Sep 2 | Tennessee State

[Rockin’Irish]

Every time we talk about how soon we will get the back ups in, something goes wrong.
Marshall
Toledo
Ball St

I had the same exact thought……let’s hope it’s different this time, I’m optimistic it will be.

 

[Fbolt]

 

[Huntr]

Burmeister is doing PBP this weekend.

Wish he and Harris and gotten the tv gig instead of Jac and Jason.

 

[greyhammer90]

I said it earlier but I really enjoyed this. His talk about how they're already competing with Tennessee State and his focus on offensive communication on the sidelines were really insightful.

I keep thinking on how the story about Freeman at Cincinnati was that his first year as DC was unimpressive, but he worked his ass off and acted like a sponge and saw great improvement. My hope is that he's going to show as much improvement this year as HC, and the detail of his approach gives me a lot of confidence.

 

[Classic Irish]

Marcus Freeman was nine years old.

Damn. I attended the ‘95 game in Columbus. 🦕

 

[BilboBaggins]

Every time we talk about how soon we will get the back ups in, something goes wrong.
Marshall
Toledo
Ball St

Toledo worried me a bit. They're always a giant killer.

Tennessee State is an above average FCS team. If ND loses they should bulldoze the campus into the lakes and salt the grounds.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Every time we talk about how soon we will get the back ups in, something goes wrong.
Marshall
Toledo
Ball St

I mean, prior to Toledo, ND struggled and needed OT to edge out a terrible Florida State squad.

Prior to Marshall, ND's offense was non-existent in Columbus.

Ball State just proved that Brandon Wimbush wasn't the guy.

Bare minimum, ND has the QB in Hartman who can carry a team through a slog performance.

Not to mention, Tennessee State isn't a MAC squad, they're a middling FCS team. ND should be able to sleepwalk into this game and still be up by 30 at the half.

 

[irish4ever]

I mean, prior to Toledo, ND struggled and needed OT to edge out a terrible Florida State squad.

Prior to Marshall, ND's offense was non-existent in Columbus.

Ball State just proved that Brandon Wimbush wasn't the guy.

Bare minimum, ND has the QB in Hartman who can carry a team through a slog performance.

Not to mention, Tennessee State isn't a MAC squad, they're a middling FCS team. ND should be able to sleepwalk into this game and still be up by 30 at the half.

That expectation of “able to sleepwalk into the game” scares me! As a fan, we’ve had that thought before and it ends into a nail-biting win or a totally unexpected loss. Yikes!

 

[NDFAN2008]

I'm assuming a lot of the freshman will play in this game I wonder even guys who would normally play that were Freshman might have been held out against Navy because of lack of experience against the option.

 

[MacIrish75]

I’m gonna be honest, it’s Labor Day Saturday and we’ll be at the lake. Gonna hope we just do what we’re supposed to do and I can watch the replay on Peacock. If I sacrificed my day to watch, we’d inevitably end up in some 19-13 barroom brawl. Angry drinking based on ESPN updates isn’t as bad as watching it live if things go south.

 

[Irish#1]

Not to mention, Tennessee State isn't a MAC squad, they're a middling FCS team. ND should be able to sleepwalk into this game and still be up by 30 at the half.

If Lou were coach, he'd make them sound like they are capable of winning the Super Bowl.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

This is an FCS program. Not the MAC. The talent gap is even more significant.

They can say what they'd like, but when they do their walk through, their jaws are going to drop.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Toledo worried me a bit. They're always a giant killer.

Tennessee State is an above average FCS team. If ND loses they should bulldoze the campus into the lakes and salt the grounds.

IIRC Toledo was also returning something crazy like 80-90% of their starting production from the year prior; it was a veteran, poised group that wasn't too excited for the moment in ND Stadium and they sure played like it.

If that QB takes a knee with 1:00 to go in the fourth instead of blowing his load and running over the goal line, ND likely loses that game.

But Jack Coan, Kevin Austin and Michael Mayer had other ideas in the end.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I've heard multiple people compare this game to Vandy 2018.

As someone who lives in Knoxville - hearing the media compare an FCS school to an SEC school is hilarious.

 

[arrowryan]

I've heard multiple people compare this game to Vandy 2018.

As someone who lives in Knoxville - hearing the media compare an FCS school to an SEC school is hilarious.

The difference in ability, between Hartman and Wimbush, is about a million miles wide.

 

[Reaper97]

This is TSU’s opener.
At ND.
With a below average OL even for FCS standards.

I know the fans won’t care & it will be like a picnic…but if the crowd makes any noise & ND shows any pressure, TSU will false start, delay of games, etc…

That’s how you blow a team out early & get your backups in, you get four or five 3 & outs and it’s 31-0 before you know it.

TSU is not good & they are dealing with opening game problems. And nerves. And amazement of ND stadium.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I've heard multiple people compare this game to Vandy 2018.

As someone who lives in Knoxville - hearing the media compare an FCS school to an SEC school is hilarious.

It's utterly ridiculous. They haven't won a conference championship since 1999 and haven't been to the FCS Playoffs since 2013.

Nobody here or anywhere else should consider this some kind of Marshall or Vanderbilt kind of trap game.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

2015 they put up 62 on UMass.

Even with the running clock this year, I think they can get there on Saturday. Even if they're just running the ball off tackle with the twos and threes come the fourth quarter.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

2015 they put up 62 on UMass.

Even with the running clock this year, I think they can get there on Saturday. Even if they're just running the ball off tackle with the twos and threes come the fourth quarter.

Idk how TSU stops this offense. We proved against Navy if you stack the box, Hartman is going to pick you apart. With their undersized line, if they don't stack the box, we are going to be opening up massive holes for our five RBs who are all going to be fresh as can be through four quarters given the deep rotation.

They won't be able to stop us.

 

[PutuporShutup]

The difference in ability, between Hartman and Wimbush, is about a million miles wide.

Agree...... accuracy, mental ability reading defenses, protections, and running ability. Wimbush only has one major advantage and way behind in the rest.

 

[SDIrishFan]

Does TSU have any sort of depth chart that anyone can find? I found their roster but no depth chart.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Does TSU have any sort of depth chart that anyone can find? I found their roster but no depth chart.

 

[Irish#1]

TSU lost this game the minute they were scheduled. If the Irish get the ball first, they will score on the third play. Mark that down.

 

[IrishBoognish]

they have a 400lb nose tackle.

 

[MKEagle]

View attachment 3054244

Surely the NT is built of solid muscle....

 

[SDIrishFan]

View attachment 3054244

So pretty much what you'd expect. Probably have some decent athletes but everyone is going to be 2-5 inches shorter and 10-30 lbs lighter across the board. (except NT, ha).

 

[Reaper97]

they have a 400lb nose tackle with diabetes.

FIFY

 

[Old Man Mike]

Well, the 400 pound NT is real. He's 6'3" and has started all games the past three seasons. He averages 1 tackle per game, and did have a blocked kick. The lines in general seem shortish (mostly 6'0" to 6'2" even on the OLine) but there are taller guys. The TEs are tall. The QB room has numbers and experience. Two of the QBs (returning quality starter and sit-out transfer of previous year) look legit. They are probably a decent football team.

 

[mango4]

Toledo worried me a bit. They're always a giant killer.

Tennessee State is an above average FCS team. If ND loses they should bulldoze the campus into the lakes and salt the grounds.

They aren't even above average, they were picked to finish fifth in a pretty bad conference. Tennessee State would get absolutely waxed by about anyone in the top 25 of FCS. It will be a blood bath.

 

[SDIrishFan]

Well, the 400 pound NT is real. He's 6'3" and has started all games the past three seasons. He averages 1 tackle per game, and did have a blocked kick. The lines in general seem shortish (mostly 6'0" to 6'2" even on the OLine) but there are taller guys. The TEs are tall. The QB room has numbers and experience. Two of the QBs (returning quality starter and sit-out transfer of previous year) look legit. They are probably a decent football team.

Probably, as far as FCS schools goal. But if ND has any hopes of a playoff run or competing with the big 3 this year, this shouldn't be anymore than a layup.