2019 @UGA Post Game Thread

[NDLS_USMC]

Long time "Post Game Thread" lurker, first time caller.

No new objective analysis but subjectively...this moral victory feels a LOT different than any in the last 20 years to me because it crushed the doubts of 'are we *really* a top tier football program?'

I saw the doubts and derision all over IE and the interwebs.

Hated losing. Enjoyed seeing a real fight and good coaching.

I hope CBK delivers a message similar to, "See...SEE. You're a helluva team. Now take it up a notch this year and into the future. We'll win a lot of ball games together."

 

[GDomer09]

Based on tonight... Georgia will get trucked by either Bama or Clemson.

So you're saying we suck?

 

[snoopdog]

Notre Dame's strength of schedule is not good enough to get in over a comparable 1 loss SEC non-champ.

Bottom line - a lot of weird stuff can happen, but it seems unlikely that:
-Ohio State or Wisconsin doesn't emerge from the Big Ten with one or fewer losses.
-Oklahoma or Texas doesn't emerge from the Big 12 with one or fewer losses.
-Bama or Georgia or LSU doesn't emerge from the SEC with one or fewer losses.
-Clemson doesn't go undefeated.

So how does ND get in?

Regardless, focusing on the playoffs as the end-all-be-all at this point is, IMO, really stupid. And I hope the team doesn't take that mindset either. ND hasn't won a NY6 bowl in forever... at 10+ wins they have a very good chance of either:
-Playing in the Orange Bowl against ACC team #2.
-Playing in the Cotton Bowl against the best Group of 5 team or SEC #3 (most likely, judging by current rankings of Bama/Georgia/LSU/Auburn it seems likely that one of them will finish the year in the top 10)

Control what you control, and as fans there is no point even talking playoffs until we have clear scenarios circa week 10.

If Georgia wins the SEC and ND wins out, I would say there is a better than 50/50 chance ND is in the playoffs.

 

[ACamp1900]

I love the SEC fan takes I've seen, general take:

"Nd isn't a top team, no where near. They played flawless, complete A+ game while UGA played horrible, C game at best and UGA still won...." blah blah blah, that's pretty much where it's at... fun times.

 

[GDomer09]

I love the SEC fan takes I've seen, general take:

"Nd isn't a top team, no where near. They played flawless, complete A+ game while UGA played horrible, C game at best and UGA still won...." blah blah blah, that's pretty much where it's at... fun times.

How can they even have that take and not get blasted for it. That was the most penalties I've seen an Irish team have since my fandom (1997). At least that I can remember.

 

[Irishize]

This is what I love about CFB...provided it doesn’t bite ND. Still a wise statement for every successful P5 program...

It’s better to be a superior team on paper than your opponents, but this is a weird sport and upsets happen when pressure mounts. I would like to tell you that the fact the Irish were so close to the best opponent on their schedule and the fact the rest of the slate looks wobbly means that 11-1 is guaranteed but that’s not how any of this works and be wary of anyone who implies as much. Nothing is given and much work is left to do.

 

[Irishize]

I love the SEC fan takes I've seen, general take:

"Nd isn't a top team, no where near. They played flawless, complete A+ game while UGA played horrible, C game at best and UGA still won...." blah blah blah, that's pretty much where it's at... fun times.

Then UGA should start searching for a new HC if it’s true he couldn’t get an A game out of his team in the biggest even in the history of Athens, GA and the biggest stage in America on Saturday night.

 

[GreenGemsOmally]

Notre Dame's strength of schedule is not good enough to get in over a comparable 1 loss SEC non-champ.

Bottom line - a lot of weird stuff can happen, but it seems unlikely that:
-Ohio State or Wisconsin doesn't emerge from the Big Ten with one or fewer losses.
-Oklahoma or Texas doesn't emerge from the Big 12 with one or fewer losses.
-Bama or Georgia or LSU doesn't emerge from the SEC with one or fewer losses.
-Clemson doesn't go undefeated.

So how does ND get in?

Regardless, focusing on the playoffs as the end-all-be-all at this point is, IMO, really stupid. And I hope the team doesn't take that mindset either. ND hasn't won a NY6 bowl in forever... at 10+ wins they have a very good chance of either:
-Playing in the Orange Bowl against ACC team #2.
-Playing in the Cotton Bowl against the best Group of 5 team or SEC #3 (most likely, judging by current rankings of Bama/Georgia/LSU/Auburn it seems likely that one of them will finish the year in the top 10)

Control what you control, and as fans there is no point even talking playoffs until we have clear scenarios circa week 10.

God dammit I don't want to play LSU again.

 

[Luckylucci]

Lea is about as good as it gets, IMO. I agree with others, pay him whatever he wants to try and keep him around to coach the next cycle of recruits. There is a lot of exciting talent on the defensive depth chart and coming to South Bend in the near future, we need this guy to be the one coaching it.

Obviously, the LB's are an extension of that and they played their best game yet, against the best competition. Arrow pointing up for sure.

Super impressed with MTA so far this year. The 20' DT depth chart is just nasty.

UGA WR's made some exceptional catches and you got to tip your caps on some of those plays. However, I thought the DB's played well. Were in good position for the most part and were getting their hands on a lot of footballs. I was told prior to Fall Camp that the staff was substantially higher on Bracy than I think most realize. It's starting to show.

I thought Long called the type of game I wanted, we just didn't make enough plays. As noted already, this is one or two plays away from being a different outcome and those plays were there to be made. Sans the flea flicker, which I think most agree on.

In this post, I'm not going to place this criticism on Long because I'm not sure it should be as they practiced this ad nauseum during Fall Camp but we need Book, especially, in a game like that to throw more 50/50 balls and give Claypool a chance to make a play. UGA did with Lawrence Cager and we all see what happened. 50/50 balls are not really 50/50 when you have an accurate QB and a big/fast/physical WR. Even with very good coverage you can complete these.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Lea is about as good as it gets, IMO. I agree with others, pay him whatever he wants to try and keep him around to coach the next cycle of recruits. There is a lot of exciting talent on the defensive depth chart and coming to South Bend in the near future, we need this guy to be the one coaching it.

Say Vandy fires Derek Mason and Lea wants to go home to try his hand with the Commodores. Is Elston the automatic hire as DC? Or would BK need to try to strike gold again?

I think these are good questions to ask because great young coordinators can get a job any offseason. Obviously the ideal is to keep Lea as long as possible, but we gotta be realistic.

 

[Wild Bill]

Post-Georgia Rakes report:

7) The really crappy part about this is Kirby Smart gave the Irish a chance to steal this and they couldn’t. Not going for it on that fourth and one was defensible but also pretty cowardly considering it could have put the game away instead of relying on a defensive stop in the final minute. The Kelly/Smart battles have been two classics and the Irish have fallen short twice, meaning Fromm is going to dine out on his 2-0 record against the Irish for the rest of his life which seems very unfair. If the Irish play a cleaner game or Armstrong is healthy, we are maybe talking about an undefeated team that just pulled off the upset of the season and was on the fast track to a second straight playoff appearance. Alas.

My takeaway was the complete opposite. I thought Smart made the correct decision to kick the field goal and force ND to score two TDs in the last six minutes to win the game. That just wasn't very likely given the pace of the game, and it turns out he was right. If they get stuffed, ND has momentum and were in position to tie the game with a field goal.

 

[IrishLax]

God dammit I don't want to play LSU again.

Me neither lol... I would love a crack at the best non-Clemson ACC team though or a Group of 5 team like Boise/UCF. Those would be fun matchups. In general, I'm sick of how ND very rarely gets an opportunity to play PAC12/Big 12/Big Ten team in bowl season.

 

[ACamp1900]

Me neither lol... I would love a crack at the best non-Clemson ACC team though or a Group of 5 team like Boise/UCF. Those would be fun matchups. In general, I'm sick of how ND very rarely gets an opportunity to play PAC12/Big 12/Big Ten team in bowl season.

Yeah I'd like a change of pace too... Haven't played Cal in like 50 years or so... maybe they keep this thing rolling into a big bowl?

 

[T Town Tommy]

Me neither lol... I would love a crack at the best non-Clemson ACC team though or a Group of 5 team like Boise/UCF. Those would be fun matchups. In general, I'm sick of how ND very rarely gets an opportunity to play PAC12/Big 12/Big Ten team in bowl season.

You're probably playing the second best team in the ACC in Virginia. And there's nothing to gain against a G5 school. Win and you should have... lose and the sky is falling.

 

[irishtrain]

Then UGA should start searching for a new HC if it’s true he couldn’t get an A game out of his team in the biggest even in the history of Athens, GA and the biggest stage in America on Saturday night.

There hearts were still broken from not playing in the playoff last year so they couldn't focus -----such bull$#%@

 

[tussin]

Agree with most of what you are saying, especially the bolded.

... is Young supposed to be very good? Guy hasn't done much to date.

 

[Luckylucci]

Say Vandy fires Derek Mason and Lea wants to go home to try his hand with the Commodores. Is Elston the automatic hire as DC? Or would BK need to try to strike gold again?
I think these are good questions to ask because great young coordinators can get a job any offseason. Obviously the ideal is to keep Lea as long as possible, but we gotta be realistic.

I think he'd have to go outside the organization, honestly. I love what Elston has done as a DL coach and in recruiting but I think we'd have to look elsewhere.

 

[Bluto]

... is Young supposed to be very good? Guy hasn't done much to date.

He’s pretty fast and in theory can take the top off a defense. Assuming Book can step up and hit that throw with any sort of consistency.

 

[T Town Tommy]

I think he'd have to go outside the organization, honestly. I love what Elston has done as a DL coach and in recruiting but I think we'd have to look elsewhere.

If/when Pruitt gets fired at UTenn I think he comes back to Bama. That opens the door for Pete Golding to become available. I think he would make a good hire for the Irish and he can recruit well too. A lot has to happen before all that plays out, but it isn't impossible to believe.

 

[Luckylucci]

... is Young supposed to be very good? Guy hasn't done much to date.

Definitely a small sample size, in terms of game production, but he's made big plays going back to the Citrus Bowl in 2017. Avg. 19.7 yds/re. last year, again small sample size of 7 catches. More speed. More experience.

 

[IrishLion]

... is Young supposed to be very good? Guy hasn't done much to date.

It's less about what he might have done, and more about Finke being able to play full-time in his most comfortable spot. I think if Young is on the field, though, it opens up a bit more in terms of smoke screens and taking an extra deep shot or two.

More importantly, TJ Jr. caught a few checkdowns that went for minimal yardage (and had one BIG third-down conversion on the HB angle route), which Armstrong probably has the speed to turn into 10+ yard gains, as opposed to the 4-5 yards that TJ Jr. gets.

Those yards add up in a game that you lost by 6 points, with less than a 0.5 ypp discrepency from the winning team.

 

[RDU Irish]

I thought we looked the better, more complete, better coached team. We beat ourselves more than they beat us. Easily should (not could) have been up 21-7 at the half without the dumb drive killing penalties. I mean out the gate we drive 25 yards on two plays and give it all up on penalties before punting.

Only position groups they were clearly better than us were QB and RB.

UGA halftime adjustments were very good - tip of the hat to them. However, with a bigger lead we would have forced them in to a different game plan there - not to mention attitude.

A few plays that stood out that I am too lazy to dig through 300 posts:

Tackled by pulling back of helmet - seems like it shouldn't be allowed. Think it was one of the few Avery Davis touches.

TJ Jr lack of explosiveness - one play he is caught from behind with arm tackle that most RBs should run through and anyone with burst would not have been touched in the first place. Hole up the middle that could not be exploited. Multiple plays I thought of how Dex would have romped - and Dex is a marginal NFL prospect. RB group is just so frustrating year after year.

 

[Legacy]

Kirk Herbstreit leaves UGA out of his top 4 again, heavily praises Notre Dame (DawgNation)

 

[AllTimeIrish]

Kirk Herbstreit leaves UGA out of his top 4 again, heavily praises Notre Dame (DawgNation)

Nice to see this is the narrative instead of how GA just had a bad game against us. Good sign that recent winning by the program is starting to earn the respect of the national pundits. We need to keep building on this.

 

[RDU Irish]

I am OK with missing the playoffs this year but to say there is no path for ND is bordering on moronic. UGA goes undefeated and ND dials up their offensive firepower as the season progresses with lots of highlight reel stuff from Armstrong and Young.

Everyone talks about the "best" teams making the playoffs - a much improved ND who dominated much of the ROAD loss to SEC champ and undefeated UGA absolutely screams for a neutral site rematch.

Are people so blind to think the $$$$ of 13-0 UGA vs 11-1 ND - #2 vs #3 rematch would not be a complete lock for the CFP?

Not going to happen b/c I don't think we have the offensive chops or attitude to hand 50 on UM, USC, UVA etc - we will make some of those too close and fuel doubters. And Bama will win the SEC but that is A path to the CFP for ND.

Much prefer whatever the top SEC team not to make the playoff - we smoke them in the top NY6 game. I will be surprised if we are playing someone other than LSU, Bama or UGA in a NY6 game. Two ways that doesn't happen is all three are in CFP or we are. Florida is not good and I have not seen Auburn - LSU, UGA and Bama are top 5 material this year IMO. OK, OSU and ND rounding out the class of Clemson wannabes and viable CFP contenders.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I have a hard time not seeing Clemson undefeated, SEC champion undefeated, and (UGG) Ohio State B!G undefeated. Oklahoma probably rolls and gets #4, leaving two of Georgia, Alabama, and LSU as the tooth-grinding left outs. So who comes in next?

Why, wonder of wonders: it's US. The bowl mavens won't want an SEC repeat, so "who-they-gonna-call?" for a big payday?

Get ready for Bama, boys. (just an intuition on LSU this year.)

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

I think the program is building towards a championship in 2022 or 2023. With the talent on both sides we are bringing in I think we'll finally be able to win these type of games, even win some going away. We have to keep Lea and either Long keeps improving or we find a different home run hire.

 

[stlnd01]

I have a hard time not seeing Clemson undefeated, SEC champion undefeated, and (UGG) Ohio State B!G undefeated. Oklahoma probably rolls and gets #4, leaving two of Georgia, Alabama, and LSU as the tooth-grinding left outs. So who comes in next?

I realize we’re in an era of Superpowers and Everyone Else. But when was the last time even three P5 teams went undefeated, let alone four? Upsets happen. Every damn year.
That said, we’ll need a lot of upsets b/c we aren’t getting in over even a one-loss conference champ, or SEC runner-up, if our best win is... Virginia? Michigan? USC?
If we go 11-1, is there any chance we land in the Rose Bowl? Would love to see us play, say, Wisconsin or Washington out there.

 

[BeatSC]

Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl would be awesome against anyone!!!

 

[calvegas04]

Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl would be awesome against anyone!!!

make it happen!