Missing the boat

I have to correct you on a couple of points. First, even while accepting as accurate what you say about Cal matching ND ratings SOMETIMES, that just proves how the ND fans do not abandon their team. Cal is rarely on national TV. When they are it is their fans one opportunity to see their team play if they don't live in California. Of course thats a HUGE draw for them. Now compare that to ND whose fans get to see them on national TV each and every week. Even a casual fan or alumni might set aside time to watch the game if its the only 1 they are going to be able to watch that year. However, only the most rabid fans plan their weekends around watching their favorite teams. That means even when as many Cal fans as you can round up willing to watch a game watch that still only matches the ND fans who watch their team EVERY week.

As for your analysis of NDs talent this year, its way off base. Read through ESPN's various writers analysis, or skim though yahoo, and you rapidly find people rating their offense as hugely improved. Clausen did settle down towards the end of last year. The WRs are rated top 5 if not best in the country and their defense was solid lat year....it just had serious issues when the offense couldn't get first downs, as even the best of defenses would. They were a very young team and lost almost no one to graduation or the pros. You gotta remember we're talking about 18 and 19 year old kids here in some cases. 19 is a long way past 18 and 20 miles ahead of 19. That 1 year of experience and coaching and chemistry for a lot of these guys could go a very long way. I don't know if ND deserves the 23 ranking, but its not hard for me to believe that they do...and a lot of people who should know seem to agree.

Madison