Aug 31 | Texas A&M

[IA4irish]

Everyone here needs to sack up. This team is different. Irish by a million.

 

[NormND_44]

I just don’t feel confident in Freeman handling this game.

With one of the best coordinator pairs in college football? Would have agreed with you the last two years but staff has finally been professionalized.

 

[NDFAN2008]

I just don’t feel confident in Freeman handling this game.

More confident in Freeman with two legit coordinators vs Kelly

 

[PutuporShutup]

With one of the best coordinator pairs in college football? Would have agreed with you the last two years but staff has finally been professionalized.

Due to having stud coordinators he really doesn't have to be involved much in X's O's the last 1.5 weeks before the game. He can focus on the teams focus, attention to detail, making sure the plans are aligned with each other including special teams, and then situational in game decision making. He's really put himself into a CEO role that I think he can be successful in. We'll find out in college station.

 

[stlnd01]

Due to having stud coordinators he really doesn't have to be involved much in X's O's the last 1.5 weeks before the game. He can focus on the teams focus, attention to detail, making sure the plans are aligned with each other including special teams, and then situational in game decision making. He's really put himself into a CEO role that I think he can be successful in. We'll find out in college station.

Freeman has had his lapses as a gameday coach but in big games - both Ohio States, 2022 Clemson, 2023 USC, even his first game against Oklahoma State - his teams have generally been pretty locked in, even if we lost in the end. Marshall and Duke/Louisville would suggest it's the week after we need to worry about, but we'll deal with Northern Illinois when we get there.

 

[IrishLion]

Due to having stud coordinators he really doesn't have to be involved much in X's O's the last 1.5 weeks before the game. He can focus on the teams focus, attention to detail, making sure the plans are aligned with each other including special teams, and then situational in game decision making. He's really put himself into a CEO role that I think he can be successful in. We'll find out in college station.

ND is really going to be able to lean on the defense this year, I think.

The question:

Is Freeman MORE aggressive when making goal-to-go and 4th-down calls with the offense, because he knows he can probably count on his defense, even if the offense fails and puts them in a bad spot?

Or is he more conservative, leaning on the defense to win the field position game until the offense gels and finally breaks through?

I think you play it conservative in game one against A&M, let the defense do their thing while Denbrock figures out what Elko is going for.... then go balls to the wall with a super aggressive offense and situational decisions the next three weeks before Louisville comes to town.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Freeman has had his lapses as a gameday coach but in big games - both Ohio States, 2022 Clemson, 2023 USC, even his first game against Oklahoma State - his teams have generally been pretty locked in, even if we lost in the end. Marshall and Duke/Louisville would suggest it's the week after we need to worry about, but we'll deal with Northern Illinois when we get there.

I do expect the team to be locked in, but in the games we lost our in game decision making and adjustments left a lot to be desired.

 

[ThePiombino]

I just don’t feel confident in Freeman handling this game.

That's what the veteran coordinators are for.

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[NDFAN2008]

The difference in this game could be field position and we have a way better punter

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

2 or more turnovers = loss
0 or 1 turnover = win

 

[stlnd01]

I do expect the team to be locked in, but in the games we lost our in game decision making and adjustments left a lot to be desired.

Agreed but that’s where Denbrock and Golden come in.

 

[Hautian Domer]

I just don’t feel confident in Freeman handling this game.

I don’t either. Say what you will, but he’s the third best coach on our staff. His job is to
have the team focused, organized, prepared and ready to play. We looked lost last year on the road, particularly Duke, Louisville, and Clemson. NC State was taking it to us prior to the rain delay, but he does get credit for having them regrouped.
Stanford, we initially looked lethargic.This will be a much more hostile environment with more talent than those opponents.

RL’s time off from playing combined with Elko’s familiarity with him also has me concerned. That, and our offensive line vs. their defensive line.

I’m not saying we’ll lose, but I see this being a really low scoring game…a 21-14, 20-17, 24-21 type game.

 

[NDdomer2]

I don’t either. Say what you will, but he’s the third best coach on our staff. His job is to
have the team focused, organized, prepared and ready to play. We looked lost last year on the road, particularly Duke, Louisville, and Clemson. NC State was taking it to us prior to the rain delay, but he does get credit for having them regrouped.
Stanford, we initially looked lethargic.This will be a much more hostile environment with more talent than those opponents.

RL’s time off from playing combined with Elko’s familiarity with him also has me concerned. That, and our offensive line vs. their defensive line.

I’m not saying we’ll lose, but I see this being a really low scoring game…a 21-14, 20-17, 24-21 type game.

Maybe 4th.

Denbrock, Golden, Mickens.

Honestly, it could be a great thing to have your HC not be your best coach, but the why is more important. Is it because of an amazing staff, or because of a bad HC. Those are 3 great coaches.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Maybe 4th.

Denbrock, Golden, Mickens.

Honestly, it could be a great thing to have your HC not be your best coach, but the why is more important. Is it because of an amazing staff, or because of a bad HC. Those are 3 great coaches.

5th I'd put Deland up there

 

[irish4ever]

Seeing way too many people acting like the game is already decided, as if we’re not the better team. TAMU has more problems than us. Their secondary is cheeks, our DT is gonna have their fans squeezing their nuts off, and their players probably can’t even read the down marker

Damn, you're throwing some rocks! Sign me up ... I'm all in for that ND double-digit win baby!!!

 

[mango4]

I just don’t feel confident in Freeman handling this game.

But what makes you confident in Elko? Yeah, he beat Clemson last year but that's his only win over a ranked opponent and he doesn't exactly have a ton of marquee wins. In comparison (not counting bowl games), Freeman had 3 wins against ranked opponents his first year and 2 last year, including beating Duke at their place.

 

[pumpdog20]

I don't know where I heard it (maybe Power hour? or maybe it was Brice), but thought it was said that in the jersey game that the first team O couldn't move the ball on the first team D.

 

[arrowryan]

I don't know where I heard it (maybe Power hour? or maybe it was Brice), but thought it was said that in the jersey game that the first team O couldn't move the ball on the first team D.

Brice said that the 1st team defense beat the first team offense. That’s expected, considering it’s a loaded defense in year 3 with Golden.

“Couldn’t move the ball” seems exaggerated

 

[MKEagle]

Fowler and Herbstreit >>>>>>>>> Tessitore

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I don't know where I heard it (maybe Power hour? or maybe it was Brice), but thought it was said that in the jersey game that the first team O couldn't move the ball on the first team D.

Denbrock basically said in his presser that their live scrimmage last week was okay but he demands perfection. Golden also tipped his cap to Denbrock saying it's a "pain in the butt" going up agianst him everyday.

It's not a surprise that our veteran defense, particularly up front and in the secondary, would be winning some or most reps. But there are playmakers at every position offensively. This isn't going to be a horrible offense. There might be some growing pains on the OL, but there are ways to mitigate that, such as quick screens, misdirection, option/RPO etc.

They're going to score some points. there might be some frustrating moments along the way, but they're going to be fine.

 

[GoldenTate(r)Tots]

A few have mentioned it but it's really how I feel about this game: 1. Weather the initial environmental impact of playing in Tx heat and the crowd, get settled and play our game, 2. Limit our mistakes (protect the ball, pre snap penalties, etc), 3. Trust the experienced coordinators at OC and DC who have records of adjusting to the game, 4. Freeman basically be the team hype man and keep players focused, 5. Go out there and beat the crap out of the other team.

Elko is a good coach, has good players, knows RL and will have a good plan. These coaches know this and will account and adjust as needed. I know a lot here are worried about things with the OL and MFMF in big games, but I see this being more like USC last year. Maybe I'm wrong, but as long as there's a W for us in the end, it's what it is. Can't wait for the season to start.

 

[Katzenboyer]

Any time I start to get worried about this game, and the tough matchup their DL will give our OL, I keep coming back to the fact that I just don't think they'll be able to move the ball against us.

Their OL is not great, and I think our defense will be the best of the four units out on the field. I think ND suffocates for four quarters and after pulling ahead in the second quarter, doesn't look back.

 

[dublinirish]

Fowler and Herbstreit >>>>>>>>> Tessitore

the wrestling guy??

 

[EvilleIrish]

Line has moved to 3. Concerning.

 

[greyhammer90]

Have we gotten soft?? We have studs all across our roster. Morrison. Evans. Cross. Leonard. Watts. Love. Kiser. Greathouse. Gray. Thomas. Collins. Many more.

If the OL is shitting the bed, switch it to quick game to our strong receivers. If the quick game isn’t working, have Leonard do option runs. Good luck guarding both Love and Leonard. Denbrock is absolutely the guy we want navigating the line play IF it is shaky, and we’ve got him. Irish win by 13

Wake up the f***cking echoes, lads

You're doing this wrong. You're supposed to talk yourself into a loss, then if they win be angry anyway.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

Line has moved to 3. Concerning.

Came here to note the line shift. Significant because of the hook (it takes a lot for a line to shift from 2.5 to 3).

Vegas believes in A&M enough, or has received enough money on A&M, to now risk a push in the event that they win by a FG.

 

[stlnd01]

Line has moved to 3. Concerning.

Why? Because a bunch of obnoxious Texans are gonna lose money?

 

[RDU Irish]

Line moved to ND +3 from a coin flip. What changed in the last few weeks? Did our camp disappoint or their camp gain some steam?

I like ND +3 and under 46.5. First game of the season with two good defenses. I don't see the over happening without some defense/ST scores.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Line moved to ND +3 from a coin flip. What changed in the last few weeks? Did our camp disappoint or their camp gain some steam?

I like ND ML and under 46.5. First game of the season with two good defenses. I don't see the over happening without some defense/ST scores.

FIFY

 

[texbender]

This is where I'm at with this game. It's time to win games like this.

Absolutely. If you are wanting to be considered a top program, you must be able to travel and win versus these types of opponents. Let's GO!