(06-08-2019 08:32 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(06-08-2019 01:25 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(06-07-2019 10:31 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Notre Dame isn't just a top college venue, it's a top sports' destination in America. Maybe the world. Like Yankee Stadium, Wrigley or Madison square garden, getting to play at Notre Dame is freaking HUGE.

Why do people think its such a big deal? If you aren't Catholic and aren't duped by the hype and the marketing, its basically just another P5 school.

It’s just history and lore. I can’t explain how it happens. Some teams just resonate and become almost symbolic. The gold helmets. The Yankee logo. The celtic’s logo. The Packers G. How did Wrigley Field become so iconic? A silly goat curse and babe’s called shot? Idk. The four horsemen, win one for the gipper and Rudy....all that BS combined with their success, most heismans, most NFLers, 3rd most natty titles and 6th most wins. There’s probably some good ol’ idealistic Americana associated with them too. Heart of the Midwest. Catholic. That stuff.

What ever the reasons are, Notre Dame is holy grail to play at.

In your mind but fans in 45+ states could care less.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(06-08-2019 08:32 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(06-08-2019 01:25 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(06-07-2019 10:31 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Notre Dame isn't just a top college venue, it's a top sports' destination in America. Maybe the world. Like Yankee Stadium, Wrigley or Madison square garden, getting to play at Notre Dame is freaking HUGE.

Why do people think its such a big deal? If you aren't Catholic and aren't duped by the hype and the marketing, its basically just another P5 school.

It’s just history and lore. I can’t explain how it happens. Some teams just resonate and become almost symbolic. The gold helmets. The Yankee logo. The celtic’s logo. The Packers G. How did Wrigley Field become so iconic? A silly goat curse and babe’s called shot? Idk. The four horsemen, win one for the gipper and Rudy....all that BS combined with their success, most heismans, most NFLers, 3rd most natty titles and 6th most wins. There’s probably some good ol’ idealistic Americana associated with them too. Heart of the Midwest. Catholic. That stuff.

What ever the reasons are, Notre Dame is holy grail to play at.

Notre Dame was also the first team to complete forward passes to a moving receiver, who was Knute Rockne, prior to that receivers were stationary when catching the ball.

A lot of history there.

2024 is a long way off, and ND fans have high demands. And I could care less what the fans in 45 other states think. But the ND game is still just one game.

After this year ... Maryland (twice), Iowa (twice), BYU, Nebraska (twice), Michigan, Vanderbilt (again), Kentucky, Notre Dame, Wake Forest ... 12 P5 teams in 7 years, with 5 slots still open/to be filled through 2026, according to fbschedules.com. Add the three this year and that's 15 in 8 years, games to be played. Not to mention the MAC getting back to the Quick Lane against the Big Ten, and whatever other bowls Northern can get to.

Schedule looking better all the time, and not just because of ND. Tho worthy of some celebration at least.

(06-08-2019 12:11 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  2024 is a long way off, and ND fans have high demands. And I could care less what the fans in 45 other states think. But the ND game is still just one game.

After this year ... Maryland (twice), Iowa (twice), BYU, Nebraska (twice), Michigan, Vanderbilt (again), Kentucky, Notre Dame, Wake Forest ... 12 P5 teams in 7 years, with 5 slots still open/to be filled through 2026, according to fbschedules.com. Add the three this year and that's 15 in 8 years, games to be played. Not to mention the MAC getting back to the Quick Lane against the Big Ten, and whatever other bowls Northern can get to.

Schedule looking better all the time, and not just because of ND. Tho worthy of some celebration at least.

Yep, lots of opportunities to play against P5 teams. And if players are good enough the NFL scouts will notice. No need to linger on a Clemson bench for 3 years.

ND is absolutely iconic, and to suggest this is no different from Oregon is ignorant with all due respect. Maybe if you just watch the games in a vacuum. ND has its own NBC TV deal and every one of its Saturday afternoon games is marquee no matter the opponent. I don't even think they play FCS teams because NBC won't have it. And with their longstanding series' with Navy, Michigan, USC, Stanford and 5 contracted ACC games they only have 3 openings per season, so to get on their schedule is a big deal.

I gotta give Frazier an A when it comes to scheduling. Kentucky and Vanderbilt are great driveable SEC games, and we're bringing Vandy here. He's lining up more instate FCS opponents which should always have been a priority. You can tell he worked hard at this. I do think the UMass home and home is curious but other than that, he's done a complete 180 from Compher.

To those who say ND has lost its shine, gotta tell you I had two season-ticket-holder ND alumni bosses in the past 45 years, before I retired. One would come in on Monday mornings humming the Irish fight song after a win. The other had an old photo on his desk, right next to a family pic, that he personally took of "Touchdown Jesus" from where he sat. That's the aura Fighting Irish football creates, and the expectation its fans have.

That's what I meant when I said 2024 is a long way off and demands are high. ND will play Northern just like it plays Michigan or Stanford or anyone else, and that game will be one of the regular-season games many Huskies football fans will remember, especially if you can get a ticket. Wish those guys were still around (and hope I am too).

It is just one game, but getting that one game puts Frazier's stamp on what has been accomplished with scheduling those 15 P5 games in just 8 years. (I don't really get the UMass games either, or Rhode Island and Maine, but I suspect they were added sometime when the financial crunch really hit hard and Northern needed to fill in some home dates that wouldn't break the bank.) For some of the Frazier-bashers, it's hard to turn around.

And by my count, there are still 5 empty o-o-c slots through 2026. I have become a big fan of Frazier's scheduling. For those who want to review his long Q&A, here's the link (again):

https://niuhuskies.com/news/2019/5/23/no...h=football

Huskies fans will remember the game if they win. Or if it's close like the Ohio State game. Notre Dame fans are just like Alabama or Clemson fans but with less reason for their arrogance. And they will ask if NIU is Division 1.

I am no fan of ND but Huskie fans will remember this game win or lose. Even when down ND is Babe Ruth of College football.

(06-08-2019 08:30 PM)MGMFIN86 Wrote:  I am no fan of ND but Huskie fans will remember this game win or lose. Even when down ND is Babe Ruth of College football.

They're 2nd string with Alabama as the starter.

(06-08-2019 08:30 PM)MGMFIN86 Wrote:  I am no fan of ND but Huskie fans will remember this game win or lose. Even when down ND is Babe Ruth of College football.

They're more like one of several sidekicks to Alabama.

Win the game.

I went with my brother to a game at ND. I had never been. The pomp and circumstance before the game are something that NIU should aspire.

The whole campus is closed off and that allows the fans to congregate in the quads. Following the Marching band to the stadium, which is right the on campus was memorable.

Rip on them all you want, but NIU does not hold a candle to that yet.

Give Coach Hammock a few seasons. Also, the students are seated by year, Fr,Soph, etc.

They are expected to attend.

Funny to see all the old dudes on here get butt hurt...as I said...for those of us that are old, it's a big deal and this is a great thing for the fans. Ask a bunch of kids who are under the age of 25 (see...this thread was about recruiting), if they care that Notre Dame was the first place of a forward pass more than they care about Oregon/Clemson/Alabama/USC coverage and excitement over the last decade. If you don't understand that, then you're old. It's OK, I am too.

Context folks, you can read! I know you can!

Interesting post. Sort of saying "here's a smack upside the head, but hey, I'm old too, so please excuse me." I'm an admitted Old Fart too. As for repeated attempts to keep the ND game in perspective, r.e. overall P5 schedule, impacts on recruiting and fan interest ... I give up.

However ... now let us pause with thoughts of sympathy for the attention-starved folks at Kentucky ... remember Kentucky? That game (2022) was announced at the same time. And perhaps a few for Michiganders (2021 game).

Anyway, from WTVO Channel 17/ WQRF Fox 39/MyStateLine.com. Interpret however you want.

https://www.mystateline.com/uncategorize...-football/

Notre Dame is one of the Elite programs in College football. They are the only college team with a Network contract.

Uhhhh ... Texas? The Longhorn Network? The factor oft-cited by college football pundits as complicating (read, "screwing up") expansion of the Big 12?

(06-10-2019 07:30 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  Uhhhh ... Texas? The Longhorn Network? The factor oft-cited by college football pundits as complicating (read, "screwing up") expansion of the Big 12?

The longhorn network is cable. ND is network tv... i.e. free and available to everyone. Big difference. ND is the only network tv deal.

(06-10-2019 05:58 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  Interesting post. Sort of saying "here's a smack upside the head, but hey, I'm old too, so please excuse me." I'm an admitted Old Fart too. As for repeated attempts to keep the ND game in perspective, r.e. overall P5 schedule, impacts on recruiting and fan interest ... I give up.

However ... now let us pause with thoughts of sympathy for the attention-starved folks at Kentucky ... remember Kentucky? That game (2022) was announced at the same time. And perhaps a few for Michiganders (2021 game).

Anyway, from WTVO Channel 17/ WQRF Fox 39/MyStateLine.com. Interpret however you want.

https://www.mystateline.com/uncategorize...-football/

“I love his energy,” said Frazier. “He’s authentic. He is who he says he is and that’s just so refreshing. But I really do appreciate his sense of passion to lead NIU football. He’s been infectious. You watch him. You just want to hug him!”

Frazier's comment is correct. With Hammock's energy and love and passion for NIU, you really want to hug him. He is like a big teddy bear. I guarantee you that his magnetism will send this team into the stratosphere with the team's and fans' love for him. And the recruits will justifiably flock to him. There could not have been be a better hire for NIU - the complete opposite of Rod Carey. He's a humble, professional, likable coach, and I think that will be reflected in his recruits and how the team plays. This could be a very fun ride. Start saving up some donation money to keep him at NIU for a long time.

(06-10-2019 08:45 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(06-10-2019 07:30 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  Uhhhh ... Texas? The Longhorn Network? The factor oft-cited by college football pundits as complicating (read, "screwing up") expansion of the Big 12?

The longhorn network is cable. ND is network tv... i.e. free and available to everyone. Big difference. ND is the only network tv deal.

I stand corrected, but that was why all the ? marks. I wasn't sure what kind of deal the LHN was, only that Texas has it's own. Not a big fan of Texas.

(06-10-2019 10:11 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  

(06-10-2019 08:45 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(06-10-2019 07:30 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  Uhhhh ... Texas? The Longhorn Network? The factor oft-cited by college football pundits as complicating (read, "screwing up") expansion of the Big 12?

The longhorn network is cable. ND is network tv... i.e. free and available to everyone. Big difference. ND is the only network tv deal.

I stand corrected, but that was why all the ? marks. I wasn't sure what kind of deal the LHN was, only that Texas has it's own. Not a big fan of Texas.

They do pull in a lot of money from their own TV network. Texas football is a whole different animal in that respect. Look at the stadiums that are being built/have been built.