General team info

[dwshade]

Also not buying into this nonsense about Mack. What sense does it make to do the class work to get yourself back on the team only to then not buy into the program. Calling total BS on that one. Betting Mack has a big year.

 

[ScooterIrish]

Also not buying into this nonsense about Mack. What sense does it make to do the class work to get yourself back on the team only to then not buy into the program. Calling total BS on that one. Betting Mack has a big year.

Didn't BK say Mack was going to be really tough to defend this year? Now, BK makes a lot of stupid, wrong predictions like that, but still...

 

[Crazy Balki]

I think the whole Mack situation is more along the lines of Kmet and Wright just being so damn good, that Mack really can't afford to miss that much time. Based on what we've been hearing all offseason, I'm not all that surprised. Both of them appear to be elite level talents, which is good for us.

That being said, I do think they're overreacting a bit regarding Mack. While I think Kmet provides a similar skillset, I think Mack is a bit more dynamic in space as of right now. Of course, with Kmet you likely have a bit more versatility, since Kmet is bigger at nearly 6'6 255, and he can stay in-line or flex, while Mack seems more like strictly a flex TE. I think they all just provide something different for the offense. You want stellar in-line blocking and a quality mid-range receiver, Wright's your guy. You want a dynamic flex receiving option with size, Mack's your guy. You want a little of everything, Kmet's your guy.

 

[Greenore]

Crazy idea, but can we wait to see a few games before deciding?

Not crazy... likely very smart. I hate these "leaks" and I hate reading them and I hate myself for believing their veracity. Cheers

 

[NDRock]

Is all of this being based off of Mike Frank during power hour?

To be fair, it was mostly Matt on Power Hour. Basically said he's never really seen Mack do much of anything either at practice or in games. Jamie disagreed pretty adamantly.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

--Over/under Mack has 5 catches in the first game.

--Go

 

[koonja]

--Over/under Mack has 5 catches in the first game.

--Go

Under. All the vbucks.

 

[Rizzophil]

There's a difference between lack of drive and lack of focus. It could be he's just learning how to keep focus. Hopefully they all turn a corner because that is a lot of athleticism.

This all day. It's a process to learn to get the minor things perfect

 

[NDRock]

--Over/under Mack has 5 catches in the first game.

--Go

Under. We're not even going to pass the ball 5 times all game. Just a heavy dose of "pound it down their fucking throats".

Unless it's a hurricane, then all bets are off.

 

[dwshade]

--Over/under Mack has 5 catches in the first game.

--Go

I'd set the over/under at 3.5.

 

[snoopdog]

--Over/under Mack has 5 catches in the first game.

--Go

Under. My guess is...,,Spread the ball first game

Lots of catches for everyone

EQ
Smith
Boykin
Finke
Claypool
Mack
Smythe
Kmet
Wright
Canteen

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I suppose you are all correct.

Alizes over/under 3.5 catches in the first game.

And I take the over

 

[IrishLion]

If it's 3.5, I'm on the over. If it's 4.5, I'm on the over. If it's 5.5, I'm on the over. Alize will have 6 or 7 receptions in game one if he's healthy.

Wimbush loves Alize. I have a fear that if Alize is healthy and on the field in our base package, Wimbush is going to force it to him too often.

It will result in some big catches, but also some mistakes.

 

[Irish#1]

Let's just hope that Mack continues to grow and becomes a leader on this team. Super talented kid that we badly need on this team, especially considering what's going on with Stepherson.

Hard to be a leader when you're not putting in the time or effort (if what is reported is true).

 

[Irish#1]

If it's 3.5, I'm on the over. If it's 4.5, I'm on the over. If it's 5.5, I'm on the over. Alize will have 6 or 7 receptions in game one if he's healthy.

Wimbush loves Alize. I have a fear that if Alize is healthy and on the field in our base package, Wimbush is going to force it to him too often.

It will result in some big catches, but also some mistakes.

So what you're saying is this is all a ruse to throw opponents off and have them game plan for others. Then boom release the Mack!? lol

 

[zelezo vlk]

So what you're saying is this is all a ruse to throw opponents off and have them game plan for others. Then boom release the Mack!? lol

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uB1D9wWxd2w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Irish#1]

The wife and I were in Florida the last week and a half helping one of our sons and his family move and get settled in. We finally have some free time and we all head to the beach. I go into a grocery store wearing an ND t-shirt. This guy walks up to me and says, "Did you hear what is going on with the Irish? They're in big trouble!" Not being on IE for this time, I'm wondering what the hell just happened? I tell the guy, "No, what's going on?" He replies, "Don't you get on the internet?" I reply that I hadn't for about a week and ask him what is going on. He replies, "They're not even rated in any polls this year and don't have a QB." I smile, look him in the face and say, "Remember the name Brandon Wimbush.", then turned and walked away.

What a relief to know half the team wasn't suspended, the NCAA didn't just lay down the death penalty, etc. lol

 

[IrishLion]

What a relief to know half the team wasn't suspended, the NCAA didn't just lay down the death penalty, etc. lol

Fear not, we still have 2.5 weeks to ride it out haha. That's a loooooooooong time for college students and trouble.

 

[tko]

Fear not, we still have 2.5 weeks to ride it out haha. That's a loooooooooong time for college students and trouble.

That's a fact!!!!

 

[dublinirish]

Fear not, we still have 2.5 weeks to ride it out haha. That's a loooooooooong time for college students and trouble.

especially when the regular students return to campus and the normal back to schoo/freshman parties take place

 

[koonja]

Fear not, we still have 2.5 weeks to ride it out haha. That's a loooooooooong time for college students and trouble.

I like where this is headed. IE has some creative people, we should all add a fictional story of worst-case-scenario that could happen to the team to get us through the 4th quarter of the off-season with some comedy.

I'm not funny enough to get it started. Anyone?

 

[irishog77]

Under. We're not even going to pass the ball 5 times all game. Just a heavy dose of "pound it down their fucking throats".

Unless it's a hurricane, then all bets are off.

Like many, the hope of a strong, consistent running game has had me optimistic.

Then a friend sent me this (I think it may be from a poster on ND Nation):

Memphis was 93rd in RZ efficiency last year (ND was 64th)
Memphis was 98th in Rushing Yards as a % of total yards
Memphis was 75th in Rushing Yards/Game
Memphis was 95th in Rushing Plays as a % of total plays

If true, it's demoralizing, as Kelly basically hired himself to call plays.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Like many, the hope of a strong, consistent running game has had me optimistic.

Then a friend sent me this (I think it may be from a poster on ND Nation):

Memphis was 93rd in RZ efficiency last year (ND was 64th)
Memphis was 98th in Rushing Yards as a % of total yards
Memphis was 75th in Rushing Yards/Game
Memphis was 95th in Rushing Plays as a % of total plays

If true, it's demoralizing, as Kelly basically hired himself to call plays.

Compare Memphis' backs and oline to ours.

 

[tko]

Like many, the hope of a strong, consistent running game has had me optimistic.

Then a friend sent me this (I think it may be from a poster on ND Nation):

Memphis was 93rd in RZ efficiency last year (ND was 64th)
Memphis was 98th in Rushing Yards as a % of total yards
Memphis was 75th in Rushing Yards/Game
Memphis was 95th in Rushing Plays as a % of total plays

If true, it's demoralizing, as Kelly basically hired himself to call plays.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ycu434kkk14" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[irishog77]

Compare Memphis' backs and oline to ours.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that ND has better players at all positions than Memphis. I'll go out on another limb and say that ND plays tougher competition than Memphis too.

I don't think a perceived talent change results in a play calling change though.

 

[koonja]

This is completely insane.

JIM SMALL'S NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG -- www.NDGOIRISH.com -- A NOTRE DAME BLOG

To put this in perspective:
You could buy a ticket to Florida State vs. Alabama and Michigan vs. Ohio State and still not spend what it would cost to buy a ticket to Georgia vs. Notre Dame.

You could buy a ticket to Alabama vs. Auburn, Michigan State vs. Michigan and Clemson vs. Auburn -- and still not spend what it would cost to buy a ticket to Georgia vs. Notre Dame
You could buy TWO tickets to Ohio State vs. Michigan, and ONE ticket to Michigan State vs. Michigan -- and still not spend what it would cost to buy a ticket to Georgia vs. Notre Dame

THE TEN MOST VALUED TICKETS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL:
Georgia at Notre Dame: $1,654.72
Florida State at Alabama: $1,026.54
Ohio State at Michigan: $599.63
Navy vs. Army: $567.76
Florida at Georgia: $532.68
USC at Notre Dame: $521.57
Oklahoma at Texas: $469.38
Alabama at Auburn: $464.63
Michigan State at Michigan: $424.73
Clemson at Auburn: $418.79

 

[Free Manera]

Like many, the hope of a strong, consistent running game has had me optimistic.

Then a friend sent me this (I think it may be from a poster on ND Nation):

Memphis was 93rd in RZ efficiency last year (ND was 64th)
Memphis was 98th in Rushing Yards as a % of total yards
Memphis was 75th in Rushing Yards/Game
Memphis was 95th in Rushing Plays as a % of total plays

If true, it's demoralizing, as Kelly basically hired himself to call plays.

I don't think this should be too demoralizing, he was using Memphis offensive linemen after all. Memphis's Top offensive line recruits for the relevant years:

2013: Nykiren Wellington - 3 star, .80 rating, 28th ranked OT (the rest of the O line recruits were 2 star or worse)
2014: Trevon Tate - 3 star, .81 rating, 86th ranked OG (rest of OL 2 star or worse)
2015: Keenan Davis - 2 star, .76 rating, 291st ranked OT (rest of OL 2 star or worse)
2016: Lio Lafaele - 3 star, .86 rating, 55th ranked OT (rest of OL 2 star or worse)

Plus, these stats are cherrypicked to a degree. Total yardage rankings can be misleading because they aren't adjusted for garbage time or strength of opponent. The percentage of running plays matters only if you are offended by the forward pass like the ND nation weirdos.

Look at their rankings here: FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2016 FEI RATINGS, OFFENSE

Memphis was better than ND (and most other teams) in every category except 1. Memphis ranked 1st in OFD (percentage of drives that get at least a first down, i.e. they seldom went 3 and out), 27th in FEI total offense, 22nd in turnovers, 21st in efficiency, 17th in OTD (percentage of drives that end in touchdowns). The only category in which ND was better last year was OTF, but they were very close. ND was ranked 24, Memphis 26.

Therefore I think we should be glass half full on Long until proven otherwise.

 

[Irish Joe]

https://www.si.com/college-football/photo/2017/08/16/sports-illustrated-preseason-all-america-team

Q with first-team AA honors from SI....noted as the only unanimous pick

 

[condoms SUCk]

This is completely insane.

JIM SMALL'S NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG -- www.NDGOIRISH.com -- A NOTRE DAME BLOG

To put this in perspective:
You could buy a ticket to Florida State vs. Alabama and Michigan vs. Ohio State and still not spend what it would cost to buy a ticket to Georgia vs. Notre Dame.

You could buy a ticket to Alabama vs. Auburn, Michigan State vs. Michigan and Clemson vs. Auburn -- and still not spend what it would cost to buy a ticket to Georgia vs. Notre Dame
You could buy TWO tickets to Ohio State vs. Michigan, and ONE ticket to Michigan State vs. Michigan -- and still not spend what it would cost to buy a ticket to Georgia vs. Notre Dame

THE TEN MOST VALUED TICKETS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL:
Georgia at Notre Dame: $1,654.72
Florida State at Alabama: $1,026.54
Ohio State at Michigan: $599.63
Navy vs. Army: $567.76
Florida at Georgia: $532.68
USC at Notre Dame: $521.57
Oklahoma at Texas: $469.38
Alabama at Auburn: $464.63
Michigan State at Michigan: $424.73
Clemson at Auburn: $418.79

Georgia fans are running up the tab for this game, I'll be belligerent if I walk into that stadium and half of the fans are wearing red.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Like many, the hope of a strong, consistent running game has had me optimistic.

Then a friend sent me this (I think it may be from a poster on ND Nation):

Memphis was 93rd in RZ efficiency last year (ND was 64th)
Memphis was 98th in Rushing Yards as a % of total yards
Memphis was 75th in Rushing Yards/Game
Memphis was 95th in Rushing Plays as a % of total plays

If true, it's demoralizing, as Kelly basically hired himself to call plays.

Random stats that fit a predetermined agenda. If I wanted to take the flip side, I would say that last year Memphis was top 25 in every offensive metric included in FEI opponent adjusted efficiency rankings except for one....ranking 26th in drives that produce touchdowns after securing a first down. Memphis was, however, ranked 1st in the country in producing drives that generated a first down or touchdown. Memphis was also ranked 14th in "value drive rate", which are drives that begin at least 50 yards from the end zone and reach the opponent's 30-yard line.

Meanwhile, last year with a top QB talent, ND only reached the top 25 in one metric and ranked below 40 in 5 others. While Memphis was 1st in drives producing first downs / TD's, ND was ranked 81st. While Memphis was 14th in value drives, ND was 60th.

To me, it's about effectiveness and Memphis was clearly more effective last year on offense. More importantly, it did it in a way that protected the defense.