Opinion on ND after watching 2 condensed games

[TexasCane90]

Hidden motivation but if I’m a Dline player I’m looking at this game when scouts from almost every team will be there to show how good I am

Dominating an equally good Oline that is respected will make you more money sometimes than an entire season of solid play

 

[iLoveTDs]

Getting through the first few possessions defensively is key. Just like with Georgia Tech, the more you see from their offense the easier it becomes to defend.

Offense has to run the ball.

 

[MIA42178]

Their OL doesn’t have to pancake people to be good.... They have likely two 1st round picks on the left side of their OL alone. They like to run to that side behind those two. They’re about as physical OL as you will find.

I agree that they are very very good. I’m not taking anything away from them. It will be a huge challenge this week. But when I think of physical I envision a running attack closer to Bama’s where they want to punish the defensers.

The UGA game was the second game of the season, and their QB's second start. They lost by 1 point to the #1 team in the country, and look at UGA's run totals for their own offense that game - ND played them very well defensively. Every other team, ND has basically mowed down, with exception of Wake last week - and that was 34-10 at one point, without their best offensive player seeing more than 5 snaps.

I'm getting a sense of overconfidence on this board about ND. Can we beat them? Absolutely. But not if we play like we did against UNC (a common opponent who the Irish beat by 3 scores in the rain) or Syracuse. That's for **** sure.

Some perspective

UGA was starting a freshman qb also BC their starter was out
USC QB played on him ankle from WSU game untill he was pulled in second half
NC State best offensive player, Hines, did not play
Wake best offensive player, Dortch, did not play

 

[Poptimus]

This is a game that, just like against Virginia Tech, there will be opportunities for Rosier to make plays with his feet. If you look at how ND has given up 5 yards a rush to Wake Forest's QB and over 6 yards a rush to Michigan State's QB (much of that on a 52 yard scramble), given how ND will drop back and just rush four down linemen, this is an area we must exploit. The Irish haven't really played against a QB with Rosier's skill set this year, allowing inferior running QB's to gash them nonetheless. I almost feel like the short passing game should be used to set up the running game and not vice versa -- just like against Virginia Tech.

Defensively? Stack the box until further notice.

 

[Salt]

Nice write up. I’d actually prefer if they were a bit more aggressive on defense. Rosier’s strength is not reading coverage when the defense drops 8. That could lead to bad decisions.

which is why you are seeing a bit more 5 wide formations to simplify Rosier's reads. I think we continue to employ this to force the defense's hand.

While having 5 wides simplifies his reads, they will still drop 8 which leaves 3 defenders unaccounted for - those are the problem ones.

That's like 5 free yards for #12 on the ground. We can counter it.

Yep, definitely but he will have to throw into coverage at some points

Kind of expect a Sandusky type defense from Penn State that flustered Testaverde in the Fiesta Bowl. We live off explosive plays on offense. There should be plenty of space underneath to work in.

 

[Cane6]

WFturned the ball over but still moved the ball wellagainst the ND def.

The WF defense was REALLY bad. Multiple times where the LB or Safety just fell down.

 

[Dan Sileo JR]

This game comes down to discipline. Can't afford any turnovers or they'll slowly start taking advantage of your errors.

I'm confident we can step up.

 

[5XNC]

Rosier may be running a lot on that d

 

[407cane]

syracuse qb burned us in the run game since we were focusing on the air attack

interested to see what kind of spy diaz puts on wimbush

 

[Katzenboyer]

Their OL doesn’t have to pancake people to be good.... They have likely two 1st round picks on the left side of their OL alone. They like to run to that side behind those two. They’re about as physical OL as you will find.

I agree that they are very very good. I’m not taking anything away from them. It will be a huge challenge this week. But when I think of physical I envision a running attack closer to Bama’s where they want to punish the defensers.

The UGA game was the second game of the season, and their QB's second start. They lost by 1 point to the [URL=https://www.canesinsight.com/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=1]#1 [/URL] team in the country, and look at UGA's run totals for their own offense that game - ND played them very well defensively. Every other team, ND has basically mowed down, with exception of Wake last week - and that was 34-10 at one point, without their best offensive player seeing more than 5 snaps.

I'm getting a sense of overconfidence on this board about ND. Can we beat them? Absolutely. But not if we play like we did against UNC (a common opponent who the Irish beat by 3 scores in the rain) or Syracuse. That's for **** sure.

Not over confident. Totally the opposite. The scores in their games and our games are misleading. We’ve dominate most teams every where except the score board. The difference is they’ve turned those same mistakes into points. There is a lot of hype about them “mowing” teams down and thats what I was seeking to confirm. You use the UGA argument but what about their Freshman QB in his first road start?

Are they tough to defend in the redzone? yes they have a legit dual threat QB and very good Oline. Their option attack will put pressure on our defense. But I will say this again go watch their QB he is no Lamar Jackson back there. His big plays come from design passes where the Dline looses contain and the 2nd Level is vacated. Does that mean he won’t make Big plays vs us on designed runs? No, it doesn’t. They are human and they do what they do extremely well but it’s very one dimensional. We need to challenge them to make plays on their own not feed off mistakes.

In terms of UGA, they're the #1 team in the country. Did they lose to a true freshman? Sure. But they led most of the game and lost it on a late field goal, and UGA has gone on to look dominant the rest of the season. I don't think you can call it a bad loss just because they lost to Fromm.

In terms of "mowing" teams down, with exception of Georgia they've done whatever they've wanted to offensively against the other teams they've played, and that includes good defensive teams in MSU and NC State. I look at their schedule and this is what concerns me:

Temple - 422 yards rushing
@ BC - 515 yards rushing
@ MSU - 185 yards rushing
Miami (OH) - 333 yards rushing
@ UNC - 340 yards rushing
USC - 377 yards rushing
NC State - 315 yards rushing
Wake - 380 yards rushing

I don't view them as "one dimensional." They aren't GT, running the ball 50+ times a game. They're just ridiculously good at running the ball, that they haven't needed to throw whatsoever.

 

[simplycanes]

Thank you [MENTION=2318]Dghustla[/MENTION] for the write-up, excellent.

Defensively, they had, and ultimately fired, Brian Van Gorder (a former CMR assistant) who had a very aggressive style that failed miserably. What they are doing now is the total opposite, and I agree, it is what Al Golden wanted to do, but also sucked at it. It goes back to having awareness as a coach. Sometimes what you want to run and the players and athletes you get are at odds with one another. Kelly made the change, Golden didn't. It's crazy, we went one way, they went the other and we're both succeeding.

Agree with [MENTION=32]AUcane[/MENTION], their defensive philosophy will let us feast underneath and in the middle of the field, but to get it into the end zone we are going to need to make reads and throws into coverage. CMR has his work cut out for him schematically this week. If he can summon the inner Ol' Ball Coach a little and scheme some easy reads for Malik, that will be huge for our success in getting the ball in the end zone. It is critical that we create opportunities for Rosier to bail and run with the ball, and we will get them a few times, but after the VT game, they will have a better counter punch than we saw from Foster.

Defensively, I will summon [MENTION=5374]HurricaneVision[/MENTION] and just say it once, and then several more times in the hopes it makes a difference somehow, "Do your job." That is the entire key here on defense. ND lives for mistakes on defense, they do the same on offense. Gap discipline, run fits, assignments, bad angles, all that feeds into what they are able to do and when Winbush thrives. I am a big believer in not reinventing yourself for one opponent. Yes, implement differently, but don't change your identity. We need to be aggressive and force them into negative plays, that's how we eat; but, we also need to have situational awareness and know when it is those moments when we just can't get gashed for 10 yards on a scramble.

 

[AUcane]

Thank you [MENTION=2318]Dghustla[/MENTION] for the write-up, excellent.

Defensively, they had, and ultimately fired, Brian Van Gorder (a former CMR assistant) who had a very aggressive style that failed miserably. What they are doing now is the total opposite, and I agree, it is what Al Golden wanted to do, but also sucked at it. It goes back to having awareness as a coach. Sometimes what you want to run and the players and athletes you get are at odds with one another. Kelly made the change, Golden didn't. It's crazy, we went one way, they went the other and we're both succeeding.

Agree with [MENTION=32]AUcane[/MENTION], their defensive philosophy will let us feast underneath and in the middle of the field, but to get it into the end zone we are going to need to make reads and throws into coverage. CMR has his work cut out for him schematically this week. If he can summon the inner Ol' Ball Coach a little and scheme some easy reads for Malik, that will be huge for our success in getting the ball in the end zone. It is critical that we create opportunities for Rosier to bail and run with the ball, and we will get them a few times, but after the VT game, they will have a better counter punch than we saw from Foster.

Defensively, I will summon [MENTION=5374]HurricaneVision[/MENTION] and just say it once, and then several more times in the hopes it makes a difference somehow, "Do your job." That is the entire key here on defense. ND lives for mistakes on defense, they do the same on offense. Gap discipline, run fits, assignments, bad angles, all that feeds into what they are able to do and when Winbush thrives. I am a big believer in not reinventing yourself for one opponent. Yes, implement differently, but don't change your identity. We need to be aggressive and force them into negative plays, that's how we eat; but, we also need to have situational awareness and know when it is those moments when we just can't get gashed for 10 yards on a scramble.

Good analysis. I also felt that we showed a lot of our cards against VT - stuff we hadn't shown all year. Does it give ND more to gameplan against? Yeah, but it also showed them what we have in our ****nal. Don't know if it favors us or them.

 

[TheRichtShow]

Their OL doesn’t have to pancake people to be good.... They have likely two 1st round picks on the left side of their OL alone. They like to run to that side behind those two. They’re about as physical OL as you will find.

I agree that they are very very good. I’m not taking anything away from them. It will be a huge challenge this week. But when I think of physical I envision a running attack closer to Bama’s where they want to punish the defensers.

The UGA game was the second game of the season, and their QB's second start. They lost by 1 point to the #1 team in the country, and look at UGA's run totals for their own offense that game - ND played them very well defensively. Every other team, ND has basically mowed down, with exception of Wake last week - and that was 34-10 at one point, without their best offensive player seeing more than 5 snaps.

I'm getting a sense of overconfidence on this board about ND. Can we beat them? Absolutely. But not if we play like we did against UNC (a common opponent who the Irish beat by 3 scores in the rain) or Syracuse. That's for **** sure.

Overconfidence? Shut the fvck up.

Your the same guy who said last week we were no different than the 2013 team and would lose to VT? You'd think you'd have taken the L and just stopped posting.

You want overconfidence? Go to the ND boards where they are sure they crush us and think Navy is a better team.

You've been talking **** about this team for weeks now. We're a **** of a lot better than you think and your misery will just continue against ND

 

[Katzenboyer]

Their OL doesn’t have to pancake people to be good.... They have likely two 1st round picks on the left side of their OL alone. They like to run to that side behind those two. They’re about as physical OL as you will find.

I agree that they are very very good. I’m not taking anything away from them. It will be a huge challenge this week. But when I think of physical I envision a running attack closer to Bama’s where they want to punish the defensers.

The UGA game was the second game of the season, and their QB's second start. They lost by 1 point to the #1 team in the country, and look at UGA's run totals for their own offense that game - ND played them very well defensively. Every other team, ND has basically mowed down, with exception of Wake last week - and that was 34-10 at one point, without their best offensive player seeing more than 5 snaps.

I'm getting a sense of overconfidence on this board about ND. Can we beat them? Absolutely. But not if we play like we did against UNC (a common opponent who the Irish beat by 3 scores in the rain) or Syracuse. That's for **** sure.

Overconfidence? Shut the fvck up.

Your the same guy who said last week we were no different than the 2013 team and would lose to VT? You'd think you'd have taken the L and just stopped posting.

You want overconfidence? Go to the ND boards where they are sure they crush us and think Navy is a better team.

You've been talking **** about this team for weeks now. We're a **** of a lot better than you think and your misery will just continue against ND

Haha. Show me where I said that VT would beat us? Never once said that, and actually predicted a win pre-game, but nice try...

 

[skyman]

Thank you [MENTION=2318]Dghustla[/MENTION] for the write-up, excellent.

Defensively, they had, and ultimately fired, Brian Van Gorder (a former CMR assistant) who had a very aggressive style that failed miserably. What they are doing now is the total opposite, and I agree, it is what Al Golden wanted to do, but also sucked at it. It goes back to having awareness as a coach. Sometimes what you want to run and the players and athletes you get are at odds with one another. Kelly made the change, Golden didn't. It's crazy, we went one way, they went the other and we're both succeeding.

Agree with [MENTION=32]AUcane[/MENTION], their defensive philosophy will let us feast underneath and in the middle of the field, but to get it into the end zone we are going to need to make reads and throws into coverage. CMR has his work cut out for him schematically this week. If he can summon the inner Ol' Ball Coach a little and scheme some easy reads for Malik, that will be huge for our success in getting the ball in the end zone. It is critical that we create opportunities for Rosier to bail and run with the ball, and we will get them a few times, but after the VT game, they will have a better counter punch than we saw from Foster.

Defensively, I will summon [MENTION=5374]HurricaneVision[/MENTION] and just say it once, and then several more times in the hopes it makes a difference somehow, "Do your job." That is the entire key here on defense. ND lives for mistakes on defense, they do the same on offense. Gap discipline, run fits, assignments, bad angles, all that feeds into what they are able to do and when Winbush thrives. I am a big believer in not reinventing yourself for one opponent. Yes, implement differently, but don't change your identity. We need to be aggressive and force them into negative plays, that's how we eat; but, we also need to have situational awareness and know when it is those moments when we just can't get gashed for 10 yards on a scramble.

I actually don't think the underneath stuff is way to go, their defense is built to force underneath. They play zone and keep everything in front while hoping over course of long drive u make mistake. They force majority of turnovers squatting on short routes and have jumped them and turned them into points.

Most of teams who moved ball were when they went medium and/or deep.. they can be had and we have athletes to exploit that. We need to capitalize on big plays. I don't think it's in our best interest to expect rosier to pick them apart underneath time after time to move downfield.

Our current mo is to get chunk plays, their DB can be had deep. They live for underneath stuff and force a ton of turnovers.. **** that.. light their *** up down field. USC, ncst, and even wake got good results goin down field more

 

[IRememberSchnelly]

ND is what...9 games into their season and you've cherrypicked 2 of them to render a definitive opinion. That's a pretty suspect approach, and most likely a whole bunch of confirmation bias in your assessment.

As much as I hate to admit it, the Lamers are a solid, well-coached team that will not be handing out the keys to the candy store. Are they beatable? Sure, they have flaws, and you can make a case that we are faster and more athletic. At the same time, we make more mistakes and bigger mistakes that can lead to big plays. In my opinion the game could go either way - and by that it could go big for either team or also could be a nailbiter to the end. Which Notre Dame team shows up? Which Miami team shows up? I think there are many variables none of us are really accounting for.

 

[TriStarCane]

It's all about match ups. It comes down to this: Miami has first day talent on the DLine, ND has first day talent on the OLine. They are probably the best OL in the nation. I think we are one of the best DL in the nation. Can we line up and beat them consistently and get them in negative yard situations? You have to hit that RB early before he can get going cuz he's a load. Make Wimbush beat us with his arm and we will win. Our best vs. their best.

 

[AK_Cane]

Nice write up. I’d actually prefer if they were a bit more aggressive on defense. Rosier’s strength is not reading coverage when the defense drops 8. That could lead to bad decisions.

Thinking the same richt needs to preach good decisions and we need to hold on to the **** ball! There were a couple time Dallas kinda stood up towards the end of his run and looked like the ball could get stripped. Same for Ahmmon it was only a matter of time the way he carries it is reckless lucky herdon got on it. Won't win this game with 3 turnovers guarantee that

 

[cane22]

On offense, be able to run the ball and we will be fine.
On defense, limit the run as much as possible and we will be fine.

Intangibles are ours.

Wont be easy, but, why not us.

 

[Katzenboyer]

Something that's encouraging to me is that Wake runs a lot of RPO and had a bunch of success with it this past weekend. If we can get that going early, there's reason to think we can do the same thing to them Saturday.