USF at Notre Dame

Question

Let me start by saying I am not an Irish homer and I usually bet against them. My first thought was to take USF plus the points, as I know Skip Holtz will have them ready to play. After a second look I think ND may be the play here. The Irish enter the second year of the Brian Kelly era and could make a huge jump forward this season. They return 9 on offense and 8 on defense. I don't see USF holding them under 31 points. The Bulls will struggle offensively, as they don't face too many teams with this much talent. QB BJ Daniels returns but threw more interceptions (13) than TD's (11) last season. I see a final somewhere in the neighborhood of 34-17.

The pick: Notre Dame -10

Other thoughts?

Super Chicken

Super_Chicken · Answer

Let me start by saying I am not an Irish homer and I usually bet against them. My first thought was to take USF plus the points, as I know Skip Holtz will have them ready to play. After a second look I think ND may be the play here. The Irish enter the second year of the Brian Kelly era and could make a huge jump forward this season. They return 9 on offense and 8 on defense. I don't see USF holding them under 31 points. The Bulls will struggle offensively, as they don't face too many teams with this much talent. QB BJ Daniels returns but threw more interceptions (13) than TD's (11) last season. I see a final somewhere in the neighborhood of 34-17.

The pick: Notre Dame -10

Other thoughts?

Super Chicken

jdr016 · Answer

Interesting analysis. Those points sure are tempting. USF's speed on defense should give the Irish problems. If I'm correct, isn't the Irish defense weak against the run? That seems to be USF's strength. But, I guess the Irish could just overload the box.

Super_Chicken · Answer

LY the Irish allowed 142 ypg rushing (4.0 ypc) which is not great, but they improved as the season went on. By year's end they were pretty tough against the run, and they return 24 lettermen on D. Maybe I am not giving USF enough respect, but ND appears to be turning the corner.

juiceman19 · Answer

im on the Irish -10 especially since 1. at home 2. got michael floyd back.. im not convinced on bj daniels yet since hes a 1 dimentional quarterback. Irish 31-20

johnobvious · Answer

Irish should be tougher out of the box this year than last but it seems that every one of their home games is a nail biter. 10 points in this situation looks mighty tempting.

Last 3 years they have played 19 home games.(throw out W. Michigan) 14 of those have been within 9 points (overall avg on those 14 was 4.64). 3 OT Games. I think Skip will keep it close and make Pop proud.

MonkeyBallz · Answer

Notre Dame might i said MIGHT win this game by a toe nail.
All i know is Notre Dame will not win by more than 10 points.
I wonder what's the payout for USF -10 that be a better bet and more fun to watch.

Don't carry over those last four wins of last season to this season.

Thank You,
Very Much

dimedimenickel · Answer

Look closer at Daniels TD to INT ration in 2010 as the numbers don't tell the entire story. With 1st year coach Skip Holtz, he changed the scheme for BJ Daniels and it threw him off. He played HORRIBLY the first few games before Holtz finally giving in and letting Daniels move out of the pocket more. When watching him play live, he looked like a totally different QB the 2nd half of the year. If I recall, the Cincy game was where that started.

My guess is in Holtz 2nd season he will continue to run the offense around Daniels strengths (running/being in space/moving out of pocket) instead of trying to make him what he isn't (Holtz's last starting QB, Dominuque Davis QB at ECU).

Best of luck.

Norton-Frickey · Answer

Like ND. SF does not have a lot of experience facing potentially explosive offenses. ND quite a bit different of an offense than SF is normally used to facing. ( Rutgers, Piitt, UCon,Syracuse) Further, you have a turn-over prone QB on the road against an underrated defense.

MonkeyBallz · Answer

ND the most overrated team the last few years.

dytide · Answer

&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;No need to bump this thread&#xD;&#xA;Super-Chicken gave his pick and analysis and was just looking for some feedback

USF at Notre Dame

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