Breaking down ND/OU

[Dizzyphil]

ND Defense - #6 Offense #74
OU Defense - #15 Offense #17

S.O.S.:

Phil Steele - ND #1 / OU #20 dated 5/29/2012

Computer based on games played s.o.s. -

ND #33 / OU #1

ND solid wins - Michigan, Miami, Michigan St., Stanford (Okay, BYU to some)
OU solid wins - Texas Tech, Texas

Key losses:

ND - 0 / OU - K-State

Match-UP

ND - Defense should be solid against the run. Would like to see some zone blitzing a couple of times to knock them in the mouth to make them run more often - the more time that ticks off the clock keeps the game low-scoring and we seem to win those games more often with our defense. Secondary will need to start correcting some coverage flaws especially in zone coverage (game 8 now boys, fix it).
ND - Offense needs to run, run, run and keep OU offense off the field as much as they can. Don't take any scoring chances for granted and split the uprights Brindza!!!!!!!

Discuss



GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!

Diz

 

[jimmymac]

If we can run the ball effectively, we will have a chance. If we ant sustain long drives and the game turns to a shoot out, I can't see us winning.

 

[Woneone]

If we can run the ball effectively, we will have a chance. If we ant sustain long drives and the game turns to a shoot out, I can't see us winning.

I think it's pretty simple.

1.) We HAVE to get pressure with our front 3/4. They have a patchwork offensive line. We need to hit Jones early, often, and hard. He'll pick us apart if he gets time all game. BUT, I think we get to him a lot.

2.) We need 3/4 BIG plays. We aren't going to be able to move the ball consistantly (I don't believe). We need a few really big strikes to score or set-up scoring oppertunities.

I think if those 2 things happen, we win.

 

[Dizzyphil]

I think it's pretty simple.

1.) We HAVE to get pressure with our front 3/4. They have a patchwork offensive line. We need to hit Jones early, often, and hard. He'll pick us apart if he gets time all game. BUT, I think we get to him a lot.

2.) We need 3/4 BIG plays. We aren't going to be able to move the ball consistantly (I don't believe). We need a few really big strikes to score or set-up scoring oppertunities.

I think if those 2 things happen, we win.

I watched the OU/K-State game and State zone blitzed 8 or 9 times that game and 3 or 4 were run blitz and really shocked or stunned OU's offense. Like OU had never seen it before.

Diz

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

We'll have to throw.

If we succeed at that, we win.

If not, we lose.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

How is their Oline?

 

[Dizzyphil]

How is their Oline?

Young and very good.


GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!

Diz

 

[jason_h537]

I find it funny fans still try to shoehorn MSU and Miami as good teams when they have clearly shown they are not.

I haven't watched Oklahoma much, tried watching them yesterday but just felt bad for Crist. The spread will be tough but I believe the D will keep the Sooners grounded. My only worry is that the offense can't keep up.

I assume OU has a good defense but I do not believe their run D is better than Stanford or BYU, so my hope is the o-line keeps getting better and the Irish can control the clock and set up play action.

My honest prediction: Oklahoma wins 17-9

Obviously Golson is the wildcard, hopefully it clicks for him this week.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

Young and very good.


GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!

Diz

Very good? That might be an overstatement. Theyve played solidly while playing in a conference that has no defense. ND will shock them early, and will beable to get pressure all game. Our secondary has to be on their A game. We will probably force a few TO's, our offense just has to capitalize.

We are going to see Golson run a lot more than we have all season. If he holds onto the ball, ND wins. I think we will take shots deep every so often to loosing up the defense. OU will have trouble stopping NDs run game. ND is going to try and strangle OU slowly. Move the chains and drain the clock while playing field position limit OU's offensive snaps.

This game is going to be a lot closer than alot of analysts believe. Theyve been focusing too much on OU's pass game vs our secondary. I think the biggest battle and deciding factor will be how OU's OL holds up, if I were an OU fan I'd be pretty concerned

 

[Kak7304]

I find it funny fans still try to shoehorn MSU and Miami as good teams when they have clearly shown they are not.

I haven't watched Oklahoma much, tried watching them yesterday but just felt bad for Crist. The spread will be tough but I believe the D will keep the Sooners grounded. My only worry is that the offense can't keep up.

I assume OU has a good defense but I do not believe their run D is better than Stanford or BYU, so my hope is the o-line keeps getting better and the Irish can control the clock and set up play action.

My honest prediction: Oklahoma wins 17-9

Obviously Golson is the wildcard, hopefully it clicks for him this week.

Not even remotely close. OU's rush D is ranked #49 while Stanford and BYU are both top 10. OU was gashed on the ground by UTEP and KSU. They're more than vulnerable to the run especially in comparison to BYU and Stanford.

 

[tadman95]

Golson can't play caretaker, he's going to have to play like he's been there before. I'm sure we'll ground and pound but we have to make enough plays passing to keep the box cleared out.

Four quarters of big boy football. Our only realistic chance is to win it in the 4th quarter. I think our guys have the mental makeup to take some shots and still keep it a game. Diaco has done a good job of making adjustments. Oklahoma will be the most complete, athletic team we've faced by far.

Landry is a seasoned QB, he'll make some plays. Our "D" has to keep the ball in front of them. Have to get some pressure against a young but developing o-line. (seven games in they are coming together) I would expect them to move Landry around, get the ball out quickly, try to get our front seven on their heels early.

Bottom line, our offense is our best defense in this game. We have to have time consuming drives with points. Efficient. I don't think we can win without our offense producing.

It's a good time to win a game in Oklahoma.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Very good? That might be an overstatement. Theyve played solidly while playing in a conference that has no defense. ND will shock them early, and will beable to get pressure all game. Our secondary has to be on their A game. We will probably force a few TO's, our offense just has to capitalize.

We are going to see Golson run a lot more than we have all season. If he holds onto the ball, ND wins. I think we will take shots deep every so often to loosing up the defense. OU will have trouble stopping NDs run game. ND is going to try and strangle OU slowly. Move the chains and drain the clock while playing field position limit OU's offensive snaps.

This game is going to be a lot closer than alot of analysts believe. Theyve been focusing too much on OU's pass game vs our secondary. I think the biggest battle and deciding factor will be how OU's OL holds up, if I were an OU fan I'd be pretty concerned

I was speaking of K-State's O-line versus OU's defensive front. It was in response to what he and I were talking about. Thanks.

GO IRISH!!!!!!!

Diz

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I was speaking of K-State's O-line versus OU's defensive front. It was in response to what he and I were talking about. Thanks.

GO IRISH!!!!!!!

Diz

Oh ok. Sorry

 

[Cogs]

Jones is very bad under pressure. I say bring 5-6 guys each time until they can stop the heat.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Oh ok. Sorry

No worries my man. I see where you are coming from though. My true, honest opinion is this game is close up to the fourth quarter and I believe the team that has the ball last wins. I think the Irish and OU actually pair real good together. Win or lose, I expect to see a close, solid, and great game.

GO IRISH!!!!!!!

Diz

 

[phork]

Another defensive borefest. (I am ok with that). 13-3.

Oklahoma opens as 10 point favorite... Wow.

 

[mrmiller8]

If notre dame doesnt get a game plan together offensivly and execute it well, say bye bye to NC talks. They must score in the air..... Golson has to use his feet to move the ball. The secondary will give up at least three big plays. If they can limit the big plays and get to landry early and knock him around this game will be 20-17.... If they don't get pressure on Landry early and he has time to gain confidence this might be 35-17....

 

[Cogs]

If notre dame doesnt get a game plan together offensivly and execute it well, say bye bye to NC talks. They must score in the air..... Golson has to use his feet to move the ball. The secondary will give up at least three big plays. If they can limit the big plays and get to landry early and knock him around this game will be 20-17.... If they don't get pressure on Landry early and he has time to gain confidence this might be 35-17....

20-17 OU wins with ND playing good football? If I'm not mistaken, I'd say ND is a slightly better team....but hey I'm just a homer. 20-14. ND wins it.

 

[mrmiller8]

20-17 OU wins with ND playing good football? If I'm not mistaken, I'd say ND is a slightly better team....but hey I'm just a homer. 20-14. ND wins it.

I think talent wise, ND is better. Executing the offense is what this game will be all about. It's the worst matchup on the schedule besides SC. They are explosive on the offiensive side of the ball and particularly in the pass game... What is ND's weak spot on defense? THE SECONDARY. They need to step up! Im as big of an Irish fan as there is, but im not stupid or delusional.... It's a tough freaking matchup and USC will be too!

 

[tommyIRISH23]

If notre dame doesnt get a game plan together offensivly and execute it well, say bye bye to NC talks. They must score in the air..... Golson has to use his feet to move the ball. The secondary will give up at least three big plays. If they can limit the big plays and get to landry early and knock him around this game will be 20-17.... If they don't get pressure on Landry early and he has time to gain confidence this might be 35-17....

A lot of things wrong here.

1. ND has a game plan. Run the ball on the ground through their stable of RB's and athletic QB. Eat the clock. Keep our defense rested and limit the snaps that opposing offenses get to try and beat our defense.

2. Why do they have to score in the air? I score on the ground counts as the same 7. We need to get some chunk yardage through the air during a long drive, but beat up the opposing defense has proven invaluable late in the game.

3. Ive said this 1092390 times. We will get pressure on Landry, and often. OU has not seen a defense as physical as ours in a very long time. We will beat Landry up and keep him uncomfortable all game. We are more physical and more athletic than Kansas State.

 

[Tylurrr]

If they don't get pressure on Landry early and he has time to gain confidence this might be 35-17....

If ND gives up 35 I will drive down to Jacksonville and put your Christmas lights up while you sip lemonade watching ND roll over USC.

I'm taking the good guys, 17-10. I say ND is cruising 17-7 most of the game before OU hits a FG late, gets the ball back and starts driving before a pick at the goal line to end it.

Then we'll go to the Indian casinos in OK and take their $$.

 

[Junkhead]

It will take a few big plays and some luck, but this could be the icing on the cake for the season so far. We are ranked higher than them, don't come in scared.

 

[General Colon Bowel]

First one to 20 wins.
They won't be able to run consistently on us. We won't be able to throw consistently on them. It'll come down to who can make more big plays on offense and create more turnovers on D.
I like our ability for the big play on offense: we have three rb's who can either make you miss or beat you to the crease. Golson's scrambling ability allows him to buy time down field for the occasional broken play as well.
On defense, I like our ability to create some turnovers as well. Our D-Line is one of the best in the country at pinning their ears back and going after the QB. They seem to love rushing the passer and I believe Shembo, Tuitt, and Moore will be chomping at the bit for the chance to get after Jones. Our secondary is young, and I believe they'll make a few mental mistakes but they're also opportunistic and have the speed to get in position for picks on misthrown balls.

I feel cautiously optimistic for this game. We won't keep OU out of the endzone, but we'll make enough plays on both sides of the ball to pull one out. 24-17 ND

 

[Dizzyphil]

First one to 20 wins.
They won't be able to run consistently on us. We won't be able to throw consistently on them. It'll come down to who can make more big plays on offense and create more turnovers on D.
I like our ability for the big play on offense: we have three rb's who can either make you miss or beat you to the crease. Golson's scrambling ability allows him to buy time down field for the occasional broken play as well.
On defense, I like our ability to create some turnovers as well. Our D-Line is one of the best in the country at pinning their ears back and going after the QB. They seem to love rushing the passer and I believe Shembo, Tuitt, and Moore will be chomping at the bit for the chance to get after Jones. Our secondary is young, and I believe they'll make a few mental mistakes but they're also opportunistic and have the speed to get in position for picks on misthrown balls.

I feel cautiously optimistic for this game. We won't keep OU out of the endzone, but we'll make enough plays on both sides of the ball to pull one out. 24-17 ND

I agree. But it would be seriously awesome if it was in the air and not on the ground to keep the streak going. With that said, and the streak continues through this game, I believe we win - close score, but we win.

GO IRISH!!!!!!

Diz

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Landry Jones hasnt played well in his career vs good defenses. No doubt Oklahoma is a damn good team. But also we are 7-0. ND is 5th in the country. There is not a damn reason why they cant win the game.

No excuses. Its time to send a message. There is no "Golsons only a redshirt freshman", "we have a young secondary" , etc. This is what BK has been building toward for the last 3 years. This team has proven they can stop the run, stop the pass, stop the spread. Now its time to rise up and win a statement game.

We have the talent on defense. We have the talent on offense. We have a coach. Now its time to see it come together. If you want ND to be BACK...this is the game where something can be established. Was MSU/Michigan a big win? Hell yeah. But at the sametime, when you say those names it doesnt come with the "oh **** " factor that oklahoma has. Its time to put up or shutup. Go to Norman and beat that *** or its gonna be a long flight back. Either way i know that ND will give maximum effort and leave it out there.

But no excuses. If we are want to be in that Natl Title convo....this is a W and dont expect anything less. Theres no moral victories at this point.

 

[West Coast Domer]

Landry Jones hasnt played well in his career vs good defenses. No doubt Oklahoma is a damn good team. But also we are 7-0. ND is 5th in the country. There is not a damn reason why they cant win the game.

No excuses. Its time to send a message. There is no "Golsons only a redshirt freshman", "we have a young secondary" , etc. This is what BK has been building toward for the last 3 years. This team has proven they can stop the run, stop the pass, stop the spread. Now its time to rise up and win a statement game.

We have the talent on defense. We have the talent on offense. We have a coach. Now its time to see it come together. If you want ND to be BACK...this is the game where something can be established. Was MSU/Michigan a big win? Hell yeah. But at the sametime, when you say those names it doesnt come with the "oh **** " factor that oklahoma has. Its time to put up or shutup. Go to Norman and beat that *** or its gonna be a long flight back. Either way i know that ND will give maximum effort and leave it out there.

But no excuses. If we are want to be in that Natl Title convo....this is a W and dont expect anything less. Theres no moral victories at this point.

This post got me hyped up..but then I forgot it's Monday tommorrow

 

[ClausentoTate]

The more I analyze this game, the better chance I think we have to win it.

If KSU can limit them to 19 points, so can we. We can run on anyone, we can stuff anyone's run. Let's win on fundamentals. Let's make them dink and dunk. Let's limit their possessions. Let's convert on 3rd down. In the redzone let's get 6 instead of 3.

Time to man up. We can do this. We deserve this. We've worked for this. LET'S GOOOOO.

Good teams don't get a victory, they TAKE IT. Let's go into their house and TAKE IT!

 

[jason_h537]

The more I analyze this game, the better chance I think we have to win it.

If KSU can limit them to 19 points, so can we. We can run on anyone, we can stuff anyone's run. Let's win on fundamentals. Let's make them dink and dunk. Let's limit their possessions. Let's convert on 3rd down. In the redzone let's get 6 instead of 3.

Time to man up. We can do this. We deserve this. We've worked for this. LET'S GOOOOO.

Good teams don't get a victory, they TAKE IT. Let's go into their house and TAKE IT!

It is not the defense I am worried about, or holding them down to a reasonable score. The truth is ND's offense is bad. It's one dimensional. Unless Golson wakes up this game, pull some trick plays or successfully run it down their throats from the opening whistle, 19 points from OU can be enough to win.

I do not think the Sooners are unbeatable. I just do not like this match up.

 

[BobD]

Intense pressure on their QB.
Execute on offense.
Win at turnovers.

 

[irishff1014]

One phase of this game that will be huge is special teams. We can't miss FG. We cant have 35 yard punts from our 20. I do agree think our offense will do ok but they will test the secondary alot so get ready Jackson,Russell,Farly,Motta. Farly didn't play that great IMO last week. We are going to need thses guys to bring their A game. The offense needs to eat time off the clock to give OU less time and to let the defense catch their breath.