Lou Holtz: Notre Dame Will Play in BCS Title Game
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8/24/2009 9:40 AM ET By Michael David Smith
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- Michael David Smith
- Michael David Smith is FanHouse's Lead Blogger
Notre Dame has gone 10-15 over the last two seasons, but ESPN college football analyst Lou Holtz says the Fighting Irish are about to see their fortunes change. Greatly.
"I personally believe, if you ask me, 'Who's going to play in the national championship game?' I'd say it's going to be Florida and the University of Notre Dame," Holtz says. "They return 11 starters on offense. They return all three running backs, the two best wide receivers, they have a great defense coming back."
Obviously, we all know that Holtz loves Notre Dame, where he coached from 1986 to 1996. But he says his prediction that the Irish will play for the national championship has less to do with his love of the university than about his simple belief that Notre Dame has such an easy schedule this year that they should steamroll most of their opponents.
"They only play one team in the Top 37 preseason," Holtz sys. "Not that they'll be the No. 2 team in the country, but I do believe they'll be the best team in the stadium, and that's all they have to do."
Holtz does make a fair point there: Notre Dame's schedule is ridiculously easy, starting with Nevada at home, following up with three middle-of-the-pack Big Ten teams (at Michigan, Michigan State, at Purdue) and then a home game against Washington, which was 0-12 last year.
But even if Notre Dame does start 5-0, the sixth game is against USC, and that's the one game against a preseason Top 37 team Holtz refers to. Once the Trojans get done abusing the Irish, no one will be talking about Notre Dame in the national championship game. Not even Lou Holtz
What do you think of Holtz's prediction? Tell me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.
Read More: Notre Dame Media Watch Video lou+holtz
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Comments (Page 1 of 3)
just so everyone is clear prior to posting the "we hate notre dame" comments. Lou Holtz is getting old and a bit senile. As a ND fan I would think 10-2 is a good season, the schedule will end up being tougher then most think. Again as a ND fan I do not want to go to the title game and get beat up by Florida, rather lets play in a bowl game that we would deserve.
Nope, the schedule will end up being weaker than where it is right now. Between Purdue, Washington and Washington State, you might see six victories combined, Michigan and Pitt will implode with losing records, Nevada will be sub 500, Michigan State around .500, USC, Stanford and Navy will be the only teams ND plays that will clearly have a winning season. BC will be last in their division of the ACC and UConn will be second to last in the Big East.
A very honest appraisal. I am far from a Notre Dame fan as I have often felt that they got a break in the polls when their talent and schedule didn't support it. Now, at least, they are no longer an automatic Top 10 team that has to work its way down. I agree with that it is better to play a good team in a lesser bowl and come out with a win than get blown out in a major bowl and embarrass yourself. (Note what Florida and LSU did to the all-powerful Ohio State Buckeyes when they cruised through their schedule).
ND will stumble at least three times maybe more. No way they play in the National Championship game. Even if they do go 11-1 with their easy schedule a team from the SEC or Big 12 with an 11-1 record would get the nod.
Money may talk if Notre dame goes 11-1. They have a huge following and I'm sure that will be taken into consideration.Now that they've scheduled Army, maybe next year they can get Bunker Hill Academy.
weak schedule will help somewhat but they have had weak schedule last twenty years and didn't make a difference. Notre Dame ends up out of top ten.
It looks like it's time to put Lou in a old folks home!
Even if Holtz is correct and ND plays for the title....it certainly won't be because ND deserves to be in the title game. NBC, the church and northern bias writers will be the reasons ND gets to the title game. ND is nothing more than a "fight song" and couldn't compete in any of the conferences.
PUT THE PIPE DOWN LOU.
Its just Holtz using his position to recruit for ND. Quite sad for ESPN but not the first time a former coach has lobbied for his former team on ESPN's airwaves.
ESPN now has rules for Twittering and other online posts for all employees. Methinks they need to rethink the on air "predictions" of former long time head coaches. Lets just say they don't get a say. It won't matter come the national championship game but it will matter for national recruiting.
Has ESPN addressed the recruiting issue?
Maybe that will be an outside the lines broadcast. I said it hear first. I want compensation.
Lou has lost it! Its obviously way past his bedtime.
What Lou forgot to say is that in this dream he had, ND was playing South Carolina for the title. Now that's a joke, wake up Lou. Somebody take the mic away from him.
once again............WE NEED A PLAYOFF!!!!!!!!!!!
They won't beat Nevada in the opener
notre dame is going from losing to syracuse to the BCS, lou? better hurry up, the bed next to beasely might still be available.
Can you say Alzheimer's??? LOL Poor old Lou's finally taken leave of his senses...
HE IS A NUT!!!!A NUT!!!!
You are as nuts as poor crazy Lou Holtz.10-2???!!!!Dream on Irish fan.Try 6-6 or 7-5 ...heck 8-4 would be a miracle!!!
btw i have cheered for the school of Our Blessed Lady for 47 years.I love ND.BUT i know they are not what they once were.Academics is the main reason.
NOT A CHANCE OF 10-2.Notre Dame is really down now.Weis will never turn them around.He is a self centered moron.
A little bit senile?????
THE GUY SMOKES SHAMROCKS