Keys to defeating PSU?

[solo]

I don't at all consider myself to be an expert. However, I feel that it will be important for us to do the following in order to win this Saturday:

1. Establlish the run. If they don't respect the run, BQ will not have time to throw.
2. Control the clock. PSU plays disciplined, sound, fundamental defense. I think we will need to wear them down by controlling the clock. Long sustained drives.
3. Avoid turnovers. I think this could be a defensive struggle. Turnovers can be deadly in a low scoring game.
4. Prevent the big play while on defense. Morelli has a big arm and has speedy targets to throw to. Can't give them the big play/quick scores.
5. Pressure the QB. Best way to rattle a new starter is with pressure. Adequate pressure on Morelli should force mistakes.

 

[nayers]

I don't at all consider myself to be an expert. However, I feel that it will be important for us to do the following in order to win this Saturday:

1. Establlish the run. If they don't respect the run, BQ will not have time to throw.
2. Control the clock. PSU plays disciplined, sound, fundamental defense. I think we will need to wear them down by controlling the clock. Long sustained drives.
3. Avoid turnovers. I think this could be a defensive struggle. Turnovers can be deadly in a low scoring game.
4. Prevent the big play while on defense. Morelli has a big arm and has speedy targets to throw to. Can't give them the big play/quick scores.
5. Pressure the QB. Best way to rattle a new starter is with pressure. Adequate pressure on Morelli should force mistakes.

#6 Score more points than PSU, if we can do this, i feel pretty good that we will win lol

Now in all seriousness, I agree, I think if we can establish the run, and shut down there running game so that they have to pass a lot, I think Charlie will use his 7 DB's and play most of the time in nickle formation which will help.

 

[VictorsValiant]

I'm looking forward to this game because it will be a good barometer on both teams. However, I don't agree at all that ND should try to establish the run and control clock. First of all, PSU has some of the best LBs in the country who are really good at stopping the run (PSU has always been good at that). Next, PSU's offense is high risk, meaning they run plays that either work or fail. Their Texas style offense can result in a big play, or a 4 yard loss. There's no consistency there, so giving them more opportunities is not necessarily a bad thing because they probably won't be on the field very long anyways.

What ND should do is come out and fire at PSU's average secondary. Quinn is supposedly a Heisman QB, right? So use him. Getting points on the board early will make it that much more difficult for a Freshman QB to establish himself in a hostile environment. ND has to attack first and take out whatever hope PSU might have of winning the game.

 

[NDAlumSon]

What ND should do is come out and fire at PSU's average secondary. Quinn is supposedly a Heisman QB, right? So use him. Getting points on the board early will make it that much more difficult for a Freshman QB to establish himself in a hostile environment. ND has to attack first and take out whatever hope PSU might have of winning the game.

That sounds about right.

 

[BGIF]

... ND has to attack first and take out whatever hope PSU might have of winning the game.

Sounds like Charlie Weis!

I've never understood the rule cut in stone that says you have to establish the run first to pass. If PSU stacks the box, ND will pass. Ask BYU.

 

[brucejcarr]

Did anyone mention, we have to play this game loose?! We were so damn tight last week, it looked like BQ was going to shart a shamrock.

 

[NDAlumSon]

Here's hoping that Liandri and Laws go-off in this game.

 

[scooper]

Did anyone mention, we have to play this game loose?! We were so damn tight last week, it looked like BQ was going to shart a shamrock.

This is a good point.

I'll go against the grain and say establish the run first. Yes, I know their LB's are their strength. And I know their DB's are young. But their DB's are also very talented. More talented than their front four. That is their weak underbelly. Those LB's won't do much good if the DL are being pushed back into them.

I'm not suggesting abandoning the arial attack. It is our strenth and we should play to it. But getting those young talented safeties sucked up to support the run could lead to some big play action opportunities-something that wasn't used much against GT.

After pounding on that front four a little bit, then go to the air when their pass rush slows down.

Defensively, I think the pressure needs to come from the front four. Relying on the LB's in blitzing situations may not work much this year. However, I think our defensive backs have a good sense of timing on the blitz. Nothing can take down an immobile QB like a blindside hit from a 200 pound golden gloves boxer who is locked on like a heat seaking missle.

 

[isotopes]

I agree with run first... start tryin to wear down the lb's early. Also it helps to get corners in rhythm of coming up to make a tackle... makes their turn off the back pedal a little hesitant.

Once thats established control is important but like was said we need to utilize Quinn. Corners are athletic but not superstars.

Defensively it's all about pressure and not letting Williams or Norwood make big plays. This week more than last will be the barometer for our defensive backfield. They handled Johnson well, but a little more depth athletically at the WR spot for psu.

Field positioning should be solid considering both aspects of special teams. Hopefully if its a close one our kicker is on and has a lot of confidence. Confidence is king

 

[Irish52]

Our offensive line must be just that...offensive! Give Brady enough time to find his receivers or Darious coming out of the backfield and we get the "W" big time. This game must establish ND as a challenger for the national championship. Lose..and we open the floodgate for our opponents to play way over their talent.

 

[Aerosmith777]

To me its all about the O-Line (and Schwap) picking up the blitz & giving Brady time to square his shoulders and plant his feet. Do that, and I honestly think this could be a laugher. Don't do it, and it could be a long day...

 

[NDStevie]

I would say the key is the defense, if they stop penn st., it's gonna turn into a blowout

 

[BGIF]

Eric Hansen's (from SBT) view on the topic at MSNBC.mdn.com


Five keys to victory for Notre Dame vs. Penn State

In Charlie Weis’ pregame notes last season, near the top of the list of requisites to have a successful home opener, the Notre Dame head football coach wrote the words "don’t be distracted."
He has been apologizing for them ever since. In fact, Weis still blames himself for a 44-41 overtime loss to Michigan State last September, saying he had the team too tight about the hype and hoopla surrounding that game.
This year, he’s embracing the noise and the buzz and the buildup for fourth-ranked Notre Dame’s home opener Saturday with No. 19 Penn State.
"Last year it was a distraction," he said. "This year it’s an event."

At least it is in the hours leading up to the game. For it to stay "an event" and not a disaster, here are five keys for the Irish:

1. Melt Morelli: Penn State junior quarterback is dangerous when he gets time, but mortal when the heat’s on.
The Nittany Lions have a stud at left tackle, in Levi Brown (6-5, 328), but the rest of the line is rebuilt and didn’t exactly push Akron around last week.

2. Ignore The Numbers: Notre Dame fell in the polls this week, not because the Irish lost, but because their stats and score (14-10) didn’t have enough panache.
Weis’ philosophy is the numbers and rankings will take care of themselves as long you don’t get preoccupied with them.

3. Getting Their Kicks: The sooner ND senior place-kicker Carl Gioia puts last week’s 0-for-2 performance in field goals behind him, the better off the Irish team’s psyche is going to be.
Otherwise LoveMyIrish and Jiggafini19 are going to need valium to make it through the season.

4. Spread The Wealth: The Irish offense was eventually able to spread out Georgia Tech last week to minimize pressure, but not before ND quarterback Brady Quinn was sacked, hurried and harassed plenty.

Look for ND to try to accomplish the spread early and often to loosen up Penn State’s defense.

5. No Happy Returns: The Nittany Lions got off to a nice start in their return games last week. The Irish will have to do a good job of coverage to keep Penn State from building an advantage in field position.

 

[BGIF]

I would say the key is the defense, if they stop penn st., it's gonna turn into a blowout

NDStevie with the correct call on all counts!