Fotop

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 03:00 PM) Unless you're playing a directional school, most teams aren't going to beat anyone 9 out of 10 times on a nuetral field. That's irrelevant, because few teams are going to dominate other major schools that significantly, with the possible exception of Texas and USC this year. However, there are a lot of other teams that I think might go 5-5 if you played 10 times. That's probably what would happen if you're going up against quality opponents. Also, since you only play a team once and there is no way to prove whether or not a team could do it, the whole idea is pure conjecture and adds nothing to an argument. Discussing the relative strength of schedules based upon records is pure conjecture too, if we want to discuss something that adds nothing to the argument. I really don't understand how people can be so stuck in their ways about scheduling being the root of the problem here. Luck plays an extremely large role in whether or not future opponents are any good...seeing as though scheduling takes place years in advance. And I don't buy that ND is dodging "tough" opponents 5 years from now, nor did they five years ago...they schedule major conference teams with consistent programs and keep their rivalries alive. Period. I mean how many of you actually WATCH ND games? Do you realize that every team on their schedule circles them as the game of the year every year? Hell, Purdue engraved the score of the ND/Purdue game inside their Sun Bowl rings last year, they gave two s***s about the sun bowl. Teams play their absolute best against ND and it's pretty impossible to name another team in the country that consistently experiences this outside of their rivalry matchups. I mean you can bring in all the records and numbers you want, but to me all of these teams consistently scheduled by ND are a threat to beat ND year in and year out (barring navy)...maybe not a few years from now when ND is back on top, but in the past 10 years this is certainly true. Also, if you watched this team at all this year, as well as the other top 10 teams, there's no way in hell you can say ND doesn't belong. In the end, for me, watching this team (mostly in person) is reason enough to believe they are more than worthy for a BCS bowl. That is why I don't really think anyone can whine about all this right now. This is not the Bob Davie team that got torched by Transfer-State University (aka Oregon State). This is not smoke and mirrors Ty Willingham ball. If they get blown out, then start talking but I firmly believe a lot of people are setting themsevles up for a situation where they will be eating their words. Not saying ND will win, I'm not that crazy, but it's going to be one hell of a game, whatever game that may be. ND is GOOD and watch them compete on a national stage before saying they can't hang...hmmm I think the Fiesta Bowl presents a good opportunity for this.

At the very heart of this argument is simply something you can't really argue about. Confused? Let me explain: How in the hell can anyone b**** about ND's schedule coming into the season? It's not their fault that Lloyd, Fulmer and Wannstedt crapped the bed this year. You guys spout off about preseason rankings being B.S., but that's irrelevant to the matter since schedules are set years in advance. In fact, all of this is irrelevant because of this fact alone, but i'll humor everyone for a bit. You can only agrue about schedules in hindsight. So what's the best thing you can do? Schedule historically solid teams year in and year out, while keeping long-standing traditional rivialries (navy I'm looking in your general direction). ND does this, yet get ripped on when those teams don't live up to their hype. Oregon plays a tougher schedule? Please. I mean this wouldn't even be a discussion before the season started. The amount of blind hatred for ND is mind-boggling, but like I said it's good to be hated again....it shows you matter again.

Just in case anyone is wondering here's ND's 2006 Football Schedule: S 02 @ Georgia Tech S 09 PENN STATE S 16 MICHIGAN S 23 @ Michigan St. S 30 PURDUE O 07 STANFORD O 21 UCLA O 28 @ Navy (Baltimore) N 04 NORTH CAROLINA N 11 @ Air Force N 18 ARMY N 25 @ Southern Cal Outside of the service academies (some of which we have history with...I don't get why we added army), they play a major conference team EVERY week. But I'm sure people will say they play nobody when said major conference teams don't live up to their hype (see: this season). So let the b****ing begin... In the grand scheme of things it's pretty impossible for ND to win in the eyes of its haters...because now that they're winning it's because their schedule is "easy". I guess it just comes with the territory, but it's good to be hated again.

QUOTE(whitesoxin' @ Nov 27, 2005 -> 01:16 AM) Noooo, Gioia needs to be the kicker. Hell I'd love to see Carl be the kicker next year, my statement really had nothing to do with him. I'm just glad we have a kid coming in that Weis wanted and that can kick the ball...having depth at kicker isn't a problem at all. QUOTE(The Bones @ Nov 27, 2005 -> 02:49 AM) Yes I am. Congrats ND you beat Stanford. The Stanford Cardinal who lost to UC Davis. Put ND in the Big Ten and they're a 7-4 team. I know they meant well with their schedule this year but it ended up being pretty weak looking back at it. 7-4? That's pretty much downright laughable. The only team I'd see ND losing to is OSU, w/PSU giving them a run for their money. The rest of the teams probably don't have the defense to match up with ND's offense (well potentially Iowa, but their lack of a pass rush would do them in). Of course this is entirely moot, seeing as though the Big Ten wants no part of ND ever in their conference. Michigan and OSU will always block that from ever happening, not that I want it of course...I'm just saying that's how it is. Besides, ND plays about 3-4 big ten teams each year. In fact, Michigan, Purdue, PSU, and Michigan State are on our schedule next year. Hell, some teams in the big ten don't even play all of those teams in the same year. Also, ND plays them four games in a row so I guess they'll have the Big 10 title wrapped up around Sept 30th. I could go on, but really I'll let ND prove themselves on the field. They have all year.

QUOTE(Jake @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 11:22 PM) bought a cd at Sam Goody, and got the hell out. Lemme guess, since it was Black Friday the cd was only $25.99 at Sam Goody?

All I have to say is.... Thank God we have a scholarship kicker coming in next year. That is all. BCS Bound, Thank you Charlie.

QUOTE(whitesoxin' @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 09:17 PM) Nobody knows. I hope he sticks with football, but he is the ace of the ND pitching staff too. If I were him, I would enter the NFL draft this year because his stock really can't get any higher, but I highly doubt him doing that. Smardzija will be back next year playing receiver for the Irish. Book it.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 04:36 PM) Who would get the automatic bid in that scenario? -- A loss by USC would devalue the Ducks loss to USC and they would all finsih with the same record. -- I'm pretty sure only one of them would get in. A UCLA victory over USC would actually be worst case scenario for the Ducks. If that happens, the Ducks technically finish 3rd in the Pac-10 since the tie-breaker would be in favor of UCLA and USC before Oregon, can't remember what that tie-breaker is off the top of my head but it probably has something to do w/D-I wins if I had to guess. At this point, why would the BCS take a team that's third in it's conference, albeit one of the weaker ones? Therefore, I'm pretty damn sure the Pac-10 refs are gonna be pulling for USC come USCvUCLA, it's just better for their conference.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 04:08 PM) Market = f***ed I wonder if Wagner sent him a gift-basket. No s***, Wagner just made himself a ton of money by doing nothing. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get something like $11mil per year, which is obviously insane. This deal is eerily reminscent of Kris Benson screwing up the value of SP, only this time it wasn't the Mets messing everything up, which is a surprise as well.

A couple of things I find interesting about this deal in relationship to the white sox: 1) This has just made Marte that much more valuable. I understand he's not the most reliable but he'd be pulling in mad cash in this market. Eyre and Howry for a combined $23 million? Ryan for $47 million? Marte would probably get a Hawkins like contract in this market. Not saying he'd be worth it, but his trade value must be higher because teams needed relievers aren't going to want to pay the current market price of FA relievers. 2) In a way, this makes the Thome deal look better to me. Odd I know, but really the type of contract Thome could command on the FA market would probably be pretty absurd and we've just got him for 7.5 million per year. Granted, we had to give up talent to acquire Thome, but I'd personally rather do that then potentially getting stuck with an albatross contract that is unmovable. Either way, I like the philosophy of our front office. We don't overpay for FAs, we don't get locked into huge long-term deals (granted, we may be doing this for Konerko but that's a necessary evil) and we have plenty of talent still to either trade or develop along with the room to add salary. For as much heat as KW is taking for dealing touted prospects, it seems to make a lot of sense.

QUOTE(The Human Borch @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 05:43 PM) I f***ing hate this trade. Rowand was one of my favorite players and Thome did not show anything this past season and he is getting old while rowand is still young. I think this is a terrible move by kenny. What about 28 years old makes Rowand "young" by any account? What I don't understand about everyone bummed about losing Rowand is it sounds like they think he can still improve. Sure it's possible, but it's unlikely as common thought tends to believe 27 is the peak age in baseball. This isn't to say Rowand is immediately going to get worse, but it does mean that he certainly is not going to get all that better. Don't get me wrong, I love the way Aaron plays the game and I hate to see him gone. But I think people's emotions are getting in the way...since like as many have mentioned Brian Anderson is ready and will probably provide the same statistics and be an above average CF. Our OF situation was much like Philly's 1st base situation....thus making them a quality match here. We have plently of prospects able to fill Rowand's void, and that's if we don't acquire someone like Pierre (which I'm not all that sold on). You can complain about this trade all you want, but at least complain for the right reasons...because I was def. one that was ecstatic when I just saw Rowand for Thome. Once I heard the prospects involved, my optimism tempered a bit, so I think in that respect the prospects are much more important in the grand scheme of things (long term).

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 20, 2005 -> 01:06 PM) Don't be so sure. USC's recruiting the past few years has been at a level thats never been seen before. In 04, they actually had 19 recruits with an AVERAGE ranking of 4 starts, thats absurd. JD Booty, has played in over 10 games in his career, going 33-53 for 412 yards and 3 TD's. He has all the tools and was the number 1 QB recruit in the nation in 2003 and has had 2 years to learn the system from Leinart. He's still likely going to have Lendale White and Desmond Reed in his backfield. Those two have combined for 1182 yards and 20 TD's themselves. Dwyane Jarret will be returning as possibly the best WR in the nation, Steve Smith will also possibly return as another almost 1,000 yard receiver. Patrick Turner and Fred Davis will also be returning, they have the same size as Jarret and had the same accolades coming out of high school. Jimmy Miller a back-up TE was all-everything coming out of high school and will be ready to step in for P/T in Byrd's place. Desmond Reed will also be back like I said, and he might has been amazing on kick-off returns, averaging 38.8 in his 5 tries. The Ting twins will also be returning, as well as alot of the front 7 will be back, with unbelievable talent backing them up. Also, they have commitments from two of the top 4 safety recruits in the nation to possibly take some of Bing's vacant P/T. They are also in the mix for guys like CJ Spiller, Vidal Hazelton etc, some of the top 50 recruits in the nation at RB and WR to step in for Bush. I don't even have time to go into the amount of talent they have, just as backups learning the system every year. Its just not fair. I hate to simplify the situation because this a good post...but they don't have Reggie Bush next year. We can talk about stars and recruits all you want, but until you see someone as electrifying as Bush fill the void USC will be just other top program. Nothing wrong with that, I'm just saying they won't be setting the world on fire after this year.

I think the Fresno/USC game confirmed a large belief I've had (as well as many others) about USC all year: Reggie Bush differentiates them from the rest of the college football world. Fairly obvious I know, but really when you think about USC's body of work think about how many times Reggie Bush has singlehandely won them the game. In his three years at USC, there's more than a handful of games that he has basically carried USC on his back. He truly is an amazing player, a rare talent that doesn't come along very often. Sp once he's gone, how are you going to replace him? You can talk about top recruits all you want, but really there hasn't been someone like Bush since he hit the scene. He is a once in a decade type of talent. In my mind, USC is going to fall back to earth without him...but I think it's going to be a lot harder than most think. This also has a lot to do with leinart not leaving (could have broken in a qb while bush was still there...much easier), but they're going to be an entirely different team next year. It easy to say all of this since USC has set the bar so high, but really 2-3 losses...maybe more next year is not out of the question. And I really think tonight's performance solidified this thought as well as the thought that Reggie Bush is probably one of the greatest college players of all time. So I hope USC and it's fans enjoy this while it lasts, because their reign is soon going to come to an end (hell it might even be this year).

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Nov 20, 2005 -> 12:39 AM) That is a good post from an unbiased ND fan. The main angle I was going with is... One of Oregon, OSU, ND will get left out, like you said. ND and Oregon have both lost to USC. ND's 2nd loss was to MSU while Oregon has no 2nd loss. Doesn't that leave them more qualified? Then there is OSU who I figure will get in - afterall their 2 losses are to top 5 ranked teams by a total of 9 points. I definitely understand the whole they are ND, they will get higher ratings, etc. I get that, but from a football and results standpoint can you really justfiy having them in over Oregon? I am not in a position to call Oregon a better team than ND becuase quite frankly I don't watch Oregon too often, but it appears to me as though they have earned a BCS game more than Notre Dame has. Oh well I have accepted the fact that ND will get a BCS game as strange as it seems to me. I really think the qualification question falls on the pollsters. If ND isn't that great, why are the ranked so high? I mean you could play the media bias card but a lot of people in the media hate ND just as much as they love them. For most of us who haven't seen Oregon enough this is pretty much the only quantifiable way to judge the quality of teams. I mean even the BCS standings say ND is more deserving. So, if you believe in all of that then ND is the one that has "earned" it more. Personally I think the BCS is bulls***, but it's the system we've got. Btw, the computers in the BCS poll are screwing ND, yet they still are ahead of Oregon in the overall standings

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Nov 20, 2005 -> 12:13 AM) I have a question, how does Notre Dame deserve a BCS bid? The simple, asshole answer: because they're Notre Dame. The complex answer: Well that might take awhile. But really who do you think is getting screwed for you to ask this question? Miami is out of the picture now, Va Tech will probably be repping the ACC (and if they lose to FSU they won't get an at large), Texas the big 12, whoever the big east (WVU? I don't even know), PSU the big 10, LSU or georgia in the SEC (with the loser being knocked out of contention). So that leaves OSU, ND, Oregon. So i know what you're thinking....Oregon is getting screwed. Currently, ND holds a slight margin over Oregon in the BCS. Both have losses to USC...with ND's being a "better" loss (if you could even classify a loss as such). But ND has the loss to MSU, again it was a close one, whereas Oregon has no other loss. So disregarding the logistics, you have to ask yourself who really is the better team? Polls would say ND is, watching games...well you'd probably say ND as well. I mean obviously this means nothing to you coming from me. But really, ND is a quality team....I haven't seen enough of Oregon to form an opinion on them so i wont really comment on them. Disregarding talent, you'd have to ask yourself hypothetically as someone in charge of the Fiesta Bowl (assuming that is where the at large team(s) would go) how can you turn down ND? High revenues, high ratings, these all come with having ND in your bowl. Is that fair to be the reason you put them in a bowl? Yes and no. No because you'd wish in a perfect world money is not a factor and the "best" teams should be in the bowl (even though i consider ND deserving). Yes because ND has earned, over time, preferential treatment because they've put the numbers up. They've given the bowl people the money they like to see, so they get the edge. To me, all of this is moot because I know my team can compete on a high level and will probably do well in a major bowl. However I understand why people would think ND was not deserving, just thought i'd shed some light on the situation.

The Tickemaster Website just got Gaged! OWNED! No one can handle this kind of traffic...i'm surprised i even got to the wait screen before it timed out.

So, does one have an advantage by calling a ticketmaster in another state? If so, which number under the contact info on the ticketmaster site is the one you call?

Just popped the bottle of champagne. Way to go White Sox! We're all proud of you! This is only the beginning...game 1 of the WORLD SERIES IN CHICAGO ON SATURDAY!

QUOTE(fathom @ Oct 16, 2005 -> 12:39 PM) Some people on ndnation are acting like it was the worst officiated game in history. But kudos to you...at least your realize it was a fantastic game and that these teams will likely play quite a few top 10 duals in the next few years. oh ndnation...that board can get out of hand sometimes, and by sometimes i mean daily.

So I've finally unwound from the sports day that I just had...tailgating, then USC v. ND, then the white sox. And I just have a few things to say about the ND game: 1) In response to fathom, I don't think many of us were b****ing that we got screwed after the fact. At the time, ya people were flipping out but you have to realize when you see that clock hit zero and your team with more points than U S fricken C you're gonna get pretty hyped...and to go from that to what happened thirty seconds later is devastating. After the fact though, we've all pretty much realized that we were the ones that lost the game. We were about 2inches from breaking up a 4th and 9, we missed a FG, made some bad plays, all in all we didn't play our best game (i'm not saying usc did either). We had plenty of chances to end it ourselves. 2) I know a lot of people say that we always get the calls. I dont really understand how that stereotype was developed but consider the facts: the opposing team's refs come (their conference refs) to our home games and the opposing team basically choose the rules (option for replay or not). Through all of that I dont understand how we get an unfair advantage. If we get the benefit of the doubt at all it's because we're a storied program....but don't tell me that doesn't apply to the Michigan, USCs, and Miami's of the world. 3) Plus what have we ever done to garner this much hate? Do we plant flags in people's fields? Do we block the bands of opposing teams? Does our team EVER do anything that makes you think "man those guys are assholes"? I mean really, you see some pretty cocky/arrogant/asshole moves by pretty much every other team in the country...they act like they've never been there before (ESPECIALLY USC....i mean they haven't lost in two and a half years and they're still celebrating touchdowns like they've just reinvented the wheel). Not so much that I care what others think, I just think that if you're going to hate ND don't hate the players...they've done nothing to deserve that. 3) This was the most ridiculous sporting event I have ever been at. Unbelievably loud, emotional, everything you could ever ask for. It will be a long time before I'm at a better game. Truly a great game, and a great atmosphere 4) This is the turning point for our program, even with a loss. USC is one of the greatest teams of our time and we were thisclose to upsetting them...with a team no one believed in at the beginning of the season. That's unbelievable. But in the grand scheme of things, this is a positive for us. We had dozens of recruits on campus today...if they don't commit here after witnessing that game they need to get their head checked. We have a coaching staff that can match anyone with the x's and o's. And most importantly, we've got that swagger back. There's just an "it" factor that came out of today. I can't say that I'm not down. You obviously want your team to knock off the best in the land, rush your field and go nuts. But I'm damn proud of my team, damn proud of my program, and damn proud to say that it was one heck of a game. And like I've hinted at...this is only the beginning. Notre Dame is back, we will win out, and we will go to a BCS. And that's only the start of our return. At the end of the day, you can't hang your head about that. Sorry for the long-winded post but I've run through pretty much every emotion today, so it was nice to get it out.

QUOTE(GoRowand33 @ Oct 3, 2005 -> 08:12 PM) If you want good parking come early I left at 12:00 in 2000 and I live in the north suburbs It still took 3 hours to get a spot Otherwise watch out for people who will try and get you into "fake lots" See I don't really have the luxury of leaving all that early (can't miss class!). I'm leaving South Bend at 12:30...and it usually takes about 1 hr and a half - 2hours to get to the park. I'm just hoping to find any random cash lot, so the more you guys let me know about a few the better the chance i can get a space. Thanks for all the feedback so far.

Hey guys, I'm coming in from South Bend tomorrow and I lack a parking pass. I've never really parked in non-parking pass lots, so I was wondering if y'all could help me out with reccomending a few good places to park that take cash. Thanks!

QUOTE(White Sox Josh @ Sep 28, 2005 -> 03:35 PM) where is the logic in saying that Jason Avant isn't the best receiver in the Big Ten. HE IS! watch the games this year. I know you love Avant, but it's not as clear cut as you think. Santonio Holmes is one name that comes to mind when I'm thinking class of the Big 10. If Ted Ginn ever touched the ball...he'd make a case as well, and while we're at it Derrick Williams is going to be great over at Penn St. I think there is a case for Avant, but for a league that notriously under-uses its receivers it's hard to say who really is the best.

QUOTE(Brian @ Sep 24, 2005 -> 08:41 PM) Michigan State should of kept their P.O.S. defensive coordinator. Let's just sit back and let em run all over us and pick up a part. Brilliant game plan. I hope Carr retires soon cuz Michigan will never fire him. Carr is pretty damn bad. I think he (and Michigan) are in some pretty hot water. They still have games left w/Michigan State, Ohio St., Iowa, and Minnesota. It's obvious that OSU is pretty much the class of the Big Ten, but outside of that it's pretty much anyone's guess.

QUOTE(SnB @ Sep 20, 2005 -> 08:59 PM) who are all these creepy looking old people comcast keeps showing when they come back from commercials? That was Dennis DeYoung of the band Styx...the most creepy looking old guy of all time.