Notre Dame a 3.5 point favorite (All Miami-ND, Mali News)

[Hstokes1447]

Sorry kind of OT but Is max Buchanan coming back before the end of the year? Think we will need to run the ball a bit more than we have been and thought he was not definitely out for the year.

This offense will be fine while Mali recovers. Move Upshaw to the slot and Jacobs to X. Nobody is replacing Mali, but let’s not forget that in ’24 Dawson had the #1 offense in the country. I take nothing away from X, but he’s not on the same planet as Mali. This playbook is built around the slot, and Upshaw could have some big games in that role.

 

[jschroeder011]

Looking at this through the worst case scenario lense and if its a grade 2-3 high ankle sprain, there is procedure called the "TightRope" that elite football players can make it back in around 4-5 weeks.

Both Tua and Brock Bowers (as well as Cooper Kupp in the NFL) had this procedure and returned for their team's late-season push:

Georgia TE Brock Bowers has TD catch in return from ankle surgery

Only 26 days after having ankle surgery, Georgia TE Brock Bowers returned and had four catches for 34 yards, including an 8-yard TD catch, in the win over Ole Miss.

www.espn.com

Unfortunately, my suspicions were confirmed

 

[clg003]

Tua had it done twice in college one on each ankle. First one playing in 28 days second one 20 days. Time for Mensah to win the Heisman

 

[Hstokes1447]

I'm actually excited to see who steps up now

Time for some ROI

Upshaw, if they play Christian Gray on him, Upshaw is going to eat.

 

[jlew192]

So have to win 2 of 3 last acc games without Toney and win ACCCG without him, I dont like those odds.....

If we can’t do this then we don’t deserve the playoffs anyway

 

[Glow]

 

[CaneLos]

Time to play Mario ball!!

 

[MumbleRap]

Time to play Mario ball!!

Mario ball is airing it out. Nothing changes. Mensah still here. Anyone in the slot eats in Dawsons offense. Always.

Just more so sucks for Toney. He was really having one of the greatest seasons in cfb by a WR period. Forget UM.

 

[Hstokes1447]

Time to play Mario ball!!

Time to take advantage of them going back to their normal game plan. Mensah is going to pick that soft zone apart.

 

[JZCane0825]

This is why you brought in Mensah and Barkate

 

[Jonnyblaze]

This is why you brought in Mensah and Barkate

They’re gonna have to earn their money because I’m betting Notre Dame plays to stop the run and that the passing game can’t beat them without Toney. Especially because they have Moore.

 

[moneyball86]

Bro just stop .

I’m not wrong. The offense doesn’t get better without its best player and the defense isn’t going to magically get good.

 

[JayCane20]

This is why you brought in Mensah and Barkate

Have a feeling Barkate is really going to struggle. He’s the perfect WR for Moore to lock down. Gonna be an Upshaw, Jacobs, Wingo, or Spafford game if we have any succes in the air.

Barkate and Upshaw’s recent drops (and the ugly Upshaw fade last week) have me really concerned.

With Moore coming off a concussion, I’m immediately putting him in tackling situations. Run right at him, screens with Barkate and Lofton. Dont let him just play on air all day.

 

[KrazyCane]

There isn’t a single player in the country in CFB history that adds what Mali brings to an offense. We are going to have to find another way to win and we can.. but we have close to a zero chance of making it back to the national championship without Malachi Toney on the field. The season is ****ed.

 

[We’reBeckCane]

If we can’t win the remainder of our ACC games without Mali we have deep issues. Let’s see what we’ve got on Saturday but regardless win out from there, get a bye and have him back for the playoff run.

 

[Dirtyj]

Hoping our players aren’t as soft as our fan base.

Over the last 5 years Mario has built a championship roster - winners at every level they’ve ever played. There is NO REASON this team cannot pull together and beat the **** out of every team left on our schedule, including ND.

We have the nastiest running back room in the country, the best QB, a massive and improving OLine, a deep WR room, and an elite and creative OC.

Our D has underperformed recently, but have the talent to overwhelm - they have just been needing that fire lit. Time to stand up.

Our head coach eats nails for breakfast. He won’t flinch. They’ll be ready.

 

[Steve44]

They’re gonna have to earn their money because I’m betting Notre Dame plays to stop the run and that the passing game can’t beat them without Toney. Especially because they have Moore.

Yes agree. They will now stick Moore man to man on Barkate to erase him. Stack the box, and see if the other WR or TE can win the game. But they won’t let Barkate or the run game beat them.

 

[AmherstCane]

Have a feeling Barkate is really going to struggle. He’s the perfect WR for Moore to lock down. Gonna be an Upshaw, Jacobs, Wingo, or Spafford game if we have any succes in the air.

Barkate and Upshaw’s recent drops (and the ugly Upshaw fade last week) have me really concerned.

With Moore coming off a concussion, I’m immediately putting him in tackling situations. Run right at him, screens with Barkate and Lofton. Dont let him just play on air all day.

I keep seeing Upshaw being thrown out as the answer. I don’t get it. Upshaw has looked serviceable at best… not close to a #1 option.

 

[dolemite79]

 

[dycane]

This is absurd.