I feel better than '89

by Jeff (BGS) , A starter home in suburban Tempe, Friday, May 22, 2026, 20:10 (2 days ago) @ omahadomer

Even after ND won in '88, Miami was still the 800 pound gorilla of college football. They did lose Johnson for Erickson, which was really to only reason to think they might take a half a step backwards in '89. There isn't a dominant team going into 2026. There are some very good teams, but none necessarily better than ND.

Last season, ND was #2 in points per game, #2 in yards per pass attempt, and #4 in yards per rush attempt. The offense was really incredible last season. Losing Love and Price certainly hurts, but should be made up for with an elite QB in his second year and great talent around him. The defense should be better as well, and possible elite.

There were several key question marks going into 2025 (how will Ash do as DC, should Carr be starting in game 1) that just aren't there in 2026. It's hard not to be optimistic. Which of course is the reason that I'm expecting something terrible to happen. Hold me, I'm Irish!

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At night, the ice weasels come.