While I read the message boards regularly, there are some who refuse to acknowledge, or maybe just don’t realize, or better yet blocked it from memory, where this team was only last year. Assuming they win 2 of 3, which most should agree they should, that would result in a 7-5 season, average I’d say. But a four win improvement over last year. On a team of mostly sophomores and juniors, is it safe to say they could show the same improvement next year? That remains to be seen of course, but that would put them at 11-1 if my dodgy math proves right. The one loss being to BC of course! I quickly dove into some quick stats, just to pull some numbers and decided the results warranted recognition.
2007 2008 +/-
Scoring offense 117 69 -48
Yards per game 120 50 -70
Pass ypg 110 21 -89
Rush ypg 116 95 -21
1st downs 115 43 -28
3rd down conv. 112 66 -46
4th down conv. 45 100 +55
Penalties 67 77 -10 (higher # better)
In all offensive categories with the exception of 4th down conversions the team has significantly improved. Yards per game; they were dead last in ’07, now 50th. Scoring, tied for second to last; now 69th. While there’s no doubting room for improvement, no one can deny the numbers. This is pretty much the same nucleus as 2007, most of who will be here in 2009. At this rate of improvement, they are on track to be a top 20 team in most categories if not better. Ironically, perhaps the best turnaround season was Coach Holtz’s ’99-’00 transition from 0-11 to 8-4, but even if the ’08 season ends up average, wouldn't it be a top five seed for turnaround seasons?
Lovin' the blog, Jimmy. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteGot to get a better pic dude. Ya look like some kind of Vanilla Ice Gangsta Rapper.
ReplyDeleteJim, Yes a 7-5 record would be a vast improvement over last season, but how many of those 7 wins came against quality or ranked opponents? They play Syracuse next, which should be a win seeing as how the Orangemen suck, and then it's a trip to spanking land for their annual USC butt whipping. They got lucky against Navy since Charlie decided to play 3 and out for the last quarter and a half. He decided to rely on his defense to hold a 27-7 lead and that decision almost cost him the game.....and maybe his job. As you know, Im a huge Irish fan and I expect them to always be on top. I'm willing to give Charlie another year, if they win 8 to 9 quality games nest season then I'll believe him when he says they are on track. As for Clausen, he just needs to cut back on the interceptions. He's only in his secnd season. i expect much better from him next year and for him to be one of the top QB's as a senior.
ReplyDeleteThe Old Man
Wow...are the ND Athletic Boosters paying you "Charlie Weis" money for this stuff? I hope so. It looks like you put more time into this than he does into his gameplans.
ReplyDeleteOK...enough jokes I guess. The Old Man is actually pretty right on for being as senile as he is. The team is obviously making improvements, but when you were pretty much last in every statistic, isn't the only place to go UP? So, as TOM said, next year will be the true test. The team will be trying to improve on stats/rankings that have a lot of room to move in both directions. With that said, Clausen will definately be the man next year. The offense will be scary, but the key to the team's success will be the defense. They'll have to work on not letting other teams score 21 points in one quarter.
On Charlie...is he ugly or what? I bet he's a Trekkie. Anyhow, he does deserve one more season. At least half of one anyway. Everything has been said already about that though.
One last thing...if ND is completely crushing Syracuse or if Clausen is sucking it up, I say screw this Sharpley kid, there is a kid on the sideline that looks an awful lot like Joe Montana that should get a shot.
Wakka, Wakka, Wakka