what to watch for in week 5

[nd1]

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What to watch for Notre Dame: Week 5
September, 30, 2010 Sep 3010:15AM ETEmail Print Comments By Brian BennettWhat to watch from Notre Dame in Saturday night's game at Boston College:

1. Can the Irish run the ball?: Notre Dame is by no means a great running team, but it has looked competent at times this season with Armando Allen. Boston College owns the nation's sixth-best rushing defense, allowing just 71 yards per game, and has stuffed the Irish backs over the years. There was a depth chart change this week, with Robert Hughes moving ahead of Cierre Wood as Allen's backup. Hughes is the biggest back Notre Dame has and may offer some a physical style. But the Irish offense could become one dimensional if they can't move it on the ground.

2. Is stopping the run enough?: The Eagles' Montel Harris is the leading rusher in the ACC, and the Irish are sure to see healthy helpings of handoffs to him. But Boston College is making a quarterback change, and all indications are that true freshman Chase Rettig will get the call. Notre Dame went back and studied some high school film of Rettig this week just in case. Unless Rettig is a natural, this should be an advantage for the visiting team. Look for defensive coordinator Bob Diaco to stuff the box and make Rettig prove he can beat the Irish.

3. Charting Crist: It seems like every week we're talking about the development of Dayne Crist, but that's because the quarterback is so important to this offense. Last week, Stanford often dropped eight men into pass coverage, and Crist and the offense did not respond well. He also got knocked around quite a bit. Boston College could try similar tactics, though that's not really their style. Either way, Crist has to make better decisions, and if the defense is going to drop that many in coverage, he may have to run the ball more himself, too.

 

[Riddickulous]

If we can get going on offense, this game will be an easy win, IMO. Our secondary is actually pretty good and will give Rettig fits.

 

[phork]

My theory is that if we can score more points than BC, then we will win this game. Count on it.

 

[KPENN]

My theory is that if we can score more points than BC, then we will win this game. Count on it.

Whoa crazy concept....

 

[nd1]

My theory is that if we can score more points than BC, then we will win this game. Count on it.

u really thought hard on that phork

 

[GEORGIA DOMER]

How much wood could a woodphork phork if a woodphork could phork wood?

 

[The Polish Irishman]

My theory is that if we can score more points than BC, then we will win this game. Count on it.

His most brillant post yet. It actually makes sense.

 

[Irish Man3]

I look to see how Hughes reacts to his new found life behind Crist. Will he step up as a senior and provide a spark to the run game?
I look for our offensive line to make strides and understand blitz packages a little better.
Last thing I look for is how Carlo Calabrese continues to play? With Teo stepping up and being the Teo we thought we would, will Carlo step his game up and not just be the "other inside linebacker?"

 

[jonesman]

Here are a few things I look for this week.

OFFENSE:

Will the Offensive line play like men or boys?? This is huge. I am looking for them to impose their will on a couple short yardage runs. If they can do this, I give BC no hope.

What will we see in Robert Hughes?? I expect to see a caged animal unleashed!!! This guy realizes that he is a senior and this will be his last chance to prove he belongs on the field the rest of 2010. I am willing to bet my entire paycheck that this guy gonna run some people over. He will get up from one of these runs look over at Kelly with that, "give me the damn ball!!!!" looks.

DEFENSE:

Will Diaco learn from last week that his CB's are capable of playing press coverage?? Last week, we saw our guys up in the face of some WR's. They handled this pretty well, even with an all-american QB and veteran WR corp. If I am Diaco, I am pressing every pass play and challenging a true freshman to make tight throws. Advantage ND!!!

Can BC run the ball effectively?? NO. I have seen our run game improve each week. I am plenty comfortable with stacking 7-8 in the box and going man in coverage. Montel is going to struggle.

Final prediction: ND 24 BC 14. We are going to get a comfortable victory

 

[lookingdeadred]

Calabrese's role

Calabrese's role

With Te'o as a sideline to sideline hitting machine, it is important that Calabrese be a good stay at home ILB. ND does not need him to be another Te'o, but he needs to be reliable. He needs to anchor the middle and be a good tackler.

I look to see how Hughes reacts to his new found life behind Crist. Will he step up as a senior and provide a spark to the run game?
I look for our offensive line to make strides and understand blitz packages a little better.
Last thing I look for is how Carlo Calabrese continues to play? With Teo stepping up and being the Teo we thought we would, will Carlo step his game up and not just be the "other inside linebacker?"

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

This is most definently Rober Hughes' chance at showing what he can do this weekend. I really think he is going to shine and run tough. I hope for all of our sakes he has a good game like I know he is capable of having.

 

[phork]

That lump in my cheek was my tongue.

 

[irishfan]

Looking for a Purdue 2009 game out of Hughes. Just run angry and pissed off and he'll put up 75+ and a TD.

 

[Senoj13]

I have not watched anything on BC, but I think this game is about ND. If the offense can get in sync, then its a victory. If the offense struggles, then its a nail biter. But I think this is the start of a streak. ND 34 BC 17

 

[TDHeysus]

With Te'o as a sideline to sideline hitting machine, it is important that Calabrese be a good stay at home ILB. ND does not need him to be another Te'o, but he needs to be reliable. He needs to anchor the middle and be a good tackler.

Calabrese is defintely one thing about this years team that has me excited. Calabrese is like that little dog that first starts to hang out with the big dogs. He has that pep in his step, chest a little puffed out, making eye contact with all the other dogs making sure they all know that he's hanging out with the big dogs now.

Similar to Te'o last year, I see Calabrese diagnosing a play and then making his move. That process will get quicker (as it did, and continues to do with Te'o) and he will begin to make more and more plays. Look at Te'o this year, he is all over the field either making the tackle, or forcing the play into a tackle. He did that last year, but its more frequent this year. That process of diagnosing the play/making your move is dramatically faster with Te'o this year. Once Calabrese gets that in order, ND should have some really good tacklers in middle.