I know I’m more biased as an IU fan, but I’ve watched all IU and ND games this year, and IUs offensive play calling has clearly looked better than NDs! The passing in particular! Cig and OC Shannahan have things clicking! They lost to OhSht due to 2 bad ST plays, but did move the ball well against them early on especially in the run game!
The Irish playcalling has been suspect! They rely too much on the run, which has worked well for them! Nothing frustrates me more though than 3rd and long runs! If IU can contain Leonard and Love in the run game while forcing Leonard to throw downfield, IU will have a good chance at a W.
The way ND could beat IU is in the short passing game mixed with 1st down runs to keep the IU offense off the field! Mitchell Evans could have a field day if he gets paired on a smaller db!
All in all, I think it will be a close, high scoring game with home run plays each way! Whoever has the ball last may win!
The OSU game was effectively decided by two special teams plays, but OSU dominated throughout and would have won regardless. The difference in the game was your offensive line struggled to protect teh QB and couldn't get any movement in the run game. Even without the two short fields and the punt return, I think OSU would have driven the field and the final score would have looked similar but the stat line would have been far more lopsided with OSU outgaining IU 400+ yards to 150.
As frustrating as a third-and-long run can be from a fan's perspective, I completely understand why Denbrock does it. Over the past 10 weeks, we've played with the lead for most of the game. These are low-percentage passing situations for ND's offense, and running minimizes the risk of turnovers. If we're around midfield on 3rd 10 and one of our backs gains 7-9 yards, it sets up a high-percentage 4th and short conversion. Worst-case scenario, we punt and force the opposing team to drive the length of the field against our defense. ND wins with complimentary football. Overall, you're right, stop the run and make Leonard beat you on 3rd and long. That's everyone's plan until they actually have to stop Love, Price and Leonard.
If ND can pressure Rourke the way OSU did, there's no need to even debate whether IU's run defense can stop ND's run game. OSU has 35 sacks this season compared to ND's 30, but ND has 42 quarterback pressures to OSU's 19 (based on what I found online). OSU has more experience and individual talent on the edges but Mills and a healthy Cross should dominate the interior of your offensive line. I guess we'll find out.
