Aug 31 | Texas A&M

[IRISHDODGER]

The SEC is a meat grinder and a very physical league. I agree that even IF ND does not win Saturday they will make the playoffs barring injury to RL. The ND schedule, compared to an SEC schedule is very manageable. I wonder what ND fans think their record would be if they played Oklahoma's schedule: Tennessee, @Auburn, Texas, South Carolina, @Ole Miss, @Missouri, Bama, @LSU. Would ND make the CFP with that schedule?

Back to the game.....looks like the weather will work in favor of ND. Will be cooler with cloud cover. Humidity will be high though.

May the best team win

Agreed. But please know this year’s is not the typical ND schedule. They saw how major conference teams would pad their schedule w/ FCS schools & minimal travel so for the 1st time in history, they began scheduling G5 opponents under their previous AD (stepped down after last season) & even scheduled their first FCS opponent last season.

Another overlooked fact is travel. The B1G will find this out soon w/ the addition of the P12 teams. I don’t care how bad an opponent is on paper, you take folks from CST and fly them to PST & then back to EST in back-to-back weeks, all while expected to maintain classroom obligations & strength/conditioning & it takes a toll. OU’s schedule is a gauntlet but their travel is minimal & the weather is predictable. Now look at SC’s schedule:

#13 LSU
@#9 Michigan
Wisconsin
#8 PSU
@ UW
#7 ND

The only breaks they got was they don’t play Oregon or OSU & don’t have to travel to B1G country in November

Finally, I think both of our points are moot when you consider that none of us know who is truly worthy of their pre-season rankings. How many times do we as fans look back and realize a schedule was over/under rated? There’s always a suprise team & there’s always a bust or two. I live in SEC country where all my friends are SEC fans & that’s all they truly focus on in the big picture which is fine. The problem is when we get into debates & they get over their skis by using the tired trope of “ND is always overrated”. There’s definitely a case they were in the recent past (Bob Davie/Willingham/Weis years) but as non-ND fans are quick to remind ND fans…”got to quit living in the past”.

The current LSU HC changed all that. Go look at ND during the BK-era and they finished w/ a higher ranking than their pre-season ranking predicted more times than not. Did they get blasted in the CFP or big bowls? Yup, but remember they weren’t expected to be in those games pre-season & to get blasted by eventual NC like Alabama (twice) & Clemson is nothing to hang one’s head about as much as it stings.

Pre-season rankings are the biggest clickbait in CFB. It’s fun to discuss but as Herm Edwards said “you have to play the games”.

Welcome to the board & thanks for your insights!

 

[SDIrishFan]

I've gotta say, after watching that. I feel a lot better. I think he'll hold up really well in pass pro. It seems if he can get his hands on you, you're locked up.

At this point and at that weight, is he going to be a road grader? Unlikely. It's unfortunate that neither tackles are likely to be that.

He seems to have great feet, great hands and a nasty mindset, all great things in an OL.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Thanks for that, it has me feeling better about Knapp.

Suddenly I'm worried about Oben and Traore though...

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

As I said previously, if ND cant beat the 6th best team in the SEC, it doesnt belong anywhere near the playoffs.

WRONG. Nothing comes down to 1 game. If ND loses because the OL can't protect enough and shows incredible growth over the year, they belong. Every other unit should be playoff caliber.

i would agree completely with that, but something tells me if you lost to A&M and then ran the table with even weaker teams, 99.44% of N.D. fans woukd feel otherwise.

We will 100% be in at 11-1 every single year. It doesn't matter if we catch a break with the schedule. I bet we make it most of the time at 10-2. It'll ultimately depend on what the rest of the field looks like after the 13th data point.

The SEC is a meat grinder and a very physical league. I agree that even IF ND does not win Saturday they will make the playoffs barring injury to RL. The ND schedule, compared to an SEC schedule is very manageable. I wonder what ND fans think their record would be if they played Oklahoma's schedule: Tennessee, @Auburn, Texas, South Carolina, @Ole Miss, @Missouri, Bama, @LSU. Would ND make the CFP with that schedule?

Back to the game.....looks like the weather will work in favor of ND. Will be cooler with cloud cover. Humidity will be high though.

May the best team win

WhoGAF? How do you think A&M would do if they had ND's academic standards? Such a terrible question, right? We don't play in the SEC and you don't travel all over the country to play our schedule nor do you have the requirements of ND. Nothing is even or fair. How do you think TAMU would do against Oklahoma's schedule? How about USCs?

This is a particularly light year for ND. We know that and no one has said otherwise. The insinuation is cute, that the SEC is just so much more brutal. Many years, I would've pit ND's schedule against TAMUs, same with the B10. This year is particularly light because we've cycled away from Clemson, the Ohio State matchup ended last year and Michigan isn't on the schedule. Couple that with FSU failing in the opener and Stanford receding a ton over the past 4 years. We should still play 3-4 ranked teams, depending on how TAMU, FSU, GT, Louisville and USC perform this year.

Sadly, USC will probably be beaten up by the time we play them. The rest is TBD.

The SEC and B10 have become that much harder since expansion, no doubt. Enjoy your conference!

 

[NDWarrior]

 

[Bowhunter08]

Agreed. But please know this year’s is not the typical ND schedule. They saw how major conference teams would pad their schedule w/ FCS schools & minimal travel so for the 1st time in history, they began scheduling G5 opponents under their previous AD (stepped down after last season) & even scheduled their first FCS opponent last season.

Another overlooked fact is travel. The B1G will find this out soon w/ the addition of the P12 teams. I don’t care how bad an opponent is on paper, you take folks from CST and fly them to PST & then back to EST in back-to-back weeks, all while expected to maintain classroom obligations & strength/conditioning & it takes a toll. OU’s schedule is a gauntlet but their travel is minimal & the weather is predictable. Now look at SC’s schedule:

#13 LSU
@#9 Michigan
Wisconsin
#8 PSU
@ UW
#7 ND

The only breaks they got was they don’t play Oregon or OSU & don’t have to travel to B1G country in November

Finally, I think both of our points are moot when you consider that none of us know who is truly worthy of their pre-season rankings. How many times do we as fans look back and realize a schedule was over/under rated? There’s always a suprise team & there’s always a bust or two. I live in SEC country where all my friends are SEC fans & that’s all they truly focus on in the big picture which is fine. The problem is when we get into debates & they get over their skis by using the tired trope of “ND is always overrated”. There’s definitely a case they were in the recent past (Bob Davie/Willingham/Weis years) but as non-ND fans are quick to remind ND fans…”got to quit living in the past”.

The current LSU HC changed all that. Go look at ND during the BK-era and they finished w/ a higher ranking than their pre-season ranking predicted more times than not. Did they get blasted in the CFP or big bowls? Yup, but remember they weren’t expected to be in those games pre-season & to get blasted by eventual NC like Alabama (twice) & Clemson is nothing to hang one’s head about as much as it stings.

Pre-season rankings are the biggest clickbait in CFB. It’s fun to discuss but as Herm Edwards said “you have to play the games”.

Welcome to the board & thanks for your insights!

All great points. And I do think travel in the new B1G will affect outcomes and SC's travel is particularly brutal. But would I rather travel across country to play Stanford or travel 1 hr flight to play Georgia or Bama or LSU? The answer is simple....give me the travel.

I still believe that regardless of the outcome on Saturday, ND runs the table barring key injuries. Enjoy your season.

 

[Bowhunter08]

WRONG. Nothing comes down to 1 game. If ND loses because the OL can't protect enough and shows incredible growth over the year, they belong. Every other unit should be playoff caliber.

We will 100% be in at 11-1 every single year. It doesn't matter if we catch a break with the schedule. I bet we make it most of the time at 10-2. It'll ultimately depend on what the rest of the field looks like after the 13th data point.

WhoGAF? How do you think A&M would do if they had ND's academic standards? Such a terrible question, right? We don't play in the SEC and you don't travel all over the country to play our schedule nor do you have the requirements of ND. Nothing is even or fair. How do you think TAMU would do against Oklahoma's schedule? How about USCs?

This is a particularly light year for ND. We know that and no one has said otherwise. The insinuation is cute, that the SEC is just so much more brutal. Many years, I would've pit ND's schedule against TAMUs, same with the B10. This year is particularly light because we've cycled away from Clemson, the Ohio State matchup ended last year and Michigan isn't on the schedule. Couple that with FSU failing in the opener and Stanford receding a ton over the past 4 years. We should still play 3-4 ranked teams, depending on how TAMU, FSU, GT, Louisville and USC perform this year.

Sadly, USC will probably be beaten up by the time we play them. The rest is TBD.

The SEC and B10 have become that much harder since expansion, no doubt. Enjoy your conference!

OMG, its your board so I will try and be respectful. Are we talking football or academics?

I have repeatedly complemented ND football past and present. I also believe that ND will go the the CFP THIS year because of coaching, talent, returning experience AND the schedule. To say the easy '24 schedule is not part of making the playoff it is not being objective. My only point is playing an SEC schedule, like Oklahoma's, would reduce the probability of making the playoff. Sorry if I offended you.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I’m always over confident until kickoff. Then I get the nervous shits.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

OMG, its your board so I will try and be respectful. Are we talking football or academics?

I have repeatedly complemented ND football past and present. I also believe that ND will go the the CFP THIS year because of coaching, talent, returning experience AND the schedule. To say the easy '24 schedule is not part of making the playoff it is not being objective. My only point is playing an SEC schedule, like Oklahoma's, would reduce the probability of making the playoff. Sorry if I offended you.

No offense. It was a bold 2nd post. Don't try to be respectful. Either be it or don't. You're not saving me from anything, only preserving your time here or lighting it on fire. In the same way I was downplaying the schedule question, you're downplaying the other components that can grind a team down over the course of a season.

I believe we're talking about how a team would perform in another team's shoes. There are a lot of factors involved in that question. It's silly to discuss because we can't ever know, we're throwing darts in the off-season.

The schedule is a part of making the playoff 100%, same with Michigan last year. Same with some SEC teams in year's past. This year is light. How do you think TAMU would do against Oklahoma's schedule? How about USC?

What is your prediction for TAMUs record at regular season's end?

Too early to tell for me. Let's see how the season unfolds and we can go back and compare notes.

 

[IA4irish]

I've gotta say, after watching that. I feel a lot better. I think he'll hold up really well in pass pro. It seems if he can get his hands on you, you're locked up.

At this point and at that weight, is he going to be a road grader? Unlikely. It's unfortunate that neither tackles are likely to be that.

He seems to have great feet, great hands and a nasty mindset, all great things in an OL.

The video you posted is why Mike Frank and others have been so high on Knapp. Dude balled out in the Blue Gold game. Compare that to Jagusah who was just kind of "meh" during the game.

Obviously, not ideal to have our left side of the line situation. I feel way better about Knapp and Pendelton than Baker and Coogan. Baker has never given good push. Coogan was not good for a lot of last year. Spindler can't pass protect.

There will be rough spots for the line on Saturday. It's on Denbrock to scheme around that to help them out

 

[a mike]

WRONG. Nothing comes down to 1 game. If ND loses because the OL can't protect enough and shows incredible growth over the year, they belong. Every other unit should be playoff caliber.

We will 100% be in at 11-1 every single year. It doesn't matter if we catch a break with the schedule. I bet we make it most of the time at 10-2. It'll ultimately depend on what the rest of the field looks like after the 13th data point.

WhoGAF? How do you think A&M would do if they had ND's academic standards? Such a terrible question, right? We don't play in the SEC and you don't travel all over the country to play our schedule nor do you have the requirements of ND. Nothing is even or fair. How do you think TAMU would do against Oklahoma's schedule? How about USCs?

This is a particularly light year for ND. We know that and no one has said otherwise. The insinuation is cute, that the SEC is just so much more brutal. Many years, I would've pit ND's schedule against TAMUs, same with the B10. This year is particularly light because we've cycled away from Clemson, the Ohio State matchup ended last year and Michigan isn't on the schedule. Couple that with FSU failing in the opener and Stanford receding a ton over the past 4 years. We should still play 3-4 ranked teams, depending on how TAMU, FSU, GT, Louisville and USC perform this year.

Sadly, USC will probably be beaten up by the time we play them. The rest is TBD.

The SEC and B10 have become that much harder since expansion, no doubt. Enjoy your conference!

Work smarter, not harder--Grandpappy

It's in ND's best interest to have this new post-modernism schedule whereby we don't have to slam ourselves against Michigan, MSU, Purdue, and whichever season opener tilt we used to engage in.

The 2000s schedules were particularly program-suicide as at certain points ND would go something like #1 Nebraska, top 10 Michigan, top25ish MSU and Purdue. Then would sprinkle in some type of southern-power opponent like a TA&M, Tenn, LSU, FSU, etc in mid-season--and also the traditional matchup with USC. Say what you will about the much maligned Daviehameis Era--but no singular coach deserves that type of treatment from their administration. Basically set up to fail.

ND/Kelly's "rebirth" can just as easily be correlated to the easement of the scheduling when the absence of the dual Mich/MSU began to occur, an assortment of mid ACC opponents were added, and a weak USC and Stanford as compared to the early to mid 2010s than any type of hard statistic such as an uptick in recruiting class rankings or draft picks.

ND would be wise to continue operating under this current structure for as long as possible because it's extremely advantageous for them.

The 2021 outfit was basically horrendous but were almost able to coast a backdoor entrance into the playoffs because the schedule was so weak. Were Cincinnati to just have been a typical GO5 opponent that year--would have most likely ran the table.

2018? No quality opponents except for Michigan with a few strategic papertigers like neutral site Syracuse and @VaTech mixed in.

2022 and 2023? Could have easily ran the table outside of the OSU games those years absent the well-publicized offseason mismanagement of the QB and OC situations. None of the other opponents those years were particularly remarkable.

Michigan has basically only played one good opponent and a mid-PSU for the past three years during their playoff apparence run.

11-1 ND will probably always get in no matter their schedule. 10-2 would be shaky as the program typically likes to make most all of their games some type of unnecessarily close game--although Freeman did make some strides on that front in 2023.

Other programs can brag about the difficulty of their schedules on message boards. I always prefer the path of least resistance.

 

[NDBoiler]

Work smarter, not harder--Grandpappy

It's in ND's best interest to have this new post-modernism schedule whereby we don't have to slam ourselves against Michigan, MSU, Purdue, and whichever season opener tilt we used to engage in.

The 2000s schedules were particularly program-suicide as at certain points ND would go something like #1 Nebraska, top 10 Michigan, top25ish MSU and Purdue. Then would sprinkle in some type of southern-power opponent like a TA&M, Tenn, LSU, FSU, etc in mid-season--and also the traditional matchup with USC. Say what you will about the much maligned Daviehameis Era--but no singular coach deserves that type of treatment from their administration. Basically set up to fail.

ND/Kelly's "rebirth" can just as easily be correlated to the easement of the scheduling when the absence of the dual Mich/MSU began to occur, an assortment of mid ACC opponents were added, and a weak USC and Stanford as compared to the early to mid 2010s than any type of hard statistic such as an uptick in recruiting class rankings or draft picks.

ND would be wise to continue operating under this current structure for as long as possible because it's extremely advantageous for them.

The 2021 outfit was basically horrendous but were almost able to coast a backdoor entrance into the playoffs because the schedule was so weak. Were Cincinnati to just have been a typical GO5 opponent that year--would have most likely ran the table.

2018? No quality opponents except for Michigan with a few strategic papertigers like neutral site Syracuse and @VaTech mixed in.

2022 and 2023? Could have easily ran the table outside of the OSU games those years absent the well-publicized offseason mismanagement of the QB and OC situations. None of the other opponents those years were particularly remarkable.

Michigan has basically only played one good opponent and a mid-PSU for the past three years during their playoff apparence run.

11-1 ND will probably always get in no matter their schedule. 10-2 would be shaky as the program typically likes to make most all of their games some type of unnecessarily close game--although Freeman did make some strides on that front in 2023.

Other programs can brag about the difficulty of their schedules on message boards. I always prefer the path of least resistance.

 

[arndtjc]

His hands are VIOLENT. That initial jab looks like it almost stuns these DL in this video

 

[dublinirish]

 

[IrishLion]

I've gotta say, after watching that. I feel a lot better. I think he'll hold up really well in pass pro. It seems if he can get his hands on you, you're locked up.

At this point and at that weight, is he going to be a road grader? Unlikely. It's unfortunate that neither tackles are likely to be that.

He seems to have great feet, great hands and a nasty mindset, all great things in an OL.

Honestly, if Leonard stays healthy, you don't need either tackle to be a road-grader.

If Denbrock builds the run offense around Leonard being a threat to keep it at any time, you're less reliant on the OL mauling guys edge-to-edge, and more reliant on your tackles being athletes and either letting the ends go where they want (out of the way), or climbing to the second level because the end is getting hit by a puller, or being left free to present the read for Leonard.

 

[dublinirish]

 

[Hautian Domer]

I’m always over confident until kickoff. Then I get the nervous shits.

I was, until recently. I'm talking myself off that mountain and am tapering expectations. This is a game Notre Dame should win. A&M isn't an Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, etc. But, games are largely about match ups, and I just don't like some of ours, particularly the offensive line vs. their defensive line. I'm also bearish on our wide receivers until I see it proven otherwise. Leonard and Cross also need to be firing on all cylinders. That's also not taking into account the difficulties of the road environment.

 

[Irish#1]

I read the same thing……youngest/least experienced starting OL since the 1988 team. One of the starting tackles (can’t remember who it was) was a converted TE.

Andy Heck. Turned out to be a very good tackle.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Andy Heck. Turned out to be a very good tackle.

I was thinking Andy Heck but I wasn’t sure……..thanks for the info!

 

[Wild Bill]

I think the outcome of this game hinges on how well the offense, defense, and special teams play off each other, and especially on how Denbrock calls the game. Gotta score 7s, but there will be key moments when it'll be crucial to keep the defense off the field for a bit longer or to put our specials teams in a position to pin AnM deep or kick a field goal.

Denbrock doesn’t need to be overly conservative, but he has to be smart about when he takes his shots. The defense might need to blitz more to force a turnover, or maybe they’ll have to bend without breaking. Who the hell knows - but I do believe the key to winning is that the coordinators have to be in tune with the broader context of the game and keep all three phases working in sync.

 

[ND7983]

Something I find interesting….

All the media “hacks” who don’t do anything but focus on headlines are picking A&M.

The actual “football guys” are all picking ND.
Joel Klatt, Greg McElroy, JD Pickell, etc… talk about reviewing the film, & they bring up obvious things the hacks don’t, like the fact that everyone talks about ND’s OL vs A&M’s DL, but in reality A&M won’t be able to move the ball on ND’s entire defense. Say A&M’s OL is in trouble too, & ND’s overall defense is elite. And ND will be able to at least move the ball with a mobile QB & weapons on the outside & TE/RB.

So the dudes who actually analyze film all like ND. The talking heads like A&M.
I’ll take the football guys.

 

[benneboy]

Something I find interesting….

All the media “hacks” who don’t do anything but focus on headlines are picking A&M.

The actual “football guys” are all picking ND.
Joel Klatt, Greg McElroy, JD Pickell, etc… talk about reviewing the film, & they bring up obvious things the hacks don’t, like the fact that everyone talks about ND’s OL vs A&M’s DL, but in reality A&M won’t be able to move the ball on ND’s entire defense. Say A&M’s OL is in trouble too, & ND’s overall defense is elite. And ND will be able to at least move the ball with a mobile QB & weapons on the outside & TE/RB.

So the dudes who actually analyze film all like ND. The talking heads like A&M.
I’ll take the football guys.

I agree with all this, but the biggest fear is the spread. The betting sharps seem to favor A&M and their job is to be right. Greg McElroy's job is largely to be entertaining moreso than accurate.

If I took a blind stab at this spread I would've said ND -4 or -5. I'm usually pretty close on those and the fact that I'm so far off has me pretty nervous for this game.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I agree with all this, but the biggest fear is the spread. The betting sharps seem to favor A&M and their job is to be right. Greg McElroy's job is largely to be entertaining moreso than accurate.

If I took a blind stab at this spread I would've said ND -4 or -5. I'm usually pretty close on those and the fact that I'm so far off has me pretty nervous for this game.

season opener, on the road, hostile environment, so many unknowns with both teams especially A&M

Penn state is only an 8 point favorite at WVU and it's a noon game. PSU should win by 20. First week lines are really difficult

 

[ND7983]

I agree with all this, but the biggest fear is the spread. The betting sharps seem to favor A&M and their job is to be right. Greg McElroy's job is largely to be entertaining moreso than accurate.

If I took a blind stab at this spread I would've said ND -4 or -5. I'm usually pretty close on those and the fact that I'm so far off has me pretty nervous for this game.

The spread was doing exactly what I thought it would do before the Jagusah injury.
It started high, +2.5
Then it dropped to +1.5, then +1, then down to +.5
It would have finished ND -1 by kickoff.
The Jagusah injury shot it back up to +2.5 to +3.
I love Jagusah, but that was a crazy overreaction.
I originally had ND 24-13.
Even if I go WAYYYY conservative, I would change it by 7, subtract 4 from ND, add 3 to A&M. So 20-16 ND still wins. So I would have it ND -3.5
Even if Jagusah was playing, they wouldn’t leave him on an island to block Scourton.
Either way, they are chipping him with a TE, RB, RPO, etc…

 

[NDBoiler]

I was thinking Andy Heck but I wasn’t sure……..thanks for the info!

I rewatch the 1988 highlight video every year before the season starts. I watched it the other day for this season, and I noticed Holtz said they had 5 new OL starters AND an all new starting DL on that team. Absolutely incredible that they were able to do what they did, but it also shows that with the right coaching and approach, what this years team has is not unrealistic to expect big success. The parallels between this team and 88 are quite striking as well, with the mixture of seniors and youth at key positions.

I think you also need a little luck regardless of talent. The 1988 team probably should have lost the opener to Michigan, but those dorks missed a last second 41 yard field goal, so ND won by 2. They also were fortunate to beat Miami, with Jimmy Johnson’s infamous failed 2pt conversion (and questionable fumble call against Miami at the goal line earlier in the game) giving ND a 1 point victory. That team could’ve very easily been 10-2.

 

[calvegas04]

My only point is playing an SEC schedule, like Oklahoma's, would reduce the probability of making the playoff. Sorry if I offended you.

Why is Oklahoma's schedule so much harder than A&M's?

 

[Rockin’Irish]

I rewatch the 1988 highlight video every year before the season starts. I watched it the other day for this season, and I noticed Holtz said they had 5 new OL starters AND an all new starting DL on that team. Absolutely incredible that they were able to do what they did, but it also shows that with the right coaching and approach, what this years team has is not unrealistic to expect big success. The parallels between this team and 88 are quite striking as well, with the mixture of seniors and youth at key positions.

I think you also need a little luck regardless of talent. The 1988 team probably should have lost the opener to Michigan, but those dorks missed a last second 41 yard field goal, so ND won by 2. They also were fortunate to beat Miami, with Jimmy Johnson’s infamous failed 2pt conversion (and questionable fumble call against Miami at the goal line earlier in the game) giving ND a 1 point victory. That team could’ve very easily been 10-2.

No doubt……and you always need a little luck along the way. Sometimes the difference between victory and defeat is minuscule.

 

[SoIll]

Take it for what its worth, but was just told by someone who would know

"If we have problems upfront, Knapp won't be one of them"

He drops in time to time and tells me a little info. Nothing wild, but I usually don't ask "why?" or "what?" I just take what he says

 

[ND7983]

Don't shoot the messenger, but was just told by someone who would know

"If we have problems upfront, Knapp won't be one of them"

He drops in time to time and tells me a little info. Nothing wild, but I usually don't ask "why?" or "what?" I just take what he says

I think that’s a very positive quote, the way I took it.
He’s not saying ND will have problems, he’s saying “if” ND does, it won’t be because of Knapp.
So basically saying Knapp is better than what people think.
A “don’t shoot the messenger” quote would be a negative one like, “ND is going to have problems up front, but it won’t be Knapp.” Suggesting someone else stinks.

 

[SoIll]

I think that’s a very positive quote, the way I took it.
He’s not saying ND will have problems, he’s saying “if” ND does, it won’t be because of Knapp.
So basically saying Knapp is better than what people think.
A “don’t shoot the messenger” quote would be a negative one like, “ND is going to have problems up front, but it won’t be Knapp.” Suggesting someone else stinks.

you're right. Changed my wording