How do we match up against UM?

[tommyIRISH23]

Defense-

My only worry on the defensive side of the ball is mobile QB's + our edges. Remember what the few mobile QB's we faced did to our edges by rolling out and throwing the 7 yard out/crossing pattern to receivers? It was an automatic 3rd down conversion.

But, our defense has grown, and gotten a TON better since those days. Shembo's athleticism is going to be needed.

We are solid against the run, and any pass over 15+ yards. With that being said, that where I see UM attacking and centering it's game plan. Jacory throws a ton of bad balls when he tries to go deeper then 15 yards. UM will try to roll him out, and win methodically. Stop that agenda, and ND wins. ND needs to get a couple turnovers and get some points off them, undisciplined teams unravel when hit with adversity. UM will spiral out of control.

Offensively-

I don't really know what to think. UM will most likely try to mirror USC's second half defense, and line up in a zone/man zone to try and confuse Tommy Rees by hiding in his throwing lanes. I expect BK knows this, and has a plan being put into place. UM gave up a fair amount of points this year, so they are beatable, but very athletic drawing comparisons to SC's defense. The keys are obviously to run the ball effectively with Cierre Wood and Robert Hughes. Again, have Tommy manage the game, not have him win the game. Also, keep the turnovers below 2, ND wont survive 4 turnovers again. I like ND's chances if they can keep the game tight into the 4th quarter. Undisciplined teams unravel in stressful situations like having to win a game in the 4th quarter.

Team-

Watchout for helmets used as medieval weapons. And keep your left hand up to protect your blind side from the right cross.

ND- 30 (ND holding it together in the fourth quarter to get a late TD to go up 14)
UM-16 (Falling apart midway in the third with penalties, and turnovers)

 

[mick2]

this will probably be the best defense we've played all season.

lots of talent and speed, but they seem to try and live on their athleticism, and sometimes that doesn't work out, i think Kelly will be looking to try and use their speed against them and get the to over commit on plays.

On offense they have a legit set of receivers that are every bit as talented as any in the nation led by hankerson, who is a huge mismatch, he'll probably draw some similarities to defending baldwin. two very good backs in berry and miller will be tough to corrall. the offense will go as the qb goes. harris is healthy but not playing extremely well and the freshman morris has shown flashes of brilliance as well as freshman mistakes.

all in all, we are probably coming into the game as the more confident team, but beating Notre Dame would be a great way to finish the season and im sure miami will be ready to play.

this is going to be a challenging game for ND and Kelly, he's really going to have to come up with a great gameplan. this years edition of the canes were expected to be much better and the talent is there but leadership is missing. i expect to be on the edge of my seat the whole game.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

this will probably be the best defense we've played all season.

lots of talent and speed, but they seem to try and live on their athleticism, and sometimes that doesn't work out, i think Kelly will be looking to try and use their speed against them and get the to over commit on plays.

On offense they have a legit set of receivers that are every bit as talented as any in the nation led by hankerson, who is a huge mismatch, he'll probably draw some similarities to defending baldwin. two very good backs in berry and miller will be tough to corrall. the offense will go as the qb goes. harris is healthy but not playing extremely well and the freshman morris has shown flashes of brilliance as well as freshman mistakes.

all in all, we are probably coming into the game as the more confident team, but beating Notre Dame would be a great way to finish the season and im sure miami will be ready to play.

this is going to be a challenging game for ND and Kelly, he's really going to have to come up with a great gameplan. this years edition of the canes were expected to be much better and the talent is there but leadership is missing. i expect to be on the edge of my seat the whole game.

Undoubtedly, the talent is there in Miami. Talent will only take you so far, you need to play disciplined, and I am not sure Miami is capable of doing that. If the game starts to do ND's way, I can't see Miami recovering. They will commit dumb penalities, and mentally break down and make mistakes.

Jacory Harris has been a bust so far. Extremely arrogant, but has done nothing to back up his hype. Personally, I can't stand him. Jacory can't throw the ball accurately over 20 yards, if that's their game-plan...get the ball to Hankerson for big plays, they are in trouble. If UM come's in and expects to bully ND, they are in for a surprise. They are going to need a great game-plan, and play methodically disciplined to beat ND, something they have not done in years.

Jacory rolling out of the pocket and throwing 7/10 yard outs could hurt us..especially if the reciever has a step or two on our defenders. They are athletic and will wrack up YAC yards. Honestly, I think that is there only shot at winning. And if they get down by 10+ points, they'll abandon that game-plan and try to go for big plays.

 

[irishtrinity]

i say usc was the best defense we'll play this yr miami is good, but not as quick powerfull and not coached by monte kiffin!! i say 41ND 24 UM i think tommy has done an excellent job only tipped interceptions and he's smart. You add hughes pounding in their heads in floyd,riddick,wood,eifert, and t.j. were winning no chance for miami.... Do they have a coach for the game?

 

[Old Man Mike]

One thing that might work in our favor is if the team really liked [generally-speaking; I don't mean JHarris] Coach Shannon. This coach-firing might be more depressing than envigorating. Also, playing Notre Dame probably doesn't immediately rouse their juices as in the old days---these kids probably don't understand anything about the "Catholics vs Convicts" era. Plus, Shannon created a different culture there. It's possible that they won't have any extra reason to get up for a game, and thereby might be at "just" average ND-opponent mouth-frothing fever.

 

[IrishLax]

Copied and pasted from the other thread, here is a quick snapshot of the game:

Miami
-Great pass rush which leads to an overall good pass defense.
-Pretty effective passing and running the football.
-Very turnover prone and just an overall undisciplined team.

Keys to the Game (in order of importance)
-Do not give up big plays. This is the most important key to the game. If you make Jacory Harris or his backup Morris try to drive the length of the field they will inevitably make some mistakes.
-Force them to pass. Ties in to the key point above, but when Miami can run the ball effectively it takes the pressure off the QB and their offense is pretty good. Put 7 or 8 in the box and make Jacory Harris dink and dunk it for 80 yards.
-Get an early lead. If we have to put the game on Tommy Rees' arm down two scores in the 4th, it is not going to end well. Their pass rush is something to be feared. In practically every game Miami has lost this season, they got jumped on early and could not claw back. They are definitely a second half team.
-Establish the run and throw screen passes early. Even if it doesn't lead to a lot of points it is crucial to not become a one dimensional passing team.

Basically, if Cierre Wood and Robert Hughes can run effectively early, we are going to be in good shape. If our running game gets stuffed and we end up playing from behind... there is potential for us to get blown out. Miami has a big play passing offense with a very good running game supporting it.

 

[IrishLax]

Defense-

My only worry on the defensive side of the ball is mobile QB's + our edges. Remember what the few mobile QB's we faced did to our edges by rolling out and throwing the 7 yard out/crossing pattern to receivers? It was an automatic 3rd down conversion.

But, our defense has grown, and gotten a TON better since those days. Shembo's athleticism is going to be needed.

We are solid against the run, and any pass over 15+ yards. With that being said, that where I see UM attacking and centering it's game plan. Jacory throws a ton of bad balls when he tries to go deeper then 15 yards. UM will try to roll him out, and win methodically. Stop that agenda, and ND wins. ND needs to get a couple turnovers and get some points off them, undisciplined teams unravel when hit with adversity. UM will spiral out of control.

Offensively-

I don't really know what to think. UM will most likely try to mirror USC's second half defense, and line up in a zone/man zone to try and confuse Tommy Rees by hiding in his throwing lanes. I expect BK knows this, and has a plan being put into place. UM gave up a fair amount of points this year, so they are beatable, but very athletic drawing comparisons to SC's defense. The keys are obviously to run the ball effectively with Cierre Wood and Robert Hughes. Again, have Tommy manage the game, not have him win the game. Also, keep the turnovers below 2, ND wont survive 4 turnovers again. I like ND's chances if they can keep the game tight into the 4th quarter. Undisciplined teams unravel in stressful situations like having to win a game in the 4th quarter.

Team-

Watchout for helmets used as medieval weapons. And keep your left hand up to protect your blind side from the right cross.

ND- 30 (ND holding it together in the fourth quarter to get a late TD to go up 14)
UM-16 (Falling apart midway in the third with penalties, and turnovers)

It's funny because I have a completely different take on the parts I've bolded. I think you want to force Miami to move the ball for a score on 10-15 play drives... not dare them to throw deep and hope for turnovers. Miami's game plan is really quite simple, they are going to try to run the ball effectively and then use that success to open up big plays in the passing game. When they won this year, that's what they did in every single game. I think you make Jacory Harris roll out and beat you with 7 yard throws on the run. I'm not confident in his ability to consistently move the chains if you make him be a thinker versus an athlete who can throw the ball deep against single coverage. He is not patient enough to do that all game and will eventually force a ball into double or triple coverage.

Lastly, at least under Randy Shannon, Miami has not been the kind of team to "fall apart" in the second half. They typically get jumped on early and then try to rally in their losses. If this game goes into halftime tied or with Miami holding slight lead we could be in some trouble.

 

[Riddickulous]

The biggest issue is keeping Tommy Rees protected. Their defensive line is outstanding.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

The biggest issue is keeping Tommy Rees protected. Their defensive line is outstanding.

This

 

[jason_h537]

Miami will be the fastest defense we played all year and there secondary is light years ahead of USC. this game is not a gimme

 

[Riddickulous]

Also.

Leonard Hankerson is criminally underrated. He is just flat out dangerous. He needs a lot of attention or he will make us pay.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

Spence is one of the best linebackers in the country too, not as good as Te'o but he's right there.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

ND-21
UM-13

 

[chgocub23]

This is going to be the most brutal day of the year for me, new years eve is my 22nd birthday and as opposed to watching the game w/friends and getting hammered i'll be driving to visit my grandma in chicago who was diagnosed with cancer... man i sure hope we win

 

[tommyIRISH23]

This is going to be the most brutal day of the year for me, new years eve is my 22nd birthday and as opposed to watching the game w/friends and getting hammered i'll be driving to visit my grandma in chicago who was diagnosed with cancer... man i sure hope we win

Sorry to hear that bud. God's blessing, and good luck with everything.

 

[NDMontana]

I think ND matches up very well with Miami if it's safe to assume that what we saw in the last three games of the year was progress (and after three straight games you'd assume it was) and not the result of anything else (i.e. let down by Utah, Army being...Army, and USC sans Barkley w/ nothing to play for).

Personally, I think the defense was so, so much better that they've made astonishingly quick progress. They're physical--not fast. They're intelligent--not risk takers. Having superior intelligence can help a team make up for other areas where they may be lacking. I like the way this defense matches up with 95% of the country at this point and Miami, obviously, falls into that 95%.

 

[DillonHall]

This is going to be the most brutal day of the year for me, new years eve is my 22nd birthday and as opposed to watching the game w/friends and getting hammered i'll be driving to visit my grandma in chicago who was diagnosed with cancer... man i sure hope we win

God bless, family first.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Notre Dame will always be here; grandma, sadly, will not. Enjoy your precious moments; ask her about the "old days"; bless you.

 

[shortnd]

Thoughts are with you chgocub23.... Defense will allow drives then tighten up in redzone. Believe Kelly learned a lesson and let HHUUUGGGGHHHHESSS run. I believe ND will win, will be close. Pound the ball down their throats and take long shots with Floyd. Te'o and Brian Smith to create HAVOC. oh yeah Calobrese will be a force also. Will Harrison Smith stay on his feet, that is the beggest question!

 

[Old Man Mike]

Harrison intercepts at least one [note added for transparency: this comment from the president of the Harrison Smith Fan Club on IE]. p.s., the corners do too. ----- and while they're at it, why not one for Big Ian? ... rumblin' bumblin' stumblin' ...

 

[irishtrain]

Fact is they are as fast as Tulsa with bigger lineman, the defense will be stretched and tested. The only good thing is they dont play mistake free football. Their defense is as good as Notre Dame will play pertaining to speed and reaction. I dont like the match up but will be anxious to see if the defense can hold Miami back enough to allow Kelly to score enough points. Miami is no slouch.

 

[IrishInColumbus]

I think everyone is in agreement that they are as fast as anyone, but make plenty of mistakes. One would think that this new coach would only exacerbate that, no?

Notre Dame needs to play mistake free, obviously. I would love to see Wood tear off some big runs, of Riddick/Floyd break a tackle from a bad angle and take it to the house.

You can rest assured that Notre Dame will make up >85% of the fan base there. That, if nothing else, will be on their side.

I just tried to do a "ND OL vs. UM DL" and every time I came up with a mixed answer. These teams are about even. Coaching and morale vastly favors Notre Dame though.

Go Irish. It's going to be a long December waiting for it though!

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

It will be big for the offensive linemen to stop Allen Bailey. If I'm not mistaken he has wrestled alligators before and is one of the fastest DTs in the country.

 

[Riddickulous]

It will be big for the offensive linemen to stop Allen Bailey. If I'm not mistaken he has wrestled alligators before and is one of the fastest DTs in the country.

The OL needs to be on their A game. If Rees gets rattled, we're screwed.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I don't believe he has been shaken too much in the last few games. I think he will be alright. I think the thing people have talked about most from him, besides staring down receivers, is his poise.

 

[TDHeysus]

i'm expecting Brian Smith to go out with a bang, he has been playing great for the last few weeks, and I think he will come thru again against U. I think ND's defense will give them a good chance to win.

 

[IrishMoore1]

It will be big for the offensive linemen to stop Allen Bailey. If I'm not mistaken he has wrestled alligators before and is one of the fastest DTs in the country.

he's wrestled alligators before? omg! Rees won't get rattled but he can certainly make mistakes like we've seen. Bailey sounds like a beast

 

[military_irish]

It will be big for the offensive linemen to stop Allen Bailey. If I'm not mistaken he has wrestled alligators before and is one of the fastest DTs in the country.

I went around to find any article that said he wrestled alligators, because that sounds amazing especially since he is a football player. Like, if it was a training technique or something, But I wasn't able to find anything.

I did read alot of articles on him though, and he sounds like a great guy and a man beast. I read that Weis tried to recruit him but Bailey is from a small island around Georgia and he said it was too far from home. But this is my favorite quote from him, in the article.

When told that Nick Saban would soon be named the Crimson Tide's new coach, Bailey asked, "Who's Nick Saban?"

EDIT: I found this portion of an article from another forum, no cite was giving for it, so I am not sure exactly where it was written.

Ask any Hurricane player to tell "the alligator story," and they know exactly what you're talking about.

"It's a crazy story," DB Demarcus Van Dyke said.

Van Dyke won't tell the story, though. And neither will his teammates.

The story has to come from the source, DE Allen Bailey.

Bailey, who was raised living in a trailer in a nature haven on Sapelo Island, grew up eating deer, wild hogs, raccoons, possums and even snakes.

He can give a dissertation on how to clean and cook them.

But it's his alligator story – or stories, to be more precise – that piqued his teammates interest. And yes, he's also eaten freshly killed alligator on his home island.

Story #1, courtesy of Bailey, involves how as a youngster he killed an alligator with a shovel: "It was in the bushes – you couldn't really see it," Bailey said. "We came up from behind and wacked it. That was a big one."

Story #2: "It was like my junior year. I'd started carrying a gun when I was like 14 (to hunt for food). After work in the summer I came home and my mother told me there was an alligator in a ditch (in front of the home). I had a little cousin around my house and she didn't want to mess with it. She wanted it out of the ditch because it was too close to the house. So she told me to go get it, take the alligator out of the ditch. I had to kill it because I wasn't going to (wrestle it out). I took it back to the house, tossed it in the freezer outside on the patio. I forgot about it. A month later it was frozen. I'd forgotten all about it. I went outside after workouts, checked it out. I took it out (and disposed of the carcass)."

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Spence is one of the best linebackers in the country too, not as good as Te'o but he's right there.

Dude hits like a Mac truck, and is all over the field. The only wideout I am concerned about is Hankerson.. the guy is a man beast. Benjamin may be fast but I am not concerned about him in the receiving game, he couldn't catch a cold in a 1st grade classroom.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Bailey didn't wrestle an alligator. As a kid, he killed one with a shovel and ate it. He lived on an island off of the coast of Georgia and would hunt and eat any animal he could find. That's badass.