Jan 7 | BCS National Championship | Alabama

[Meacon Irish]

I dont know how much its been discussed but how much of our playbook have we actually shown this year? It does not seem like much. Mostly north-south running, throws to Eifert out wide with a sprinkling of deep balls along with the basketball pass sweeps. I hope Kelly opens up the book.

I mean literally, we ran the same running play 30 something straight times against Miami.

Because it worked every time. If we can get five or six yards every carry against Bama, I would be a-ok with 80 runs up the gut.

Obviously it won't happen against this defense, but going back to the Miami game at this point is silly.

 

[chicago51]

I understand your point, my point is that our slots should have a big game. They do have the fastest of the fast LBs in the SEC, but that does not mean there wont be space to exploit, which is my point and I did a poor job conveying. The LBs also have to worry about covering Everett and his mobility as well as matching up with our run game, something they had trouble with against TAM. I think if we can keep them off balance, its an edge to us.

I dont know how much its been discussed but how much of our playbook have we actually shown this year? It does not seem like much. Mostly north-south running, throws to Eifert out wide with a sprinkling of deep balls along with the basketball pass sweeps. I hope Kelly opens up the book.

I mean literally, we ran the same running play 30 something straight times against Miami.

This group of Bama LBs is not as versatile as past Bama groups. No Donta Hightowers, or Rolando McClains in this group. Nico Johnson is as good of a run stuffer as there is but poor in pass coverage. CJ Mosely is a great playmaker but is usually doesn't even play on run heavy downs.

Notre Dame on the other hand has very versatile personel on offense. Theo being a very strong RB as well as slot WR. Eiifert also being able to block well in the run game as well as being the receiving threat that he is. I think BK will be able to use his versatile multi-talented players to exploit Bama's talented but less versatile ones.

 

[gkIrish]

My tickets just arrived in the mail

 

[tadman95]

I can't say why but I just don't like it "Notre Dame to put names on back of jerseys".

Photo: Notre Dame jerseys will have names for title game - CBSSports.com

What do you guys think?

This team is very grounded. They worked hard to get where they are. They are focused on playing the game, what they wear has nothing to do with playing their assignments.

 

[Cackalacky]

Because it worked every time. If we can get five or six yards every carry against Bama, I would be a-ok with 80 runs up the gut.

Obviously it won't happen against this defense, but going back to the Miami game at this point is silly.

Obviously you missed my point. My point was we ran the same play 30 times because we could and we did not have to show much of our playbook.

 

[Irish#1]

Saban's a great coach, but he doesn't "scheme" any different before bowl games. He's much more Bill Parcells than Bill Walsh.

Think about it -- did they do anything different against Utah? Texas? Michigan State? LSU? Of course not. His "scheme" itself is to play sound defensive fundamentals, power-run, have easy QB reads/play action, and not turn the ball over. And when that itself usually wins you the game, why scheme anything else?

I don't disagree. The Tide fans are the ones that mention giving Saban a month to prepare and he's unbeatable.

What he does is just like Dungy when he was with the Colts. Do what you do best and don't try to get fancy. I look for BK and Saban to stay with what got them there. I do think that BK may have one or two new plays that he keeps in his back pocket just in case, but we won't see anything change radically.

 

[Kak7304]

The way A&M beat Bama is what gives me the greatest hope. It wasn't by dominating the LOS, overpowering, or outscheming Bama. It was by having a QB who could extend plays and create something from nothing after it broke down. Golson is nowhere near the level of Manziel, but his style is similar and he has the potential to make some spectacular plays. Bama's D is extremely effective at stopping a pro-style attack and their only vulnerability under Saban has been a true dual threat QB. Also, we're better than A&M pretty much everywhere else.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

The way A&M beat Bama is what gives me the greatest hope. It wasn't by dominating the LOS, overpowering, or outscheming Bama. It was by having a QB who could extend plays and create something from nothing after it broke down. Golson is nowhere near the level of Manziel, but his style is similar and he has the potential to make some spectacular plays. Bama's D is extremely effective at stopping a pro-style attack and their only vulnerability under Saban has been a true dual threat QB. Also, we're better than A&M pretty much everywhere else.

Agreed x 100... Sitting here rewatching the bama-tamu game and a&m looks a lot like ND's o in how they handle their business.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

The way A&M beat Bama is what gives me the greatest hope. It wasn't by dominating the LOS, overpowering, or outscheming Bama. It was by having a QB who could extend plays and create something from nothing after it broke down. Golson is nowhere near the level of Manziel, but his style is similar and he has the potential to make some spectacular plays. Bama's D is extremely effective at stopping a pro-style attack and their only vulnerability under Saban has been a true dual threat QB. Also, we're better than A&M pretty much everywhere else.

I'm not so sure of that. If you gave Golson two years in Sumlin's air raid system, he might be holding the Heisman right now instead of Manziel. He's a more physically gifted athlete.

 

[peoriairish]

I didn't really focus on it during the game, but how's TAMU's OL? I would imagine that ND's is quite a bit better, boding well for our offensive attack.

 

[jimmymac]

I didn't really focus on it during the game, but how's TAMU's OL? I would imagine that ND's is quite a bit better, boding well for our offensive attack.

A&M has an amazing oline... Two sure first rounders and one of them joekel could go first overall.

 

[illmatic630]

In what sections will Notre Dame fans be sitting at?

 

[peoriairish]

A&M has an amazing oline... Two sure first rounders and one of them joekel could go first overall.

Hm... who knew. Should be an interesting battle to watch then.

 

[woolybug25]

Ryan Grooms‏@NDFBEquipment

First batch of jerseys just showed up, here is @MTeo_5 jersey https://twitter.com/NDFBEquipment/status/278200877599301632/photo/1

Names on back

For the lazy ones...

 

[Bishop2b5]

Good points and welcome to the board. Saban is a great coach, but if you give any good coach a month to prepare for a team they should be able to find plenty of things to attack or change. Playing ND for the NC isn't the same as playing LSU for the NC after playing them previously. You really don't know how strong or fast a team really is until you see them on the field.

I firmly believe ND's D line will be able to stand up to the Tides O line. ND rotates players on a regular basis, plus Nix usually commands a double team which takes away one of the Tides strengths which is to go man on man because of the size and strength. Bama may be as well conditioned as the Irish, but they aren't better conditioned.

Not too many are discussing ND's ability to run the ball against the Tide's D, but if they are successful, it will cause a lot of problems for Alabama.

Nothing to disagree with there. Both teams are relatively balanced on O and have outstanding D's. There's a ton of talent, good coaching, and both teams are hard-nosed, tough and well-conditioned. It's going to be a great, old-school, smash mouth game, I believe.

 

[Bishop2b5]

With respect, because you have done nothing but bring good educated football discussion. Could you care to explain to me how Texas A&M currently have 34 "Student Athletes" committed to this years recruiting class. Riddle me that.

Plus, they're still actively recruiting other high school athletes. Honestly, I'm asking... how does the NCAA allow this?

I thought you must be mistaken until I looked at Scout & Rivals. I have no idea what's going on with A&M's class. SEC rules will only let them sign 27 and only bring in 25, so I'm at a loss as to what they're doing with 34 commits and how they plan to handle that.

 

[gkIrish]

In what sections will Notre Dame fans be sitting at?

South side of the stadium is the Notre Dame side

 

[ACamp1900]

Clearly we have some good Tide fans here and clearly their are many that mirror that... but I would still hate to be sitting in bama's core section if Notre Dame goes up by a wide margin at any point during the game... I imagine that could get ugly

 

[Bishop2b5]

I may be wrong, but I think California is the only state that requires a student athlete to receive a scholarship should their athletic career at the school come to an end for any reason other than academic negligence (and that was just enacted recently). I know of no other school that actively touts they honor their athletic scholarships as academic or medical, except ND where you get 4-5 years no matter what. I would gladly love to learn about other schools who would give a former football athlete an academic scholarship who could not perform on the field.

It is my understanding once you are no longer on athletic scholarship, the remainder of your education is up to you.

I wasn't aware of the California law. Does it require the school to provide that scholarship if the player is removed from a team for disciplinary/bad behavior issues? As for us, I've never heard the school tout that we make sure former players are able to continue their education on scholarship, but I can think of several players who left for various reasons not related to grades or behavior and were all either helped by Saban to find new schools if they wanted to continue playing, awarded academic schollies if they qualified, or given positions (and the scholarships that come with them) as student assistants. I asked a more knowledgeable friend, and neither of us could come up with a single instance of Saban just cutting such a kid loose with no scholarship to continue his education.

 

[Bishop2b5]

Clearly we have some good Tide fans here and clearly their are many that mirror that... but I would still hate to be sitting in bama's core section if Notre Dame goes up by a wide margin at any point during the game... I imagine that could get ugly

You'd be surprised. Our fans are no different than yours. We're very passionate and hate to lose, but we pride ourselves on our manners. Other than singing Rammer Jammer when we win, we're actually pretty good sports and thoroughly enjoy socializing with the other team's fans, win or lose. Unless you acted like a jerk about it (and I don't mean celebrating - I mean being the sort of obnoxious, taunting, in your face jerk that everyone hates), we'd shake your hand, congratulate you, and probably offer to buy you dinner after the game. Whether you're winning or losing, come over to the Bama section during the game and be friendly. You'll never make it back to your seats and I guarantee you that you'll get a dozen very sincere offers to buy you dinner after the game.

 

[Cackalacky]

I wasn't aware of the California law. Does it require the school to provide that scholarship if the player is removed from a team for disciplinary/bad behavior issues? As for us, I've never heard the school tout that we make sure former players are able to continue their education on scholarship, but I can think of several players who left for various reasons not related to grades or behavior and were all either helped by Saban to find new schools if they wanted to continue playing, awarded academic schollies if they qualified, or given positions (and the scholarships that come with them) as student assistants. I asked a more knowledgeable friend, and neither of us could come up with a single instance of Saban just cutting such a kid loose with no scholarship to continue his education.

The California law states a student athlete who is removed from the team due to a career ending injuryCalifornia law will aid injured athletes in Pac-12 - ESPN must be given an academic scholarship equal to that of the football one as well as assist in insurance coverage etc. that being said, the law is limited to career ending injuries for student athletes, however many football scholarship players are dropped due to injury or lack of performance and are outright dismissed by the team due to over-signing to make room for incoming players (if you don't know what that is, there are many other posters here who can educate you better than I- ie WhiskeyJack). What i have seen, is that the guy gets injured or underfperforms, cant make medical redshirt, and either recovers and is dropped or never recovers and cant make the team, or is demoted to walk-on status. Thus negating his athletic scholarship making room for new recruits with more potential.

Numerous teams over sign and I think the top 5 culprits are in the SEC with Clemson and FSU up there as well. U$C straight pulls schollies and move guys to walk-on status due to their restrictions so they can have the best 75 players on the they can get right now. Most scholarships are 1-year at best at most schools. If you dont perform, they will remove you and bring in extra recruits.

Some teams like Georgia and South Carolina will send people to other schools to beef up academics and football wise and bring them back, sometimes they never make it back.

I see Prothero was given a medical hardship scholarship when he broke his leg a few years back so that is good on Saban.

 

[eNDzone]

ESPN analysts: Notre Dame will beat Alabama thanks to goal line defense | al.com

Check out the video.

 

[Black Irish]

I'm not so sure of that. If you gave Golson two years in Sumlin's air raid system, he might be holding the Heisman right now instead of Manziel. He's a more physically gifted athlete.

I agree. Golson probably could have put up Manziel-type numbers if he didn't have to share the ball with anyone else.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I wasn't aware of the California law. Does it require the school to provide that scholarship if the player is removed from a team for disciplinary/bad behavior issues? As for us, I've never heard the school tout that we make sure former players are able to continue their education on scholarship, but I can think of several players who left for various reasons not related to grades or behavior and were all either helped by Saban to find new schools if they wanted to continue playing, awarded academic schollies if they qualified, or given positions (and the scholarships that come with them) as student assistants. I asked a more knowledgeable friend, and neither of us could come up with a single instance of Saban just cutting such a kid loose with no scholarship to continue his education.

Wasn't it Bama however that had the four ball players that made some headlines when they felt they were "duped" into accepting medical scholarships? They were not told they could never play again?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

ESPN analysts: Notre Dame will beat Alabama thanks to goal line defense | al.com

Check out the vidio.

Sshhhhh!

 

[ickythump1225]

I agree. Golson probably could have put up Manziel-type numbers if he didn't have to share the ball with anyone else.

That's the frustrating aspect of Manzeil's Heisman win. He's a system quarterback. The Heisman voters had no problem dismissing Case Keenum and Colt Brennan as "system QBs" yet they somehow missed it with Manziel.

 

[connor_in]

I was watching Mike and Mike this morning and Greenberg brought up something I thought you guys may want to weigh in on discussion topic wise...

Now he did not say this was a rumor or anything, but he mentioned how at a certain point going after championships the celebration can get to be one more of relief due to expectations rather than jubilation at an accomplishment. He played a clip of Saban's wife in a radio interview basically discussing how they are kind of in relief mode instead of jubilation mode. Greeny also mentioned how Michael Jordan when he got to that stage, got out and the posited that he thought Saban might not be long at Alabama any more and might give the pros another try. As a discussion topic for this place, do you think Saban will stay at Alabama for much longer and if so how long?

 

[Irish8248]

What can the pros offer him that college can't? Its not like he's flying all over the country looking for talent. He's a tireless recruiter but id imagine its much easier to do than in some other sec schools.. Money isn't an issue. Believe he makes over 5 mill a year in base salary... The work schedule is much more flexible in college than the pros... And he's top gun, whatever he wants he'll get.... I see no advantage to going pro

 

[brandonnash]

Just saw something I really liked. Its not mine.

I don't always go 12-0, but when I do, I don't play FCS teams.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

IMO if you've left for the NFL once already, there's something about the higher-level of competition that appeals to you.