Post Game Observations.........

[SaltyND24]

nope because after this game, im done with college football till next year. Dont care about anyone else enough to watch and Im put off of watching football until then I am upset we dont have it though. Im becoming jealous of other teams.

haha...I wish I could be done with football...cousin starts for Stanford so I have to tune in for the Ok St. game...might as well until then watch and dream of what we need for the future...

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Our season is on Golson next year plain and simple, also, although i disagree, Bk will be on the hotseat as the fanbase grows restless. next year has potential to be amazing with Teo and other returns as well as golson, daniels, the entire D-line, Tee and Darby. my waaaaay to early prediction for 2012, 9-3

Wildly unrealistic. Adjust your expectations now to avoid serious disappointment.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

Our season is on Golson next year plain and simple, also, although i disagree, Bk will be on the hotseat as the fanbase grows restless. next year has potential to be amazing with Teo and other returns as well as golson, daniels, the entire D-line, Tee and Darby. my waaaaay to early prediction for 2012, 9-3

I think you forgot the sarcastic font while typing this.

 

[stlnd01]

Lets just see how the guys Kelly brought in during the 2009 and 2010 recruiting cyles do next season before we make the assessment that he can't bring in top tier talent.

I wouldn't say Kelly can't bring in top-tier talent - he's done so on the O and D lines and, if things hold together this year, with DB's as well.
Real problem is that after the 2008 recruiting class (Crist/Floyd/Gray) both he and Weis just haven't brought in lots of bodies, and only guy who's really panned out is Wood.

You're right that it's too early to know on GAIII and Daniels. And they do seem to be reeling in a bunch of RBs and WRs in next year's class. But they need guys who can contribute by Labor Day weekend. And they needed to sign them three years ago.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Living here in Washington, less than a hour south of Seattle, watching Keith Price (former 3*) in his first year having a total clue on how to play--versus our 3* QB that is clueless against good teams. Scared and clueless. Over and over making bad plays. Bad passes in the Red Zone, dropping like a scared kid at sacks, fumbles, and no running ability. Just sickening.

Best chance to win?? AGainst weaker teams that is true, not against good teams.

Unless we stack our schedule against weaker teams if we trot out Tommy Turnover out there once again the result will be the same in my opinion. Stats don't lie, Tommy sucks against good teams/defenses. 6 TDS/12+ turnovers and only 1 300 yard passing day.

 

[NDPhilly]

Our schedule isn't brutal Next year. It will be more difficult than this year but I don't think brutal.

Our D should continue to improve. The DL should be outstanding. LBs will be stout with Teo coming back. Safeties will be ok though idk about slaughter in coverage. If the two new corners can just be decent we shoyld have our best D in years.

On O the quarterback play really can't get any worse. All the QBs are a year older. The OL returns 3 and should be pretty stout. I personally think Greenberry has a Floyd esque freshman year and D Daniels should be good also. Hopefully we add Neal there too. At RB Wood should continue to improve and Riddick has a offseason to add weight so that position is looking good not even mentioning GAIII.

I hope Brizda really gains some accuracy because the kicker position scares me. Is Turk back for another year? I'll have to check.

I liked what I saw from Riddick tonight. TJ Jones better step up because DD and Tay B may go right past him on the depth chart. Motta played well. I really hope Golson is as good as advertised or we are screwed for the next 3-4 years.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Whoever the QB is the staff needs to give them some play calling help.

Is there a rule against leaving in a TE or back to help block in this offense?

I've been a Tommy supporter. However he didn't look good tonight. It looks like the constant sideline chewing out has really worn him down. His body language around Kelly has been really bad the last few games.

Hendrix reminds me of Christ in that he is big and strong. Yet seems slow making decisions and is always trying to force throws late. He doesn't seem like the answer to me.

Hopefully someone takes a huge step forward. Hopefully the staff can put whoever they choose in a winnable situation. Right now we look like a run and shoot team.

I don't realize if you understand what time of year this is, but I am 100% sold on Christ's decision making.

Hendrix didn't get the right opportunities to know for sure. Division 1 coaching gaffe of the year, IMHO.

 

[Patulski]

I hope Hendrix and Golson both step up and conduct "voluntary" sessions with the receivers/tight ends over the entire offseason and work, specifically, on the timing of throws and on situational plays--i.e. what each QB would do when the pocket breaks down. Just get a feel for the speed of the guys they play with and the tendencies. Because, more than anything, I always feel like these guys don't know each other out there. The QBs and receivers seem rarely to be on the same page when the QB has to improvise--there's just none of that familiar feel. .

Hendrix needs a lot more work than improvising, or getting to know the receivers. In two games in a row he has thrown the ball right into the hands of a linebacker, as if he didn't even see him standing in the lane between Hendrix and the receiver. That's a serious lack of field vision and is a disturbing sign of his future imo. Most QB's with potential can at least see a linebacker standing in the way. They may struggle with getting a ball tipped by a linebacker, but completely not seeing a linebacker standing in the way 7 yards down the field is rare.

Hendrix must be a lot more raw than people think he is, which is why I suspect Kelly did not let him see the field until a possible BCS berth was exhausted. As it is, in his two meaningful outings Hendrix's numbers overall are mediocre: A 44% completion percentage. A 2.9 yards per carry average, two interceptions and 1 TD.

 

[irishff1014]

Our schedule isn't brutal Next year. It will be more difficult than this year but I don't think brutal.

Our D should continue to improve. The DL should be outstanding. LBs will be stout with Teo coming back. Safeties will be ok though idk about slaughter in coverage. If the two new corners can just be decent we shoyld have our best D in years.

On O the quarterback play really can't get any worse. All the QBs are a year older. The OL returns 3 and should be pretty stout. I personally think Greenberry has a Floyd esque freshman year and D Daniels should be good also. Hopefully we add Neal there too. At RB Wood should continue to improve and Riddick has a offseason to add weight so that position is looking good not even mentioning GAIII.

I hope Brizda really gains some accuracy because the kicker position scares me. Is Turk back for another year? I'll have to check.

I liked what I saw from Riddick tonight. TJ Jones better step up because DD and Tay B may go right past him on the depth chart. Motta played well. I really hope Golson is as good as advertised or we are screwed for the next 3-4 years.

I think that TJs time might have passed him by.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

I 100% disagree on people saying BK can't bring in top talent. That is a blatant lie.

Lynch-period. And if you don't like that how about Tuitt. Not good enough. GAIII. Not good enough for you yet. How about Koyack. Not ready yet, how about Davarius. Really not good enought. Ishaq huge get too. Kept Nix too. How about Everett? How about Ben C? Grace? Sorry I diagree. Not done, Chase H? Matt Hegarty? Nick Martin? Hanratty?

Sorry most of those are elite type prospects. Not all 5 star, but good or high 4 stars. But, GAII/Lynch/Tuitt/Ishaq are those super elite IMO.

 

[NDPhilly]

With Dayne at QB the whole year god knows how how we do. It could have been anywhere from 5-7 to 11-1. I feel that if he played Hendrix from the USF game on as the starter we would have ended up with 6-6. I think Kelly made the right choice for THIS year at QB.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

In a bigger bowl game Andrew had less than 3/4 game experience and he is out there? Whose fault is it that he isn't ready? Or will make a mistake? BK, for riding the Turnover Machine Tommy Rees.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

In a bigger bowl game Andrew had less than 3/4 game experience and he is out there? Whose fault is it that he isn't ready? Or will make a mistake? BK, for riding the Turnover Machine Tommy Rees.

The alternative was handing the reins to Hendrix or Golson early this season. If Kelly had done that, our record would be worse than 8-5 right now.

Rebuilding is never an option at ND. It's win now or lose your job, and Rees unfortunately gave us the best shot to win this year. It's gonna bite us in the as$ next year when neither Hendrix or Golson is ready to play against the likes of Oklahamo, Miami, etc.

If you want to blame someone, blame our unrealistic and demanding fanbase.

 

[GreatGolson]

lmao at some of the responses on here, sober up and step away from the ledge boys. remember, its just a game played by a bunch of 20 year old kids

 

[stlnd01]

If you want to blame someone, blame our unrealistic and demanding fanbase.

Yep.

 

[NDPhilly]

We got beat by the better team. Calm down. Rees gave us the best chance to win this year. Good thing for next year is that Golson (yes I think Golson will win out. Kelly raves about him all the time) starts the season with the Defenses of Navy and Purdue before playing at MSU.

 

[NDMontana]

I wouldn't say Kelly can't bring in top-tier talent - he's done so on the O and D lines and, if things hold together this year, with DB's as well.
Real problem is that after the 2008 recruiting class (Crist/Floyd/Gray) both he and Weis just haven't brought in lots of bodies, and only guy who's really panned out is Wood.

You're right that it's too early to know on GAIII and Daniels. And they do seem to be reeling in a bunch of RBs and WRs in next year's class. But they need guys who can contribute by Labor Day weekend. And they needed to sign them three years ago.

Well, Eiffert has been pretty good, no? Seriously, lets see how:
1. The Golson/Hendrix duel goes in spring and fall camp;
2. Riddick and TJ Jones develop without having the big tree blocking them out;
3. How the young, fast and furious d-line continues to develop

And then assess. It's just way too soon to start making leaps about the recruits in the class of 2009 and 2010 just yet. When they take over and it's truly their team in 2012, then we'll judge.

 

[phgreek]

I don't agree with you, phgreek, about the DBs today. By my count, there were only 3 back-breaking catches made against us: the 40 yarder and the two TD catches. All three of those were great plays by very talented receivers. Our DBs (or, in the case of the second TD, Dan Fox) were all over them and they made great (somewhat lucky) catches. Sometimes you've got to tip your hat to the other team, I felt like all three of those plays were examples of that.

MY BAD PHORK!

looking at the whole game, and the insane amount of time most of FSUs passes hung there...I can see 1 legit play where I think we should have broken it up, but its understandable we didn't.

We'll disagree...

and hope we get dbacks that play like I want.

 

[irishff1014]

We got beat by the better team. Calm down. Rees gave us the best chance to win this year. Good thing for next year is that Golson (yes I think Golson will win out. Kelly raves about him all the time) starts the season with the Defenses of Navy and Purdue before playing at MSU.

I dooubt that you can call FSU the better team. Our offensive minded coach couldn't get the offense to move the ball with any rythem. We sugar caoted another game and gave it away.

 

[NDMontana]

The alternative was handing the reins to Hendrix or Golson early this season. If Kelly had done that, our record would be worse than 8-5 right now.

Rebuilding is never an option at ND. It's win now or lose your job, and Rees unfortunately gave us the best shot to win this year. It's gonna bite us in the as$ next year when neither Hendrix or Golson is ready to play against the likes of Oklahamo, Miami, etc.

If you want to blame someone, blame our unrealistic and demanding fanbase.

This is where I disagree with you--and that's rare. Rebuilding is absolutely an option at ND, in fact it's the only option. This team has been perpetually rebuilding since 1995. What's another two years of suffering if the consequence is that he might have straightened things out for the remainder of his tenure?

If Kelly had bitten the bullet this year and we were all bitching about him starting Golson or Hendrix than so be it. If the end result would've been ND going 9-3 or 10-2 next year and 10-2 or 11-1 in 2013 then one year would be forgotten.

I do, however, agree that Kelly might have settled for going 8-5 in 2011 and potentially 8-5 or 7-6 in 2012 by starting Rees this year. I suppose, however, the logic was that he might be able to hide Rees with the talent at the other skill positions. One BCS berth would've bought him at least a year of patience (meaning 2012 could've been a rough transition year but would've been tepidly accepted). However, the failure to make a BCS game this year--due to no fault of Kelly's own, he didn't fumble or throw into double/triple coverage--only ratchets up the expectations for 2012. A down year in 2012 is now going to be very difficult to avoid and the unrealistic fanbase won't accept three straight 8-5 seasons (well, except we have to accept that or find a new team!).

It is the duty of the AD and the board to rise above fan expectations and, if they have concerns over the willingness of the fanbase to remain loyal through lean years then they've no idea what this team's histroy has been over the last twenty years.

 

[irishtrain]

I was on record saying FSU would win by 15 points. I was wrong as the Notre Dame team I watch was every bit as athletic and football sound as FSU or better. It was a good feeling to watch Notre Dame and think 'hey there are there except at the most important position'. If Notre Dame gets someone who is not afraid to make mistakes and can handle the QB position along with handling a tough coach they will win and win big. The athletes are there. If they do not your looking at finding yet another coach and mediocrity for the next few years. Its all there except for a leader at the QB position. They will fill voids after Floyd leaves/they will have another good o-line/the defense is very good but without a top flight QB its a rudderless ship. Kelly needs to take a good hard look at how he's doing this QB thing and evaluate himself first. This is a good coach-maybe a great coach but so far he is not developing a QB to the standards of Notre Dame football.

 

[SJIrish]

Defense played well but you have to remember FSU was playing 4 true freshmen o-lineman. You should dominate when a team is that young upfront. Really disappointing they didn't get more of a pass rush in the 2nd half. Need more depth on the d-line.

O-line has to get better as well as the QB position.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

The depth is coming. If Jarron and Sheldon Day stay on board they are studs. And then we have our depth.

Our oline will have Christian/Hegarty/Martin/Hanratty in the wings. Along with Martin. And Decker/Harrell/Staley on the way.

 

[FOTY977]

All I am going to comment on is #5. We will be lucky to be 6-6 next year. Kelly is beginning to lose me as a fan. I was his #1 slappy when Weis was fired. He seems to be over his head at this point. Chuck Diaco Norris is losing credibility as well. This is FAR from being a very good team.

Lets take stock of next year, shall we? No Floyd. Eifert (if he comes back) will be doubled. TJ and Toma cannot get the job done. Wood runs like he is afraid to break the glass surrounding anyone in another uniform. Rees should never start another game, period. Which means our QB goes back to a newb situation. Goodman can field fair catches all day long, ask him to catch a pass is like asking for the immaculate conception.

Our defense loses the best secondary we have (which isn't saying much), and we'll be starting some fresh faces on CB. We are going to mediocre for quite a long time. Call me negative all you want, but those are the facts. All the while we watch teams like Michigan run right past us.

Next year is going to be painful. I suggest you all tune out, keep an eye on the scores on your iPhones or Androids and cheer meekly from the shadows.

The pride and tradition of Notre Dame Football will not be left to the weak, timid, or non-committed.

This goes for the fan base too.

 

[BobD]

Had to work today, so I just got done watching the game.

Ouch.

 

[Chicago Irish Fan]

Unless Golson (I expect Golson to start next year) has a Denard Robinson like breakout season, next year is going to be rough. I'll gladly take 8 wins.

 

[WaveDomer]

Incredible to say after what happened against S. FL., but no Jonas just killed ND to end the season. And his story, is not only a testament to him, but most likely a testament to the coaches. We all knew the QB situation could be dicey this year. Then you take away the monster running threat and it's not going to get better.

I think ND is going to be okay next year, but it definitely depends on the QB situation. As far as the other positions, WR and RB scare me a bit, but there are guys positioned to fill the holes that are left by seniors leaving. The defense is solid and going to get better. This isn't a great way to end a season, especially one that held promise, but I don't think it's a reason to think the ship just hit the iceberg either.

 

[Domer4ever]

Another terrible Notre Dame performance on the big stage. It has been the same story with this team for 15 years with no signs of getting better.

About the game:

- I could not be less impressed with Brian Kelly and his coaching staff two seasons into his coaching tenure. In-game adjustments seem to be a foreign concept to them and they are regularly outcoached anytime they face any actual good competition. They shrink in the big lights and the team follows suit. Kelly has completely mismanaged the QB situation all year and for a supposed "offensive genius" he looks like anything but. This is not a team that plays with any sort of confidence and swagger and that is reflective of Kelly. Notre Dame missed the bus on Urban Meyer and that is a shame. Not sure how much longer Notre Dame can continue to wallow in mediocrity without ever making any real progress. How much "patience" must this fanbase endure before this team is an actaul title contender again? So frustrating when I see Hoke take Michigan to the BCS in year one, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, and some of these other programs putting together big seasons and Notre Dame continuing to fail in epic fashion.

- Rees is absolutely terrible and I dont see Hendrix as the answer either. This team is all in on Everett Golson being able to develope into the playmaker this team needs from the QB position because there isnt anybody else. Joe Montana isn't walking through that door folks. Losing out on Kiel is an even bigger kick in the nuts after watching tonight's pathetic display from the QB position.

- The defense played a terrific first half and collapsed in the second half. They stopped blitzing and putting pressure on a young Florida State offensive line and they subsequently made plays on a pourous Irish secondary. I have no idea what Diaco's plan was for the second half, but he failed miserably.

- Why no screens or other play calls to try and negate Florida State's pass rush? Kelly played right into their hands and only made matters worse by continuing to throw Rees out there.

- Really Ruffer? What the hell happened to you.

Completely frustrated and now this team has more questions then answers going into next season where the schedule looks to be tougher and who the hell knows what is going to happen in recruiting after yet another horrendous loss for this program. It is going to be a damn long offseason and I would think the hot seat for Brian Kelly is starting to get a little warm.

 

[5 Year Plan]

First and last post......

Brian Kelly. College coach for over 27 years. HC for 20 of those years. 6 Conference Championships, 2 National Championships at the DII level. 1 MAC Championship, 2 Big East Chamionships, BCS games in 2 consecutive years at Cincy. 2 time AFCA Div 2 Coach of the Year, 3 Time Big East Coach of the Year, Home Depot Coach of the Year in 2009. 34-6 at Cincy....

This is the man Notre Dame hired. These accomplishments don't happen by accident. This coach inherited a disaster, a program in ruins for the better part of the last 20 years.

CHECK YOUR EXPECTATIONS. The previous regime won 15 games in their last 3 seasons. Some of those losses were blow outs and embarassing losses to inferior teams.

BK is not on the hot seat, the warm seat, the luke warm seat, or the toilet seat until after year 5. Do not get caught in this cycyle of constantly blaming the current regime for the mess left for them to clean up.

Until any one of you can post similar credentials as the current HC at The University of Notre Dame, just sit back, relax, and watch this thing unfold. As ND fans we are going to take blows from other fans and the media.... so be it.

I love this board for the info on recruiting, very informative, great stuff. But many of you seem to be the CANCER that infests this fanbase with unrealistic expecations and cynical commentary. Get real.

Go Irish

 

[irishff1014]

First and last post......

Brian Kelly. College coach for over 27 years. HC for 20 of those years. 6 Conference Championships, 2 National Championships at the DII level. 1 MAC Championship, 2 Big East Chamionships, BCS games in 2 consecutive years at Cincy. 2 time AFCA Div 2 Coach of the Year, 3 Time Big East Coach of the Year, Home Depot Coach of the Year in 2009. 34-6 at Cincy....

This is the man Notre Dame hired. These accomplishments don't happen by accident. This coach inherited a disaster, a program in ruins for the better part of the last 20 years.

CHECK YOUR EXPECTATIONS. The previous regime won 15 games in their last 3 seasons. Some of those losses were blow outs and embarassing losses to inferior teams.

BK is not on the hot seat, the warm seat, the luke warm seat, or the toilet seat until after year 5. Do not get caught in this cycyle of constantly blaming the current regime for the mess left for them to clean up.

Until any one of you can post similar credentials as the current HC at The University of Notre Dame, just sit back, relax, and watch this thing unfold. As ND fans we are going to take blows from other fans and the media.... so be it.

I love this board for the info on recruiting, very informative, great stuff. But many of you seem to be the CANCER that infests this fanbase with unrealistic expecations and cynical commentary. Get real.

Go Irish

You are right on one point some of them loses we terrible However the loses we have had this year were worse. We beat our selves in most of the loses. Not to mention this coach that you just e-blowed has been out coached terribly.