Sunday, November 15, 2015

Sneak Peek at Tuesday's CFP Playoff Ranking


Here's what I believe the College Football Playoff Rankings will look like this Tuesday -- the new Top Ten:
  1. Clemson -- beat (3 - 7) Syracuse 37 - 27
  2. Alabama -- beat #17 Mississippi State 31 - 6
  3. Ohio State -- beat (5 - 5) Illinois 28 - 3
  4. NOTRE DAME -- beat (3 - 7) Wake Forest 28 - 7
  5. Iowa -- beat (4 - 6) Minnesota 40 - 35
  6. Oklahoma State -- beat (3 - 7) Iowa State 35 - 31
  7. Oklahoma -- beat (8 - 1) #6 Baylor 44 - 34
  8. Florida -- beat (3 - 7) South Carolina 24 - 14
  9. Michigan State -- beat (2 - 8) Maryland 24 - 7
  10. TCU -- beat (0 - 10) Kansas 23 - 17 

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Path to CFB Playoffs -- Notre Dame vs. Big XII


With Stanford and Utah's loss this evening -- the PAC 12 is done when it comes to sending a team to the College Football Playoff -- it robs Notre Dame of a season ending signature win -- and, it opens the door for an undefeated Oklahoma State to jump ND into the top Playoff if they remain that way.

Here's where I see things with two weeks left in the regular season for the top teams:

These THREE PLAYOFF SPOTS are a given -- in my opinion:
  • ACC Champ:  CFB Playoff spot if it's Clemson or North Carolina
  • Big Ten Champ:  CFB Playoff spot if it's Ohio State, Michigan State or Iowa
  • SEC Champ:  Alabama

So, the fourth team in the PLAYOFF will come down to Notre Dame -- if they win their next two games -- OR, one of these two teams from the Big XII:
  • Oklahoma State -- if they win both, they're in / ND is out
    • vs. Baylor 
    • vs. Oklahoma
  • Oklahoma -- if they win both -- it will come down to (see analysis below)
    • vs. TCU
    • @ Oklahoma State

If Oklahoma and Notre Dame both end up 11 - 1 on the season, it will come down to a College Football Playoff Committee vote against teams with these resumes:

Oklahoma:
  • Wins over ranked teams:  (3)  Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma State
  • Opponent's WIN/LOSS Record as of 11/14/15:  63 - 53
  • Strength of Schedule Rank:  #21
  • Common opponent:  Lost to Texas 24 - 17
  • Record of team that beat them as of 11/14/15:  4 - 6

Notre Dame:
  • Wins over ranked teams:  (5)  USC, Navy, Temple, Pitt and Stanford
  • Opponent's WIN/LOSS Record as of 11/14/15:  67 - 53
  • Strength of Schedule Rank:  #5
  • Common opponent:  Beat Texas 38 - 3
  • Record of team that beat them as of 11/14/15:  10 - 0

So -- what does this all mean:
  1. We must win both of our games.
  2. Oklahoma State needs to lose one of their remaining games.
  3. If both happen -- WE ARE IN THE PLAYOFF!

Longest Run in Notre Dame Football History!


Coach Brian Kelly Talks Wake Forest Win!


The Band of the Fighting Irish in 360!!!


Video Proof of ND's Home Field @ Fenway Park



WNDU-TV: Last Home Game of the Season


The Irish Hung a Banner in Purcell Last Night!


Wake Forest Week: Notre Dame Pep Rally


Photo: Notre Dame's Grotto Early This Morning


Notre Dame's Campus Ministry tweeted this photo this morning from the Grotto -- as the world mourns yesterday's tragedy in Paris, France.

France is the birthplace of the Congregation of Holy Cross -- the religious congregation that founded the University of Notre Dame.

Friday, November 13, 2015

I Just Bought This Cool ND Cell Phone Case!


The folks at Hydro Graphics -- the official finishers of the gold Notre Dame football and hockey helmets created this cell phone case with the same process as our Game Day helmets.

They make them for iPhone 5/5s, 6/6s, 6 Plus/6s Plus, Samsung GS5 and Samsung GS6.

If you want to buy one online -- just click on the link below.  I bought this at the main Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore on campus.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME CELL PHONE CASES

ND Tailgating -- The "Orange Van" Story


Matt Fortuna of ESPN Notre Dame Blog fame, just posted a cool story about some Notre Dame alums and the tradition of the Orange Van on football Saturday's in South Bend...

LINK:  THE ORANGE VAN

Wake Forest's "Walk Through" at Notre Dame


Here is what the Deamon Deacons just "tweeted" from inside Notre Dame Stadium.

This will the the THIRD GAME in history between these two schools in football.  The Deamon Deacons' only trip to Notre Dame was back in 2012 - a game Notre Dame won 38 - 0.

Wake Forest Week: Coach Kelly Media Session


Fenway "Football Field" Taking Shape Today!


Here's the latest photos being "tweeted" by our friends at @fenwaypark -- of the football playing surface being "painted" at Fenway Park for next Saturday's Shamrock Series game between Boston College and Notre Dame.
 

Vikings "Hype" Video of Domer Harrison Smith


You'll enjoy watching this video the Minnesota Vikings created of former Notre Dame football team captain Harrison Smith...

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH