New Mexico Post game thread

[ACamp1900]

Very lucky the real NM didn’t show up , my New Mexico by thirty almost happened,.... ND by fifty next weekend.

 

[ND88]

I’d say blowing the doors off a team is beating the #15 team in the country by 33 is the same. Again, it’s relative. We destroyed the spread. And that actually mattered, lol

I feel ya man. Chalk it up to decades of built up Notre Dame anxiety. We don’t always appreciate the accomplishments along the way.

Generally speaking, every game is like the first game. We expect things to not go accordingly because the expectation is they should but they won’t. It’s one foot in, one out. We’ve grown fatigued to the point of exhaustion even when it’s supposed to be fun, and have lost some perspective on the age group we are dealing with. You have a historically hyped team that built the bulk of its fame of dominance in an era gone by. Yes, we have shiny gold helmets, all the sweet fancy gadgets and traditions, and even some great players, coaches and wins. But it’s like being on an extremely long car trip with some amazing views, but one that never reaches its final destination. Pessimists wait for the shoe of disappointment to drop. Many prognosticators tend to find comfort in stating the obvious flaws and anticipate failure to avoid yet another year of not winning the chip. We look at the “elites” and seem to think, “Why can’t it be that easy?” It’s a sickness that’s almost become normal which often means a lack of appreciation for what we do have.

We should be thankful for the journey, but comparison is the thief of joy (as is often said).

Georgia should be a fun game. It’s pointless to believe we can’t win it. We have an opportunity to make something great happen.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Very lucky the real NM didn’t show up , my New Mexico by thirty almost happened,.... ND by fifty next weekend.

They were definitely looking ahead to the Rio Grande Rivalry

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[greyhammer90]

Surprised I’m saying this but should Hayes be starting over Okwara? He’s flashed a lot more.

 

[ND88]

Surprised I’m saying this but should Hayes be starting over Okwara? He’s flashed a lot more.

Man, I was thinking the same thing. He’s really been showing out.

 

[Irishize]

Today reminded me of the Charlie Weis 2005-06 era when ND blew out the average to below avg teams w/ a potent pass attack but when they faced a great team, they were too one-dimensional to win (or keep it close).

The OL looked woeful and will be exposed if it doesn’t improve which is asking a lot in a week’s time where they go from facing one of the worst D’s in the nation to one of the best.

On top of that, ND doesn’t have a healthy RB that would even be 4th team on UGA’s squad. And those jet sweeps or touch passes that Avery Davis & Finke scored on? Yeah...UGA will snuff that out for a loss of yardage so I wouldn’t add that to the “run game” vs the vaunted Lobos defense.

Bilal had a nice day today but that’s little solace considering the running attack that UGA is going to feature. ND may have a formidable DL w/ some good pass rushers but they’ll be facing the best OL in the nation so if they can at least get a push....that LB corps better not be out of position or miss multiple tackles or this game will be over by halftime.

Notre Dame is a solid program w/ NFL talent....there’s no arguing that & I give kudos to BK & staff for doing what the last three HC failed to do. That being said, ND doesn’t have talented depth like Bama, Clemson, tOSU or UGA. That was borne out in the CFP when Love went down & his replacement got torched for 3 TDs. So when ND loses their starting TE, starting RB & starting WR....that’s a big deal. When any of the aforementioned teams lose key weapons, they simply plug in another 5*.

Same goes for losing Tranquill, Coney & Tillery from last year. I thought we’d still have a solid defense that could hold the point of attack but it’s pretty clear the recruiting at LB has been subpar and will be exposed sooner or later.

Today was weird in that the game was never in doubt & ND did what they were supposed to do against a horrific team. Problem is, we fans & the ND media still see glaring deficiencies. UGA will see them too...and expose them. If ND brings the same OL/RB play & LB play they brought to the first two games, they will be embarrassed once again on the big stage.

 

[ACamp1900]

They were definitely looking ahead to the Rio Grande Rivalry

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Thank goodness they had big boys next week, they looked ahead...

 

[Luckylucci]

Surprised I’m saying this but should Hayes be starting over Okwara? He’s flashed a lot more.

Maybe that’s placed for a reason, scheme related, I guess. But, his play is by far the best of the ends right now. Not even close. He’s ballin right now.

His backside pursuit has been called, right? Or, he plays it better than any player we’ve seen recently.

 

[IrishLax]

Offense...
-I got trust issues against a team like UGA because EVERYTHING today seemed like an explosive play...sustained drives seem not in the cards right now...and I don't think there will be but maybe 2 or 3 explosive plays at best next week.
-O-line not clean, and not dominant, particularly on 3rd down. RB play on short yardage is not great but we'd do these guys a huge favor to get under center, and pull them up closer to the line...they are all strong, but none real quick or real fast. This business of handing them the ball 4 yards deep...not working real well, and will work less well against UGA.
-Book seemed a little better, but he can't wait til mid second quarter to get comfortable.
-pretty clear there are explosive players on O...
-young QBs did just fine

Defense...
struggled early to get the ball carrier on the ground, like almost never on first contact, and many missed TFLs. Thats concerning when you plug in Swift running the ball.
-Angles were still pretty bad resulting in some of the missed TFLs and longer plays.
-dbacks were nice in pass coverage ...mostly.



...for playoff aspirations, if UGA wasn't a must win, it became one today as BYU just stole one from USC, and Stanford had their pants pulled down and got bare ass spanked in front of the world. Strength of schedule just took a shot.

Astute analysis, basically saves me a post.

The offense is not showing the ability to sustain drives or run the ball effectively. They operate the best when they try to chuck it all over the field without play fakes. It seems quite clear to me that the offense would be much more consistent with someone like Mike Leach running it than someone who continually gets their slow developing running game exposed in short yardage situations. Javon McKinley is not going to break 5 tackles against Georgia. Avery Davis is not going to outrun the entire Georgia defense even if that play is executed perfectly again. ND is going to need to be 2-to-1 throwing versus passing against Georgia to even have a chance of scoring points, and I'm really skeptical that they have much of a chance at all. The OL is not playing at a high enough level, the scheme is poor, and the RBs aren't very talented either. Running backs in this game averaged 2.4 yards per carry... against New Mexico.

The defense has major issues at linebacker, it seems like the combo of White+Bilal doesn't really work. They need to keep getting Simon and Lamb more reps or figure something else out. We also have zero incoming linebackers in this recruiting class, so that's fun. I'm also not sure what to think of the DBs. I think we will see ND give up some explosive passing plays against better teams, but right now it's hard to complain and the safeties are definitely elite.

I think this is a very good team that is probably heading towards 10-2 give or take a loss. They have the talent if things don't break their way. Can they compete for a championship? We'll know after Georgia. It's really hard to get a read on what this team "is" versus what it "can be" when clicking on all cylinders.

 

[NDohio]

Today reminded me of the Charlie Weis 2005-06 era when ND blew out the average to below avg teams w/ a potent pass attack but when they faced a great team, they were too one-dimensional to win (or keep it close).

The OL looked woeful and will be exposed if it doesn’t improve which is asking a lot in a week’s time where they go from facing one of the worst D’s in the nation to one of the best.

On top of that, ND doesn’t have a healthy RB that would even be 4th team on UGA’s squad. And those jet sweeps or touch passes that Avery Davis & Finke scored on? Yeah...UGA will snuff that out for a loss of yardage so I wouldn’t add that to the “run game” vs the vaunted Lobos defense.

Bilal had a nice day today but that’s little solace considering the running attack that UGA is going to feature. ND may have a formidable DL w/ some good pass rushers but they’ll be facing the best OL in the nation so if they can at least get a push....that LB corps better not be out of position or miss multiple tackles or this game will be over by halftime.

Notre Dame is a solid program w/ NFL talent....there’s no arguing that & I give kudos to BK & staff for doing what the last three HC failed to do. That being said, ND doesn’t have talented depth like Bama, Clemson, tOSU or UGA. That was borne out in the CFP when Love went down & his replacement got torched for 3 TDs. So when ND loses their starting TE, starting RB & starting WR....that’s a big deal. When any of the aforementioned teams lose key weapons, they simply plug in another 5*.

Same goes for losing Tranquill, Coney & Tillery from last year. I thought we’d still have a solid defense that could hold the point of attack but it’s pretty clear the recruiting at LB has been subpar and will be exposed sooner or later.

Today was weird in that the game was never in doubt & ND did what they were supposed to do against a horrific team. Problem is, we fans & the ND media still see glaring deficiencies. UGA will see them too...and expose them. If ND brings the same OL/RB play & LB play they brought to the first two games, they will be embarrassed once again on the big stage.

Every football season you get 12-14 opportunities to watch your favorite football team perform against their opponent. Enjoy the wins...enjoy the times they play well...

 

[IrishLax]

Also, Ian Book’s stat line is the fakest stat line of all time. Two glorified handoffs for a bunch of yards/TDs, and McKinley breaking 5 tackles. They have one week to get their shit figured out.

 

[koonja]

Also, Ian Book’s stat line is the fakest stat line of all time. Two glorified handoffs for a bunch of yards/TDs, and McKinley breaking 5 tackles. They have one week to get their shit figured out.

100% true.

 

[Irish YJ]

Also, Ian Book’s stat line is the fakest stat line of all time. Two glorified handoffs for a bunch of yards/TDs, and McKinley breaking 5 tackles. They have one week to get their shit figured out.

While I absolutely agree it's fake in pure yards, I'm generally happy with his performance. Take away 100ish from his 360... 260 is plenty given he only played 2.5 quarters. All QBs benefit from YAC ans sweeps, especially YAC. Fromm certainly did yesterday.

What made me happy.... He looked better throwing it longer, looked more patient in the pocket, and was still 60+% with an up and down line, and WRs who were inconsistent in terms of separation. Our OL was ripe @$$ vs anything semi exotic while in pass pro, and looked anemic on basic power run blocking. If they looked that way vs NM, UGA isn't going to be pretty.

 

[PigtownIrish]

Also, Ian Book’s stat line is the fakest stat line of all time. Two glorified handoffs for a bunch of yards/TDs, and McKinley breaking 5 tackles. They have one week to get their shit figured out.

The problem is a lot of what they have to figure out (poor O line play, ineffective slow developing run plays) is Brian Kelly’s offense and his crony OL coach hire.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Beautiful day in South Bend (how often can you say yhat?). I was happy to see a blow out even if it wasn't executed the way I had hoped by RTDB. Book looked better but still not good enough IMO. OLINE was bad in the run game, as were our backs. Big plays were exciting to watch. We've got a couple dudes at receiver.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Phil J already has the best throw of the season and that play was to Lenzy for that 50 yard
Bomb might want to throw some Phil in next week if we have any shot at Georgia

 

[Irish YJ]

Phil J already has the best throw of the season and that play was to Lenzy for that 50 yard
Bomb might want to throw some Phil in next week if we have any shot at Georgia

I've heard several times he's struggling with confidence. The last thing I want to do is wreck him for life after being wrecked by UGA's D.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

I've heard several times he's struggling with confidence. The last thing I want to do is wreck him for life after being wrecked by UGA's D.

Good point but i think Book is struggling with a little confidence as well. Yes book gives us the best chance to win next weekend but I think Phil offers something book doesn’t as well. And after yesterday Georgia is the only team on our schedule that is worth anything we gotta beat them to make the playoff even a close loss will be a nail on the coffin. Stanford is god awful, USC is not good, and Michigan is decent but overrated

 

[koonja]

I've heard several times he's struggling with confidence. The last thing I want to do is wreck him for life after being wrecked by UGA's D.

Book struggles with arm strength, finding open WRs, and shitting his pants in the pocket against borderline FCS teams.

I'll take my chances with "confidence guy" after dropping a 5p yard bomb and getting his first TD.

 

[Irish#1]

- Need to settle on LB’s and CB’s for UGA. Would be surprised if they didn’t. At least for a majority of that game.



We have what it takes to beat UGA, no doubt in my mind about that. But, we need better execution. And we need our “dudes” to show up against theirs. Okwara, Kareem, Book, Gilman, Elliot, Pride, Claypool, etc, need to play like it.

Pretty sure we’ll see less substations. This game was the last dress rehearsal to let the staff firm up 1’s, 2’s.

I agree, we have what it takes to win. Just need to be dialed in from the kickoff.

 

[Irish#1]

Book struggles with arm strength, finding open WRs, and shitting his pants in the pocket against borderline FCS teams.

I'll take my chances with "confidence guy" after dropping a 5p yard bomb and getting his first TD.

Favorite player on the team is always the backup QB. Easier to play loose when you come in up by 40+.

Everyone complains because we don’t bury lessor teams. BK puts his foot on their throat and kept it there getting that type of win everyone wants and now everyone wants to lament and complain. Every game is unique. These guys knew who they were playing this weekend and know who they will be playing this coming Saturday. Focus will be way up. We’ll be fine.

 

[koonja]

https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1173233069026942977?s=19

Someone from Georgia might be starting a heisman campaign on Saturday

 

[Irish YJ]

Good point but i think Book is struggling with a little confidence as well. Yes book gives us the best chance to win next weekend but I think Phil offers something book doesn’t as well. And after yesterday Georgia is the only team on our schedule that is worth anything we gotta beat them to make the playoff even a close loss will be a nail on the coffin. Stanford is god awful, USC is not good, and Michigan is decent but overrated

I disagree. A close loss at UGA keeps us in the top 10 and still in the conversation for playoffs. It would be an early loss, and plenty of games to win and creep back up. UGA could easily be undefeated going into the SEC championship, and that would bode very well for us (if we did lose a close one). Their toughest game is @Auburn, and I think UGA will handle them.

Book struggles with arm strength, finding open WRs, and shitting his pants in the pocket against borderline FCS teams.

I'll take my chances with "confidence guy" after dropping a 5p yard bomb and getting his first TD.

Book did pretty well on some deeper throws yesterday. And WRs weren't open that often.... And the line couldn't defend any stunt at all. Yet one pass from PJ and you're ready to head to vegas and marry PJ....

I wouldn't expect anything less from you Koon.

 

[Irish YJ]

https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1173233069026942977?s=19

Someone from Georgia might be winning a Heisman on Saturday

FIFY

 

[koonja]

I disagree. A close loss at UGA keeps us in the top 10 and still in the conversation for playoffs. It would be an early loss, and plenty of games to win and creep back up. UGA could easily be undefeated going into the SEC championship, and that would bode very well for us (if we did lose a close one). Their toughest game is @Auburn, and I think UGA will handle them.



Book did pretty well on some deeper throws yesterday. And WRs weren't open that often.... And the line couldn't defend any stunt at all. Yet one pass from PJ and you're ready to head to vegas and marry PJ....

I wouldn't expect anything less from you Koon.

It's not his deep ball that's the main problem. He doesn't throw it enough but it's fine.

He doesn't have the velocity needed to make tight throws on the deep outs or deep middle.

I flipped on the BYU/USC game in 4th quarter and say BYU make one pass on a deep out and was like "whoa, that's different".

 

[koonja]

We are 120th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game.

Louisville and Mexico.

 

[Irish YJ]

It's not his deep ball that's the main problem. He doesn't throw it enough but it's fine.

He doesn't have the velocity needed to make tight throws on the deep outs or deep middle.

I flipped on the BYU/USC game in 4th quarter and say BYU make one pass on a deep out and was like "whoa, that's different".

BYU/USC.... yes, the WRs actually got separation...

It's pretty hard to be almost 70% last year and not be able to throw a decent ball. Nobody says he's got a cannon arm, but it's not weak. Last year the WRs sucked at separation so outside of BKs over reliance on sideline tosses, most are tight throws and 50/50 balls.

From yesterday....
Please go back and look at two plays. First at about 2min or 1:50 to go in the 1Q. Book had to throw it 30+ yards across the field for a 12 yard sideline out. The commentators mentioned before or after that play how the WRs were getting no separation (they mentioned it several times during the game). Second, at 2min to go in the 2nd. He throws two strong passes to Claypool. The first was bullet on the run to Claypool (who had very little to no separation) going out of bounds, and the second to Claypool for the touchdown. Neither pass was a jello armed toss.

Also, he threw a great longer ball to one of the youngsters in the 2Q who mistimed their jump and was arguably PI'd. The toss in the 2Q to McKinley when there was a PI was nice ball but McKinley got turned around and had zero separation. BK should not be sending McKinley long....

 

[Sherm Sticky]

We are 120th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game.

Louisville and Mexico.

Come one guys. Those numbers are skewed. How many teams have actually played two FBS programs and not an FCS school....


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[NDMIA]

We are 120th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game.

Louisville and Mexico.

#4 in Power 5 in Pass Defense. Gotta sell out by stopping the run this weekend. Hopefully they’re able to slow them down a little bit. Gonna need Hinish and MTA to play out of their minds. I’m hopeful it happens though.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

BYU/USC.... yes, the WRs actually got separation...



It's pretty hard to be almost 70% last year and not be able to throw a decent ball. Nobody says he's got a cannon arm, but it's not weak. Last year the WRs sucked at separation so outside of BKs over reliance on sideline tosses, most are tight throws and 50/50 balls.



From yesterday....

Please go back and look at two plays. First at about 2min or 1:50 to go in the 1Q. Book had to throw it 30+ yards across the field for a 12 yard sideline out. The commentators mentioned before or after that play how the WRs were getting no separation (they mentioned it several times during the game). Second, at 2min to go in the 2nd. He throws two strong passes to Claypool. The first was bullet on the run to Claypool (who had very little to no separation) going out of bounds, and the second to Claypool for the touchdown. Neither pass was a jello armed toss.



Also, he threw a great longer ball to one of the youngsters in the 2Q who mistimed their jump and was arguably PI'd. The toss in the 2Q to McKinley when there was a PI was nice ball but McKinley got turned around and had zero separation. BK should not be sending McKinley long....

Why not send McKinley long? And why is it on BK?

Chip Long calls the plays.

And I’d take my chances with a 50/50 deep ball all day with Von.


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