The Blue Board

Michigan blew that game. It was one of the worst defensive stands I've seen when leading a game in the closing minutes. A team with a decent defense sacks the QB four times in that drive.

In no order-
Bama
ND
TAMU
Stanford
UGA (has Murray decided if he is staying?)
Oregon

going past top 5

1) Bama
2) Florida
3) Ohio St
4) Oregon
5) Georgia
6) Notre Dame
7) South Carolina
8) Texas A&M
9) Clemson
10) Florida St
11) Texas
12) Stanford
13) LSU
14) Nebraska
15) UCLA
16) TCU
17) Louisville
18) Arizona St
19) USC
20) Oklahoma
21) Oregon St
22) Wisconsin
23) Ole Miss
24) Ohio
25) Virginia Tech

1) Dylan
2) Dylan
3) Dylan
4) Dylan
5) Dylan

K-State signed a 5* JUCO QB if I'm not mistaken. The conference is weak and Bill Snyder coaches 'em up with the best of them.

Outside of Alabama, I don't see lock top 5 team unless Chip Kelly returns then Oregon is a contender for the 'ship.

A 5-Star JUCO linebacker, huh? Well K-State might as well book their National Championship tickets now then.

You got me there, my apologizes but I don't see a 5-star QB on their commitment list. I see a 3-star and a 2-star.

How many starters will ND lose?

1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Stanford
4. Florida
5. Notre Dame

You all realize Chip's gone right?

They lose some solid players, but return a lot of key groups as well. They have some senior playmakers for sure, but a lot of quality young depth as well. Also remember that you have to be careful when looking at a ND depth chart as they don't RS players at the beginning of their career there. They are rewarded a 5th year at the end. Some sites will list it the way you are used to seeing it. Some won't. Example: Golson is a RS Fr, but ND lists him as a So.

Lose Riddick and Woods at RB, but Atkinson III has looked really good at times and returns.

Golson and Reese return at QB.

2 top WRs (Jones and Daniels) return, but Eifert is gone.

OL returning 2 T's and a G if they stay for their 5th year which I assume they will, but they have some good depth that may be better at least at the guard position in the future, IMO.

6 of their top 9 LBers return, but Te'o and Fox are gone.

Only lose Lewis-Moore along the DL and return 2 of the best in the country in Tuitt and Nix, which is why most would say they could still be very good.

Return everyone except Motta in the secondary.

At the moment, I think top 10 is warranted. That could change after Monday though. A good showing and even a win against Bama could solidify that thinking, but a poor showing could also point to things not being what they have appeared this year also. Anywhere from 5-15 shouldn't be an alarming ranking for Notre Dame next season. I would assume Brian Kelly would just assume everyone think that they are a borderline top 25 team again.

Winner of NCG
Loser of the NCG

OSU/Florida/Stanford in no order.