Jan 7 | BCS National Championship | Alabama

[Whiskeyjack]

Any chance Kelly throws both RBs out there and runs some triple option out of the spread?

Theo as dive back, wood as the pitch back.

I doubt it. Double and triple options are very complicated plays that require a ton of practice to execute at a high level. That's just not our offense.

I'm sure we'll see a healthy dose of Option Read and Speed Option though.

 

[koonja]

I wouldn't.

Although Stanford's LBs are some of the best in the nation.

Stanford was a good team for us to have played and beat.

IMO, they offer the most parallels to Bama.

IMO, Bama is better against the run, but they cannot rush the passer nearly as well as Stanford. We're going to have to toss it to win this one.

 

[chicago51]

IMO, Bama is better against the run, but they cannot rush the passer nearly as well as Stanford. We're going to have to toss it to win this one.

I see Bama doubling Eifert. TJ Jones and Davarious Daniels got to make plays against one on one on the outside. How confident are you these guys against one on one?

 

[johnnykillz]

IMO, Bama is better against the run, but they cannot rush the passer nearly as well as Stanford. We're going to have to toss it to win this one.

I disagree.

We'll have to have success in the run and the pass.

We can't be one-dimensional.

 

[koonja]

I disagree.

We'll have to have success in the run and the pass.

We can't be one-dimensional.

Agree, but I think we're going to have to pass to open up the run, not vice versa. That plan worked against USC.

 

[Irish#1]

Agree, but I think we're going to have to pass to open up the run, not vice versa. That plan worked against USC.

I think we opened the first series with the pass in a number of games to get the D to back off a little then started the ground and pound.

 

[chicago51]

What do people think Bama will try to do against ND? Will the pass early like they did against LSU last year? Will they want exert their SEC pride and physical dominance and try to pound it on us right off the bat?

 

[tommyIRISH23]

What do people think Bama will try to do against ND? Will the pass early like they did against LSU last year? Will they want exert their SEC pride and physical dominance and try to pound it on us right off the bat?

What they have done all year. Play balanced for the lead, and then strangle you slowly in the 2nd half by grinding out the clock while taking control with their oline and amazing RB's

 

[GoIrish41]

I was Christmas shopping today and found it curious how many ND sweatshirts I saw shoppers wearing. It's like they came out of the woodwork. Where were they all at two months ago?

 

[PraetorianND]

I was Christmas shopping today and found it curious how many ND sweatshirts I saw shoppers wearing. It's like they came out of the woodwork. Where were they all at two months ago?

I personally love it. I don't even care if they are "bandwagon" or not. More ND love is more ND love in my opinion. Relevant. Go Irish!



EDIT: Post 1500!

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I was at Lenox Mall in Atlanta on Saturday and saw way more Irish gear than Bama gear. I was surprised.

 

[chicago51]

How many WR bubble screens does Bama run against ND? I say at least 3. Every team all year long as tried to run those against because ND's corners are usually in off coverage.

 

[ThePiombino]

How many WR bubble screens does Bama run against ND? I say at least 3. Every team all year long as tried to run those against because ND's corners are usually in off coverage.

Oklahoma tried the quick passing game early on. That worked out well...

 

[phgreek]

I was Christmas shopping today and found it curious how many ND sweatshirts I saw shoppers wearing. It's like they came out of the woodwork. Where were they all at two months ago?

My wife said the same thing...she was out mall hoppin' with my kids and she said she saw 10X more people w/ ND gear on. I gotta take her word for it because I can't tell who is wearing what from my home shopping terminal .

Its funny because I coach both my girls in Basketball and softball, and I usually have an ND Tee-shirt or hoodie on...All summer long I had SC fans, and B!G fans, and all manner of fans give me ribbin'...then about half way through Basketball season...Crickets. Just Nods and smiles...I even see guys across the gym point to their ND stuff and give me a thumbs up...there are some ND fans in Utah...damn...go figure!

 

[tankjeep]

GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NDPhilly]

I was at Lenox Mall in Atlanta on Saturday and saw way more Irish gear than Bama gear. I was surprised.

Look at this.the biggest add on the front page of a large sports store in the Philadelphia area

Welcome - Schuylkill Valley Sports

That's right ND gear the biggest add on the front page. Most of the kids at my school are rooting for ND over Alabama. Pretty exciting.

 

[RallySonsOfND]

I feel that people are dying for the SEC title streak to end, and even though most dislike Notre Dame, they are rooting for us over Bama.

 

[Rocky2820]

Agree, but I think we're going to have to pass to open up the run, not vice versa. That plan worked against USC.

This. I'm convinced of this.

 

[Rocky2820]

I feel that people are dying for the SEC title streak to end, and even though most dislike Notre Dame, they are rooting for us over Bama.

Most neutral fans go with the underdog. Like it or not, that's what we are.

 

[ThePiombino]

Most neutral fans go with the underdog. Like it or not, that's what we are.

Like it and prefer it in this scenario.

 

[Luckylucci]

Just got listening to all the interviews from coaches and players and they blow me away. Players are studs always seem to be on the same page. Then you have the coaches and IMO this is the best staff since I started really following ND football (95). Top to bottom, from Alford to diaco I wish I could play for these guys. We have great players but our coaches might be better

 

[NDhoosier]

Oklahoma tried the quick passing game early on. That worked out well...

It did work out well... for awhile, not sure why the offense didnt work for them after the 1st Qtr. But I dont see AJ McCarron being able to do what Landry Jones did to us. I still dont see AJ McCarron as a HIGHLY touted QB, he just seems like a solid QB who can manage a game that plays for an AMAZINGLY strong team. Just my 2 cents though

 

[ThePiombino]

It did work out well... for awhile, not sure why the offense didnt work for them after the 1st Qtr. But I dont see AJ McCarron being able to do what Landry Jones did to us. I still dont see AJ McCarron as a HIGHLY touted QB, he just seems like a solid QB who can manage a game that plays for an AMAZINGLY strong team. Just my 2 cents though

How did it work out well? Don't confuse ND's bend-but-don't-break style D with OU controlling the play of the game on the offensive side of the ball.

Didn't OU have 6 points at the half? Maybe we just have differing opinions on what "working well" means.

 

[chicago51]

Speaking of OU, anyone else looking curious about what the outcome of the Oklahoma v Texas A&M Cotton Bowl is going to be?

Even coaching 7th and 8th graders I can tell that Team A beat Team B, Team B beat Team C, so thus Team A will beat Team C concept does not always pan out.

That said I am really curious to see what OU can do against Texas A&M. It wouldn't affect me too much if OU lost but I think it would increase my confidence if they were to beat A&M.

 

[ThePiombino]

Speaking of OU, anyone else looking curious about what the outcome of the Oklahoma v Texas A&M Cotton Bowl is going to be?

Even coaching 7th and 8th graders I can tell that Team A beat Team B, Team B beat Team C, so thus Team A will beat Team C concept does not always pan out.

That said I am really curious to see what OU can do against Texas A&M. It wouldn't affect me too much if OU lost but I think it would increase my confidence if they were to beat A&M.

I'm looking forward to that one, but more because it's the best non-BCS game IMO...and better than a couple BCS games for that matter. I hope OU rolls!

 

[johnnykillz]

Boomer!

 

[ThePiombino]

Boomer!

Sooner!

 

[RuntheBall]

Question:
Of the defenses Alabama has faced, which is most similar to ours?

 

[johnnykillz]

Question:
Of the defenses Alabama has faced, which is most similar to ours?

I don't think they've played any Allstar teams yet.

Of course they couldn't play the All SEC team.

 

[chicago51]

Question:
Of the defenses Alabama has faced, which is most similar to ours?

Schematically wise its Georgia. Georgia DC also runs a version of the Bill Bellichek 3-4 which Saban and Diaco both run versions of as well.

Personnell wise its LSU. Both ND and LSU have great defensive lines. Although ND has better LBs and LSU has slightly more athletic DBs.