But the “environment “ will give us an advantage where you clearly think ND will have one. They will have to go on a silent count because of the noise, not a normal one. Our d line will have an advantage if and when that takes place. It sounds like a small advantage but that half a step or split second can cause game changing plays in the backfield.
Our D Line is a 100% complete unknown.
We're assuming Bain and Mesidor will start at end.
They're not rushers. They're undersized tackles. This match-up favors NDs O Line. If ND leaves a TE in to block, there's a chance our D doesn't lay a hand on Carr all night. We don't have Phillips or Rousseau anymore.
Or if not them, it'll be some undersized true sophomore, and they'll get steamrolled by the championship game ND O Line.
We only have one match-up that benefits us in this game. Its QB with the POTENTIAL for Beck to be 100% recovered, healthy, and zeroed in.
Every other match-up favors ND.
PROVEN:
D Line
Linebackers
Secondary
O Line
RB
K
TE (everyone says Lofton is great but how will we use him? It doesn'tseem like he'll be replacing Arroyo or Mccormicks role.)
WR (They're returning starters have more experience than ours)
This game is going to be an extremely tough battle for us. Harder than any game we played last year.
For us to have a chance, we will have to execute flawlessly.
The defense will have to man up and stop the run while also defending their play action passing. If we continue to ignore and disregard the TE and RB, they will torch us.
If we decide to run Fletcher up the middle against their D Line and LBs, we lose. This roster has not faced a defense of this caliber before, and we don't have Martinez.
Mario ball will not overcome this Freeman defense. It will require misdirection, and utilizing all weapons available like OSU did.
This is game could make or break the season.