31 Points on the Best Defense in the SEC

[IrishLax]

Only teams to score more were Auburn and Mississippi State.

Going to be an interesting offseason................ I have no idea what you do at QB. Golson was slinging it on that last drive.

 

[irishff1014]

Only teams to score more were Auburn and Mississippi State.

Going to be an interesting offseason................ I have no idea what you do at QB. Golson was slinging it on that last drive.

The best situation we could have asked to be in maybe?

 

[RDU Irish]

Golson in to pass, Zaire in to run. Run heavy game plan means Zaire gets the start and vice versa.

 

[BGIF]

Only teams to score more were Auburn and Mississippi State.

Going to be an interesting offseason................ I have no idea what you do at QB. Golson was slinging it on that last drive.

They push one another to excel.

 

[arrowryan]

2 quarterback formations!!

 

[irishff1014]

They push one another to excel.

But will they be willing to do that?

 

[Denny]

Fire Kelly!

 

[#1rish]

Zaire for QB/Fullback

 

[NDRock]

I think Golson with an emphasis on the running game would give ND the best offense. But, I have no faith that Kelly could contain himself from chucking it all over the field so I want Malik in there. Plus, the kid is a gamer. I think Kelly put way too much on Golson this year, the run game should have been the focus.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I have no idea what you do at QB. Golson was slinging it on that last drive.

Most of our early offensive success was due to Zaire's ability to run the Zone Read. As good as Golson is at passing, you simply can't run a spread offense with a QB who can't execute an option. Unless and until he demonstrates that ability (and learns how to hold onto the f*cking ball), I don't think there's any question about who our #1 is.

Zaire for QB/Fullback

He threw some nasty blocks out there today. That sort of leadership from the QB should pay big dividends down the line. If your leader is willing to put his body on the line to help the RB score, the team will follow him anywhere.

I think Golson with an emphasis on the running game would give ND the best offense.

Can't emphasize the run out of a spread with a QB who's incapable of competently running option plays.

 

[Irish YJ]

Our D did a great job given the circumstances. That said, had we not been so depleted, we likely would have had the ball more. Surprisingly scary after our time of possession stats.

 

[BGIF]

But will they be willing to do that?

smh, sigh.

 

[NorthDakota]

Was working today... Unfortunately. Followed the game cast. Had to pick my jaw up a few times when I saw the rushing stats.

Start Zaire. Run the ball. Goes against what Kelly is all about but wow.... The sky isn't falling anymore.... And Notre Dame proved they can bang heads with the almighty SEC West and win.

 

[BGIF]

LSU (8-5) lost for the first time this season to a team not from the Southeastern Conference's Western Division.

 

[Jackalope1977]

Awesome. Just awesome.

 

[RDU Irish]

LSU really isn't that great but I will go ahead and let the rest of the world think we just beat "an SEC West powerhouse". SEC defense is a function of crappy SEC offenses and zero non-conference opponents worth a squat. I did think we would have to throw to win so beating them on the ground is huge.

Both teams came to play, refreshing compared to a lot of bowl games out there. Glad they did so the win means something.

Tillery must be one gloating SOB right now!

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Love it! Go Irish!

 

[phillyirish]

LSU (8-5) lost for the first time this season to a team not from the Southeastern Conference's Western Division.

I think this might be the first SEC west loss outside the conference

 

[Whiskeyjack]

LSU really isn't that great but I will go ahead and let the rest of the world think we just beat "an SEC West powerhouse". SEC defense is a function of crappy SEC offenses and zero non-conference opponents worth a squat. I did think we would have to throw to win so beating them on the ground is huge.

Was Wisconsin not a worthy OOC opponent? And S&P+ ranked LSU's defense as 8th in the nation heading into this game. No one's claiming that this LSU team should be in the playoffs, but they've got an elite defense no matter how you slice it. And we just hung a bunch of points on that defense, with Zaire making it look easy much of the time.

 

[gkIrish]

Here's what I do next year:

Golson is the "starter." Our offense should look the way it did this game. Heavy on the rush with screens and high percentage passes mixed in. Let Golson sling it when the situation allows for it. Deep passes on 2nd and short, for example.

Malik gets the red zone and any 3rd or 4th and short. Run the zone read just like we did in the red zone today. If Golson is having a bad game, Malik can step in on all other plays, too.

Golson will suffer in the TD department but hopefully it cuts down on his turnovers. Malik gets a healthy dose of the snaps.

Think Chris Leak and Tim Tebow.

 

[ickythump1225]

If only we had a real S&C coach though. Fire Longo!

 

[Irish YJ]

Here's what I do next year:

Golson is the "starter." Our offense should look the way it did this game. Heavy on the rush with screens and high percentage passes mixed in. Let Golson sling it when the situation allows for it. Deep passes on 2nd and short, for example.

Malik gets the red zone and any 3rd or 4th and short. Run the zone read just like we did in the red zone today. If Golson is having a bad game, Malik can step in on all other plays, too.

Golson will suffer in the TD department but hopefully it cuts down on his turnovers. Malik gets a healthy dose of the snaps.

Think Chris Leak and Tim Tebow.

I think this assumes that MZ can't grow into a good passer. He has a cannon. I think it's only time before he refines.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Great win for the Irish and should give you guys a lot of momentum going in to the spring game. And the corn dog melt should be epic and in full force about now.

 

[Irish YJ]

Great win for the Irish and should give you guys a lot of momentum going in to the spring game. And the corn dog melt should be epic and in full force about now.

lol. deserves one more

 

[rtrn2glory]

heck i say let them duke it out in the offseason and make each other better

can't be any different than what urban will have to deal with in cbus

 

[TheChosen1]

We want Bama?

 

[IrishLion]

I think BK found his offense today, and Malik Zaire made it go.

Props to Golson for going in and slinging the ball around very well in crucial situations, but Zaire has a command and a desire to put it all on the line that was super impressive. If he can hone that over the offseason in a QB competition and become half the passer Golson is, then he's gotta be THE guy next year.

Only thing holding him back as a passer is reps with the full offense, and he got a very valuable start on that today.

If the offense isn't clearly run-first from the start next year, or if 5-wide on 3rd-and-short is once again a mainstay in the playbook, I'll be upset after having seen the performance today.

 

[Irish YJ]

We want Bama?

exactly.
Honestly, we lucked out playing a one dimensional offense. Allowed our D to really focus on the run.

 

[JJRyan]

awesome win... Our OLine played a heck of a game... Hopefully BK learned from this year and how we need to move forward..

Next yr cant start soon enough...

 

[woolybug25]

Here's what I do next year:

Golson is the "starter." Our offense should look the way it did this game. Heavy on the rush with screens and high percentage passes mixed in. Let Golson sling it when the situation allows for it. Deep passes on 2nd and short, for example.

Malik gets the red zone and any 3rd or 4th and short. Run the zone read just like we did in the red zone today. If Golson is having a bad game, Malik can step in on all other plays, too.

Golson will suffer in the TD department but hopefully it cuts down on his turnovers. Malik gets a healthy dose of the snaps.

Think Chris Leak and Tim Tebow.

This.

But switch "starters". Think Pike/Collaros.

I told someone tonight, this is the first time since BK got here that I saw the offense he had in Cinci.