Nov 13 | Virginia

[Rogue219]

I'd really rather not see Armstrong play this weekend if possible.

 

[dublinirish]

I don't find Herbie to be a homer at all. Now Desmond Howard on the other hand..........

Lol he literally had to leave the state of Ohio for his family's well being because of how much grief OSU fans were giving them. I don't know anyone can claim hes a homer

 

[tko]

Any TE's back for Virginia to help Mayer and the rest of the receiving group?

 

[BeauBenken]

Any TE's back for Virginia to help Mayer and the rest of the receiving group?

Bauman will keep getting more reps.

 

[irishtrooper]

I actually like Fowler and Herbie, what's your beef? Just curious, not arguing haha

Herbie lost me when he cried on gameday. I can’t respect him as it seemed forced and so obvious that he was leaning into the issue. You can have an opinion, even if it’s WAY overblown and an espn-panic-wokefest-palooza, but the crying was too much. I like his FOOTBALL opinions, but I watch Fox pregame now and it’s way better IMO. I also think he has been very careful to not favor OSU, almost too harsh. Let’s face it, OSU is a top 3-4 program year in-year out.

The arrogance of Pollack with his SEC homerism and Desmond (well, being Desmond) are the things football-wise I don’t like

 

[stpeteirish]

strange that ABC would pick us as their Sat night game and then send their 3rd tier announcing team to it.

 

[Irishize]

I actually like Fowler and Herbie, what's your beef? Just curious, not arguing haha

Fair question. To clarify, I do like Herbie. I don’t care for Fowler. IMO, Rece Davis > Chris Fowler. And part of it is a “me problem” as I only associate that duo w/ ND beatdowns but know full well they’ve announced plenty of ND wins.

 

[Irishize]

strange that ABC would pick us as their Sat night game and then send their 3rd tier announcing team to it.

GameDay is in Oxford so maybe they’re announcing that game and it’s a day game?

 

[Irishize]

Herbie lost me when he cried on gameday. I can’t respect him as it seemed forced and so obvious that he was leaning into the issue. You can have an opinion, even if it’s WAY overblown and an espn-panic-wokefest-palooza, but the crying was too much. I like his FOOTBALL opinions, but I watch Fox pregame now and it’s way better IMO. I also think he has been very careful to not favor OSU, almost too harsh. Let’s face it, OSU is a top 3-4 program year in-year out.

The arrogance of Pollack with his SEC homerism and Desmond (well, being Desmond) are the things football-wise I don’t like

I’m ok w/ Pollack. He’s actually not been anti-ND when they were in the CFP/BCS discussion. Seems like a good dude overall. Does sound like he’s a bit of health nut…LOL

 

[Rogue219]

I don't like Fox. Too much talking and not enough highlights. Stoops is just sort of blah for me in that role, and Leinart and Bush are just ok. Brady Quinn is ok too. I like the Football Final with Galloway and Palmer on Sunday mornings. Must see TV.

I don't watch Game Day anymore. Not enough time and I'd rather get To Do List done so I can watch actual football.

I like Herbstreit. Always have. Genuine dude who seems to really be grateful for what he has and the gig he has held down all these years.

 

[Irish#1]

Anymore word on Armstrong or is it status quo?

 

[tko]

Anymore word on Armstrong or is it status quo?

Bronco indicated that they might not fully know until game time even if he doesn't practice all week. I think we assume he's a go.

 

[IrishLax]

What I've heard is that 1) he isn't practicing right now and his backup has been getting all practice reps for two weeks 2) he has cracked ribs 3) the plan is for him to get shot up before the game + wear protection and try to play. All of this from a kid I coached who is currently at UVA. He is truly a game time decision and it comes down to pain management.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

SP+ thinks we'll barely squeek past UVA by 3 points:

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/espn_billc/status/1458432193584324616?s=21[/TWEET]

It can't account for Armstrong's injury, though.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Bronco indicated that they might not fully know until game time even if he doesn't practice all week. I think we assume he's a go.

No scout reps for a QB against a good defense? Not ideal, regardless of the pain.
Doesn't sound smart to me. Unless their backup QB is truly that bad.

 

[Irishize]

As others have pointed out, UVA controls their destiny in the ACC Coastal division. I don’t think they risk Armstrong if they thought it risked losing him for the Pitt & VT games. Their stated #1 goal is to win the Coastal. I doubt they feel confident in doing that w/ a back up who is one-dimensional w/ minimal game reps. All that being said, as bad as I’m sure it felt for Armstrong in the moment, I think he takes the needle, wears the flak jacket and the ribs are a non-issue. Just a hunch.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I don't like Fox. Too much talking and not enough highlights. Stoops is just sort of blah for me in that role, and Leinart and Bush are just ok. Brady Quinn is ok too. I like the Football Final with Galloway and Palmer on Sunday mornings. Must see TV.

I don't watch Game Day anymore. Not enough time and I'd rather get To Do List done so I can watch actual football.

I like Herbstreit. Always have. Genuine dude who seems to really be grateful for what he has and the gig he has held down all these years.

Yes Sir. College Football Final with Galloway and Palmer is the sh*t. I'm glad Palmer is back, nothing against Sam Acho but he is just not that pretty faced Jesse Palmer.

 

[317Irish]

As others have pointed out, UVA controls their destiny in the ACC Coastal division. I don’t think they risk Armstrong if they thought it risked losing him for the Pitt & VT games. Their stated #1 goal is to win the Coastal. I doubt they feel confident in doing that w/ a back up who is one-dimensional w/ minimal game reps. All that being said, as bad as I’m sure it felt for Armstrong in the moment, I think he takes the needle, wears the flak jacket and the ribs are a non-issue. Just a hunch.

I agree with the first part of your post, but if he plays I just cannot see the bolded being true. There will almost certainly be a 5-step drop or scramble where he takes a shot that he won’t be able to bounce up from. Hopefully my bias/fandom isn’t clouding my judgement on that.

 

[stpeteirish]

No scout reps for a QB against a good defense? Not ideal, regardless of the pain.
Doesn't sound smart to me. Unless their backup QB is truly that bad.

Back up (Woolfolk)looked like a deer in the headlights vs BYU. Game was still close when he went in with 10 min to go. He's tiny, generously listed at 5-11 200. They also have Keyteon Thompson who is used all over on offense and could function as a running QB. Was a QB at Miss ST but was not a good enough passer to get the job when Leach came in.

 

[stpeteirish]

Watched the second half of the VA-BYU game. Issue here is the VA defense. They are beyond awful. 3-3-5 all the time, even in the red zone. Not physical, no game altering defenders. Missed a ton of tackles, especially the secondary. Made BYU's RB Allegier like like an All American.

I'd be tempted to use a lot of Buchner vs these guys.

 

[DONTH8]

https://247sports.com/college/virgi...-on-Notre-Dame-defense-adjustment--174970243/

I saw this interview while looking up Virginia articles. It's their DC. Theguy was asked how to defend players (Buchner, Coan, etc.) and he would respond with their numbers instead of their names. Is it just me or is that a slight on the players? I feel that most coaches would use the players names out of simple basic respect. Guy comes off as kind of a douche throughout so I guess I'm no that surprised. Not to mention he was the DC of BYU defenses back when they were groin punching after plays and sucker punching memphis players to start a brawl.

 

[IrishLax]

https://247sports.com/college/virgi...-on-Notre-Dame-defense-adjustment--174970243/

I saw this interview while looking up Virginia articles. It's their DC. Theguy was asked how to defend players (Buchner, Coan, etc.) and he would respond with their numbers instead of their names. Is it just me or is that a slight on the players? I feel that most coaches would use the players names out of simple basic respect. Guy comes off as kind of a douche throughout so I guess I'm no that surprised. Not to mention he was the DC of BYU defenses back when they were groin punching after plays and sucker punching memphis players to start a brawl.

I don't think it's a slight, I think it's a habit. I think it's weird, personally, but I think it goes back to film study. Traditionally, when you would put together a scout, you'd do it by numbers with no names. And then you relay that information by numbers. It's one less aspect to think about it's not "Buchner is a runner -> Buchner is 12 -> 12 is on the field, watch for him to run." It's just "12 is a runner."

But I do find it weird in interviews when coaches still default to that way of talking.

And that overall interview is way too dismissive. Sounds like a guy who knows that his unit sucks so he doesn't want to talk about it. I also bet he's been spending the whole bye week cooking up some exotic stuff to steal a couple plays or possessions from ND because they have no chance playing straight up.

 

[Irishize]

I agree with the first part of your post, but if he plays I just cannot see the bolded being true. There will almost certainly be a 5-step drop or scramble where he takes a shot that he won’t be able to bounce up from. Hopefully my bias/fandom isn’t clouding my judgement on that.

I figured someone would respond to that and that’s fair but the more I hear/read between the lines, the more I think UVA is playing everyone and Armstrong will be no worse for wear. I heard Eric MacLain from the ACC Network comment on the fact that how often UVA is tweeting about Armstrong that it would be embarrassing if he didn’t play at this point. No football player is ever 100% but I think this is overblown b/c of the way he reacted immediately in the BYU game.

 

[ulukinatme]

The arrogance of Pollack with his SEC homerism and Desmond (well, being Desmond) are the things football-wise I don’t like

I’m ok w/ Pollack. He’s actually not been anti-ND when they were in the CFP/BCS discussion. Seems like a good dude overall. Does sound like he’s a bit of health nut…LOL

I completely agree with Irishize. Pollack is usually one of the most fair guys on Gameday and isn't up there dogging on the Irish for no reason. He's generally very fair and often has good things to say about us. Can't say the same for a lot of the other members. I can still remember Fowler and Jesse Palmer calling that 2013 bowl game and they were gushing about how Bennet Jackson was our best cover corner. It's like, "Dude, have either of you watched the Irish all year? KeiVarae Russell has had more passes deflected and that's even with opposing offenses picking on Bennett...a lot." Coincidentally that's also the game where Palmer had to save Fowler from choking on a chicken wing at halftime.

 

[stpeteirish]

Per Kelly pressser KH out. "Hasn't been medically cleared"

Says he is expected to play when he is cleared.

 

[pumpdog20]

Per Kelly pressser KH out. "Hasn't been medically cleared"

Says he is expected to play when he is cleared.

I don't blame any parties here, but BK is going keep kicking the can each week by saying he's not cleared.

 

[IrishLax]

FWIW — he’s actually not cleared. Still walking with a limp. It’s not some smoke screen where he is healthy and cleared by doctors and people are lying about it.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

FWIW — he’s actually not cleared. Still walking with a limp. It’s not some smoke screen where he is healthy and cleared by doctors and people are lying about it.

MCL sprain?

 

[General Colon Bowel]

Back up (Woolfolk)looked like a deer in the headlights vs BYU. Game was still close when he went in with 10 min to go. He's tiny, generously listed at 5-11 200. They also have Keyteon Thompson who is used all over on offense and could function as a running QB. Was a QB at Miss ST but was not a good enough passer to get the job when Leach came in.

Agreed, their back up will get eaten alive if he plays. He didn't look like he knew where to throw the ball and had a weak arm when he did throw it. He didn't look super mobile either.

I think Armstrong will play hurt. And for all of the hullabaloo about him and the UVA offense it's worth noting that the best defenses they've faced this year are Miami FL and Illinois, which rank 70th and 71st respectively in yards per play. They've put up the gaudy statistics against mediocre to terrible defenses. Despite the weak defenses, they've been prone to turnovers - the 3 games they've lost they turned the ball over 7 times. ND's aggressive defense will be a bad matchup for them, particularly bad depending on how hurt Armstrong is and if his run threat is minimized.

If Armstrong plays I think they get about 375 passing, nothing on the ground, a few picks and we win something like 44-24. If Armstrong doesn't play I think we make it ugly.

 

[zelezo vlk]

FWIW — he’s actually not cleared. Still walking with a limp. It’s not some smoke screen where he is healthy and cleared by doctors and people are lying about it.

I thought you were talking about Armstrong and was wondering how he'd have a limp from cracked ribs...