Keys to Army

[Riddickulous]

1. A better defensive scheme. I'm confident Mr. Diaco can come up with one after his monumental failure at Navy. He makes great halftime adjustments and with a full week to make adjustments to the triple option I'm pretty sure he'll be able to turn out a better performance from his boys. It helps to have Carlo back.

2. Scoring a lot of points quickly. If we can get ahead by a couple of scores early, it will be tougher for Army to come back.

Discuss and feel free to add your own observations.

 

[IrishinSyria]

It helps to have Carlo back.

I don't know, do you take Smith away from Manti's side the way he played yesterday? Don't get me wrong, it's never a bad thing to have warm bodies on the field, and Carlo can be a warrior, I just think that Smith has earned the start for next week. Also, when he's playing smart, his speed makes him harder to account for then Carlo.

 

[IrishLax]

Was Smith playing ILB last week? I'm confused they listed Carlo as the starter.

 

[mrmiller8]

A guy should not lose his spot because he has been injured and I personally have never thought brian smith has ever been that impressive.....

 

[irish1958]

Keys:
Always tackle the fullback without exception; assign your best tackler to him and only him; if he drifts out into the flat, follow him. If necessary assign two defenders to him
Always make the QB pitch the ball
If they are going to move the ball, force them to pass or pitch the ball.
And, of course, score a few points.
I would study Ara's defense against Texas (the second game).
Option teams do poorly if they have to come from behind.

 

[irishff1014]

I think we will see alot of 4 d-line man. Just know your responsiblity and no matter what stay home and don't fall for the mis direction. We need them to get the ball first get a good defensive stop so they get fired up and then the offense score first. Get the momentum on our side early.

 

[Irish Rogue]

I don't know, do you take Smith away from Manti's side the way he played yesterday? Don't get me wrong, it's never a bad thing to have warm bodies on the field, and Carlo can be a warrior, I just think that Smith has earned the start for next week. Also, when he's playing smart, his speed makes him harder to account for then Carlo.

I agree with starting Smith for the Army game, with yesterday's performance I think you stick with that combination.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Was Smith playing ILB last week? I'm confused they listed Carlo as the starter.

Yes. They moved him there against Tulsa (where he had a forced fumble) and he played ILB again yesterday.

 

[phork]

Stop The Run.

 

[IrishInFl]

I got a great game plan: score and don't let Army score, then we'll probably win!

 

[Freeman Ara]

Watch the Duke vs. Navy tape and copy it?

 

[IrishInColumbus]

I got a great game plan: score and don't let Army score, then we'll probably win!

There's always one kid...

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

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I just thought I would post a little bit of history. I loved this play.

 

[mick2]

Ivory F-Ing Covington!

 

[tko]

all 130 lbs of him

 

[dshans]

I would study Ara's defense against Texas (the second game).
Option teams do poorly if they have to come from behind.

Agreed!!! I was at that Cotton Bowl as a freshman at ND. I believe it was referred to as a "Mirror Wishbone" defense. I could see it clearly from my seat in the ozone seats.

I was worried when Texas ran for 40 yards on their first play following the opening kickoff. Since we won 24–11 things clearly got better.

My unspoken advice to Kelly and Diaco prior to the Navy game was to give Ara a call and watch film of that game. They still have time to do that heading into the Army game.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Get Schwenke and Shembo in the game...that seems to get the guys they're threatening to replace fired up.

 

[irishff1014]

Yes let the young in there and stop the run. I look so see alot of Schwenke and Shembo

 

[eNDzone]

I got a great game plan: score and don't let Army score, then we'll probably win!

It worked in the Utah game. Matter of fact it works every time.

 

[CanadianIrish]

The key is to play mean and beat them up. We have a huge size advantage on them all over the field and if we do that they will simply get worn down. Just beat them up!

 

[Anchorman]

Convince the refs that tackles over is an illegal formation.

 

[NankerPhelge]

Again, I will say that I don't know a lot about the X's and O's, and this is probably old news for many (maybe all) of the people here. But I am sure I read one time that Ara's philosophy on defending the option was that if the opposing QB was picking his a** up off the ground after every play, the option wouldn't go anywhere for too long. I would think we have the guys to be able to accomplish that.

 

[irishff1014]

Yes the way Shembo pushed the huge limeman around can you imagine what he will do to one of these guys.

 

[OCIrish]

Careful about wanting to put the youngins in too soon. Yes, they have played great while they have been in there, but remember that Army will cut them every other play at least. That is something that even the veterans have trouble with.

 

[TDHeysus]

Get Schwenke and Shembo in the game....

yea!...I agree with this^^

Schwenke and Shembo, a couple guys who were not a factor in the Navy game. They can be our secret weapons. Prince Shembo has got to get on the field, dude is already BEAST! I know looks arent anything really, but to me, that guy looks like a football player. It fires me up when i see him on the field. Schwenke, along with his good play, also provides some really good chemistry with Te'o. When the defensive leader has good chemistry working, it tends to be infectious.

Brian Smith maybe should get the start, especially if CC is not 100%. i think Brian Smith has earned the start for a few reasons, by his exceptional play last week, for bucking up and not crying about seeing less PT this year, and for being a senior. If CC plays but not 100%, I would guess they would platoon them, and maybe the senior Brian Smith getting the start.

 

[irish1958]

Always tackle the fullback, without exception. Always make the QB pitch the ball (by hitting him, without exception). Make them pitch or pass to beat you.
Cut blocking only works on moving defenders. Hold your ground and let the linebackers and defensive backs make the play.
Draw to the attention of the refs every instance of chop blocking.
Their defensive line defeat blocking by larger offensive linemen by going low, making them susceptible to the play action pass, especially to the tight end and the slot receiver.

 

[dshans]

A little something for the history buffs about the ND – Army rivalry:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/sports/ncaafootball/17army.html

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

I really want to see a heavy dosage of Scwhenke and Shembo as well. It just seems like these kids can make some nice plays and they bring some energy to the defense. The bottom line is.., our defense needs a solid game and I say rotate both of these two guys in and see what happens. I am not saying start these two, but get them in the game often.

 

[irishtrain]

No predictions or game breakdowns from me this week only this, what you are trying to do is make the southern cal game important. To feel the edge of excitment that comes with trying to win that game ( southern cal) and go 7-5 and to a meaningful bowl game. Army stands in the way of that scenario, its either another step forward or a nasty step back. They should win this game but can they?

 

[IrishLax]

Game is starting to get some serious press. Whole headline and video clip on espn.com right now. Here some individual links:

Yankee Stadium plays host to Army Black Knights and Notre Dame Fighting Irish - ESPN

Notre Dame Fighting Irish one of many teams with history of playing in baseball stadium - ESPN

Irish get second chance to stop triple option - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN

Irish get second chance to stop triple option - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN