Breaking down ND/OU

[OU_Sooners75]

That...was a more abrasive response than I was expecting...I just liked the documentary...[slowly backs away]

Sorry, my intentoons weren't to be abrasive. My apologies it came across that way.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

...Javon Harris, Strong Safety
Senior- ball hawk. Goes for the pick often. He is not our best DB but has 4 INTs this season including 2 last week vs. KU and 1 vs. Texas Tech. Last year he got torched against Baylor's Robert Griffin. Overall, he's improved from last year.

Well c'mon, you have to thank ND for those.

 

[IrishLion]

IrishLion10....


The long post of mone was actually a spoof...lol


But since you mentioned...#1.


OU doesn't have to let the defense sub, unless they sub in on the offense.


Saying that, OU has caught the opposing defense in plenty of illegal substitution penalties because they have tried to sub when OU didn't.

When the offense is on the field, OU has the personnel that can run many different sets and formations. For instance, Trey Millard is a FB. But he can line up as a tailback, slot, or TE. Williams can lineup as a FB, out wide, or offset back. Etc. When OU wants to get going fast, then ND will not be able to sub, unless the offense subs.

So, that's why the initial question was there. We have seen some very good defense tire by half time just because they have ran 50+ plays before break.

There have been about 7 games since OU went to a no huddle where the offense has ran over 100 plays. There has been cllose to 20 games where OU ran over 90. Then there has also been times where OU slows way down and runs less than 70.


I can betcha, that if the OU is clicking and the crowd is in the game, OU will top 90 playsvs. ND. And most of those will be without subbing. And in turn your defense won't be able to sub and will tire.

No hard feelings, I facepalmed myself when I realized I missed your point about if they were in good enough shape IF THEY CAN'T SUB.

 

[koonja]

IMO, yes, but does it really matter in this game? Notre Dame will not try to air it out often, but if they do, they will pay.

Tony Jefferson, Free Safety
Junior, 3 year starter, started as a true freshman and was named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and 1st Team Freshman All American. He's a great tackler with the "big hit" potential. He is very good in coverage and seems to always be around the ball to make a tackle or pick. He's big and can be used to blitz, although Mike Stoops isn't a fan of safety blitzes. Senior Jesse Paulsen (a white safety!) is his backup and has seen a lot of playing time. He is very good as well.

Gabe Lynn, Nickel Back
Redshirt junior and weakest spot in the secondary, IMO. Single handedly (IMO) lost us the Texas Tech game last year-- he was beat on throw after throw. He has improved somewhat but is still a huge liability. He is sharing many snaps with Julian Wilson, a redshirt sophomore. I wouldn't be surprised to see Wilson start over Lynn.

Aaron Colvin, Corner Back
Junior- played at CB as a freshman, started at SS as a sophomore, and was moved back to his natural position at CB this year. He is scary good in coverage and is known as our "shut-down" corner. NFL-ready type of player. Golson would be wise to not throw to whomever Colvin is covering.

Demontre Hurst, Corner Back
Senior- 3 year starter at CB. Scary good but doesn't get the attention Colvin and Jefferson get. Very solid player with great instincts.


Javon Harris, Strong Safety
Senior- ball hawk. Goes for the pick often. He is not our best DB but has 4 INTs this season including 2 last week vs. KU and 1 vs. Texas Tech. Last year he got torched against Baylor's Robert Griffin. Overall, he's improved from last year.

I don't think this is a stretch. Watched TX/KSU and their 2ndary is everywhere, including run support.

 

[jbaker]

Well that's great, because we line up Eifert all the time as a wideout, sometimes with two other tight Ends in the game. It will be nice to know you'll be using one or both of of your "shutdown corners" playing in the safety position, while BOTH of your safeties in combination are concerned with Eifert. ND will line up Eifert as a wideout, both your safeties will be combination covering him, and we'll run at your corners. We'll see how that'll work out.

Let me guess: Your "shutdown Corners" are really corners in the bodies of Safeties. Supermen, who can all of the sudden stick their nose in the box and take on our other tight ends, shed them and make tackles without any dropoff.

Or, are you another "Dancing Sooner", because you don't know anything about how ND uses Eifert and its other Tight Ends, and are making ridiculous statements about how Stoops will defend Eifert and ND's multiple tight end alignments?

I'm honestly not sure what you're even saying here.
If your TE lines up furthest to the sideline, than yes, he will be covered by a CB, likely with some safety help if you're in a tight formation.
If you go 3 or 4 wide with your Eifert in the slot, he will likely be covered by a safety. if he lines up on the line, with a receiver out wide to his side, he will likely be covered by a LB with safety help.

I'm not making any ridiculous statements. If your tight end is lined up as a tight end, then MLB Franklin Shannon and FS Tony Jefferson will draw most of the coverage responsibilities on him. If he lines up as a WR, than one of our CBs (depending which side of the field he lines up on), or one of our nickel safeties will likely cover him.

I'm not saying he's going to be completely shut down. He's by far my biggest concern from your offense. KU had 2 times last week that they got their TE wide open over the middle due to a busted coverage.

I'm just letting you know that our coaching staff will not likely assign a designated player to cover him as was implied in the initial post that started the discussion. If he's not the widest player on one side, then a CB won't be covering him.

 

[BGIF]

...

There have been about 7 games since OU went to a no huddle where the offense has ran over 100 plays. There has been cllose to 20 games where OU ran over 90. Then there has also been times where OU slows way down and runs less than 70.


...

Actually this year you've only had one game hit 90, exactly 90 against UTX.

UTEP 73
FA&M 74
KSU 70
TT 69
KU 51

That's an average of 67 plays a game this season aside from UTX. OU has the potential to run a lot of plays but that's not what you've been doing this season.

 

[jbaker]

Actually this year you've only had one game hit 90, exactly 90 against UTX.

UTEP 73
FA&M 74
KSU 70
TT 69
KU 51

That's an average of 67 plays a game this season aside from UTX. OU has the potential to run a lot of plays but that's not what you've been doing this season.

Yep, we've been running the offense a bit slower for the most part this season.

The Kansas game is a bit of an anomaly in there though, because we literally scored within about 5 plays every time we touched the ball, and Kansas ran the ball on every play because they threw an INT every time they tried to pass. Then, once it got halfway through the third quarter, we put our backups in and started running down the clock.

But I agree, we won't run 90 plays on Saturday. I'd expect more in the 70-80 range.

 

[irishog77]

I wish I could have the past 30 minutes of my life back after reading through this thread from yesterday.

 

[cujays]

as a grad of a sister jesuit school and only mildly biased towards ND i feel ND may be in for a long day and in deep trouble saturday

 

[woolybug25]

as a grad of a sister jesuit school and only mildly biased towards ND i feel ND may be in for a long day and in deep trouble saturday

Sweet second post, bro!

 

[Emcee77]

as a grad of a sister jesuit school and only mildly biased towards ND i feel ND may be in for a long day and in deep trouble saturday

We all have that fear, but for the love of God don't call us Jesuits. CSC, not SJ. Goodness, if Corby Hall found out about that mistake ...

 

[BGIF]

Yep, we've been running the offense a bit slower for the most part this season.

The Kansas game is a bit of an anomaly in there though, because we literally scored within about 5 plays every time we touched the ball, and Kansas ran the ball on every play because they threw an INT every time they tried to pass. Then, once it got halfway through the third quarter, we put our backups in and started running down the clock.

But I agree, we won't run 90 plays on Saturday. I'd expect more in the 70-80 range.

ND's opponents have averaged a more pedantic 65 plays/game. MSU ran 70 including 45 passes.

ND opponents have all run fewer plays than their season average against ND. Miami ran only 53, 25% under their season average. Stanford got the closest to their average but only because they had the benefit of an OT period.

 

[Black Dynamite]

We all have that fear, but for the love of God don't call us Jesuits. CSC, not SJ. Goodness, if Corby Hall found out about that mistake ...

,

 

[irishfanjho15]

as a grad of a sister jesuit school and only mildly biased towards ND i feel ND may be in for a long day and in deep trouble saturday

Insightful cat is insightful.

 

[BGIF]

as a grad of a sister jesuit school and only mildly biased towards ND i feel ND may be in for a long day and in deep trouble saturday

C.S.C. thank you.

No one from a Jesuit school is mildy biased about anything.



A long day and deep trouble is the usual forecast for ND.

 

[irishfanjho15]

I miss the week when we played Stanford. Not a d@mn fan as long as the eye could see for them.

 

[cujays]

C.S.C. thank you.

No one from a Jesuit school is mildy biased about anything.



A long day and deep trouble is the usual forecast for ND.

lol funny

 

[OU_Sooners75]

Actually this year you've only had one game hit 90, exactly 90 against UTX.

UTEP 73
FA&M 74
KSU 70
TT 69
KU 51

That's an average of 67 plays a game this season aside from UTX. OU has the potential to run a lot of plays but that's not what you've been doing this season.

Okay...that's this year.


OU has been playing the no huddle since 2008.

No where in my post did I say, this year. I did say since they started to run the no huddle.

 

[jbaker]

ND's opponents have averaged a more pedantic 65 plays/game. MSU ran 70 including 45 passes.

ND opponents have all run fewer plays than their season average against ND. Miami ran only 53, 25% under their season average. Stanford got the closest to their average but only because they had the benefit of an OT period.

The tempo of the OU no huddle is such that we will likely run more plays than ND's opponents run on average. Like I said, the KU game was a big anomaly because we couldn't stop scoring so fast (note: KU is terrible). Plus, we had a kickoff and punt returned for touchdowns, which means 0 offensive plays.
So if you exclude that game, our average bumps up to 75 plays per game. So 70-80 wouldn't be out of character. It wouldn't guarantee an OU win by any means either, just saying it's likely around the number of plays we'll run.

 

[BGIF]

Okay...that's this year.


OU has been playing the no huddle since 2008.

No where in my post did I say, this year. I did say since they started to run the no huddle.

I read your post and in my response I posted the '12 game stats that the teams put up this year. Not what they did in other years.

 

[BarrySwitz]

Also it seems to me that every game we have controlled the clock and once it hits the 4th quarter our opponents defense is beat and we really start pounding the ball and racking up serious yards on the ground. Its simple and makes perfect sense and its worked for us so far

Our opponents' defenses usually start to get winded halfway through the 2nd quarter due to our hurry up and/or no huddle offensive scheme. If we can sustain drives, this will definitely be true.

 

[OU_Sooners75]

I read your post and in my response I posted the '12 game stats that the teams put up this year. Not what they did in other years.

I wonder if that is because OU has also been determined to crfeate a run game?

Idk.

But I do know that OU has slowed it way down this year for whatever reasons they may be.

But like I also said, if OU is clicking on offense, I won't be at all surprised to see them run 90+ plays.

Couple that with if all the ND defense gives them is short passes, but being able to move the ball. Get first downs and so on.

If OU is in the hurry up, not just no huddle. It will make it tough for the defense.

The draw back on that hurry up is if OU can't get first downs.

Anyway....here is what I see that OU will try to do.

1. They will ultimately do whatever the defense gives us.
2. Look for short WR screens to spread out the defense and get them (ND) out of their comfort zone. If the defense is in a nickle to start, look for OU to try to establish a running game. If the defense is in their base 3-4 look for the passing game.
3. Move the pocket. Designed rollouts to take the pressure off the OL
4. Draw run plays. ND likes to bull rush. The DL is very techincal, so use it against them. Not to mention RB screens as well.
5. Misdirection run plays.
6. Play action pass plays if they can get a run game going.

The problem that faces NDs defense is that OU can do all these without changing personnel.

Anyway. I am amped for the game to get here. I'm tired of the anticipation as a fan.

Either way, good luck to the Irish. And here's to a good clean fun game!

Wish these two schools could play more often!

 

[ThePiombino]

Our opponents' defenses usually start to get winded halfway through the 2nd quarter due to our hurry up and/or no huddle offensive scheme. If we can sustain drives, this will definitely be true.

Welcome to Camp Luongo.

 

[BGIF]

Our opponents' defenses usually start to get winded halfway through the 2nd quarter due to our hurry up and/or no huddle offensive scheme. If we can sustain drives, this will definitely be true.

Particularly if OU get up by two scores early and ND has to play catch up. ND will be throwing the ball rather than keeping our D off the field.

 

[BarrySwitz]

Watching KSU game now. I may be bias but our D-line, imo, is much better than KSU's and they're getting enough pressure to stop Jones.

I don't think any OU fan will disagree with you on this point. OU fans are hoping that the offense we trotted out against KSU is a thing of the past. Since that game, we've been on fire. Landry and our receiving corp are becoming tuned and polished. In addition, RB DD Williams is starting over Whaley (who was coming off an ACL tear last year). Also, we are finally giving our best offensive weapon (as already mentioned) Millard the carries/touches that he deserves. You have to blame our OC Josh Heupel for not getting him the ball multiple times a game.

With that said, y'all have to hope that we are not much improved since the KSU game and that our success is due to the defenses we've played (Tech, Texas, and KU). I think that's your general sentiment.

 

[Emcee77]

This game is going to be really interesting. Did people hear BK on the Herd today?

Brian Kelly, Notre Dame - ESPN

It seems clear that Kelly is most comfortable with a light-you-up passing attack, but he made a deliberate decision this year to adopt a run-the-ball, run-the-clock strategy based on the fact that we have (1) an inexperienced QB, (2) unspectacular WRs, and (3) a rock-solid defense. This year, he thinks we can win by managing the clock, taking care of the football and playing tough D, so that's what we're doing. But he does NOT want that to be our identity in a year or two. When have the right personnel to air it out, that's what we'll do.

So based on that I fully expect to see the kind of gameplan Wooly has been talking about. Defensively, get pressure on Landry Jones and keep him from getting into a rhythm. Offensively, pound the ball on the ground (probably after passing it early to stretch the D and create space; that seems to be our MO).

But a part of me almost wants to see that strategy not work so Kelly is forced to let Golson sling it. We've got the pieces in guys like Golson, Chris Brown, Davaris and Davonte Neal. Kelly just doesn't trust them yet. Saturday is a great time to grow up, fellas.

Herbstreit said that to win this game we will need to play at an offensive level that we haven't yet. It is week 9, almost November. There are no freshmen any more. It's not crazy to hope some of our young guys take a giant leap this weekend, and then maybe our offense does play at a level that it hasn't yet all season.

But I dream ...

 

[BarrySwitz]

Frankly, it terrifies me. Our inexperienced secondary has fared well during the year, but that is a result of one of the best pass rushes in college football. OU's receivers are the best we have faced all year and I fully expect them to get separation most of the game. The question is whether Jones will have time to throw it to them.

Furthermore, we will spy players to disguise coverages so our young cb's have over the top safety help and OLB help in the boundary.

I don't think that the game will come down to either teams secondary or passing game. As I have stated several times, it will come down to whether OU can run the ball against us and if we can run the ball against OU's defensive line. The more boring this game is, the higher likelihood of an Irish victory. If we cant run on OU, then it doesn't matter how OU scores, they will win either way.

I agree with the bolded but only on the basis that if we are running the ball well, it will be indicative of us throwing the ball well. Usually the pass opens up the run for us. I think it is exactly opposite for ND's offense.

However, if we can't run the ball and your front 4 are getting to Landry often, we are more than capable of turning to bubble screens, fullback or RB dumpoffs and/or screens. These types of plays can substitute for real running plays.

 

[BarrySwitz]

Well c'mon, you have to thank ND for those.

KU is stupid for firing Mangino, who took them to (and won) the Orange Bowl. May have been even stupider for hiring Weis.

 

[phork]

This can go on forever. OUFan brings up a point, ND counter points and rebutts, OU counter points then rebutts.....

Its really starting to get old. You guys have come here trying to stir some crap up (Not all of you mind you), and are finding it hard to troll. ND losing by 30+ points? That glue your sniffing? Its expired.

The facts are simple. Your O is the best we have faced this year. Our D is by far the best you'll face this year. Bubble screens or run plays you'll get your 90 yards. Your game will be won through the passing game.

Our game will be won through our pounding run game, which will eventually wear down your line, and our defence if it get pressure on Jones.

At the start of the season I was pencilling this is a loss, not even close. Seeing this defence in action makes this a winnable game.

 

[HoosierSooner]

This can go on forever. OUFan brings up a point, ND counter points and rebutts, OU counter points then rebutts.....

Its really starting to get old. You guys have come here trying to stir some crap up (Not all of you mind you), and are finding it hard to troll. ND losing by 30+ points? That glue your sniffing? Its expired.

The facts are simple. Your O is the best we have faced this year. Our D is by far the best you'll face this year. Bubble screens or run plays you'll get your 90 yards. Your game will be won through the passing game.

Our game will be won through our pounding run game, which will eventually wear down your line, and our defence if it get pressure on Jones.

At the start of the season I was pencilling this is a loss, not even close. Seeing this defence in action makes this a winnable game.

Surprisingly, I actually agree with this. Except maybe the part about trolling, as i've been accused. I initially came to see what you guys were saying about the game and our team and got sucked in by the "our d line is like nothing they've ever seen" sentiment. I have great respect for your program and I think BK is an excellent coach. He brought a Cincinnati team in here with FAR less talent, at the time, and represented themselves very well. He is working with much more talent in this ND team.