Tim, I hear you. It took me a lot of years to shed my annual preseason optimism and turn to a realistic "show me" approach. It happened in the years following Holtz and continued through the Kelly years. I like the appearance of this year's team re: depth and QB quality, but until I see the results on the field, I'll avoid pre-season optimism. I'm not at all pessimistic, just in the middle, waiting for actual performance.
Very sad news Sid, those kids who were involved I am assuming will be dismissed from the University which means no Notre Dame degree and a permanent smudge on their record. There was a similar scandal last fall involving athletes from Iowa and Iowa State. Don't know why seemingly intelligent kids don't get the message.
Intelligence is not a prerequisite for good sense, especially these days. Kids are raised by their phones and influencers more than their parents. Even GOOD parents are going to struggle keeping kids on the right path in this environment. We're becoming the "F around and find out" people instead of thinking ahead...
Scott, I agree with everything you say except for the "we're becoming" part. Respectfully, I think FAAFO (acronym for your description) always has been with us. What's changed over the years has been - as you've described very clearly - the circumstances/challenges facing parents in raising their kids and the opportunities via technology for teens and young adults to make stupid decisions. Trouble-prone kids are going to find ways to get in trouble, and, like back in my time, the consequences are real and devastating. There were guys in my time at ND - long before the internet - who did stupid things and got kicked out. They never thought ahead, as you said, to the possible consequences.
Camp is officially over and game prep for Texas A&M starts. Not much news, we have our Captains for the season. There are 5 this year, only one on offense and that is Riley Leonard. He's had a good camp and all reports are that he's shown a lot of leadership and is popular with the rest of the team. I hope he has a great year and stays healthy. The other news is that we might be starting 2 guys on the left side of the OL who have little or no playing experience. Notre Dame’s offensive line has been the center of attention following an injury to left tackle Charles Jagusah just days into preseason camp. The left tackle spot was a concern, but then last week, Joe Rudolph rolled out a true freshman, Anthonie Knapp, with the first unit following praising Tosh Baker days earlier. That wasn’t the only change as sophomore Sam Pendleton was put in the left guard spot ahead of experienced veterans Pat Coogan and Rocco Spindler. Marcus Freeman made it clear that the staff hasn’t decided who will start in two weeks at Texas A&M, but it certainly appears that Knapp and Pendleton have momentum. Notre Dame OL Settling Into Place as Camp Closes
Gents, I would like to wish my ND friends good luck, and safe travels if any of you are making the journey south this weekend. I can't give you any kind of scouting report as I've washed my hands of college football completely, and have ZERO insights to give. I can tell you to arrive early and wander the tailgate areas. You will be welcomed warmly and I doubt you escape without being fed by more than a few of the folks there. Kyle Field is impressive, but I'm not sure I can say bigger is better. I liked the old version even though it was getting long in the tooth.
I've not gone as far as Scott but I certainly have toned things down a bit. I do find it interesting that the Irish are a 2.5 point underdog as a top 10 team visiting a top 25 team. Game will probably get down to the Irish inexperience at OL vs the A&M edge rushers. Both QB's are very good and both are coming off of injuries. Irish should have a very good defense this year. I keep reading that our RB Jeremiyah Love has looked really good. He has good speed and has bulked up a bit and reportedly still very fast. Irish WR's won't make you think of the Buckeye or Tide receivers but might be a bit better than we have had in the past. TE's should be solid. But it's that OL. I am definitely over going to the games in person for the most part, can't really deal with the crowds and all the stuff that I used to think was so great anymore. Pretty comfortable sitting in my comfy chair and watching on my big screen TV.
Irish have a docuseries available on Peacock. I have not watched it but most if not all who have posted on it have liked it. 2 episodes are available.
6-6 at the half, not a very exciting game. As gipper noted our OL is getting beat by the Aggie defense. We get the ball to start the 2nd half, hope Denbrock can come up with something.
We survived a gritty, athletic Aggie team in a tough environment as well as our own critical mistakes. Credit to A&M. We have a long way to go and a lot of work to do.
Very good win for the Irish. Can't say we proved anything except we won. A&M defense was very tough, we just made a few more plays.