Big Ten Network Preview Got Me Kinda Psyched

[wildcatcoaster]

Makes me believe Aiden + Chip Kelley might actually work. Even DiNardo wasn't all that negative. Interesting that maybe NU -- like the Bears -- finally sees that you need a 21st century offense to be competitive in this new era. And they hammered the other captain obvious points.... new Ryan Field is amazing and the schedule is brutal.

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

I’m watching it now. Thought it was an excellent look at the NU program. Well worth watching. Defense has been good and helped us win close games. Depth is a concern but hopefully offense will improve with the new OC Chip Kelly. Very tough schedule. Wish we had PSU’s BT schedule. They avoid OSU, Indiana and Oregon. We play all 3 on the road. Brutal.

 

[prez77]

I’m watching it now. Thought it was an excellent look at the NU program. Well worth watching. Defense has been good and helped us win close games. Depth is a concern but hopefully offense will improve with the new OC Chip Kelly. Very tough schedule. Wish we had PSU’s BT schedule. They avoid OSU, Indiana and Oregon. We play all 3 on the road. Brutal.

Wish we had Notre Dame’s.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

Someone posted that Chiles v IU video a while back and I was really encouraged by that. He was calm under pressure, exhibited a strong arm and good mobility. Against the national champions.

Compared to someone positing Stone v OK State last year, or way back to Hilinski at SCar. Chiles just looks better, and we have some decent weapons on O.

But...our "QB misses" since 2019 loom large, so I am cautiously optimistic. Also really thin depth except at RB and DB

 

[Anon1753224198]

NU Preview video had the oline as such:

LT - Rahouski
LG - Oratokhai
C - Birsa
RG - McGuire
RT - Seagren

I assume Carsello will be swapped for Birsa when he's ready. Surprised that Rahouski won the LT job over Seagren, but maybe that's a good sign.

 

[Sheffielder]

Makes me believe Aiden + Chip Kelley might actually work. Even DiNardo wasn't all that negative. Interesting that maybe NU -- like the Bears -- finally sees that you need a 21st century offense to be competitive in this new era. And they hammered the other captain obvious points.... new Ryan Field is amazing and the schedule is brutal.

I tend to think Braun saw the need for 21st century offense from the moment he sat down in the big chair; took a calculated risk with Lujan that just unfortunately did not work out and was no doubt dragged down by transitional and personnel/talent issues that we're finally getting on top of in the new normal. I worry that we could still be a year away from functioning closer to "optimally" but the program never ceases to amaze me and I'm sure we're in for some surprises this season...hopefully more good than bad.

 

[Catmandoo78]

I tend to think Braun saw the need for 21st century offense from the moment he sat down in the big chair; took a calculated risk with Lujan that just unfortunately did not work out and was no doubt dragged down by transitional and personnel/talent issues that we're finally getting on top of in the new normal. I worry that we could still be a year away from functioning closer to "optimally" but the program never ceases to amaze me and I'm sure we're in for some surprises this season...hopefully more good than bad.

I do worry about our talent level on offense. Seems like we are still way behind the sort of skill players talent that Chip has usually had run his offense. I wonder how much he has to compromise on what he’d like to do.

 

[Deeringfish]

I do worry about our talent level on offense. Seems like we are still way behind the sort of skill players talent that Chip has usually had run his offense. I wonder how much he has to compromise on what he’d like to do.

The thing of it is though, Chiles is his guy. Chip chose Chiles. Our past transfers had good track records relative to others in NU's price range. They were more statistical choices. Chiles was chosen by a guy who, by all accounts, is one of the great offensive minds in college football. I think it is highly likely that that could be a big difference.
Add to that the fact that our talent level on O is no worse than and perhaps, better than last year and has been coached by a crew of coaches with better credentials than last years crew. I don't think the sky is the limit but if NU doesn't see a 10% improvement in scoring (not saying that much considering the low bar) I'll be shocked. Given the tougher schedule that may not show in total record but should show on the field against NU's peers and the OC schedule.

 

[Sheffielder]

I do worry about our talent level on offense. Seems like we are still way behind the sort of skill players talent that Chip has usually had run his offense. I wonder how much he has to compromise on what he’d like to do.

I'm under no false impressions that we're gonna see anything like Chip's ~2010 Oregon team on the field this season; I'm not even sure if we're going to see significant improvements in statistical rankings given this season's schedule (but if Chiles-Wilde-Komolafe turn out to be a three-headed monster...so be it!), but I think/hope Chip's impact will be plainly evident in what we see on the field - schemes, play calling decisions, etc. One specific thing I'll be looking for is an improvement in red zone offensive scoring, which were field goals about 50% of the time for us last season, and those numbers included a pair of dominant wins over cupcakes. I've grow to dread our trips to the red zone over the past few seasons.

 

[Catmandoo78]

The thing of it is though, Chiles is his guy. Chip chose Chiles. Our past transfers had good track records relative to others in NU's price range. They were more statistical choices. Chiles was chosen by a guy who, by all accounts, is one of the great offensive minds in college football. I think it is highly likely that that could be a big difference.
Add to that the fact that our talent level on O is no worse than and perhaps, better than last year and has been coached by a crew of coaches with better credentials than last years crew. I don't think the sky is the limit but if NU doesn't see a 10% improvement in scoring (not saying that much considering the low bar) I'll be shocked. Given the tougher schedule that may not show in total record but should show on the field against NU's peers and the OC schedule.

Yeah maybe. But how many of our starters would start at a top half school? I don’t think Chiles would at this moment. Maybe he’s way better this year in a good system and with good coaches, but he’s not been someone you can trust with the ball the last couple years and is a big reason his coach got fired.

I think we will be better. We really can’t be worse than we’ve been lately on that side of the ball. I just don’t know if we’ll be massively better. We’ll see

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

People talk about his ball security but he cut his INT % in half last year

 

[rmndcat]

The thing of it is though, Chiles is his guy. Chip chose Chiles. Our past transfers had good track records relative to others in NU's price range. They were more statistical choices. Chiles was chosen by a guy who, by all accounts, is one of the great offensive minds in college football. I think it is highly likely that that could be a big difference.
Add to that the fact that our talent level on O is no worse than and perhaps, better than last year and has been coached by a crew of coaches with better credentials than last years crew. I don't think the sky is the limit but if NU doesn't see a 10% improvement in scoring (not saying that much considering the low bar) I'll be shocked. Given the tougher schedule that may not show in total record but should show on the field against NU's peers and the OC schedule.

If the offense can keep the defense off the field with fewer 3 and outs, and can convert 7 points, not 3, in the red zone, that will be a significant improvement.

 

[Rodenthater]

Wish we had Notre Dame’s.

Let's see, they're playing 4 DII teams, 4 DIII teams and 2 JC teams?

 

[kaTNap]

Let's see, they're playing 4 DII teams, 4 DIII teams and 2 JC teams?

With that joke of a schedule, even one loss to a team not named "Miami" should keep them out of the playoffs.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

With that joke of a schedule, even one loss to a team not named "Miami" should keep them out of the playoffs.

They will be in the final 4 at minimum this year. They are loaded.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

They will be in the final 4 at minimum this year. They are loaded.

Also a likeable coach for the first time since...Ara?

Devine was ok but everyone since then? Sheesh

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

They will be in the final 4 at minimum this year. They are loaded.

CJ Carr may end up being the best QB in the country. Would not shock me if he is a top 3 pick in the draft.

 

[mickbula]

CJ Carr may end up being the best QB in the country. Would not shock me if he is a top 3 pick in the draft.

I predict nd will lose to miami and byu. Miami's qb many pundits have as heisman favorite. ND will lose to miami despite its in sbend. Will be game like fsu in 93. But miami will break the irish hearts though. Byu campus and stadium will be site for gameday espn. The byu crowd and players will win the holy war for the game. Look for the game to end on a field goal to make it somehting like 20-17 walkoff win for byu. ND will still probably make playoff though due to last season's deficiency being left out. Just too many nd fans to disappoint if they are denied again! The thing is however that byu might make playoff too and there might be a rematch that nd will win!

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I predict nd will lose to miami and byu. Miami's qb many pundits have as heisman favorite. ND will lose to miami despite its in sbend. Will be game like fsu in 93. But miami will break the irish hearts though. Byu campus and stadium will be site for gameday espn. The byu crowd and players will win the holy war for the game. Look for the game to end on a field goal to make it somehting like 20-17 walkoff win for byu. ND will still probably make playoff though due to last season's deficiency being left out. Just too many nd fans to disappoint if they are denied again! The thing is however that byu might make playoff too and there might be a rematch that nd will win!

CJ Carr is a top of the first round talent. ND will beat Miami in SB.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

I predict nd will lose to miami and byu. Miami's qb many pundits have as heisman favorite. ND will lose to miami despite its in sbend. Will be game like fsu in 93. But miami will break the irish hearts though. Byu campus and stadium will be site for gameday espn. The byu crowd and players will win the holy war for the game. Look for the game to end on a field goal to make it somehting like 20-17 walkoff win for byu. ND will still probably make playoff though due to last season's deficiency being left out. Just too many nd fans to disappoint if they are denied again! The thing is however that byu might make playoff too and there might be a rematch that nd will win!

It doesn't take a genius to know Miami QB is good (find the dad joke)

The good news about this game is that it's 2 teams I loathe, and one ends up with an L

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

It doesn't take a genius to know Miami QB is good (find the dad joke)

The good news about this game is that it's 2 teams I loathe, and one ends up with an L

I am going to roll the winnings I get from NJCat on the Cats game over to ND for this game.