ND held Bama to their Season Low

[IrishLax]

And they were still completely uncompetitive because the offense is a joke that can’t create explosive plays in the passing game.

The story of every single year besides 2015 is the offense holding the team back from achieving something more.

 

[IrishTusker]

Every QB under BK has regressed. Mac Jones was a 3 star recruit, wasn't he?

 

[IrishRazor82]

Our WR recruiting and development is a joke. And no, it's not just because Kevin Austin is hurt. You can't rely on one freaking guy. Bama is out an all time talent and they're just fine. WR talent needs to do a 180.

 

[irishff1014]

The defense play ok. Our DB’s screwed the pouch early and for big plays. The offense is a joke. But we knew that when we could barely beat and bad Louisville team.

 

[Riddickulous]

Our WR recruiting and development is a joke. And no, it's not just because Kevin Austin is hurt. You can't rely on one freaking guy. Bama is out an all time talent and they're just fine. WR talent needs to do a 180.

We've pulled in 3 Top 100-150 guys over the last two cycles. We're headed in this direction if we can develop them.

 

[irishff1014]

We've pulled in 3 Top 100-150 guys over the last two cycles. We're headed in this direction if we can develop them.

IF is a big word. If we could recruit skill players better, if we could develop a CB we would be better.

 

[NorthDakota]

And they were still completely uncompetitive because the offense is a joke that can’t create explosive plays in the passing game.

The story of every single year besides 2015 is the offense holding the team back from achieving something more.

In Buchner We Trust

 

[notredomer23]

Not only season low, but the low since 2018 in championship game.

 

[NDRock]

Remember when Kelly came here and said you need to recruit for D but you can manufacture offense? Still waiting on that.

 

[T-Boone]

The defense play ok. Our DB’s screwed the pouch early and for big plays. The offense is a joke. But we knew that when we could barely beat and bad Louisville team.

It is only the QB/WR play that is a joke. The rest of the offense line/RBs TEs are good. Mayer is great.

 

[phillyirish]

Our last two recruiting classes combined, are probably top 5 in the country in total offensive talent. Does suck because after the first couple of drives we seemed to really contain Alabama. This is a talented ND team that will put see a lot of its players in the NFL.

Need a QB that can air it out, simple as that.

 

[AKRowdy]

Every QB under BK has regressed. Mac Jones was a 3 star recruit, wasn't he?

Mac Jones is not good. Ian would do just as well as Mac if he had the weapons Bama has on offense. Mac’s stats are also padded given his high percentage of short passes.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Holding them to 31 was what was needed. Sadly we couldn’t generate o.

 

[tussin]

Every QB under BK has regressed. Mac Jones was a 3 star recruit, wasn't he?

Mac has the keys to a Ferrari in a race against a bunch of Honda CRVs.

 

[BabyIrish]

It’s so clear that we didn’t have the athletes at wr and the ones we didn’t have, we didn’t attempt to get on the field. That decision ruined this season.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

The 3 areas we need to focus on going forward if we want to compete with Bama or Clemson.
1. We need a dynamic QB start exploring the transfer market more.
2. We need more speed at WR.
3. Our secondary has got to get better.

 

[tussin]

Story of the season is that you can’t be expected to win against elite teams with a QB that is afraid to throw down field and a WR core that is highlighted by a Northwestern transfer and a converted QB

 

[EifertPower]

I was withhold judgment but it is pretty obvious now. ND's only chance to ever win these games is with a transcendent QB who is Heisman-worthy.

I know Alabama took it easy on us and coasted but still holding them to 31 points was the best case scenario heading into this game. Book needed to make a couple of big time plays and he didnt. The interception was the dagger and not a throw a veteran QB makes. Let's say Book makes 1 or 2 big plays in the first half, and Doerer makes that 50 years fg and we are only down 21-14 or 21-17. Let's say Book doesnt make that INT in the 3rd quarter and they score. Yes, there is a 99% chance Alabama would have turned it up a year and won probably by something like 38-28 or so but at least we would have earned national respect.

I'm tired of Brian Kelly never winning a big game in late December or early January. I'm tired of the inevitable next head coach Tommy Rees' lousy gameplan. And I'm tired of poor QB play in big games.

 

[Irish YJ]

meh.

Bama went ball control a bit after they got up big. At 28-7 they were no longer concerned with being aggressive (to their standards).

 

[phillyirish]

Both our QB and Offensive Coordinator think it is physically impossible for a human being to throw a football 15 yards downfield. That kind of limits the offensive game plan right there.

 

[dublinirish]

Both our QB and Offensive Coordinator think it is physically impossible for a human being to throw a football 15 yards downfield. That kind of limits the offensive game plan right there.

i dunno man everytime Book tried to heave a long(ish) ball it looked like he had no zip at all

 

[NorthDakota]

Holding them to 31 was what was needed. Sadly we couldn’t generate o.

I told my Bama buddy that the best case scenario was that ND could hold them to around 35 and the dream was that ND could get 28 points. Not great when the absolute dream scenario still has your team in the losing end.

 

[IrishRazor82]

What is Ben Western's strength? He doesn't have strong hands, has no speed, his route running is fundamental but no suddenness, hasn't had YAC despite being bigger than every DB he's played.

And he's our #1. He wouldn't make the traveling team at Bama. This is kind of on Ian Book, but much more on severly poor WR recruiting.

 

[ulukinatme]

What is Ben Western's strength? He doesn't have strong hands, has no speed, his route running is fundamental but no suddenness, hasn't had YAC despite being bigger than every DB he's played.

And he's our #1. He wouldn't make the traveling team at Bama. This is kind of on Ian Book, but much more on severly poor WR recruiting.

A serious playmaker and a fair 2nd option would have made this a real game today. We're a missed kick and an illegal shift from 24-31 at the end there. Imagine what some weapons at WR could have done.

 

[T-Boone]

The 3 areas we need to focus on going forward if we want to compete with Bama or Clemson.
1. We need a dynamic QB start exploring the transfer market more.
2. We need more speed at WR.
3. Our secondary has got to get better.

I would add:

4. Better DEs.

 

[irishtrooper]

And they were still completely uncompetitive because the offense is a joke that can’t create explosive plays in the passing game.

The story of every single year besides 2015 is the offense holding the team back from achieving something more.

This is soooo correct. I am hopeful others have functional eyes as well. Or perhaps Bama just stopped trying to score in the 2nd quarter?.....

 

[Rudy89]

Last time we ended the season on two big loses we went 4-8 the next year, I really just hope we don’t fall that bad next year. Still as I said after the acc championship game we have hit the ceiling on what this program is capable of. I just hope we have a good season next year with maybe a good bowl win it’s about what we are capable of.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I don’t think Bama went into ball control after going up. Bama averages 50 points a game and has no problem embarrassing anyone in front of them. I think our defense made some adjustments to slow them down somewhat and our dline settled in.

We matched them physically. Our QB play and lack of WRs is what dooms us against elite teams.

I also don’t think Book regressed. I think Books ceiling is what it is, the dude can’t throw the ball more than 20 yards accurately. IMO, the glaring weakness is how on earth do we have such a limited QB starting for 3 years? If we’re in a position for whatever reason where we have to take a 3 star QB...why can’t we grab one who’s 6’3 and can throw the ball 65 yards?

 

[NorthDakota]

This is soooo correct. I am hopeful others have functional eyes as well. Or perhaps Bama just stopped trying to score in the 2nd quarter?.....

I dont buy that. Nick Saban hangs 50 weekly lol. He's not BK calling off the dogs as soon as he goes up two possessions.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Every QB under BK has regressed. Mac Jones was a 3 star recruit, wasn't he?

Book didn't regress.

He simply is who he is. A 3-star talent with great leadership, quality athleticism, and an accurate arm, sees the field but for some reason is not willing to let it fly.

That's always been the problem, and it's not something that can be coached. He needed to get it done on the field and unfortunately, he never could permanently fix it. He had it in him, but he couldn't do it on the biggest stage.

Jones was a 3-star talent, but he has a stronger arm and better confidence. Hard to not have that much confidence when you're throwing to those receivers and behind that line.