Looking for the opinions on the GaTech/ND game

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:02 pm

I've noticed a number of you picking GaTech to cover the 6.5 point spread in the pick 'em games. First, I wanted to know who thinks that GaTech will win the game, and second, why you think they will win the game or why it will be close.

I'll hold my opinions until after a few post theirs.

L45B · Post by **L45B** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:30 pm

I thought the spread was at 8. I think ND will win a close one, 24-17. Just based on it being the first game of the year, a night game down in ATL. Plus, I think Tech is a well-coached team especially on D. Jon Tenuta is probably one of the top five defensive coordinators in the country. And having Reggie Ball and Calvin Johnson back on offense helps. Both teams started last season very well, I just expect a good game with GT scoring a late TD to keep it respectable.

King Crimson · Post by **King Crimson** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:31 pm

home dogs are generally a good bet. though 6.5 is a crafty number.

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:40 pm

Lance,

My mistake, you're right. The spread in the pick 'em game is 8, but the most recent line I saw was 6.5.

Cicero · Post by **Cicero** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:51 pm

It's close at the Half, but Weis' adjusts and the Irish go on to win:

31-17

Loganfan · Post by **Loganfan** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:21 pm

Ya......I just can't see Ga Tech hanging in against that offense for the whole game.

Irish by a dozen or so.....say 31-19

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:30 pm

At 6.5 I'd have skipped it but at 8 I liked GT. ND's O should eventually make the plays to pull it out. But their D is still fairly meh and GT will a tough, amped team at home.

Except for one year when I won it all my picks don't tend to be very good, so I wouldn't pay much attention to anything I pick.

Loganfan · Post by **Loganfan** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:36 pm

To be sure, Danimal.....this year it's all about how improved the D is...they're certainly gonna score points.

JayDuck · Post by **JayDuck** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:32 pm

Home Dogs, getting more than a TD are always a bet to watch.

If Notre Dame couldn't win at Stanford by more than a TD, Why Can't Ga Tech stay within a TD ?

Tiberious · Post by **Tiberious** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:39 pm

Tech has some pretty good athletes that can hang with ND. I wont say that ND's D is suspect, but it as some weaknesses right now. With Reggie Ball running around back there and the chance of hitting Calvin Johnson on a deep ball has to give Charlie and the staff some concern. I think that Tech will play close, but the Irish will cover the number.

Mr T · Post by **Mr T** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:37 pm

Personally I think ND is overrated. They will probaly pull this one out but it will be close.

Reggie Ball played horrible last year but I think he will turn it around this year.

Reggie Ball to Calvin Johnson will kill the irish's suspect defense.

I say 31-28 ND, depending on how the ball bounces GT might pull the upset.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Fri Sep 01, 2006 12:35 am

L45B wrote:Just based on it being the first game of the year, a night game down in ATL.

Yep, these two reasons are why I took GT (I don't think they'll win though.)

Plus, two of ND's three losses in 05 were to teams with quick QBs who could get outside the pocket, and also pass if they had to, in Troy Smith and Drew Stanton. They'll face someone with these threats in Ball.

Mr T · Post by **Mr T** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 12:38 am

ND played 3 teams last year with winning records and only went 9-3.

How is GT beating them that crazy? Hell the spartys did it last year

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Fri Sep 01, 2006 12:42 am

Mr T wrote:Hell the spartys did it last year

Wake up, we've owned them for about a decade now.

M2 · Post by M2 » Fri Sep 01, 2006 4:25 am

I went to this game in the city last year...

Utah 38- Georgia Tech 10... the Utes won by 4 TD's!!!

I'd give G Tech a 2 TD advantage for playing in the south.

...meaning ND needs to win this one by at least 2 TD's or they'll be just another overrated ND team.

If you lose to Utah by 4 TD's... you suck big time.

...this is why we play the games!

BlindRef · Post by **BlindRef** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 3:20 pm

I just hate your team Killian. :)

Go Ramblin' Wreck!

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:29 pm

BlindRef wrote:I just hate your team Killian. :)

Go Ramblin' Wreck!

I know you do. That's why I think most people are picking Tech to cover. I wanted some football related reasons as to why they would.

You going down to the Bend in two weeks?

Mr T · Post by **Mr T** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:37 pm

m2 wrote: If you lose to Utah by 4 TD's... you suck big time.

If they suck, kal really sucks.

When is the last time kal has gone undefeated?

Terry in Crapchester · Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:44 pm

Killian wrote:
BlindRef wrote:I just hate your team Killian. :)

Go Ramblin' Wreck!
I know you do. That's why I think most people are picking Tech to cover.

That's what occurred to me as well.

I realize Georgia Tech isn't a pushover by any stretch of the imagination, but I don't think they can hang with us for 4 quarters. Our offense will wear them down eventually.

My prediction: 17-17 at half. ND pulls ahead in the second half and wins 45-31, with Georgia Tech scoring a late TD.

BlindRef · Post by **BlindRef** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:48 pm

Killian wrote:
BlindRef wrote:I just hate your team Killian. :)

Go Ramblin' Wreck!
I know you do. That's why I think most people are picking Tech to cover. I wanted some football related reasons as to why they would.

You going down to the Bend in two weeks?

Yessir...

We have an RV, 7 of my boys and I are driving down there Friday night....M flags waving...you should hear us pulling into town.

You going to be there?

(if it's any consolation Irish-fan, you are only number three on THE most hated list. I put Suckeyes and Sparty's ahead of ya'll)

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:54 pm

I'll be down there, but probably not partying in the same parking area as you guys. If you can, go down the night before. It's a blast around town and ND people don't give you shit if you're from the opposing side.

Terry in Crapchester · Fri Sep 01, 2006 6:50 pm

Fwiw, if my count is correct, ND now leads in the number of picks on that game by 11-10. But that's an awful lot of picks for the game that's not the Pick'Em game, particularly when the picks are that evenly divided. I believe the only game other than the Pick'Em game that's generated that many picks is tOSU-Northern Illinois, but tOSU has a 26-2 lead in picks on that game.

Btw, how did Indy Frisco get away with picking twice?

indyfrisco · Post by **indyfrisco** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:00 pm

read more....you know the rest. ;)

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Fri Sep 01, 2006 10:35 pm

My pick had nothing to do with my disdain for ND.

The fact is, ND still has a lot to show me. They're not back to the old fashioned dominating ND teams like so many want to believe. They didn't beat a single ranked team last year. And it's never a good sign when your most impressive performance resulted in an L.

Plus, I just think any time you start the season on the road and under the lights, you're asking for trouble.

The only thing that could convince me ND will win in a blowout would be the fact Weiss has had so much time to prepare. Even though I think ND is overrated, I definitely don't think Weiss is overrated as a coach.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:26 pm

Way to be, NDfan. The WHOOOOOLE world hates your team. That's the reason. I mean, it couldn't be because your team's D sucked ass last year, especially their pass D. And with that in mind, are about to see if they can hold the Ball to Johnson connection to under 10 receptions for 150 yds and two TD's. No, couldn't have anything to do w/that.

Or, that they never beat a ranked team last year. Or that they were completely humiliated vs. OSU last year... in a game where both teams are supposed to 'bring the house'... with a team who's humiliated D returns intact this year. INTACT. That's usually a term reserved statements made in positive light. It's a bad sign in this case. But anyways... That's not the reason so many are picking GaTech.

Or, as Mr. T said, played only three teams w/winning records last year and only finished 9-3. That couldn't be it.

It's because ND is, well... ND and there's no way anyone w/a sane mind could pick against them. It's just a function of hatred is all.

ND fan is quite possibly the worst on the planet.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:28 pm

... Oh, and mind you, this is picking vs. the spread, not simply W or L. Forgive us idiots who think ND will win but not cover. We're clueless.

Effing NDfan.

Terry in Crapchester · Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:36 pm

Ken wrote:... Oh, and mind you, this is picking vs. the spread, not simply W or L. Forgive us idiots who think ND will win but not cover.

Fair enough, but I find it kind of hard to believe that everyone who picked Georgia Tech is in that camp. After all, the line is 8 (i.e., within a single score), not 18.

And if you want to bang on ND fans for homerism, here's one to try on for size as pertains to me personally. I was less curious as to why so many people picked Georgia Tech than I am about why so many people think ND should join a conference. "Because everyone else does it" sounds an awful lot like what I used to tell my parents when I wanted to do something I shouldn't be doing, and it's every bit as valid a justification here as it was for me back then.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:49 pm

I didn't say EVERYONE was in that camp. But given what I wrote, which included others' thoughts on the game, can you blame saaaaay.... 75% of those who picked GaTech for doing so for those reasons?

Didn't think so.
Go burrow back under your stumps, NDfan.

As for the rest of your post... Start another thread.

But if you want my opinion on it, it's because they're jealous.

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:01 pm

Wow Ken, whole lot of original thought there.

Just edit your post to say "because I hate ND"

You're right, ND didn't beat anyone last year. Except UofM.

Reggie Ball has gotten worse each year, despite having the best WR in the country on his team. He also has 39 career TD's and 41 int's. Sorry, he doesn't exactly scare me.

And with all those yards, and that huge ass kicking in the Fiesta, Smith had to bail their offense out twice on third and long to avoid giving the ball back to ND with a chance to tie it.

And all teams improve in the offseason, except ND. Great line of thought.

Try some of that good PA beer instead of that bitter shit you're drinking.

JayDuck · Post by **JayDuck** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 3:34 am

Mostly, I just wanted to get one right.

:)

King Crimson · Post by **King Crimson** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 3:34 am

Tech and the points=money.

RadioFan · Post by **RadioFan** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 3:54 am

Terry in Crapchester wrote:
Ken wrote:... Oh, and mind you, this is picking vs. the spread, not simply W or L. Forgive us idiots who think ND will win but not cover.
Fair enough, but I find it kind of hard to believe that everyone who picked Georgia Tech is in that camp.

I did. Had the spread been 3 or less, I would have picked ND or avoided the game. Eight seemed too much, especially for the reasons noted in this thread. As it was, CW's gutsy playcalling could have resulted in a L for ND tonight. Luckily for you guys, the gambles paid off.

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 4:13 am

The good news is that the defense played very well. The bad news is that Quinn and the offense looked like ass on a stick.

I'll post more when I don't feel like I need a shower to wash that feeling away.

Eh hell. 1-0 is 1-0.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:21 pm

Openers are just that - openers. ND looked a little rusty at times. I believe the axiom that you often hear - that the defense is always ahead of the offense early in seasons. ND's OL struggled at first, but they started dominating as the game went on.

Georgia Tech is no pushover. ND learned a heck of a lot more against that opponent than they would have against a 1-AA opponent (sup, Buffs?). They battled back from a deficit, and they found their form.

ND is definitely going to be the team to hate for a lot of people this year, if only because of the Mushmouthburger/ESPN fellatio. It sucks that they fired their great radio personality, as well...

PSU/ND should be a good game.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 4:27 pm

Killian wrote:Wow Ken, whole lot of original thought there.

Ya' know... this is the CFB forum which has a bit higher standards than cul de smack. Whatever... screw it: Fuck off, Killian.

You came in here looking for legit reasons as to why many were picking GaTech to cover rather than ND. You held your breath waiting. Poster after poster presented their legitimate reasons as to why they did so. LEGIT reasons. Finally, after 5-10 posters, blindref chimes in with, 'because I just hate your team' (rack you, blindref).

Ignoring the first 95% of the thread, heeeeere comes killian....

That's why I think most people are picking Tech to cover. I wanted some football related reasons as to why they would.

WTF? Are you in 3rd grade or something? Did you not read or comprehend the 10 posts BEFORE that? Either you didn't, or didn't choose to. Sounds to me like you didn't effing choose to. Effing NDfan. You wanted football related reasons, you got 'em. Too bad they were lost on your ugly, non-ND-graduating ass. You were just looking to play that 'everyone hates ND card'. It didn't come until the 9th inning whereupon you pounced. [cliche']You wonder why so many people hate ND and their fans[/cliche']

Then, in waltzes Dumber, aka Terry.

That's what occurred to me as well.

Are you effing kidding me? You suck as bad as killian. Perhaps worse, if that's possible.

Boo hoo. Everyone hates ND.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 4:34 pm

... and FWIW, ND will not be as bad as they appeared yesterday. Rust. The D played fine which should make ND happy. Now, all that's gotta happen is for the O to kick back into gear which they showed signs of late in the frist and into the 2nd half. They just better get their O-line shored up a bit, specifically, Mr. Walton. If they are depending on him (which I guess they are or they wouldn't be playing a true frosh), their O-line could be weakened.

Looking for a hell of a game vs. PSU next weekend.

Line will be about ND -3, imo.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Sun Sep 03, 2006 4:47 pm

It's a good thing my hatred for ND helped me get a point in the Pick Em.

King Crimson · Post by **King Crimson** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 4:48 pm

PSUFAN wrote: ND learned a heck of a lot more against that opponent than they would have against a 1-AA opponent (sup, Buffs?).

i suspect the Buffs learned a heckuva lot yesterday.

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 5:00 pm

Ken, why don't you go back and look at allthe so called "football" related reasons as to why people thought GaTech would keep it close. All of them centered around Reggie Ball and his ability to run around and hit Calvin Johnson.

How did that work out? You know what, before we go there, did you know how truely awful Reggie Ball is, or did you just fall in step with the BWI/Audibles crowd of "Weiss sux ND is overrated Johnson will eat them apart ROTFLMSFDAO!!!!"? My guess is the latter.

Everyone thought the game would be close because the ND defense sucks. The game was close because the ND offense sucked. That is why GaTech covered, that and because ND kickers blow.

Try to come up with some original thought with your opinions. You're like that pony tailed guy from Good Will Hunting.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Sun Sep 03, 2006 5:09 pm

Nah, it had more to do with the fact ND was starting their season out on the road, under the lights, and in a pretty hostile environment. Go back and look at various teams' history who fell in this situation. This generally spells out problems. May not be "in depth" analysis, but it's a trend that holds true, time and time again.

Predictions are all about spotting trends.