2018 Northwestern Post Game

[Luckylucci]

To me Book is still growing as he now has film out there and defenses are adjusting accordingly. Subsequently, Book is learning to adjust as well. That’s just the maturation process. The OL, on the other hand, is worrisome. Mustipher is a captain & has the most starts but seems to have regressed. Kraemer is horrible. The OL is ND’s Achilles Heel.

I love Book, but that’s not why he was 50% in the first half. He missed some throws and some reads. He’s really good, but just like any player, he’s far from perfect.

If we’re going to beat better teams, some of this has to be better. Can’t miss Boykin open TD. Now we got to be better in the RZ by all, and a bunch of mistakes weren’t his fault. But if he hits that pass, it doesn’t matter.

 

[NorthDakota]

Unimpressive but needed win. Question is, does anyone think this team has a chance against Bama or Clemson? Assuming we get by FSU, a surprising 7-2 syracuse, and U$C.

Not a snowball's chance in hell

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Alabama is terrifying...Clemson...not really. I think Clemson has a better shot at beating Alabama than ND does, but I think beating Clemson is definitely doable. Still hoping and praying Georgia can eliminate Alabama though that seems unlikely.

 

[GATTACA!]

Alabama is terrifying...Clemson...not really. I think Clemson has a better shot at beating Alabama than ND does, but I think beating Clemson is definitely doable. Still hoping and praying Georgia can eliminate Alabama though that seems unlikely.

At this point it seems like a lone loss to Georgia wouldn't even keep them out.

 

[NorthDakota]

At this point it seems like a lone loss to Georgia wouldn't even keep them out.

Well they can't keep ND out...they can't keep Georgia out in that case...they can perhaps kick out Michigan. ND is safe regardless.

 

[tko]

Hainsey penalty inside the 5 was so annoying. The comedy of errors and the play calling after led to Yoon missing that field goal. If we go up there 14-0 it would've been a different ball game. Long couldn't call a fade to Boykin or Claypool there? So many weird things last night.

 

[Domina Nostra]

At this point it seems like a lone loss to Georgia wouldn't even keep them out.

The precedent is clearly set: Alabama gets in with one losss no matter what.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Hainsey penalty inside the 5 was so annoying. The comedy of errors and the play calling after led to Yoon missing that field goal. If we go up there 14-0 it would've been a different ball game. Long couldn't call a fade to Boykin or Claypool there? So many weird things last night.

All the running into the boundary when it was loaded up was a little confusing to me.

 

[arrowryan]

It is really hard to gauge the OL. When the defense is being aggressive and selling out to stop the run, it is almost impossible to be consistently successful in the running game. Book needs to continue being consistent in the passing game and moving the ball in the air; defenses will eventually back off.

The hire of Chip Long, in my opinion, is starting to look the a home run hire. He adjusts so well to what defenses are trying to do. I would like to see adjustments happen maybe at the end of the 1st quarter instead of halftime. I've never been a coach so I don't know how hard it is to communicate scheme adjustments over a headset, but I would like to see adjustments made sooner if possible.

Defense played good. In my book, they gave up 14 points; the 3rd touchdown is 100% on the special teams.

Refs...lol. They were BAD. I hate complaining about refs because its a cliche thing to do and is low hanging fruit in terms of things to complain about. But 0 accepted penalties against Northwestern? NW blatantly held Miles Boykin at least once. I find it hard to believe that the garbage ass NW o-line only held once. And I find it funny they called a false start when our o-linemen was drawn off by a NW d-lineman jumped offsides. But whatever. The refs tried REALLY hard to keep NW in the game.

 

[NDohio]

Winning in college football is hard. Just ask the teams ranked 3, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, and 25 going into yesterday's games...

 

[Irish8248]

I wanna love Chip Long but then he does shit like pass on 2nd and 3rd down when we have two yards to go. I dont care how much the D loads the box. If we cant get 2 yds on 2-3 plays through running, then this is really just a mirage anyways

 

[BabyIrish]

Alabama is terrifying...Clemson...not really. I think Clemson has a better shot at beating Alabama than ND does, but I think beating Clemson is definitely doable. Still hoping and praying Georgia can eliminate Alabama though that seems unlikely.

I can’t figure out why no one respects Clemson. They’ve had just as much success in the last 4 years as Alabama and they are loaded on defense. There d line is better than Alabama’s and Trevor Lauerence is just as talented at QB if not more talented than Tua. They started off slow in the season but they are playing with urgency and passion and everybody is sleeping on them. That’s a dangerous recipe.

 

[IrishLax]

I can’t figure out why no one respects Clemson. They’ve had just as much success in the last 4 years as Alabama and they are loaded on defense. There d line is better than Alabama’s and Trevor Lauerence is just as talented at QB if not more talented than Tua. They started off slow in the season but they are playing with urgency and passion and everybody is sleeping on them. That’s a dangerous recipe.

That's why everyone is sleeping on them. They were very "meh" against Texas A&M and Syracuse, the only half-decent teams they've played besides NC State. And per advanced (F/+) stats literally none of those teams is a top 25 opponent. So they've yet to play a "measuring stick game" and Boston College... 41st by F/+... also doesn't really count. They're going to go an entire season without playing a single good team.

I agree they have been destroying people the last 4 weeks, and that their DL is all world. They have a lot more talent than ND and are the best bet to compete with Bama. But Bama has won every game by at least 22 points, and has never been challenged... can't say that for Clemson.

 

[sportallyr]

Ian Book played a fantastic 2nd half. Put the team on his shoulders and carried them to a victory. If you re-watch the game, look for the replay after Young's TD that put the Irish up 21-7. The camera zooms in on Book's eyes and you can see him go through 3 different reads before throwing to Young (who appears to be his 4th option). It's a really cool clip and worth re-watching if you get a chance.

Special teams have been a disaster all year and continue to be, but I don't know if Finke is getting enough love for his punt returns this season. Seems like it's been a long time since I had any confidence in the Irish punt return unit. Oh, and despite missing a 44 yarder, Yoon did redeem himself with a 43 yarder in heavy rain.

Bring on the Criminoles!!!

 

[ARALOU]

Syracuse was up big on Clemson in the 3rd quarter. They couldn't stop Clemson when it counted. I think Syracuse is probably the toughest game left for the Irish.

 

[Valpodoc85]

Syracuse was up big on Clemson in the 3rd quarter. They couldn't stop Clemson when it counted. I think Syracuse is probably the toughest game left for the Irish.

Amen to that brother. And its a weird away/home game in New York. This game is Northwestern on steroids

 

[IrishLax]

Ian Book played a fantastic 2nd half. Put the team on his shoulders and carried them to a victory. If you re-watch the game, look for the replay after White's TD that put the Irish up 21-7. The camera zooms in on Book's eyes and you can see him go through 3 different reads before throwing to White (who appears to be his 4th option). It's a really cool clip and worth re-watching if you get a chance.

Special teams have been a disaster all year and continue to be, but I don't know if Finke is getting enough love for his punt returns this season. Seems like it's been a long time since I had any confidence in the Irish punt return unit. Oh, and despite missing a 44 yarder, Yoon did redeem himself with a 43 yarder in heavy rain.

Bring on the Criminoles!!!

Young?

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Ian Book played a fantastic 2nd half. Put the team on his shoulders and carried them to a victory. If you re-watch the game, look for the replay after White's TD that put the Irish up 21-7. The camera zooms in on Book's eyes and you can see him go through 3 different reads before throwing to White (who appears to be his 4th option). It's a really cool clip and worth re-watching if you get a chance.

Special teams have been a disaster all year and continue to be, but I don't know if Finke is getting enough love for his punt returns this season. Seems like it's been a long time since I had any confidence in the Irish punt return unit. Oh, and despite missing a 44 yarder, Yoon did redeem himself with a 43 yarder in heavy rain.

Bring on the Criminoles!!!

I saw that. He barely even turned his head, just went through the reads with his eyes.
Pretty cool stuff!
Next step is exaggerating your head turn to draw defenders away from an area.

 

[IrishLax]

What's crazy is that ND actually dominated this game on so many levels. Yards were 464 to 249, sacks were 5 to 0. What kept them in the game were some self-inflicted mistakes and comical officiating. This game could've easily been a 38-7 blowout. ND has got to clean up that stuff if they want to beat Syracuse much less an elite team in the playoffs.

Another crazy thing is that Book's QBR of 90.7 was better than anyone else has done against Northwestern this year by almost 10 points. And that's with his first half struggles. Absolutely dominated 3rd quarter onward against a very solid defense.

 

[BabyIrish]

Syracuse was up big on Clemson in the 3rd quarter. They couldn't stop Clemson when it counted. I think Syracuse is probably the toughest game left for the Irish.

The one thing that worries me is we haven’t played an offense like Syracuse, except maybe Wake Forest. How are we going to handle playing Nickle and Dime pretty much the whole game. How are we going to generate pass rush if they get the ball out quickly?

 

[ARALOU]

We have been getting good pressure in those packages. The Syracuse offense has some weapons for sure.

 

[texbender]

Did Avery Davis play? Don't remember seeing him vs Navy either. Not that he is the best option for us, but would think he could play a few snaps?

 

[BabyIrish]

That's why everyone is sleeping on them. They were very "meh" against Texas A&M and Syracuse, the only half-decent teams they've played besides NC State. And per advanced (F/+) stats literally none of those teams is a top 25 opponent. So they've yet to play a "measuring stick game" and Boston College... 41st by F/+... also doesn't really count. They're going to go an entire season without playing a single good team.

I agree they have been destroying people the last 4 weeks, and that their DL is all world. They have a lot more talent than ND and are the best bet to compete with Bama. But Bama has won every game by at least 22 points, and has never been challenged... can't say that for Clemson.

That’s a fair assessment. I guess I don’t have confidence going against there DL so I’m not sure how much offensive success we could have against Clemson.

 

[GowerND11]

What's crazy is that ND actually dominated this game on so many levels. Yards were 464 to 249, sacks were 5 to 0. What kept them in the game were some self-inflicted mistakes and comical officiating. This game could've easily been a 38-7 blowout. ND has got to clean up that stuff if they want to beat Syracuse much less an elite team in the playoffs.

Another crazy thing is that Book's QBR of 90.7 was better than anyone else has done against Northwestern this year by almost 10 points. And that's with his first half struggles. Absolutely dominated 3rd quarter onward against a very solid defense.

Right? I woke up today rethinking the game. I then looked st the stats. It’s actually insane we only won by 10. They had two actual drives that led to points. One was a direct result of absolutely comical officiating and execution. The other right after we kick ourselves in the ass again and settle for a FG when a touchdown puts them down 28-7.

 

[ThePiombino]

Valid point, but still...

Didn't they get one but it was declined?

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[ThePiombino]

I'd be more concerned with Cuse than SC. Troy is close to burning again.

Honestly, before the game I was worried this was NDs toughest game and they might lose. Now, I will worry about SC at SC

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[ThePiombino]

Less of a need for him now that all RBs are back and healthy. He's 4th on the depth chart I would assume. Even TJJr isn't getting as much burn as I would have guessed.

Did Avery Davis play? Don't remember seeing him vs Navy either. Not that he is the best option for us, but would think he could play a few snaps?

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[BabyIrish]

What's crazy is that ND actually dominated this game on so many levels. Yards were 464 to 249, sacks were 5 to 0. What kept them in the game were some self-inflicted mistakes and comical officiating. This game could've easily been a 38-7 blowout. ND has got to clean up that stuff if they want to beat Syracuse much less an elite team in the playoffs.

Another crazy thing is that Book's QBR of 90.7 was better than anyone else has done against Northwestern this year by almost 10 points. And that's with his first half struggles. Absolutely dominated 3rd quarter onward against a very solid defense.

I was thinking the same thing but didn’t do the research to back it up. This makes me believe that we can be an elite team that matches up with Bama and Clemson but we just need to bring it all together. Get us to the playoff and anything can happen.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

This game wasn't even close to what the score was.
Their one scoring drive in the first half was aided by a couple non-holding calls, a phantom PI in the end zone, and a circus catch.
The offensive pass interference on Miles was laughable. The DB was in press coverage, initiated contact, and was blown-up into another DB. How is that on the O?
That took away at least three.
Special teams continues to allow inferior teams to hang around.
We beat them by 10 and it should've been 20+.
Michigan won by three and probably deserved to lose.
I'm chalking it up to a week after Navy.

I wish the ACC refs would start treating us like a conference team.

 

[Huntr]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">it's even better as a GIF <a href="https://t.co/DYVQOG7MpM">pic.twitter.com/DYVQOG7MpM</a></p>— BUM CHILLUPS (@edsbs) <a href="https://twitter.com/edsbs/status/1058900698681749505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2018</a></blockquote>

 

[Meatloaf]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final score: ND 31 - NU 21<br><br>Chicago's college football team moves to 9-0.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a>☘️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDvsNU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NDvsNU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/uNDefeated?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#uNDefeated</a> <a href="https://t.co/D2XrBKjkAQ">pic.twitter.com/D2XrBKjkAQ</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1058910350698000386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Absolute savagery. Love it!