My power ratings have ND at -1.5...
Your power ratings need a little adjusting, methinks....
All right, I'll bite.
Coaching Matchup : I've read enough of your posts on the various boards to know that while you are still young and have a bit to learn, you know that this is a huge mismatch. Chan Gailey could easily be mistaken for someone who is functionally retarded, while Fat Charlie Weis is arguably one of the ten best coaches in the college game. HUGE Advantage :
ND
Defense : You might laugh at this, but I think ND's defense is gonna be pretty good this year. I've been a big fan of new DC Corwin Brown dating back to his days with Groh at UVa, as he has always been a great motivator and has pretty much excelled at every position he's been in over the past 7 years. He's going to switch the defense up to a 3-4, which I don't typically like at the college level, but it really allows ND to focus the defense on their strengths (speed at LB and depth at the DBs). With that said, GT has the best DC in the college game right now in Tenuta, so much so that even with the loss of some of their talent I would still say that he will have the Jackets ready every game this year. Advantage (although not as big as some might think) :
GT
Offense : Again, with the departure of Reggie Ball, one would think that this offense will only get better. The problem is, they also lost the best player in college football and one of the better running backs in the ACC (and his primary backup) along with him. Ball's successor, Taylor Bennett, showed promise in the bowl game last year and looks to be a definite upgrade, but who is he going to throw the ball to? James Johnson is definitely a second-banana type receiver, lacking impressive size or speed, and it would be unfair to think that he will be able to help carry the offense. It also does not help that Chan Gailey, who meddles heavily in everything involving the offense, is the worst playcaller this side of the Grohs in Charlottesville. On the other side, the Domers are also breaking in basically a whole new offensive team outside of the OL, which returns 3. Flanked by the OL is the best TE in the country, Carlson, who flew under the radar last year surrounded by all the big names, but was huge when they needed tough yards. The skill positions are all a mystery, with Clausen looking to be the pick at QB so he can get started early picking up the offense. The receivers are all young but very talented, touted recruits who will have to step up to help whichever inexperienced QB gets thrown into the fold. RB is also stacked with inexperienced talent, with Aldridge and Thomas looking the best coming out of the spring. This is too close to call, as I don't expect big things out of either of these units, so I have to say Advantage:
EVEN
Intangibles : ND has homefield here, which has been big for them since Weis has been in town, losing only 3 games at their house despite the tough schedule. ND also has recommitted to special teams and should not have the kind of trouble they have had in the past, but that remains to be seen and should be a question heading into this one. GT does have a lot more returning than the Domers and should benefit quite a bit from that in the first game of the season
Overall : ND should be a 4-6 point favorite here and rightfully so. People are not going to be expecting much out of them this year and the team has a chance to grow and develop without Heisman and national title hype following them throughout the season. I look for them to win a sloppy, boring game against a Jacket team that will struggle to win 6 on their tough schedule this season.
