Food For Thought (Common Opponents)

[Irish Envy]

Notre Dame and Ohio State shared two common opponents this year, Michigan State and Michigan. Notre Dame went 1-1 against the pair while Ohio State went 2-0.

I happened to watch all four of these games and despite winning both, Ohio State looked average in both games for all of the talent they have. I single handedly credit Ohio State for ruining Michigan State's season as they were down 17-7 with a couple seconds left heading into the half when MSU lined up for a FG. Ohio State blocked it and Youboty returned returned it 72 yards for the score to make it 17-14 going into the half.

The Spartan coaches were at each other's throats, players were on each other and John L Smith trashed some coaches going into the locker room in a quick interview. This momentum swing lasted then entire 2nd half of the season for the Spartans and they looked like a different team after that play.

Before that play, the Spartans had absolutely dominated the Buckeyes for an entire half. If you're looking for a gameplan, you take the Michigan State blueprint in against the Buckeyes and hope you don't make the mental mistakes that the Spartans did like missing a player on the FG attempt coverage.

They had the ball for nearly 41 minutes to OSU's 19 minutes, outgained them but made bonehead mistakes that cost them. I have faith that the Notre Dame staff won't make such fundamental mistakes and if we commit to the running game (yes, OSU can be run on) the air will be open for the big play.

Notre Dame
vs Michigan 17-10
vs Michigan State 44-41 (OT)

Ohio State
vs Michigan 25-21
vs Michigan State 35-24

 

[jiggafini19]

I single handedly credit Ohio State for ruining Michigan State's season as they were down 17-7 with a couple seconds left heading into the half when MSU lined up for a FG. Ohio State blocked it and Youboty returned returned it 72 yards for the score to make it 17-14 going into the half.

There is no question about it.

After losing to scUM by one in OT, this was the backbreaker for them.

Troy Smith is the heartbeat of this football team. He is their leader. They will go as he goes. That last drive against scUM was fantastic.

Notre Dame has got to avoid the big play. That means tabs on Troy Smith, Ginn and Holmes.

 

[Irish Envy]

There is no question about it.

After losing to scUM by one in OT, this was the backbreaker for them.

Troy Smith is the heartbeat of this football team. He is their leader. They will go as he goes. That last drive against scUM was fantastic.

Notre Dame has got to avoid the big play. That means tabs on Troy Smith, Ginn and Holmes.

Agreed.

As much hype as the defense gets, I'm really not worried about it. I just went through the NCAA Statistics and Ohio State's game box scores and the Buckeye defense is ranked so highly because they get a lot of sacks and tackles for loss on the opposing quarterbacks.

For instance:

vs Miami (Ohio), QB Josh Betts had 8 carries for -28 yards
vs SDSU, QB Kevin O'Connel had 8 carries for -9 yards
vs Iowa, QB Drew Tate had 7 carries for -34 yards
vs MSU, QB Drew Stanton had 24 carries for 4 yards
vs Indiana, QB Blake Powers had 4 carries for -24 yards
vs Minnesota, QB Brian Cupito had 1 carrie for 2 yards
vs Illinois, QB Tim Brasic had 17 carries for -11 yards
vs Northwestern, QB Brett Basenez had 3 carries for -14 yards
vs Michigan, QB Chad Henne had 5 carries for 1 yard

That's a cumulative 77 carries for -113 yards. Now, against teams with mobile quarterbacks that can avoid the rush, which happens to be the Buckeye's two losses, they accounted for 34 carries and 138 yards.

What does this mean?

Obviously it means that the offensive linemen will determine the outcome of this game. If our linemen can hold blocks, open up holes, Notre Dame should have no problems with the Ohio State defense if Brady Quinn makes the necessary throws and we commit to the run. Minnesota rushed for almost 200 yards on the Buckeyes, so they can be run on.

 

[Domer95]

Agreed.

As much hype as the defense gets, I'm really not worried about it. I just went through the NCAA Statistics and Ohio State's game box scores and the Buckeye defense is ranked so highly because they get a lot of sacks and tackles for loss on the opposing quarterbacks.

For instance:

vs Miami (Ohio), QB Josh Betts had 8 carries for -28 yards
vs SDSU, QB Kevin O'Connel had 8 carries for -9 yards
vs Iowa, QB Drew Tate had 7 carries for -34 yards
vs MSU, QB Drew Stanton had 24 carries for 4 yards
vs Indiana, QB Blake Powers had 4 carries for -24 yards
vs Minnesota, QB Brian Cupito had 1 carrie for 2 yards
vs Illinois, QB Tim Brasic had 17 carries for -11 yards
vs Northwestern, QB Brett Basenez had 3 carries for -14 yards
vs Michigan, QB Chad Henne had 5 carries for 1 yard

That's a cumulative 77 carries for -113 yards. Now, against teams with mobile quarterbacks that can avoid the rush, which happens to be the Buckeye's two losses, they accounted for 34 carries and 138 yards.

What does this mean?

Obviously it means that the offensive linemen will determine the outcome of this game. If our linemen can hold blocks, open up holes, Notre Dame should have no problems with the Ohio State defense if Brady Quinn makes the necessary throws and we commit to the run. Minnesota rushed for almost 200 yards on the Buckeyes, so they can be run on.

....also design a few roll out plays for BQ that haven't been seen before as well, to avoid the rush and AJ Hawk.....tO$U gave up nearly 400 yards passing against a smashmouth MN team as well.....

 

[jiggafini19]

I'd look for Fasano and Shelton more in this game. Spread them out.

Some two tight end sets, releasing both Fasano and Carlson perhaps?

 

[domerfor life]

....also design a few roll out plays for BQ that haven't been seen before as well, to avoid the rush and AJ Hawk.....tO$U gave up nearly 400 yards passing against a smashmouth MN team as well.....

I think Notre Dame will more than handle Ohio State. Do you really think Charlie or any of the players want to lose this game? I don't. Charlie has a whole month to pick this defense apart. They'll be toast by the end of the third quarter. What I'm worried about is Rick Minter being able to draw up a gameplan that will slow down OSU. Anybody for ball control?

 

[jiggafini19]

What I'm worried about is Rick Minter being able to draw up a gameplan that will slow down OSU. Anybody for ball control?

God, yes. Please keep Troy Smith off of the field.

How they plan to cover Holmes and Ginn is beyond me.

 

[Irish Envy]

God, yes. Please keep Troy Smith off of the field.

How they plan to cover Holmes and Ginn is beyond me.

Don't worry about covering them, just tackle them. Give them all of the short routes they want and make sure you wrap them up.

As for Troy Smith, flush him out of the pocket and make him throw on the run. If you have Mays or Hoyte containing him, his accuracy while on the run isn't that great.

Plus, here's to Ginn's continued fumblitis.

 

[Irish Envy]

....also design a few roll out plays for BQ that haven't been seen before as well, to avoid the rush and AJ Hawk.....tO$U gave up nearly 400 yards passing against a smashmouth MN team as well.....

I think some out of the pocket plays would be a nice touch. I also think this may be a time for Charlie to pull out some tricks outta his Patriot bag.

Wonder if RPN is coming back for this game? He could be a huge factor.

 

[BGIF]

Wonder if RPN is coming back for this game? He could be a huge factor.

I bet he'd be motivated!

 

[VictorsValiant]

You guys have no idea how to beat OSU.

Smith is not a great QB. The reason he drove on us is because our defense was terrible. To stop them, you need to contain Pittman and force Smith to throw the ball, which he can only do well if he has time and if there's no pressure on him. Otherwise, he's liable to make mistakes, bad throws and ints. Ginn and Holms can't hurt you if the ball is not throw their way.

ND will not be able to run the ball on OSU. If you try, OSU will take control of the game from the outset and most likely dominate the rest of the game. Use RBs on screens and TEs on rollouts. That's the only way to move the ball. OSU will not stop attacking with their greatest assets, the LBs. If they cover short passes, you have to take shots downfield. Otherwise, you'll get blown out.

This game will test Brady Quinn's ability to make big throws (>20 yards) under pressure. I wasn't really impressed with Quinn when you played us, so we'll see.

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

You guys have no idea how to beat OSU.

Smith is not a great QB. The reason he drove on us is because our defense was terrible. To stop them, you need to contain Pittman and force Smith to throw the ball, which he can only do well if he has time and if there's no pressure on him. Otherwise, he's liable to make mistakes, bad throws and ints. Ginn and Holms can't hurt you if the ball is not throw their way.

ND will not be able to run the ball on OSU. If you try, OSU will take control of the game from the outset and most likely dominate the rest of the game. Use RBs on screens and TEs on rollouts. That's the only way to move the ball. OSU will not stop attacking with their greatest assets, the LBs. If they cover short passes, you have to take shots downfield. Otherwise, you'll get blown out.

This game will test Brady Quinn's ability to make big throws (>20 yards) under pressure. I wasn't really impressed with Quinn when you played us, so we'll see.

I was watching the nd/tennessee game today and we did the screen pass all the way down the field the first time we had the ball and then the pass to fasano for the touchdown.
I think there has to be a way we can run it up the middle.I also don't think at this point I'm too concerned with short passes...but tipped balls could be quick turnovers.
I also don't think they will be able to run the ball on us,so maybe containing pittman is a good answer and hopfully smith will throw some picks.Turnovers could be a real key to this game.

 

[Vince Young]

You guys have no idea how to beat OSU.

Fortunately, that's not our job. That's Charlie's job.

 

[jiggafini19]

Troy Smith 2 Chad Henne 0

 

[jiggafini19]

Smith is not a great QB. The reason he drove on us is because our defense was terrible. To stop them, you need to contain Pittman and force Smith to throw the ball, which he can only do well if he has time and if there's no pressure on him. Otherwise, he's liable to make mistakes, bad throws and ints. Ginn and Holms can't hurt you if the ball is not throw their way.

I wasn't really impressed with Quinn when you played us, so we'll see.

14 TD, 4 INT for Smith this year. I know he's lost some fumbles, so perhaps these are the mistakes he's liable to? Otherwise, the bad throws have only hurt him four times. Also 11 rushing TD. I'd say he is someone they should worry about. It all starts with Smith and their running game, as you've mentioned.

I wouldn't imagine any scUM fans would be impressed with Quinn that day. But you missed the following 9 games after ND left Ann Arbor.

 

[jiggafini19]

Troll out to the Ohio State boards and look at the scUM fans wishing them luck.

Yeah, best rivalry ever my @ss. Just goes to show the Skunk Bears hate ND more than Ohio State. I'm sure the Alabama fans are just DYING to see Auburn win their bowl game. THAT is the best rivalry in America, folks.

Take this approach: When SC beat scUM in the Rose Bowl two years ago, I was hoping that the Earth would swallow the field into the ground. If only there were still ties....

Hey Trojans (sniff)...good luck against Texas.

Give me a break.

 

[guff]

ND has to spread 'em out. 4 and 5 wide force OSU LBs into to coverage. This will be Quinn's game to win, he won't have a lot of time to throw but he will have open targets. I also see a Travis Thomas playing a greater role. Walker's juke and jive style plays into OSU's hands.

This maybe the best defense ND has faced but OSU hasn't had to deal with anything like ND's offense.