Moving on to 2016

[IrishinSyria]

It's going to be very very hard to unseat Kizer. Kizer A) has more experience, B) has more natural arm talent and a higher ceiling in that regard, C) is taller and weighs more, and D) his running ability progressed greatly as the season wore on to the point that it's almost a wash between him and MZ.

Unless Kizer just s**ts the bed in the offseason *knocks on wood* I would be kind of upset if he wasn't the starter. We finally, after 6 long years, have a chance to have continuity at the most important position in sports and to pass on that would be a bit upsetting. Kizer could be the starter for 27-40 more games.

Agree. There's obviously a lot of room for Kizer to improve, but he's established a tremendous base. He has the size, accuracy, speed, and smarts to be a great QB. I'm sure Malik does too, and maybe if they were starting from scratch it would make sense to go with Malik, but unfortunately they're not. I think the best thing for Malik and the program will be for him to transfer this year, he's too good to not play but Kizer really took ownership of the job.

 

[NDWorld247]

I'd love to have Prosise, Jones, Grace, KVR, Sebastian, and Daly back.

I think we have enough TE depth that we don't need Hounshell, i know nothing about Harrell or Turner, and Baratti i'm still bitter about that play against Temple.

I think we end up with Prosise, Jones, Sebastian and Daly (not thrilled about having two long snappers on the roster). KVR has a spot if he wants it and can clear academics, but not real confident he comes back.

Harrell will be similar to Hegarty - he has a spot if he wants one, but will go elsewhere if he actually wants to get playing time.

Turner is a long shot to be invited back. So is Baratti but safety depth and/or open roster spots might say otherwise.

Hounshell might be in a similar situation as 2015 - hang around and if a spot opens up, it's yours. I wouldn't mind if they brought him back.

 

[phillyirish]

I feel like we should improve in virtually every aspect next year, except possibly 2.

Linebackers: Jaylon is irreplaceable, his loss will be felt. Although some might argue that losing Schmidt too might make it close to a wash

Oline: Stanley is gonna be a top 5 pick, I know we have some stud talent behind him but no way we can expect anyone to come close to his perpetual blindside protection.

Also Defensive Backs are up in the air. I expect Max, Luke and even Keivare to all be back next year and another year of development could really make them take that next step. I know luke was getting some love this year by analyst and keivare is a physical freak who will dominate the combine. I can see both at least looking at the draft.

 

[FearTheBeard]

Should have a really solid team next year. With our offensive weapons we should be really good there, im not worried about the line with as well as we have recruited there. If we can field a defense that isnt allowing 20+ Per game i think we have a good shot at the playoff. Three toughest games are Mich St, Stanford, and USC who are all replacing qb's. We have the fastest and most athletic team i can remember so the future looks good.

 

[Booslum31]

Should have a really solid team next year. With our offensive weapons we should be really good there, im not worried about the line with as well as we have recruited there. If we can field a defense that isnt allowing 20+ Per game i think we have a good shot at the playoff. Three toughest games are Mich St, Stanford, and USC who are all replacing qb's. We have the fastest and most athletic team i can remember so the future looks good.

We need more play makers on defense. Scheme isn't that critical if you just have guys who beat their man on most plays. There are times like last night when I find myself holding my breath expecting the worse on defense...instead of having confidence that we will get the stop...three and out. Need more play makers on defense.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Here goes nothing...

Start with the offense. I'm bolding people who have started 4+ games.

QB: Kizer (Jr) OR Zaire (Sr)
RB: Prosise (5th) OR Adams (SO) OR Folston (Sr)
WR: Fuller (SR)
WR: St. Brown (SO)
WR: Hunter (Sr)
TE: Jones (SO)
LT: Bars (Jr)
LG: Nelson (Jr)
C: Hoge (So) OR Mustipher (Jr)
RG: Elmer (SR)
RT: McGlinchey (Sr)

OL: I don't see a large drop off in production here. I think all of the returning starters play at what would be an All-Conference level or better.

WR: I'm assuming Fuller stays. If he doesn't, St. Brown stays at that position and Hunter plays opposite of him. Sanders them plays slot. In that event, 2016 becomes a big coming out party for St. Brown and Jones. Assuming Fuller stays (pls god), I think 2016's corp is even more potent because of Jones' ascension. Just a stupidly talented group...maybe the most athletic bunch in ND history?

RB: Your guess is as good as mine. I was one of the larger Folston fans on IE going into the season, but Prosise is such a force and Adams looks like a total stud. It's a win-win-win if they all stay. I think Prosise gives the NFL a long thought though.

QB: I mean, how do you bench Kizer? That's really people fans/media have to look at it. But Zaire (and Wimbush) will get their shots in the spring. That'll be fun and then quickly become annoying.

Now the defense...

Too many questions to really project well. Does Russell return? Does Smith want to top off his legacy at ND? What the hell is going on at safety? ...does BVG even return?

SDE: Rochell (SR)
DT: Jones (5th)
NG: Tillery (SO) OR Cage (JR)
WDE: Trumbetti (JR)
SAM: Onwualu (SR)
MIKE: Morgan (JR)
WILL: Smith (SR)
CB: Luke (SR)
CB: Russel (5th)
S: Redfield (SR)
S: Tranquill (JR)
NB: Crawford (Fr)

DL: Day played as an All-American in 2015, so missing him will suck. The return of Jones and the progress Tillery/Cage/Trumbetti make will help offset it. Rochell could step up to that Day-level of play too. In short, I'm not worried about DL.

LB and DB: Fuck.

The schedule...

Sep 03: at Texas (4-7)
Sep 10: vs Nevada (6-6)
Sep 17: vs Michigan State (12-1)
Sep 24: vs Duke (7-5)
Oct 01: at* Syracuse (4-8)
Oct 08: at North Carolina State (7-5)
Oct 15: vs Stanford (11-2)
Oct 22: BYE
Oct 29: vs Miami (8-4)
Nov 05: at* Navy (10-2)
Nov 12: vs* Army (2-10)
Nov 19: vs Virginia Tech (6-6)
Nov 26: at USC (8-5)

(I'm assuming Michigan State beats Iowa, Stanford beats USC, and Navy beats Army.)

So it looks like Notre Dame will play nine 2015 bowl teams in 2016 as well as the Pac-12 and Big Ten champions.

If USC hires a coach with even a modicum of competence their offense will be unreal.

It helps playing Virginia Tech, USC, and Miami in the second half of the season. They'll have new coaches so scouting will be easier. No such luck with Syracuse but they're Syracuse.

I think 10-2 is a success. That looks like a hard schedule.

 

[Circa]

this will never happen. Im expecting 2012 like offseason

Why? This Is interesting.

 

[GoIrish41]

Here goes nothing...

Start with the offense. I'm bolding people who have started 4+ games.

QB: Kizer (Jr) OR Zaire (Sr)
RB: Prosise (5th) OR Adams (SO) OR Folston (Sr)
WR: Fuller (SR)
WR: St. Brown (SO)
WR: Hunter (Sr)
TE: Jones (SO)
LT: Bars (Jr)
LG: Nelson (Jr)
C: Hoge (So) OR Mustipher (Jr)
RG: Elmer (SR)
RT: McGlinchey (Sr)

OL: I don't see a large drop off in production here. I think all of the returning starters play at what would be an All-Conference level or better.

WR: I'm assuming Fuller stays. If he doesn't, St. Brown stays at that position and Hunter plays opposite of him. Sanders them plays slot. In that event, 2016 becomes a big coming out party for St. Brown and Jones. Assuming Fuller stays (pls god), I think 2016's corp is even more potent because of Jones' ascension. Just a stupidly talented group...maybe the most athletic bunch in ND history?

RB: Your guess is as good as mine. I was one of the larger Folston fans on IE going into the season, but Prosise is such a force and Adams looks like a total stud. It's a win-win-win if they all stay. I think Prosise gives the NFL a long thought though.

QB: I mean, how do you bench Kizer? That's really people fans/media have to look at it. But Zaire (and Wimbush) will get their shots in the spring. That'll be fun and then quickly become annoying.

Now the defense...

Too many questions to really project well. Does Russell return? Does Smith want to top off his legacy at ND? What the hell is going on at safety? ...does BVG even return?

DL: Day played as an All-American in 2015, so missing him will suck. The return of Jones and the progress Tillery/Cage/Trumbetti make will help offset it. Rochell could step up to that Day-level of play too. In short, I'm not worried about DL.

LB and DB: Fuck.

The schedule...

Sep 03: at Texas (4-7)
Sep 10: vs Nevada (6-6)
Sep 17: vs Michigan State (12-1)
Sep 24: vs Duke (7-5)
Oct 01: at* Syracuse (4-8)
Oct 08: at North Carolina State (7-5)
Oct 15: vs Stanford (11-2)
Oct 22: BYE
Oct 29: vs Miami (8-4)
Nov 05: at* Navy (10-2)
Nov 12: vs* Army (2-10)
Nov 19: vs Virginia Tech (6-6)
Nov 26: at USC (8-5)

(I'm assuming Michigan State beats Iowa, Stanford beats USC, and Navy beats Army.)

So it looks like Notre Dame will play nine 2015 bowl teams in 2016 as well as the Pac-12 and Big Ten champions.

If USC hires a coach with even a modicum of competence their offense will be unreal.

It helps playing Virginia Tech, USC, and Miami in the second half of the season. They'll have new coaches so scouting will be easier. No such luck with Syracuse but they're Syracuse.

I think 10-2 is a success. That looks like a hard schedule.

Great post, Buster. I am not as worried about LB as you are. We have a lot of young talent there .... Morgan and Coney top the list, but there are a couple of guys who didn't play this year who should be physically ready and presumably more mentally prepared (fingers crossed). Martini is only going to get better with reps and Onowalu is back if I'm not mistaken. Would love to see Smith return but he is a first rounder and maybe a top ten type talent and I doubt he comes back. Even so, I think we field a far more overall athletic and more physically imposing LB corps next year.

DBs scare me a little and hopefully some of the young guys will step up.

 

[phillyirish]

I'm not sure why everyone is so worried about the defensive backs??
Yea, there were a lot of those bone headed plays that drive you nuts ( turn your f*cking head around) but most of it seems like its coachable.of the faults seem coachable. There certainly isn't a skill or pure athleticism element lacking, all these guys are studs in that regard.

Shaun Crawford will be back, really locking up that slot spot. Luke might flirt with the draft, and if he leaves then yea were f*cked, but I think he comes back. Redfeild seems like he's almost there, and I think another offseason he puts it all together and pays at an elite level.

Keivare is the biggest question mark. Lots of questions about him but if he wants to stay I think he can. The injury might help tip the balance for him to stay and get healthy. I know he was shaky early on but I feel he came together as the season progressed.

Losing Shumate sucks, he was crucial to the defense this year. However, the SS spot is the easiest to replace and isn't nearly as crucial in the pass defense as the other spots listed. Drue can step in here nicely I believe, and actually has about 5 starts under him.


****The biggest issue this defense faces is finding a pass rush. Even just being average at getting to the Qb will be the difference that separates this defense from being dominate to very meh like this year. As of right now I'm not sure we have it. Were losing Day and Okwara who accounted for more than half our sacks and no one else on the team got more than 2. Jones might replacing Day nicely, but besides that I really don't knowwe where we get production from. Past 3 years we finished 87, 63, and are 74th this year in sacks, so recent trends indicate that this is a serious issue.

 

[irishfan]

Fuller/Prosise/Jaylon/KVR

I know Fuller has said he is staying, but I don't think that is 100%. We could be so stacked if everyone buys in and wants to stay for one more season. KVR should stay. He can go from a 4th to 1st rounder if he steps it up. Prosise should probably go being a RB, but he has such small mileage on his legs that he may stay for one more season. Jaylon can really only improve from about the 5-10 pick to the 1-5 pick, but can move himself into ND lore if he stays for one more season and win Butkus, earn AA, make playoffs, etc.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

I think the staff should try to Make Brent and Holmes into Safeties. Looking at the roster next year does anyone see Holmes getting playing time at WR? or Brent vise versa at RB?

 

[NDRock]

I think the staff should try to Make Brent and Holmes into Safeties. Looking at the roster next year does anyone see Holmes getting playing time at WR? or Brent vise versa at RB?

I was hoping they were going to move Brent to safety instead of RB but I'm not sure he can handle BVG's scheme. He seems to be preoccupied with his extra curricular activities.

 

[NDdomer2]

Hoge over mustipher

Bars will be solid at LT but Ronnie was damn near perfect this year

Rest of O is bad ass

Dline should be deeper (pray for health) and solid but pass rush may still lack.

LB will be solid with some learning lumps

Cb - Crawford and Luke will be good. KVR is gone - his Instagram post after his injury might as well been his goodbye note. Can Butler, Watkins, Coleman, White make strides?

S - Max still frustrated this year, but less than last. If he can make same jump ES did to his senior year, max will be fine. That other spot. Won't be for lack of bodies. Have to think we can find one guy out of Coleman (not sure if they have decided on cb/s), Sebastian, Tranquill, Williams, Morgan, Perry (if he sticks), Elliot (might be a cb), and hopefully Studsill.

I like this recruiting class so far, and hopefully we add some real solid pieces to it down this stretch (focus on D plz coaches)

 

[BobbyMac]

Agree. There's obviously a lot of room for Kizer to improve, but he's established a tremendous base. He has the size, accuracy, speed, and smarts to be a great QB. I'm sure Malik does too, and maybe if they were starting from scratch it would make sense to go with Malik, but unfortunately they're not. I think the best thing for Malik and the program will be for him to transfer this year, he's too good to not play but Kizer really took ownership of the job.

Why is it the best thing for the program or Malik to transfer next year?

.

 

[pkt77242]

If none of the safeties make a big leap before next year, I think that I would like to see Butler and Redfield at safety vs passing teams and Redfield and Tranquill vs running teams.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Call me crazy, but I think that Coney won't make us miss Jaylon at the Will. I think that he may make us wonder what may have been if he could've played Will and switch Jaylon to Sam.

 

[Blazers46]

The only problem ND's offense will have next year is that they can only field 11 players at one time.

Defense will look a little different. Hopefully the losses of Jaylon and Joe cancel each other out. KVR was underwhelming but hopefully Crawford can get healthy. Safety might be deja vu all over again.

 

[KPENN]

Call me crazy, but I think that Coney won't make us miss Jaylon at the Will. I think that he may make us wonder what may have been if he could've played Will and switch Jaylon to Sam.

Crazy

 

[ulukinatme]

Why is it the best thing for the program or Malik to transfer next year?

.

Yeah, I don't get this either. He unseated Golson and was ahead of Kizer coming out of Spring. He was MVP of the bowl game, and absolutely destroyed Texas (Even if they were mediocre often this year). He struggled a bit against Virginia, but the offense as a whole struggled at times in that game because of the blitz packages. Kizer will have a lot of experience to bring next year, but we know Malik has great leadership and intangibles, he's driven to be the best and will fight. I expect the competition will be tight in the Spring and could go into the Fall, depending on how Zaire recovers.

 

[NDPhilly]

Call me crazy, but I think that Coney won't make us miss Jaylon at the Will. I think that he may make us wonder what may have been if he could've played Will and switch Jaylon to Sam.

 

[philipm31]

Agreed completely. Kizer battled his heart out and left it all on the field. That loss is not on him in anyway. Even in the Clemson game where he made some mistakes he battled back and almost tied the game. The kid is no mental midget.

Um, he bears quite a bit of blame for the loss, honestly. He had a WIDE OPEN WR in the EZ in the first drive of the game, and decided to run it instead. Instead a TD and a lead, we had a first down and then another FG instead, so we trailed, instead of leading, or being tied. In fact, in the RZ, other than the last drive, he was horrific.

We should have put up 40 on Stanford, easily.

On the other hand, we were not unseating OU anyway, not after they put the smackdown on the Cowboys, anyway. Still, the RZ offense for this team was another horrible trend that has been ongoing for FIVE YEARS. And ball security, yeesh.

So, while the D played their guts out overall, the offense REALLY let them and their fans down, because they honestly should not have had to be in that position. That is on the QB and the HC, since he was calling the plays, and the QB is supposed to be an extension of the HC.

Kizer is young and showed it, but he does have to take the lion's share of the blame, especially since we could have had 28 points or more in the first half. More than enough blame to go around, but Kizer really did shit the bed until the last drive.

 

[philipm31]

Kizer has it. It makes a difference when the QB leads that.

Does he though?

When he pulled down the ball in the first drive and did not go for the jugular homerun TD pass but pulled it down and ran it instead, I knew the game was lost because Kizer was not emanating said killer instinct.

And to be honest, BK does not have it. When your HC does not have it, then you are in BIG TROUBLE.

When Lou roamed the sidelines, you KNEW the Irish would be dishing out huge beatings to people once they got up on an inferior team. Not once have I ever seen BK teams strong once and pour it on teams for four quarters. Not for decades, honestly. I just do not think that BK has it in him, and neither does this team, on either side of the ball.

Waiting on a BK-led team to develop a killer instinct is honestly futile, because the coach does not have it.

 

[philipm31]

Moving on to 2016. I'm not worried about the offense at all.
QB- Two head monster Zaire + Kizer, Wimbush will redshirt
RB- Folston +Proise + Adams three head monster all are capable of going over 1,000 yards rushing. I'd like to see Kelly get the Running backs more involved in the passing game that's what helped us at times in 2012 when we went 12-0. What happens to Justin Brent here damn the coaches need to find this guy some touches somewhere? Does he move to safety? Back to the slot? all other running backs will redshirt.
TE: We will be loaded but we need to get them more involved once again.
WR: Starters I think will be Fuller, Tori Hunter, St. Brown. Guys like Robinson need to get back in it, Sanders needs some touches, excited to see what Boykin and Guyton are capable of, what about holmes?
OL: ONly loss is Stanley. Hoge will start at Center which I think is an upgrade over Martin. Martin is a hell of a player but was a liability at times this year as well.

Defense.
DL: I'm not concerned really all that much we have a ton of depth it's time to get the guys some playing time though. Hayes, Bonner, Blankenship, ect... What will Kareem do as a Freshman? We are loaded at DT.

LB: Will Jaylon Leave? Schmidt isn't a loss did you see Martini making plays yesterday or whenever he gets a shot, kid is going to be a very nice upgrade. Will Nyles Morgan replace Jaylon if he leaves?
DB's
I'm not worried about the secondary as much as some of you are. We will return Butler, Watkins, and Cole Luke at Corner which is the same guys that we had last year. Safety we will have Redfield back along with Tranquil back, Guys like Crawford and Colemon both will either start or play alot, and I think we have enough Freshman coming in where someone or 2 guys will step up and shine. Also Williams Kelly has said nothing but good things about them.

Why do people think that Fuller is staying?

I think he would be foolish to think he is clearly a 1st rounder, or even a 2nd rounder, especially at his size and his drop rate, but I get the feeling he could be gone. Is there something that people know that makes them think he is coming back for sure?

Either way, I think that the WR corps is going to a huge question mark. And as much talent we may have in the RB stable, Kelly never will make use of it, unless we have a myriad of injuries there like we did this year. The idea that we will develop power run game is just a pipe dream. Kelly never has had one, and has never wanted to have one.

 

[dublinirish]

Why do people think that Fuller is staying?

I think he would be foolish to think he is clearly a 1st rounder, or even a 2nd rounder, especially at his size and his drop rate, but I get the feeling he could be gone. Is there something that people know that makes them think he is coming back for sure?

Either way, I think that the WR corps is going to a huge question mark. And as much talent we may have in the RB stable, Kelly never will make use of it, unless we have a myriad of injuries there like we did this year. The idea that we will develop power run game is just a pipe dream. Kelly never has had one, and has never wanted to have one.

well he did say he would.

 

[philipm31]

well he did say he would.

That literally means nothing, if people convince him that he is a 1st or 2nd round pick. It would be nice if he did, but I get the feeling he going to be swayed to go...which may not be the worst thing to happen to this WR corps, actually.

What we really need is someone to step up at the TE positions.

 

[GUknights75]

That literally means nothing, if people convince him that he is a 1st or 2nd round pick. It would be nice if he did, but I get the feeling he going to be swayed to go...which may not be the worst thing to happen to this WR corps, actually.

What we really need is someone to step up at the TE positions.

Well...you asked. He very well might leave early but that's what he said, idk what you expect us to think. With what he said on senior day (IIRC) coupled with the easy drops that hit him right in the chest it's not inconceivable to believe that he comes back next year to work on his hands and win a National Championship.

 

[GUknights75]

Does he though?

When he pulled down the ball in the first drive and did not go for the jugular homerun TD pass but pulled it down and ran it instead, I knew the game was lost because Kizer was not emanating said killer instinct.

And to be honest, BK does not have it. When your HC does not have it, then you are in BIG TROUBLE.

When Lou roamed the sidelines, you KNEW the Irish would be dishing out huge beatings to people once they got up on an inferior team. Not once have I ever seen BK teams strong once and pour it on teams for four quarters. Not for decades, honestly. I just do not think that BK has it in him, and neither does this team, on either side of the ball.

Waiting on a BK-led team to develop a killer instinct is honestly futile, because the coach does not have it.

You are just unbelievable.

2015: 10-2
ND 38 - Texas 3 (4-7)
ND 30 - GT 7 (3-9) they scored 2 late TDs aginst backups to make it 22
ND 62 - UMASS 20 (3-9) Scored late TD against backups to make it 27
ND 41 - Navy 24 (10-2) who is a good team and we demolished them
ND 42 - Pitt 17 (8-4) again scored 2 late TDs against backups to make it 30
ND 28 - WF 7 (3-9) we may not have looked great but we still won by 21 points

2014: 8-5
ND 48 - Rice 17 (7-5)
ND 38 - scUM 0(5-7)
ND 31 - Syracuse 15 (3-9) ND was the 2nd team ever to win with -5 turnover margin and still won by 2 scores

2013: 9-4
ND 28 - Temple 6 (2-10)
ND 45 - Air Force 10 (2-10)

2012: 12-1
ND 50 - Navy 10 (8-5)
ND 43 - Miami 3 (7-5)
ND 30 - OU 13 (10-3)
ND 38 - WF 0 (5-7)

2011: 8-5
ND 31 - MSU 13 (11-3)
ND 38 - Purdue 10 (7-6)
ND 59 - AF 19 (7-6) Scored twice late against backups to make it 33
ND 56 - Navy 14 (5-7)
ND 45 - Mary 14 (2-10) scored a late TD against backups to make it 21

2010: 8-5
ND 31 - BC 13 (7-6)
ND 44 - WMU 20 (6-6)
ND 28 - Utah 3 (10-3) poured it on a superior team
ND 27 - Army 3 (7-6)
ND 33 - Miami 13 (7-6)


So not only have we "poured it on inferior teams" in the Kelly era, we've done it quite often and to a bunch of .500 or above teams as well. Kelly has the most wins as a ND head coach in his first 5 years then ANY ND coach in the history of the program. Just think about that again, then re-think what you said.

 

[NDRock]

Um, he bears quite a bit of blame for the loss, honestly. He had a WIDE OPEN WR in the EZ in the first drive of the game, and decided to run it instead. Instead a TD and a lead, we had a first down and then another FG instead, so we trailed, instead of leading, or being tied. In fact, in the RZ, other than the last drive, he was horrific.

We should have put up 40 on Stanford, easily.

On the other hand, we were not unseating OU anyway, not after they put the smackdown on the Cowboys, anyway. Still, the RZ offense for this team was another horrible trend that has been ongoing for FIVE YEARS. And ball security, yeesh.

So, while the D played their guts out overall, the offense REALLY let them and their fans down, because they honestly should not have had to be in that position. That is on the QB and the HC, since he was calling the plays, and the QB is supposed to be an extension of the HC.

Kizer is young and showed it, but he does have to take the lion's share of the blame, especially since we could have had 28 points or more in the first half. More than enough blame to go around, but Kizer really did shit the bed until the last drive.

Kizer shit the bed until the last drive? He was "horrific"? Wow, you and I must have watched different games because there is not much in this post I agree with. Kelly has not been the play caller all year, that should be obvious when they show him standing there between plays not calling plays.

Also, not sure why you say the D played their guts out when they let Stanford score five TDs in five chances in the red zone, yet rip the Offense for their red zone failures. Red zone woes have been a problem on both sides of the ball this year and are a major reason we aren't 12-0 right now.

Red zone TD% rankings this year:
Defense - 103rd
Offense - 91st

 

[dmort]

Recruit.Recruit.Recruit.Keep the pipeline full of talent and get quality position coaches.

 

[connor_in]

Not ready to "move on" yet lol...
Still got a month to enjoy 2015, and also a few months to close out on recruiting... Let's go win the Peach (or Fiesta) Bowl, sign a couple more studs, and then I'll start thinking about next year.

Just depressed we only have one more game for this season. Too fast.

Amended and endorsed