on Alabama getting soundly beaten. If THAT game is close, ND is toast. If the Stanford game is at least a 7 point victory for ND, how much doesn't matter at all. If ND wins on a last minute drive, that may help Alabama's case a bit, but if Alabama is soundly defeated, it doesn't matter. If Alabama is even close, as you say, they are in.

As I have previously posted, Stanford's worst fear of a blowout is the ND players, not their coach. If you have nothing but green grass in front of you, nobody is going to take a knee.

Good assessment.

[Austroturf]

ND only gets to the top 4 if Georgia destroys Alabama in the championship game (i.e., 20+ point victory).

This is IMHO true.

 So I think Kelly will be motivated to make a statement in his final game of the regular season.

Why? Like you said, if Alabama isn't "destroyed" by Georgia, they are in and ND isn't.

 If Stanford makes it a close game, Kelly's CFP dream is dashed.

Probably not, because as you say his dream depends on Alabama getting soundly beaten. If THAT game is close, ND is toast. If the Stanford game is at least a 7 point victory for ND, how much doesn't matter at all. If ND wins on a last minute drive, that may help Alabama's case a bit, but if Alabama is soundly defeated, it doesn't matter. If Alabama is even close, as you say, they are in.

As I have previously posted, Stanford's worst fear of a blowout is the ND players, not their coach. If you have nothing but green grass in front of you, nobody is going to take a knee.

Good assessment.

[Maple Leaf]

Prediction is Stanford 15 the domers 14.

Stanford offense has 5 first and goal at the 5 yard line, and ends up kicking a field goal each time.

Stanford defense plays like the ThunderChickens in the Rose Bowl against Michigan.  The domers score two late td's thanks to bogus calls by the refs on the Stanford defense.  The Stanford defense stops the domers on downs late in the game, the offense ONLY needs to get two first downs in order to run out the clock.  The offense totally ignores Shaw's play calls and proceeds to run power and run more power and ends up running out the clock.

Stanford's win has repercussions:
  Shaw takes the Raiders Head Coaching Job
  The Vatican declares bankruptcy after betting big at the sports book  
  Kelly fires all of his assistances and replaces them with the Father-Son & Holy Ghost
  Muir becomes the commissioner of the Bitcoin Conference
  Condi Rice becomes Stanford AD, and hires not Jim Harbaugh but John Harbaugh to be Stanford's next head football Coach
  Condi Rice said the decision to hire John and not Jim is that John beat Jim in the Super Bowl, she only wants winners.
  The ThunderDome Clan becomes politically correct, and starts to take their meds on schedule.

[Maple Leaf]

Prediction is Stanford 15 the domers 14.

Stanford offense has 5 first and goal at the 5 yard line, and ends up kicking a field goal each time.

Stanford defense plays like the ThunderChickens in the Rose Bowl against Michigan.  The domers score two late td's thanks to bogus calls by the refs on the Stanford defense.  The Stanford defense stops the domers on downs late in the game, the offense ONLY needs to get two first downs in order to run out the clock.  The offense totally ignores Shaw's play calls and proceeds to run power and run more power and ends up running out the clock.

Stanford's win has repercussions:
  Shaw takes the Raiders Head Coaching Job
  The Vatican declares bankruptcy after betting big at the sports book  
  Kelly fires all of his assistances and replaces them with the Father-Son & Holy Ghost
  Muir becomes the commissioner of the Bitcoin Conference
  Condi Rice becomes Stanford AD, and hires not Jim Harbaugh but John Harbaugh to be Stanford's next head football Coach
  Condi Rice said the decision to hire John and not Jim is that John beat Jim in the Super Bowl, she only wants winners.
  The ThunderDome Clan becomes politically correct, and starts to take their meds on schedule.

[JohnR34231]

ND only gets to the top 4 if Georgia destroys Alabama in the championship game (i.e., 20+ point victory).

This is IMHO true.

 So I think Kelly will be motivated to make a statement in his final game of the regular season.

Why? Like you said, if Alabama isn't "destroyed" by Georgia, they are in and ND isn't.

 If Stanford makes it a close game, Kelly's CFP dream is dashed.

Probably not, because as you say his dream depends on Alabama getting soundly beaten. If THAT game is close, ND is toast. If the Stanford game is at least a 7 point victory for ND, how much doesn't matter at all. If ND wins on a last minute drive, that may help Alabama's case a bit, but if Alabama is soundly defeated, it doesn't matter. If Alabama is even close, as you say, they are in.

As I have previously posted, Stanford's worst fear of a blowout is the ND players, not their coach. If you have nothing but green grass in front of you, nobody is going to take a knee.

Isn't there one precedent? The Northwestern guy who took a knee after the late game interception in 2015.

[JohnR34231]

ND only gets to the top 4 if Georgia destroys Alabama in the championship game (i.e., 20+ point victory).

This is IMHO true.

 So I think Kelly will be motivated to make a statement in his final game of the regular season.

Why? Like you said, if Alabama isn't "destroyed" by Georgia, they are in and ND isn't.

 If Stanford makes it a close game, Kelly's CFP dream is dashed.

Probably not, because as you say his dream depends on Alabama getting soundly beaten. If THAT game is close, ND is toast. If the Stanford game is at least a 7 point victory for ND, how much doesn't matter at all. If ND wins on a last minute drive, that may help Alabama's case a bit, but if Alabama is soundly defeated, it doesn't matter. If Alabama is even close, as you say, they are in.

As I have previously posted, Stanford's worst fear of a blowout is the ND players, not their coach. If you have nothing but green grass in front of you, nobody is going to take a knee.

Isn't there one precedent? The Northwestern guy who took a knee after the late game interception in 2015.

[82lsju]

Prediction is Stanford 15 the domers 14.

Stanford offense has 5 first and goal at the 5 yard line, and ends up kicking a field goal each time.

Stanford defense plays like the ThunderChickens in the Rose Bowl against Michigan.  The domers score two late td's thanks to bogus calls by the refs on the Stanford defense.  The Stanford defense stops the domers on downs late in the game, the offense ONLY needs to get two first downs in order to run out the clock.  The offense totally ignores Shaw's play calls and proceeds to run power and run more power and ends up running out the clock.

Stanford's win has repercussions:
  Shaw takes the Raiders Head Coaching Job
  The Vatican declares bankruptcy after betting big at the sports book  
  Kelly fires all of his assistances and replaces them with the Father-Son & Holy Ghost
  Muir becomes the commissioner of the Bitcoin Conference
  Condi Rice becomes Stanford AD, and hires not Jim Harbaugh but John Harbaugh to be Stanford's next head football Coach
  Condi Rice said the decision to hire John and not Jim is that John beat Jim in the Super Bowl, she only wants winners.
  The ThunderDome Clan becomes politically correct, and starts to take their meds on schedule.

you had me until the last item, it will never happen....  

[82lsju]

Prediction is Stanford 15 the domers 14.

Stanford offense has 5 first and goal at the 5 yard line, and ends up kicking a field goal each time.

Stanford defense plays like the ThunderChickens in the Rose Bowl against Michigan.  The domers score two late td's thanks to bogus calls by the refs on the Stanford defense.  The Stanford defense stops the domers on downs late in the game, the offense ONLY needs to get two first downs in order to run out the clock.  The offense totally ignores Shaw's play calls and proceeds to run power and run more power and ends up running out the clock.

Stanford's win has repercussions:
  Shaw takes the Raiders Head Coaching Job
  The Vatican declares bankruptcy after betting big at the sports book  
  Kelly fires all of his assistances and replaces them with the Father-Son & Holy Ghost
  Muir becomes the commissioner of the Bitcoin Conference
  Condi Rice becomes Stanford AD, and hires not Jim Harbaugh but John Harbaugh to be Stanford's next head football Coach
  Condi Rice said the decision to hire John and not Jim is that John beat Jim in the Super Bowl, she only wants winners.
  The ThunderDome Clan becomes politically correct, and starts to take their meds on schedule.

you had me until the last item, it will never happen....  

[Embo]

As I have previously posted, Stanford's worst fear of a blowout is the ND players, not their coach. If you have nothing but green grass in front of you, nobody is going to take a knee.

There's another aspect of this upcoming game that I fear.
What did we say to each other when Sanders scored his touchdown vs. Utah, and when Karty's kick went through the uprights vs Cal?  Well, at least it won't be a shutout.
Notre Dame is coming off that 55 - 0 pasting of Georgia Tech.  If you don't think they're aware of the possibility of eight consecutive scoreless quarters, you're wrong.  Their defensive players and DC will be going all out for the entire game.  
I'll be there.  Just not sure for how long.

[Embo]

As I have previously posted, Stanford's worst fear of a blowout is the ND players, not their coach. If you have nothing but green grass in front of you, nobody is going to take a knee.

There's another aspect of this upcoming game that I fear.
What did we say to each other when Sanders scored his touchdown vs. Utah, and when Karty's kick went through the uprights vs Cal?  Well, at least it won't be a shutout.
Notre Dame is coming off that 55 - 0 pasting of Georgia Tech.  If you don't think they're aware of the possibility of eight consecutive scoreless quarters, you're wrong.  Their defensive players and DC will be going all out for the entire game.  
I'll be there.  Just not sure for how long.

[Goose]

I think 2-loss 'Bama is out.  There's just no good reason on the merits to give 'Bama a third bite at the apple.  The A&M loss alone is worse than ND's L to Cincy.

In a perfect world, you would certainly be right. In a halfway-reasonable world, you would be correct 99% of the time. In our current world, who knows?

The problem is this:  I could see the fix being in, SEC-wise, to grease a 'Bama win (because UGA is "in" either way).  $$ talks.

True, but it is not just that. It is worse. In a world where reality is shaped by a media that has a definite agenda (for whatever reason), people will actually believe Alabama belongs even if they lose by 7 or so because they are obviously so deserving and the SEC is orders of magnitude above all other competition. It is a reality distortion field. The committee really does love Big Brother.

So I'm not too worried about a 2L 'Bama.

Given the above, perhaps you should be.

---

Prediction is Stanford 15 the domers 14.

Stanford offense has 5 first and goal at the 5 yard line, and ends up kicking a field goal each time.

Stanford defense plays like the ThunderChickens in the Rose Bowl against Michigan.  The domers score two late td's thanks to bogus calls by the refs on the Stanford defense.  The Stanford defense stops the domers on downs late in the game, the offense ONLY needs to get two first downs in order to run out the clock.  The offense totally ignores Shaw's play calls and proceeds to run power and run more power and ends up running out the clock.

Stanford's win has repercussions:
  Shaw takes the Raiders Head Coaching Job
  The Vatican declares bankruptcy after betting big at the sports book  
  Kelly fires all of his assistances and replaces them with the Father-Son & Holy Ghost
  Muir becomes the commissioner of the Bitcoin Conference
  Condi Rice becomes Stanford AD, and hires not Jim Harbaugh but John Harbaugh to be Stanford's next head football Coach
  Condi Rice said the decision to hire John and not Jim is that John beat Jim in the Super Bowl, she only wants winners.
  The ThunderDome Clan becomes politically correct, and starts to take their meds on schedule.

Nice thought. It all could happen except for one thing. I don't think our current OL knows HOW to run power, even in theory.

[Goose]

I think 2-loss 'Bama is out.  There's just no good reason on the merits to give 'Bama a third bite at the apple.  The A&M loss alone is worse than ND's L to Cincy.

In a perfect world, you would certainly be right. In a halfway-reasonable world, you would be correct 99% of the time. In our current world, who knows?

The problem is this:  I could see the fix being in, SEC-wise, to grease a 'Bama win (because UGA is "in" either way).  $$ talks.

True, but it is not just that. It is worse. In a world where reality is shaped by a media that has a definite agenda (for whatever reason), people will actually believe Alabama belongs even if they lose by 7 or so because they are obviously so deserving and the SEC is orders of magnitude above all other competition. It is a reality distortion field. The committee really does love Big Brother.

So I'm not too worried about a 2L 'Bama.

Given the above, perhaps you should be.

---

Prediction is Stanford 15 the domers 14.

Stanford offense has 5 first and goal at the 5 yard line, and ends up kicking a field goal each time.

Stanford defense plays like the ThunderChickens in the Rose Bowl against Michigan.  The domers score two late td's thanks to bogus calls by the refs on the Stanford defense.  The Stanford defense stops the domers on downs late in the game, the offense ONLY needs to get two first downs in order to run out the clock.  The offense totally ignores Shaw's play calls and proceeds to run power and run more power and ends up running out the clock.

Stanford's win has repercussions:
  Shaw takes the Raiders Head Coaching Job
  The Vatican declares bankruptcy after betting big at the sports book  
  Kelly fires all of his assistances and replaces them with the Father-Son & Holy Ghost
  Muir becomes the commissioner of the Bitcoin Conference
  Condi Rice becomes Stanford AD, and hires not Jim Harbaugh but John Harbaugh to be Stanford's next head football Coach
  Condi Rice said the decision to hire John and not Jim is that John beat Jim in the Super Bowl, she only wants winners.
  The ThunderDome Clan becomes politically correct, and starts to take their meds on schedule.

Nice thought. It all could happen except for one thing. I don't think our current OL knows HOW to run power, even in theory.

[martyup]

Prediction is Stanford 15 the domers 14.

Stanford offense has 5 first and goal at the 5 yard line, and ends up kicking a field goal each time.

Stanford defense plays like the ThunderChickens in the Rose Bowl against Michigan.  The domers score two late td's thanks to bogus calls by the refs on the Stanford defense.  The Stanford defense stops the domers on downs late in the game, the offense ONLY needs to get two first downs in order to run out the clock.  The offense totally ignores Shaw's play calls and proceeds to run power and run more power and ends up running out the clock.

Stanford's win has repercussions:
  Shaw takes the Raiders Head Coaching Job
  The Vatican declares bankruptcy after betting big at the sports book  
  Kelly fires all of his assistances and replaces them with the Father-Son & Holy Ghost
  Muir becomes the commissioner of the Bitcoin Conference
  Condi Rice becomes Stanford AD, and hires not Jim Harbaugh but John Harbaugh to be Stanford's next head football Coach
  Condi Rice said the decision to hire John and not Jim is that John beat Jim in the Super Bowl, she only wants winners.
  The ThunderDome Clan becomes politically correct, and starts to take their meds on schedule.

[martyup]

Prediction is Stanford 15 the domers 14.

Stanford offense has 5 first and goal at the 5 yard line, and ends up kicking a field goal each time.

Stanford defense plays like the ThunderChickens in the Rose Bowl against Michigan.  The domers score two late td's thanks to bogus calls by the refs on the Stanford defense.  The Stanford defense stops the domers on downs late in the game, the offense ONLY needs to get two first downs in order to run out the clock.  The offense totally ignores Shaw's play calls and proceeds to run power and run more power and ends up running out the clock.

Stanford's win has repercussions:
  Shaw takes the Raiders Head Coaching Job
  The Vatican declares bankruptcy after betting big at the sports book  
  Kelly fires all of his assistances and replaces them with the Father-Son & Holy Ghost
  Muir becomes the commissioner of the Bitcoin Conference
  Condi Rice becomes Stanford AD, and hires not Jim Harbaugh but John Harbaugh to be Stanford's next head football Coach
  Condi Rice said the decision to hire John and not Jim is that John beat Jim in the Super Bowl, she only wants winners.
  The ThunderDome Clan becomes politically correct, and starts to take their meds on schedule.

[82lsju]

There's another aspect of this upcoming game that I fear.
What did we say to each other when Sanders scored his touchdown vs. Utah, and when Karty's kick went through the uprights vs Cal?  Well, at least it won't be a shutout.
Notre Dame is coming off that 55 - 0 pasting of Georgia Tech.  If you don't think they're aware of the possibility of eight consecutive scoreless quarters, you're wrong.  Their defensive players and DC will be going all out for the entire game.  
I'll be there.  Just not sure for how long.

the game before GT, ND had a shutout going until UVA kicked a FG in the 4th quarter, in the game before that ND gave up two FGs to Navy (one in the 1st quarter and one in the 3rd quarter) so in the last 12 quarters ND has given up points in only 3 quarters.....

[82lsju]

There's another aspect of this upcoming game that I fear.
What did we say to each other when Sanders scored his touchdown vs. Utah, and when Karty's kick went through the uprights vs Cal?  Well, at least it won't be a shutout.
Notre Dame is coming off that 55 - 0 pasting of Georgia Tech.  If you don't think they're aware of the possibility of eight consecutive scoreless quarters, you're wrong.  Their defensive players and DC will be going all out for the entire game.  
I'll be there.  Just not sure for how long.

the game before GT, ND had a shutout going until UVA kicked a FG in the 4th quarter, in the game before that ND gave up two FGs to Navy (one in the 1st quarter and one in the 3rd quarter) so in the last 12 quarters ND has given up points in only 3 quarters.....

[Snorlax94]

I watched highlights of ND-navy, Virgina and UNC and I am amazed to be saying this, but Notre Dame’s strengths don’t appear to be in areas of the Cardinals’s weakness and Notre dame’s weaknesses appear to be in just the right places for the Cardinal.

If the team has lost its spirit and is just waiting for the season to end, it’s gonna be ugly. But if people are ready to fight with everything they have left, the matchups are actually favorable. So, hoping for the best, I say Stanford wins it, 23-21.

[Snorlax94]

I watched highlights of ND-navy, Virgina and UNC and I am amazed to be saying this, but Notre Dame’s strengths don’t appear to be in areas of the Cardinals’s weakness and Notre dame’s weaknesses appear to be in just the right places for the Cardinal.

If the team has lost its spirit and is just waiting for the season to end, it’s gonna be ugly. But if people are ready to fight with everything they have left, the matchups are actually favorable. So, hoping for the best, I say Stanford wins it, 23-21.

[Austroturf]

There have been 22 predictions submitted so far.  Eight of them have Stanford winning (so more than 1/3). 

I hope those who picked Stanford are correct; but for your own financial health, I hope you haven't backed up those predictions with sizable bets.

[Austroturf]

There have been 22 predictions submitted so far.  Eight of them have Stanford winning (so more than 1/3). 

I hope those who picked Stanford are correct; but for your own financial health, I hope you haven't backed up those predictions with sizable bets.

[JohnR34231]

There have been 22 predictions submitted so far.  Eight of them have Stanford winning (so more than 1/3). 

I hope those who picked Stanford are correct; but for your own financial health, I hope you haven't backed up those predictions with sizable bets.

When my son played at Air Force I joked one time on their board that the Falcons could be playing the Super Bowl champs and a lot of them would pick AF to win. The response was, "Sure, they currently aren't having much of a year."

[JohnR34231]

There have been 22 predictions submitted so far.  Eight of them have Stanford winning (so more than 1/3). 

I hope those who picked Stanford are correct; but for your own financial health, I hope you haven't backed up those predictions with sizable bets.

When my son played at Air Force I joked one time on their board that the Falcons could be playing the Super Bowl champs and a lot of them would pick AF to win. The response was, "Sure, they currently aren't having much of a year."

[82lsju]

I watched highlights of ND-navy, Virgina and UNC and I am amazed to be saying this, but Notre Dame’s strengths don’t appear to be in areas of the Cardinals’s weakness and Notre dame’s weaknesses appear to be in just the right places for the Cardinal.

If the team has lost its spirit and is just waiting for the season to end, it’s gonna be ugly. But if people are ready to fight with everything they have left, the matchups are actually favorable. So, hoping for the best, I say Stanford wins it, 23-21.

I'm sold, we smoke those guys!!!  Changing my prediction!!!

[82lsju]

I watched highlights of ND-navy, Virgina and UNC and I am amazed to be saying this, but Notre Dame’s strengths don’t appear to be in areas of the Cardinals’s weakness and Notre dame’s weaknesses appear to be in just the right places for the Cardinal.

If the team has lost its spirit and is just waiting for the season to end, it’s gonna be ugly. But if people are ready to fight with everything they have left, the matchups are actually favorable. So, hoping for the best, I say Stanford wins it, 23-21.

I'm sold, we smoke those guys!!!  Changing my prediction!!!