General team info

[Dizzyphil]

smoke and mirrors

smoke and mirrors

So - the discussion after Mass this morning was the polls. As we are watching the TV while the men are having coffee.... they have the Irish ranked 5th with GA 4th even with the beat-down from Alabama. Which, head-to-head, GA would probably beat the Irish.


But it won't matter - after next week O$U and Penn St. will win and automatically move up to around 4th or 5th pushing the Irish to the bottom 10.

 

[Armyirish47]

Up to #3 in the coaches poll.

https://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/polls/amway-coaches-poll/2020-2021/2020-10-18/

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Up to #3 in the coaches poll.

https://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/polls/amway-coaches-poll/2020-2021/2020-10-18/

Well, that FSU win is looking better in retrospect.

 

[Old Man Mike]

An opinion: Training wise, this season is hard to get a "normal" handle on. There are a few juggernauts (maybe just two to four) who do football twelve months a year, for whom the COVID lockdown means little. For all the rest, it is probably true that large missing pieces continued to exist into the season.

Teams, as we have seen, find some of these missing pieces at different weeks. We saw FSU finally find their QB late in a game and then solidify that discovery in our game. I believe that Louisville found their defensive identity finally as well. Teams will suddenly appear differently as these things happen, and much more so this year than in non-COVID training-depleted seasons.

We're still trying to find our O-identity as well. I still believe that we will gel, even if other opponents gel better with time themselves (again, I know of course that something like this happens in all seasons, but I believe that it will be extreme this year.) This is why I hold out hope that we just keep winning, by whatever margins, and gradually become the full dimensional football team ahead of our opponents.

Clemson is one of the twelve months a year football, so they have no evolving to do, so they are, as we know, a different animal. We might not be there by Clemson week, but if we beat everyone else, we might just be by season's end.

 

[T-Boone]

An opinion: Training wise, this season is hard to get a "normal" handle on. There are a few juggernauts (maybe just two to four) who do football twelve months a year, for whom the COVID lockdown means little. For all the rest, it is probably true that large missing pieces continued to exist into the season.

If they do this it is illegally right? There is an NCAA rule somewhere against this?

 

[T-Boone]

With respect to the ranking I believe the coaches poll gets it right where they slot the newbies in. For example with Ohio State in 6th I think the pollsters are saying: "if Ohio State were to play each team this weekend who would beat them?"
I think the 5 ahead of them would beat them this weekend including ND. But they will move up rapidly.

 

[NDRock]

With respect to the ranking I believe the coaches poll gets it right where they slot the newbies in. For example with Ohio State in 6th I think the pollsters are saying: "if Ohio State were to play each team this weekend who would beat them?"
I think the 5 ahead of them would beat them this weekend including ND. But they will move up rapidly.

Really? I think Ohio State would beat us fairly easily.

 

[Luckylucci]

Really? I think Ohio State would beat us fairly easily.

I think OSU would end up beating us by multiple scores. It might be close to start but they’d run away with it.

 

[NorthDakota]

Really? I think Ohio State would beat us fairly easily.

They haven't played a game yet. I think a lot of folks underestimate how difficult it might be to play against guys with 4-5 games under their belt already. I think if ND played them on Saturday ND would probably win unless we had a really bad day. Bowl/playoff game, probably a different story.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Boone... of course what the juggernauts do is illegal. (Geez ... does anyone actually believe that players who have to spend zero effort towards school are just sitting around "thinking big thoughts" or are there programs unofficially set up for them "voluntarily" to continuously work on football?) ... does anyone seriously believe that there are not publicly-undescribed "opportunities" for not only specialized weight training but "attention-to-details" football training mysteriously available? Just like, I'm sure, there are no dollar pay-out backdoors for athlete's families --- oh no way could any of those programs figure out illegal ways to get advantages. (I saw the illegal workout business in basketball, and heard [from an offensive coach at a big Division 1 program] about the payoffs ... this stuff happens ... dump the naivete.)

 

[NDRock]

They haven't played a game yet. I think a lot of folks underestimate how difficult it might be to play against guys with 4-5 games under their belt already. I think if ND played them on Saturday ND would probably win unless we had a really bad day. Bowl/playoff game, probably a different story.

Disagree but we’ll never know.

 

[dad4aa]

Why are so many people on this site so negative? Have the NDNation asshats made their way onto this site? We are in an unusual year, no doubt about it. Too many times we start low in the rankings and cannot work our way into the playoffs unless we go undefeated. Now, we are one of only 4 power 5 undefeated teams (of those teams who have at least played a game) and in a good position to still be in the top 4 and undefeated when Clemson roles into town in three weeks. Many people here need to learn how to enjoy the season and hope, like OMM said, by time Clemson travels here we have found our O-identity. Especially since there was a strong possibility two months ago we wouldn't even have a season.

 

[NDRock]

Why are so many people on this site so negative? Have the NDNation asshats made their way onto this site? We are in an unusual year, no doubt about it. Too many times we start low in the rankings and cannot work our way into the playoffs unless we go undefeated. Now, we are one of only 4 power 5 undefeated teams (of those teams who have at least played a game) and in a good position to still be in the top 4 and undefeated when Clemson roles into town in three weeks. Many people here need to learn how to enjoy the season and hope, like OMM said, by time Clemson travels here we have found our O-identity. Especially since there was a strong possibility two months ago we wouldn't even have a season.

Lou Hotltz:

On expectations:
"When I first started, everybody said they just wanted us to be competitive. That first season in 1986 we went 5-6 and lost five games by a total of 14 points. But people said, 'No, when we said competitive, we meant we want you to win.'
"So the next year we were 8-4 and played in a New Year's Day bowl. But they said, 'No, when we said we want you to win, we meant win them all.'
"So the next year we did win them all. We went 12-0 and won the national championship. But they said, 'No, you don't understand, we meant we want you to win big.' "

IMO, Kelly has done a great job building us into a consistently very good team. Everyone wants him to get us to that next level. People get frustrated when they realize it’s not going to happen this year. We’re no different than any other traditional blue blood fan base. Personally, I’m enjoying this run as I know we aren’t at the level of the elite programs.

 

[dad4aa]

Lou Hotltz:

On expectations:
"When I first started, everybody said they just wanted us to be competitive. That first season in 1986 we went 5-6 and lost five games by a total of 14 points. But people said, 'No, when we said competitive, we meant we want you to win.'
"So the next year we were 8-4 and played in a New Year's Day bowl. But they said, 'No, when we said we want you to win, we meant win them all.'
"So the next year we did win them all. We went 12-0 and won the national championship. But they said, 'No, you don't understand, we meant we want you to win big.' "

IMO, Kelly has done a great job building us into a consistently very good team. Everyone wants him to get us to that next level. People get frustrated when they realize it’s not going to happen this year. We’re no different than any other traditional blue blood fan base. Personally, I’m enjoying this run as I know we aren’t at the level of the elite programs.

Great quote...and I agree with all of this. But let the bitchin begin when we lose. Very tiring to see us win, jump to #3 and so many whine and bitch about how we are going to lose to Clemson. How about we worry about Clemson the week of Clemson and enjoy the next two weeks (hopefully)?

 

[Valpodoc85]

Horrible as it is to say this (I like Kelly), is Kelly Harbaugh? Winning 10 games but not able to beat OSU?

 

[NorthDakota]

Lou Hotltz:

On expectations:
"When I first started, everybody said they just wanted us to be competitive. That first season in 1986 we went 5-6 and lost five games by a total of 14 points. But people said, 'No, when we said competitive, we meant we want you to win.'
"So the next year we were 8-4 and played in a New Year's Day bowl. But they said, 'No, when we said we want you to win, we meant win them all.'
"So the next year we did win them all. We went 12-0 and won the national championship. But they said, 'No, you don't understand, we meant we want you to win big.' "

IMO, Kelly has done a great job building us into a consistently very good team. Everyone wants him to get us to that next level. People get frustrated when they realize it’s not going to happen this year. We’re no different than any other traditional blue blood fan base. Personally, I’m enjoying this run as I know we aren’t at the level of the elite programs.

I want to run through a wall for that man

 

[zelezo vlk]

Horrible as it is to say this (I like Kelly), is Kelly Harbaugh? Winning 10 games but not able to beat OSU?

Nah. BK has actually coached a game in Indianapolis.

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[IrishLion]

Nah. BK has actually coached a game in Indianapolis.

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POTY candidate.

 

[317Irish]

Nah. BK has actually coached a game in Indianapolis.

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Well done. And we even beat a big 10 opponent there lol

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Nah. BK has actually coached a game in Indianapolis.

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I Lold so hard at this. A genuine belly laugh.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

ESPN's current bowl projections have us in the Orange Bowl against either aTm or UF.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Playing the Aggies would be nice. Playing against a Dan Mullen Florida would be a bit worrying

 

[RDU Irish]

ESPN's current bowl projections have us in the Orange Bowl against either aTm or UF.

Good odds we play Clemson twice this year. Beat them once and we have a strong case for knocking out SEC#2 for that 4th spot. Championship win being more important than winning in SB, IMO.

Hard to imagine beating them once, let alone twice.

A-OK with me to play Aggies or Gators to finish the season - good consolation to missing playoffs.

 

[Irish#1]

Nah. BK has actually coached a game in Indianapolis and won.

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FIFY

 

[Dizzyphil]

Curious -



With Four Sure RB's - Williams, Tyree, Flemister, Armstrong;


Why not go Pro-Set, maybe Wishbone and dual tight-end set or one TE and one wide-out, why not run some option runs/RPO, TE dumps to confuse the opposing defense while under center?



There are plenty of 'seasoned' linemen to rotate in and out for this.....



What also makes this creative in the initial line-up, the backs could then transition to WR positions (audible) to alter the defensive subs to open up the run game for Tyree/Williams or even Book for a keeper run.



I know - I'm 'old-school' but it could do some serious damage and make the opposing DC's make some harsh decisions.


Just looking for opinions and replies... not trying to start a fight - just want opinions of why it could or couldn't work.....



be nice

 

[pumpdog20]

Good odds we play Clemson twice this year. Beat them once and we have a strong case for knocking out SEC#2 for that 4th spot. Championship win being more important than winning in SB, IMO.

Hard to imagine beating them once, let alone twice.

A-OK with me to play Aggies or Gators to finish the season - good consolation to missing playoffs.

What are the tie breakers in the ACC this year, with a possibility of both us and Miami with only one loss to Clemson? Also Miami has better wins over Louisville and FSU.

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

Curious -

With Four Sure RB's - Williams, Tyree, Flemister, Armstrong;

Why not go Pro-Set, maybe Wishbone and dual tight-end set or one TE and one wide-out, why not run some option runs/RPO, TE dumps to confuse the opposing defense while under center?

There are plenty of 'seasoned' linemen to rotate in and out for this.....

What also makes this creative in the initial line-up, the backs could then transition to WR positions (audible) to alter the defensive subs to open up the run game for Tyree/Williams or even Book for a keeper run.

I know - I'm 'old-school' but it could do some serious damage and make the opposing DC's make some harsh decisions.

Just looking for opinions and replies... not trying to start a fight - just want opinions of why it could or couldn't work.....

be nice

In all seriousness, we need to do something. We can't create any space right now with the limits of our offense, so we could try Book missing another deep shot for the 50th time or we could try something else. Maybe its as simple as more misdirection plays, but I feel like good teams like Clemson won't be undisciplined, and even if they were, they probably have the athletes to make up for it. Some sort of old-school run formation with option principles is something that might work, especially with the explosion of quick RPO plays that can be used as inspiration.

 

[NDRock]

In all seriousness, we need to do something. We can't create any space right now with the limits of our offense, so we could try Book missing another deep shot for the 50th time or we could try something else. Maybe its as simple as more misdirection plays, but I feel like good teams like Clemson won't be undisciplined, and even if they were, they probably have the athletes to make up for it. Some sort of old-school run formation with option principles is something that might work, especially with the explosion of quick RPO plays that can be used as inspiration.

Best outcome for this year, IMO. Win every game but Clemson. Hope we keep it respectable. Lose the tiebreaker to Miami and let them get blown out in the ACC CG. Win the bowl game against A&M to finish 11-1 and go out and convince some studs on offense that they’re the final piece to making us win a NC.

 

[tko]

Beat Pitt

 

[Huntr]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A huge part of <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NDFootball</a> being 5-0 in the 2020 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CollegeFootball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CollegeFootball</a> season is 3rd down. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> is converting 52% on 3rd down offensively and allowing opponent’s to convert just 21%. This 31 point differential is the highest among teams that have played multiple games this year.</p>— SportSource Analytics (@SportSourceA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportSourceA/status/1320717130384478209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>