South Florida Bulls concerns

[Kingbish01]

LOLOL

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Now here is an interesting angle: How much is Brian Kelly willing to show week 1?

Everybody had a chance to make their point about the games outcome and how important the game was. And a lot of good items were brought up; but, keeping things under wraps for week 2 was hardly addressed.

If you saw the spring game (like me) you may really wonder what kind of offense or defense Notre Dame will run this year (what tendencies they will have). Or even if that was the team out there in the rain. Is there an eligibility issue if ND has non-football players suiting up for the spring game? A facetious hypothetical question, but that was how tight it seemed things were kept under wrap this spring. Any way you look at it, performances this spring were greatly affected by restraint.

Will that figure into the first game equation this fall, also?

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Now here is an interesting angle: How much is Brian Kelly willing to show week 1?

Everybody had a chance to make their point about the games outcome and how important the game was. And a lot of good items were brought up; but, keeping things under wraps for week 2 was hardly addressed.

If you saw the spring game (like me) you may really wonder what kind of offense or defense Notre Dame will run this year (what tendencies they will have). Or even if that was the team out there in the rain. Is there an eligibility issue if ND has non-football players suiting up for the spring game? A facetious hypothetical question, but that was how tight it seemed things were kept under wrap this spring. Any way you look at it, performances this spring were greatly affected by restraint.

Will that figure into the first game equation this fall, also?

You bring up a very valid and interesting point. I don't think we show everything in this game if we can help it. I'm sure BK and staff will have a sound game plan put together while at the same time not tipping our hat for other opponents. If I were to guess, we might keep things somewhat basic and simple.

 

[tankjeep]

You bring up a very valid and interesting point. I don't think we show everything in this game if we can help it. I'm sure BK and staff will have a sound game plan put together while at the same time not tipping our hat for other opponents. If I were to guess, we might keep things somewhat basic and simple.

i'm not too sure about that becuz each game plan is developed with the opponent in mind. with that being said......i don't think bk's going to hold back. i think he's going to do what he can to win that specific game based on what the strength's and weaknesses are of that certain opponent.

football is a singleminded approach to a game....not an overall seasonal design. you take what you get week in and week out. granted, your goal is to improve week by week, but still with the next opponent in mind.

i hope that makes sense.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

i'm not too sure about that becuz each game plan is developed with the opponent in mind. with that being said......i don't think bk's going to hold back. i think he's going to do what he can to win that specific game based on what the strength's and weaknesses are of that certain opponent.

football is a singleminded approach to a game....not an overall seasonal design. you take what you get week in and week out. granted, your goal is to improve week by week, but still with the next opponent in mind.

i hope that makes sense.

You make total sense my friend. I think we will have a very sound game plan for this game no doubt about that and of course as you stated it will be designed around USF's strengths and weaknesses. I just think that we aren't going to see the entire arsenal in this one. I think we will definently see other things the following week when we play Michigan. Regardless, I think we will be ready for USF and it will be a fun game and I can hardly wait.

 

[jfjkd01]

I don't know if this has been mention before, but BK has played USF and won......

‪UC VS USF 2009 Highlight Vid‬‏ - YouTube

 

[tankjeep]

You make total sense my friend. I think we will have a very sound game plan for this game no doubt about that and of course as you stated it will be designed around USF's strengths and weaknesses. I just think that we aren't going to see the entire arsenal in this one. I think we will definently see other things the following week when we play Michigan. Regardless, I think we will be ready for USF and it will be a fun game and I can hardly wait.

that's a possibility. i guess the guys here on IE that are more football savvy can respond to that. i think that approach would make sense, but i'm not sure if a college football coach really thinks that far ahead.

and by far ahead i mean, thinking of the next matchup. he could be.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I'm not sure what Kelly "opening up the playbook" would even really look like. Our opponents will have plenty of tape on Kelly's vertical passing spread from the last 3-4 seasons, so I don't think we'll hesitate to use what they all know is coming.

The only thing I can think of that Kelly might want to save for a more challenging opponent is our multiple TE sets.

 

[koonja]

After losing to Tulsa, Navy, etc, he's not going to hold anything back. Remember, some people were questioning whether or not he was the right man for the job last year when we were in the dumps. He will let it all out to beat USF; there's too much hope into this season to risk not to.

 

[anarin]

I don't know if this has been mention before, but BK has played USF and won......

‪UC VS USF 2009 Highlight Vid‬‏ - YouTube

Strictly from the offensive standpoint, I wasn't really impressed with the highlights presented; a field goal, an interception return, the quarterback making a play on a busted play, a wide receiver making a highlight reel catch and a play that shouldve netted 10 yards by collaros that turned into a 75 yard td run. Collaros was a superstar on this day...

I mean there were a few good plays shown, but to pop up this link and say BK has been there already? ehh...

 

[adsnorri]

not to sound negative at all. I know we need to gameplan each game to attack weaknesses of other teams but I want to be the team that lines up from day one and attacks you over and over, saying we will run these three plays until you can stop them. In my mind...every opponent of alabama, usc, texas, etc new exactly what three plays were going to be ran all day, just couldn't stop them. Lets go out and say were going to run a sweep, between the tackle run and a pass play that utilizes multiple receivers. We will line up with you face to face and punch you in the mouth.

IMO you should go into the game as an offense against usf as if you were going against the best team in the country and attack them forcefully. I feel like there are a few elite teams that can do this and i want us to be one of them.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I guess a lot of people equate "not opening up the play book" to "not trying your hardest". All of our opponents know what our base offensive package looks like, and we're going to use it in every game , regardless of the fact that they know it's coming. We'll keep doing it until they can stop it.

It's at that point that Kelly has to "open the play book". If our vanilla offensive package isn't working, does BK bring in some multi-TE packages? A trick play? Does he get creative with the running game? Those are all more effective if your opponent doesn't know they're coming, or hasn't seen you use them.

If we're struggling offensively against USF, I have no doubt BK will do whatever he thinks is necessary to put enough points on the board to win. He's not going to hold back on effective plays because he wants to save them for Michigan.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

I guess a lot of people equate "not opening up the play book" to "not trying your hardest". All of our opponents know what our base offensive package looks like, and we're going to use them in every game , regardless of the fact that they know it's coming. We'll keep doing it until they can stop it.

It's at that point that Kelly has to "open the play book". If our vanilla offensive package isn't working, does BK bring in some multi-TE packages? A trick play? Does he get creative with the running game? Those are all more effective if your opponent doesn't know they're coming, or hasn't seen you use them.

If we're struggling offensively against USF, I have no doubt BK will do whatever he thinks is necessary to put enough points on the board to win. He's not going to hold back on effective plays because he wants to save them for Michigan.

Very well said sir.

 

[PANDFAN]

i'm not too sure about that becuz each game plan is developed with the opponent in mind. with that being said......i don't think bk's going to hold back. i think he's going to do what he can to win that specific game based on what the strength's and weaknesses are of that certain opponent.

football is a singleminded approach to a game....not an overall seasonal design. you take what you get week in and week out. granted, your goal is to improve week by week, but still with the next opponent in mind.

i hope that makes sense.

exactly!!!! this whole thing about tipping our hand is kind of crazy..it's like week1 we will be a pass 1st team but later in the season we go to the wishbone??? of course there are going to be variety of sets, motions etc...but it's not like we are going to see a completely different team each week offensively...unless we are just getting better and putting up more points...i love the post above...knowing the play but still running it down their throats--that's what championship caliber teams do and it's exactly what we did to USC at the end of the game......too much pressure is on for ND to not play 100% for 4 quarters and going after the jugular...letting up and not going balls to the wall is what killed us under Charlie

 

[phork]

The only thing you need to be worried about is the amount of pain inflicted on the score keepers fingers. Don't sweat it dudes, because frankly if it tanks now the doom this year will be tremendous.

 

[Old Man Mike]

As usual, I have an alternate opinion. [therefore probably wrong]. I don't think that Kelly is much worried about opponents when he's thinking about his offense. I think he believes that if his offense is working correctly it will beat any defense. So, i don't think that holding back for future surprises will be uppermost in his mind.

Rather: I think that Kelly will go into the game wondering what HE has. He'll know what he has in practice, but he has plenty of reason to not know what he really has on the field. It is that "experimentation" that i believe we will see. As the game goes on what can Dayne really pull off? If it's a huge thickness of the playbook, Kelly needs to find that out before we go up to Michigan. If it's a disappointing thinness of the playbook, then what? Tommy? What's Andrew really ready for in some change-up package? Does some form of a leprechaun actually look like it will work?

Kelly will play to win the game as a priority, but where there are opportunities he will see how expanded his playbook can be given the QB evolution.

 

[zsteele15]

Possible Struggles

Possible Struggles

I really do not have too many concerns, yes USF might have an above average defense when it comes to their CB's and safeties. I truly believe though if we go with the same offensive scheme, short passes with the always reliable draw plays the Irish will do just fine. I just hope Coach Kelly will come to his senses and starts Rees. Rees taught us that we don't need to long ball or big plays each possession. I think the Irish might start off the game a little slow but will get into a smooth groove once all nerves are settled! Hopefully I'll be at the game that day as well, tickets are reasonable. GO IRISH!!

 

[jonesman]

Rivals Radio this morning was discussing USF. They believe they are the team to beat in the Big East and will have the potential to have an "OUTSTANDING" team according to them. They believe they have BCS caliber players at RB, WR, QB. Plus they believe the D will be stout.

Glad we are opening with a warm-up game like most teams!! NOT. This will be a nip and tuck game for 4 qtrs. Do not buy into any type of blow-out win. Skip will have his boyz plenty amped. Plus, Skip will pull out every single Holtz trick play Lou and he have drawn up.

Trust me, this is the biggest game of Skip Holtz's entire coaching career. He will be auditioning for the job he one day wants to take over. ND is really in a bad position with this game. It is prior to the monster game at UM and we are expected to win. If we win, every media person says, so what. If we lose, every media person says, ND was over-hyped again!!

 

[Old Man Mike]

Phil Steele couldn't disagree more with "Rivals radio". On the ratings of elite units [I mention some of this the other day on a Michigan thread], whereas ND scores 167 points, USC 172, Michigan 72, USF scores 2 ... "Two". They MAY well be good players, but they have a lot to prove as far as being BCS quality units. If there's something to fear here, it's Holtz. He is good enough to run an early season error-free game, and if we turn it over and run "now-great/now stupid offense", yes we could have real trouble.

On other news, Holgerson will turn WVU into the power of the Big East if we didn't think they already were. The Stewart distraction has made almost no ripple on the team level at all. WVU will be ready.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

My earlier comment about "revealing the offense" has more to do about a shift in tendencies, that remaining the same thing. I think Kelly sees the role of an offense different at Notre Dame. What you are going to see this fall (eventually) will surprise you. ND's offense is going to beat the **** out of some people. How much progress the offense make is more based upon how many offensive linemen can play. Any news?

 

[arrowryan]

I wouldnt listen to what an "analysis" has to say about a team. ESPN said Nevada could beat Notre Dame and we all saw how that went. We have more talent on the D-line and the O-line. We also a top 5 receiver in Michael Floyd and we have a running back that could have a break out year. T.V. and radio stations try to make teams sound better than they actually are. When we played Western Michigan last year, the people on NBC tried to say that Western Michigan was capable of beating Notre Dame and they got me all nervous. So dont believe what some people say.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Trotter: you say that the offense will progress as far as the number of O-Linemen that are "ready-to-play". Then you ask of any news. Scares me a bit. I must have missed [could easily happen] information on injured O-Line [I know Cwynar is re-habbing on defense , but I thought O-Line was OK.]

If they ARE ok, then Kelly thinks that we have at least seven O-Linemen ready to "play winning football" as he said that in reference to the current projected starters plus Nuss and Golic last year. Lombard got a lot of praise, and is still given a shot at winning a position as far as I know. Everything that I've heard would then raise the count to eight. A reasonable doubt would be whether Tate Nichols is ready to back up at tackle. I've heard promising things there too. If he can, that would give us nine more-than-functional O-Linemen which is what Kelly was happy with last season [lose Stewart/Romine; add in Lombard/Nichols]. If there was any pressing need for another, Matt Hegarty is elite. We'd rather let him rest and learn, but he showed every sign of the 4-5* agility of a great lineman.

Most of this, barring in-season injuries and assuming Longo's conditioning, shouldn't be a problem numbers-wise, as line coaches like to keep fivesomes intact all season with less disruptive substituting than with other positions. Plus, any good line prides itself in beating down an opponent over 4 quarters. As my brothers used to say, "I can't outrun you for twenty yards, but I can knock the goo out of you for five yards all day long". ... they always had the strangest gleams in their eyes when they said that.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Pre-Snap Read: A College Football Blog

 

[phork]

ND 35 USF 10

 

[Jashobeam]

I like watching an upstart and have enjoyed watching USF games the past several years and I think because so many like watching the little guy come up, fans and ESPN have focused on USF and FAU. However, I think that both might have hit their first ceiling. They'll eventually breakthrough and get better, but it will take a while. The reputation of this up and coming team keeps rising even though the team hasn't. I don't think USF is as good as people claim. ND has better players and a better coach.

 

[johnnykillz]

ND 35 USF 10

That's it Phork!

I concur.

 

[phork]

And ND conquers.

 

[Mr. Larson]

Now here is an interesting angle: How much is Brian Kelly willing to show week 1?

A little late chiming in on this one, but here goes..With the exception of trick plays I think BK throws everything we have at them. If this offense stays healthy this year it should 100% be scary good. Why not showcase it and scare the h*ll out of Hoke and Mattison? Full on Shock and Awe, Don't Stand on the Tracks When The Train is Coming Through. It gives the opposition so much more to prepare for (see also: nightmares, sh*t composed of bricks, and the feeling that one week won’t be nearly enough to prepare for the Irish).

Side note: I should probably stop watching the Manti Doin' Work Video for the next few weeks. I'm practically doing backflips in anticipation of this season.

 

[tdbaum1]

IMO...people are a little worried because it is the first game of the season. Anyone that has played football at the collegiate level knows that ANYTHING can happen with that game. I believe coaching has a huge impact on this game more then any other (kinda like coming off a bye week). This definitely favors the IRISH as I believe we have one of the best head coaches in the college game right now.

 

[koonja]

3 USF games from last year are being replayed.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/notre-dame-football-recruiting/61370-espn-u.html