After watching all of their snaps through the BYU game, here is my updated perspective:
- CJ Carr has been up and down, but we've seen other QBs panic and struggle and then rip us to shreds. He absolutely loves taking free access throws to the short side of the field, and if we give it, he will gladly take and execute the chunks.
- ND has three TEs who've made some plays, though they aren't attribute guys. They make plays in simple ways: sit down in the boundary as I've shown above in screenshots or combination routes. They also move them across the formation and use them for wham blocks, sealing the Y in Duo, and even direct insert blocks. When they need a play, don't be surprised if the TE is crossing with someone on the outside to either free up a WR or himself for hit.
- When push comes to shove, I expect Jaden Greathouse (#1) to be CJ Carr's security blanket. In critical plays or situations, he finds him and Greathouse has won with mostly body control and physicality. I don't know if we have a corner who'll match his physicality - maybe Lucas, if he does drugs prior to the game and forgets his injuries.
- In certain instances, ND will use their RB for medium conversions. Both in the run game, as I showed above, and splitting out #2 and letting him beat a LB on a route. They've trusted them.
- Against us, I think they'd love to get #6 down the seam (as shown above) or on dig routes. I don't know if we'll show Cover 3 and roll to Cover 2 (inverted), but that brings a set of other issues with our LBs in deeper drops.
- #14 on their team will run crossers, Ins, and some back shoulders. Like I said, EOC or whomever, heads up.
- ND's RT is a problem in the run game. Big dude who explosively down blocks. Blount better play a different type of game than he did against UNC. He did show some struggle with speed to the outside, but I expect ND's approach to help him there. I do not expect volume deep drops by CJ Carr unless they somehow get down huge. Even then, I expect him to get the ball out quickly and that protects their RT.
- ND's RG can be had with speed and agility, and I pray Moten just watches his tape over and over. Also solid on duo and in run game, but less impressive in pass set.
- ND's game against BYU seems like a fluke to me. Weird stuff happened. Their 2nd best defender, EDGE Traore, went out with the a targeting call very early. Carr randomly fumbled the ball on 2nd and goal to close the 1st half. BYU ran a trick play pass to the QB. ND uncharacteristically dropped some passes in the middle of the field. Stuff happens in a football game to both sides, but the flow of that game was very weird.
All of that to say I would pray that Hetherman has a totally different approach to what we've seen, because ND is sufficiently talented to be way cleaner than UNC and just take what we give them with stretched out zones and easy presnap looks.
I'll continue watching, but I'm tired, boss.