Marcus Freeman Revisited

[Bane]

Elko was quoted as saying they saw on ND’s film that the outside pass would be there for their guys. WTF were ND’s coaches studying?

Ash was studying for his future as the asshole stepdad in a coming of age movie.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I don't think it will go full 2016 but I think it could be a 2022 style season where they stub their toe again against someone mid because of flaws. But in general, I think this is the reality for Freeman in Year 4:

He is collectively 3-5 in the first two weeks of the season. The only year he went 2-0 to open things up is when he got 3x tune up games in the first four weeks of the season in 2023... he had Navy, Tennessee State, NC State, and then Central Michigan. By contrast, he is 5-1 in post season games in his 3 full seasons only losing the National Championship game. His teams always play better towards the end of the season and the Texas A&M game last year was more of a fluke than the norm. The Marshall and NIU games are the norms.

So they really need to consider "why" they are front loading the schedule like this and Freeman also probably needs to look at how they are approaching fall camp so that they are not so sloppy out of the gate. It's not ideal to spend a month trying to find your team identity and some cohesion.

I am all for front loading your schedule at the high school and college levels. Work out what you need to work out, solidify who is getting the majority of your first team reps and work it out in winnable games at the start.

Notre Dame doesn't schedule that way, however, which is their right. This can be what you get, though.

 

[stlnd01]

I am all for front loading your schedule at the high school and college levels. Work out what you need to work out, solidify who is getting the majority of your first team reps and work it out in winnable games at the start.

Notre Dame doesn't schedule that way, however, which is their right. This can be what you get, though.

As discussed in a couple other threads, though, this is at least somewhat the cost of independence. Most Big Ten/SEC powers won't play us later in the year anymore, so we have to fill the back half of our schedule with the ACC and service academies. (Interesting question as to whether we'd have been better off playing Miami in November, though)

 

[pumpdog20]

As discussed in a couple other threads, though, this is at least somewhat the cost of independence. Most Big Ten/SEC powers won't play us later in the year anymore, so we have to fill the back half of our schedule with the ACC and service academies. (Interesting question as to whether we'd have been better off playing Miami in November, though)

Yeah, it's possible that playing a more manageable schedule to start may have masked the defensive issues, and playing A&M/Miami later would have compounded the bad defensive play. Better to find out now, figure it out, dominate and hope the CFP recognizes the improvement.

 

[calvegas04]

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I think this is the most damning thing that's come out after the first two weeks of szn, right up there with the D's ineptitude.

This is HS level shit. No excuse. This is the type of stuff that shouldn't make it out of fall camp....

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Ah, yes, an account associated with Ohio State doesn't know the difference between Whose and Who's.

Makes me feel slightly better the offense is tipping plays.

 

[Free Manera]

Jalen Milroe had this problem a year or two ago. It definitely should be caught in practice.

But also ND scored 40 freaking points so what does that say.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Jalen Milroe had this problem a year or two ago. It definitely should be caught in practice.

But also ND scored 40 freaking points so what does that say.

I think it definitely makes more sense why JLove wasn't getting a little more room to run. They were teeing off when he was in there. (and apparently knew when they were going to run the damn ball!)

Not to belabor the point, but my base formation in HS was the fricken Wing-T. When I was under center, I had a tendency to shift my leg back to the side of where I was going to hand the ball off to, particularly if it was a jet sweep. I think subconsciously it was easier for me to execute that quick pivot to time the handoff to the jet-motion back with the snap count.

If my D4 Michigan HS coach can correct me, wtf are we doing. Denbrock particularly has been around long enough to know better. What is Gino doing?!

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Jalen Milroe had this problem a year or two ago. It definitely should be caught in practice.

But also ND scored 40 freaking points so what does that say.

33 points. The first TD was a blocked punt.

Still, even in 2025, 33 points should win you a game at home.

 

[Sea Turtle]

I think this is the most damning thing that's come out after the first two weeks of szn, right up there with the D's ineptitude.

This is HS level shit. No excuse. This is the type of stuff that shouldn't make it out of fall camp....

This is true, unfortunately.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I think it definitely makes more sense why JLove wasn't getting a little more room to run. They were teeing off when he was in there. (and apparently knew when they were going to run the damn ball!)

Not to belabor the point, but my base formation in HS was the fricken Wing-T. When I was under center, I had a tendency to shift my leg back to the side of where I was going to hand the ball off to, particularly if it was a jet sweep. I think subconsciously it was easier for me to execute that quick pivot to time the handoff to the jet-motion back with the snap count.

If my D4 Michigan HS coach can correct me, wtf are we doing. Denbrock particularly has been around long enough to know better. What is Gino doing?!

You'd assume that there are analysts/scouts for this kind of thing, too, right?

Hell, when I coached in HS we would look for tendencies in the opponent and OUR guys from the press box.

 

[ulukinatme]

If you're an analyst and your complaint is with the ND offense primarily, I've lost all interest in listening to you. Yeah, it hasn't been perfect, the first half against Miami was definitely a slow start, but it was also the first start for a Redshirt Freshman in a hostile environment. If A&M knew what we were running, it didn't seem to matter because we still hung 40 on them. Now, if they didn't already know about these tell-tale signs, all the other teams will be looking for this so hopefully we address it...but I digress.

The offense is getting better, and we now have the capability for big chunk plays that were missing in the past. The problem is we went from a Top 10 defense to almost DEAD LAST in the country. How is that even possible? That's truly some Van Gorder type shit.

[EDIT] Wait a sec...is that the same Zach Smith that beat his wife at OSU and got Urban canned?

 

[calvegas04]

 

[ulukinatme]

That rush defense is pretty bad, but we're only 4 teams from the bottom in yards per completion when it comes to our pass defense: 15.27 YPC. Only VT, UAB, OK St, and Eastern Michigan are worse. There's only 10 teams that have given up more passing yards per game. UCLA is actually tied for 47th in the country in pass defense. We're middle of the road when it comes to Rush Defense at the moment. Malloe may be an upgrade over Ass.

 

[BrianWalsh]

I think that Marcus Freeman is a good coach with great potential. Yes, that is a crazy thing to say about a guy whose team played in the National Championship game last season. But let’s be honest: if this season unfolds the way it is shaping up—losses to Arkansas, NC State and USC all seem possible—that is three out four of Freeman’s seasons being disappointing. 2022 was rough with the losses to USC, Marshall and Stanford were bad. 2023 the losses in a winnable game against OSU was not bad but it was at home and not great, loss to Louisville was brutal and the loss to a mediocre Clemson squad was bad. Last year was NIU but who cares—they ran to the NC. But this year they lost two games they should not have lost and, again, there are three more possible, not to taken as me saying probable, losses on the table.

Would anybody else grade out 2022 9-4, 2023 10-3, 2024 14-2 and 2025 11-1 (preseason)/11-3 (best case IMO is win out and win one playoff game)/7-5 (worst case and assuming in this era that they decline if they qualify for the Poop Bowl as so many players would opt out). Those are not great results. And the one thing that seemed like it could be a crutch—a freshman QB making some mistakes—is not the problem right now (though who knows if the offense has a down game against a lesser team and incurs a classic post-Holtz ND stinker loss).

 

[SportsingHard]

I think that Marcus Freeman is a good coach with great potential. Yes, that is a crazy thing to say about a guy whose team played in the National Championship game last season. But let’s be honest: if this season unfolds the way it is shaping up—losses to Arkansas, NC State and USC all seem possible—that is three out four of Freeman’s seasons being disappointing. 2022 was rough with the losses to USC, Marshall and Stanford were bad. 2023 the losses in a winnable game against OSU was not bad but it was at home and not great, loss to Louisville was brutal and the loss to a mediocre Clemson squad was bad. Last year was NIU but who cares—they ran to the NC. But this year they lost two games they should not have lost and, again, there are three more possible, not to taken as me saying probable, losses on the table.

Would anybody else grade out 2022 9-4, 2023 10-3, 2024 14-2 and 2025 11-1 (preseason)/11-3 (best case IMO is win out and win one playoff game)/7-5 (worst case and assuming in this era that they decline if they qualify for the Poop Bowl as so many players would opt out). Those are not great results. And the one thing that seemed like it could be a crutch—a freshman QB making some mistakes—is not the problem right now (though who knows if the offense has a down game against a lesser team and incurs a classic post-Holtz ND stinker loss).

Agreed.

 

[IrishBryan77]

Still like Freeman.....just don't like some choices he makes. He shouldn't be making mistakes from year one to now though. It's a little disturbing but I'm hoping this is the last year for "wtf are you doing now" moments

 

[stlnd01]

Would anybody else grade out 2022 9-4, 2023 10-3, 2024 14-2 and 2025 11-1 (preseason)/11-3 (best case IMO is win out and win one playoff game)/7-5 (worst case and assuming in this era that they decline if they qualify for the Poop Bowl as so many players would opt out). Those are not great results. And the one thing that seemed like it could be a crutch—a freshman QB making some mistakes—is not the problem right now (though who knows if the offense has a down game against a lesser team and incurs a classic post-Holtz ND stinker loss).

FWIW that would be a substantially better first four seasons than was had by the guy who became Notre Dame's all-time winningest coach.

Look, we're all pissed. A very promising season is on the edge. Hiring Ash was a mistake at least on par with hiring Parker. But we have a very talented roster and if like three plays go differently, we're 2-0 with the strongest resume in the country and a clear road ahead. Let's see what happens the next few weeks.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

That rush defense is pretty bad, but we're only 4 teams from the bottom in yards per completion when it comes to our pass defense: 15.27 YPC. Only VT, UAB, OK St, and Eastern Michigan are worse. There's only 10 teams that have given up more passing yards per game. UCLA is actually tied for 47th in the country in pass defense. We're middle of the road when it comes to Rush Defense at the moment. Malloe may be an upgrade over Ass.

Devil's advocate
But Notre Dame has played a little better competition then all those teams mentioned

(Still obviously completely unacceptable performances)

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

My most infuriating realization is that Freeman has now done this same mistake 3x

He's "overwhelmed" the defense 3x in his tenure
1) when he was DC and had to strip the book back
2) when he hired Golden and watched him have to strip the book back
3) Ash

Sampson said it best on Thursdays I pod "sometimes I think coaches just think they're smarter than what they are and the kids are capable of and they are overconfident in their coaching abilities "

This happening 3x is not acceptable, but I also am not dumb and want him fired. I just want him to learn his lesson this time.

 

[NDRock]

My most infuriating realization is that Freeman has now done this same mistake 3x

He's "overwhelmed" the defense 3x in his tenure
1) when he was DC and had to strip the book back
2) when he hired Golden and watched him have to strip the book back
3) Ash

Sampson said it best on Thursdays I pod "sometimes I think coaches just think they're smarter than what they are and the kids are capable of and they are overconfident in their coaching abilities "

This happening 3x is not acceptable, but I also am not dumb and want him fired. I just want him to learn his lesson this time.

Same could be said for just about everyone on this board.

 

[IrishTusker]

I think that Marcus Freeman is a good coach with great potential. Yes, that is a crazy thing to say about a guy whose team played in the National Championship game last season. But let’s be honest: if this season unfolds the way it is shaping up—losses to Arkansas, NC State and USC all seem possible—that is three out four of Freeman’s seasons being disappointing. 2022 was rough with the losses to USC, Marshall and Stanford were bad. 2023 the losses in a winnable game against OSU was not bad but it was at home and not great, loss to Louisville was brutal and the loss to a mediocre Clemson squad was bad. Last year was NIU but who cares—they ran to the NC. But this year they lost two games they should not have lost and, again, there are three more possible, not to taken as me saying probable, losses on the table.

Would anybody else grade out 2022 9-4, 2023 10-3, 2024 14-2 and 2025 11-1 (preseason)/11-3 (best case IMO is win out and win one playoff game)/7-5 (worst case and assuming in this era that they decline if they qualify for the Poop Bowl as so many players would opt out). Those are not great results. And the one thing that seemed like it could be a crutch—a freshman QB making some mistakes—is not the problem right now (though who knows if the offense has a down game against a lesser team and incurs a classic post-Holtz ND stinker loss).

That's great, just name the alternative.

 

[irishu]

Same could be said for just about everyone on this board.

Lot of people on this board think they’re smarter than the coaches. LOL. These board members don’t even know ball

 

[T Town Tommy]

Still like Freeman.....just don't like some choices he makes. He shouldn't be making mistakes from year one to now though. It's a little disturbing but I'm hoping this is the last year for "wtf are you doing now" moments

That’s a lot of hoping no matter which team you cheer for in CFB.

 

[Irish#1]

Lot of people on this board think they’re smarter than the coaches. LOL. These board members don’t even know ball

We’re not?

 

[gregm83]

What still puzzles me is every media practice report was defense ahead of the offense. Given the 2 game sample size I just do not understand how that happened at all.

 

[irishnd31]

What still puzzles me is every media practice report was defense ahead of the offense. Given the 2 game sample size I just do not understand how that happened at all.

Defense knew Carr's pre-snap stance...

 

[IrishBryan77]

Northern Illinois coach last year after the game said they knew what plays they were going to run prior to the snap. 🙄

 

[Free Manera]

What still puzzles me is every media practice report was defense ahead of the offense. Given the 2 game sample size I just do not understand how that happened at all.

Defense is always ahead of offense in camp. Plus there was a QB battle between two QBs with virtually no game experience.

However I am confused what they were seeing with Onye and Young. They do not look like they took a step forward.