January 1 | Oklahoma State | Fiesta Bowl

[Dale]

They may be defense first but they have virtually no NFL talent on defense. That’s what’s sort of crazy to me… Georgia probably has more NFL talent on defense then the entire Big 12. So that can be exploited by any offense with top shelf NFL talent — unfortunately, ND has flaws at QB, OL, and WR. So I’m not sure if we’re in position to do that.

Maybe not first rounders but their are NFL guys on all those teams. LBs like Malcolm Rodriguez are your classic MLB that maybe not doesn’t have a NFL future but their secondary with Harvey-Peel and DL with Oliver certainly has NFL guys. The biggest critique of Big 12 defenses if I had to make a sweeping comment would not be talent. It’d be the schemes are all similar and designed to stop Big 12 offenses.

 

[GoldenAura]

I wonder how Tommy will do without any input from Bayou Brian.

 

[Dale]

I wonder how Tommy will do without any input from Bayou Brian.

It’ll be an air attack I’d think because we’ll struggle running and Tommy will want to throw regardless

 

[Irish Knuckles]

I wonder how Tommy will do without any input from Bayou Brian.

that's what i'm most interested to see. good opponent to use as a measuring stick too. we should win with the way we've been playing, but it's not a gimmee. they have a good defense.

 

[IrishLax]

So I went and looked it up and they have one ILB considered a midround pick (Malcolm Rodriguez). They also have an injured safety that's considered a mid-round pick. That's it.

ND isn't world beaters, but has multiple players on the defensive line considered NFL draft prospects + Hamilton if he plays.

 

[IrishLax]

Maybe not first rounders but their are NFL guys on all those teams. LBs like Malcolm Rodriguez are your classic MLB that maybe not doesn’t have a NFL future but their secondary with Harvey-Peel and DL with Oliver certainly has NFL guys. The biggest critique of Big 12 defenses if I had to make a sweeping comment would not be talent. It’d be the schemes are all similar and designed to stop Big 12 offenses.

Yeah like I said I don't know much about them. Only watched them twice -- against Oklahoma and against Baylor. Came away from both games thinking that they were physical but small and with some clear weak spots.

 

[Dale]

So I went and looked it up and they have one ILB considered a midround pick (Malcolm Rodriguez). They also have an injured safety that's considered a mid-round pick. That's it.

ND isn't world beaters, but has multiple players on the defensive line considered NFL draft prospects + Hamilton if he plays.

I don’t think anyone here would argue we have more defensive talent. But there is a middle ground between that and a conference that doesn’t play defense and toss out any stats. Oliver is a FR will certainly be drafted. Yes Sterling has missed most of the year and returned yesterday only to get hurt again so that’ll be interesting. Harvey-Peel and their CBs will get late round consideration, like their CB from last year did.

 

[pumpdog20]

Who on Oklahoma State is an NFL player? I don't know their team well enough, but my understanding is that they are good because of cohesion/experience not athleticism/talent. I can name at least 4 on Cincinnati that will get drafted -- think there is a gap there, but maybe not.

Not sure honestly but I don't follow them much. Though I'd probably take Rodriguez over any LB we have playing major mins. I just went over the stats to base my decision, and clearly they are bery good. Add the fact that they had 15 more sacks, and 19 more tackles for loss then us, we already know how bad Coan is against a rush.

This is going to be a very difficult game.

 

[Riddickulous]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/1467601557109624836[/TWEET]

Freeman out recruiting per Singer

 

[Irish du Nord]

Not sure honestly but I don't follow them much. Though I'd probably take Rodriguez over any LB we have playing major mins. I just went over the stats to base my decision, and clearly they are bery good. Add the fact that they had 15 more sacks, and 19 more tackles for loss then us, we already know how bad Coan is against a rush.

This is going to be a very difficult game.

Just by going off stats Iowa State had a fantastic team in 2019.

 

[Dale]

Just by going off stats Iowa State had a fantastic team in 2019.

Final SP+ had ISU in 2019 at Overall/Offense/Defense 24/42/25. Ok St is currently 15/67/5. We could go on about Ok St’s D but in the end if get to Sanders it should be near impossible to lose, like Baylor showed

 

[IrishLax]

Not sure honestly but I don't follow them much. Though I'd probably take Rodriguez over any LB we have playing major mins. I just went over the stats to base my decision, and clearly they are bery good. Add the fact that they had 15 more sacks, and 19 more tackles for loss then us, we already know how bad Coan is against a rush.

This is going to be a very difficult game.

I certainly think that it will be more difficult than Michigan State - who would've been a walkover opponent - but we'll see. I think if the game is close it will have more to do with ND's OL playing poorly and the offense reverting back into a pumpkin than anything else. There was nothing that I saw from them in the two games that I watched that made me think they can move the ball on Notre Dame, so it's hard for me to see a scenario where ND loses besides playing mistake filled football with tons of negative plays.

 

[DONTH8]

So does the team all get PS5's? If so, can I get FBK's?

 

[Dizzyphil]

Reading these posts, I don't see how anyone can really state how the Irish are going to do. With Freeman at the reigns, how much of the playbook is now Tommy's? Will Freeman make the decision to do a dual-QB system? Will Coan even play? Will TB even play? What is the Irish really going to look like when they hit the field? Too many questions and possibilities - hopefully for the best. Excited for the players and would love for Freeman's first win as an HC a NY6 Bowl game.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Reading these posts, I don't see how anyone can really state how the Irish are going to do. With Freeman at the reigns, how much of the playbook is now Tommy's? Will Freeman make the decision to do a dual-QB system? Will Coan even play? Will TB even play? What is the Irish really going to look like when they hit the field? Too many questions and possibilities - hopefully for the best. Excited for the players and would love for Freeman's first win as an HC a NY6 Bowl game.

All the uncertainty should play into ND’s favor…….Grundy and staff will not have as much to grab onto related to tendencies.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

These bowl games are so unpredictable, sometimes it comes down to who wants to be there. With all the upheaval, the Irish are going to be excited to hit the field again. You gotta think OSU are disappointed, knowing the had a shot at the playoffs if they’d only gotten another yard. I’m guessing we score into the 30s and win pretty easily.

 

[Wild Bill]

These bowl games are so unpredictable, sometimes it comes down to who wants to be there. With all the upheaval, the Irish are going to be excited to hit the field again. You gotta think OSU are disappointed, knowing the had a shot at the playoffs if they’d only gotten another yard. I’m guessing we score into the 30s and win pretty easily.

Still a big game for them and they'll be pumped up to beat ND.

 

[Rudy89]

It’s a more favorable matchup than in the past but we still have yet to play our best in the bcs/ny6….ever. I hope we can win I hope I can see a big bowl win one time in my life at least.

 

[ACamp1900]

It’s a more favorable matchup than in the past but we still have yet to play our best in the bcs/ny6….ever. I hope we can win I hope I can see a big bowl win one time in my life at least.

My thoughts

 

[dang227]

One thing I won't miss is how flat we have always come out in big games under Kelly. Hopefully Freeman can reverse that trend.


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[Free Manera]

One thing I won't miss is how flat we have always come out in big games under Kelly. Hopefully Freeman can reverse that trend.


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He’s off to a good start since he at least acknowledged ND has sucked in big bowl games and can now change that. I don’t think we have to worry about coming out flat.

Kelly would’ve been like “winning is hard, business as usual, let’s play a football game, traits!”

 

[ACamp1900]

Opened 2 point dogs apparently

 

[tko]

Opened 2 point dogs apparently

Love being dogs

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Love being dogs

Avatar checks out

 

[Irishize]

So I went and looked it up and they have one ILB considered a midround pick (Malcolm Rodriguez). They also have an injured safety that's considered a mid-round pick. That's it.

ND isn't world beaters, but has multiple players on the defensive line considered NFL draft prospects + Hamilton if he plays.

I believe their average age is 22 so w/ the COVID year, they are extremely experienced. A 22-yr old former 3-star makes up for not being an 18-yr old 5 star in this case. They’ve recorded 54 sacks which leads the nation so I suspect they’ll be licking their chops to get after Coan.

 

[IrishTusker]

Opened 2 point dogs apparently

I'm seeing ND -2.5

 

[irishtrooper]

The problem with the premise of Ok St being so good is their conference. Garbage in-Garbage out. Not saying the Big 12 is garbage, but it’s quite clear they’re much closer to PAC 12 than the Big 10 or SEC. The Big 12 was unimpressive this season and Ok St benefited from that fact. Just actually look at their schedule when all of the efficiency stats are noted. I get that they improved, but I think the fear of big/bad Ok St is silly. I think ND comes out fired up and controls the game. They won’t score much and even a Cplus offensive game gets a comfortable win.

 

[Irishize]

Okie St’s star RB was out yesterday. I assume he’ll be ready for the bowl, correct?

 

[irishtrooper]

I believe their average age is 22 so w/ the COVID year, they are extremely experienced. A 22-yr old former 3-star makes up for not being an 18-yr old 5 star in this case. They’ve recorded 54 sacks which leads the nation so I suspect they’ll be licking their chops to get after Coan.

Quick passing game and RPO action has helped and Coan has been better because of it. Couple that with Alt doing much better than Carmody/others at LT. it won’t be easy for Coan, but Rees will plan for the rush. I’m thinking we’ll see some TB to get the run game going if necessary too. I think BK’s rep for having a flat team is scarring everyone here….

 

[IrishLax]

Opened 2 point dogs apparently

Weird, I read something on Action Network earlier before it was announced that said we would be a 2 point favorite.