Nov 27 | North Carolina

[phillyirish]

Going to be so weird to watch Notre Dame on a Friday afternoon.

 

[Irishize]

When's the last time ND played the Friday after Thanksgiving?

1981

Gerry Faust’s first season which wasn’t pretty. They lost to Miami by multiple scores.

 

[Irishize]

UNC’s two losses were by 3 points each. In both games, they got down by multiple scores early & made a roaring comeback that fell short. They don’t quit b/c their offense is so explosive they know they’re never really out of it.

ND cannot afford turnovers so hopefully they got them out of their system vs BC. UNC will get their yards & score points. ND just has to make sure they mix in some stops that result in punts or TOs. I like the idea of ND killing clock w/ long drives like they’ve done often this season.

I attended the last game ND played at Chapel Hill. Beautiful day until Clausen threw that pick six to open the 2nd half. Only ND game I’ve attended live that the Irish lost.

 

[Valpodoc85]

I think there is a 50/50 chance this gets played. If covid numbers continue to climb, states will start locking down.

 

[pumpdog20]

Finals are this week. We have a bye the end of finals week. We have nothing but football the week of the NC game.

Thanks for that clarification. Having finals the following week makes no sense, so not sure why I thought that.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

UNC’s two losses were by 3 points each. In both games, they got down by multiple scores early & made a roaring comeback that fell short. They don’t quit b/c their offense is so explosive they know they’re never really out of it.

ND cannot afford turnovers so hopefully they got them out of their system vs BC. UNC will get their yards & score points. ND just has to make sure they mix in some stops that result in punts or TOs. I like the idea of ND killing clock w/ long drives like they’ve done often this season.

I attended the last game ND played at Chapel Hill. Beautiful day until Clausen threw that pick six to open the 2nd half. Only ND game I’ve attended live that the Irish lost.

Errr...The last game Notre Dame played at Chapel Hill, NC was in 2017. It was actually Ian Book’s first ever career start. He started in place of the injured Brandon Wimbush. ND won 33-10.


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[irish4ever]

I agree they have a good offense. BC held them 26 and FSU held them to 28. While I agree we need to RTDB and control the clock, not all that worried. We're easily the best D they've faced all year. FSU is the 3rd worst D in the ACC. They basically stacked up stats against teams giving up 450ish yards per game, not playing any of the top 5 Ds in the ACC. We've given up around 300ypg.

Not saying they're an easy out, and I do recognize they're good on O, just that their greatness might be bit overblown.

I sure hope that you are right about this.

 

[Irishize]

Errr...The last game Notre Dame played at Chapel Hill, NC was in 2017. It was actually Ian Book’s first ever career start. He started in place of the injured Brandon Wimbush. ND won 33-10.


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Lol...you’re right. Thanks for catching my brain lapse.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I think there is a 50/50 chance this gets played. If covid numbers continue to climb, states will start locking down.

It's as bad here in MI as it is anywhere else in the country, and Gov. Whitmer has not been shy to take drastic measures with her shutdown orders. However, she announced yesterday that college and professional sports can keep playing with continued no attendance. She announced virtual learning for HS and universities, but football can keep playing.

If Big Gretch hasn't stopped CFB, I don't think it's likely we will see other states considering she's been leading the way with strict stay at home orders.

There's too much revenue on the line, I think they realize there is a path to keep these college players safe, especially with students heading home indefinitely.

 

[EvilleIrish]

ND opens at -6. Should be a nail biter.

 

[Irish#1]

They have an explosive O, but how does their O-line stack up against our D-line? That will determine how explosive they will be.

 

[tko]

I'm guessing the injury updates away from Patterson will come out today during the presser?

 

[NDVirginia19]

I'm thinking this is going to be a game where we try to only have 7-8 possessions. Keep the ball as much as you possibly can and keep our defense well rested to force as many 3 and outs as possible. I think if we hold them under 30 we win

 

[IrishLax]

They have an explosive O, but how does their O-line stack up against our D-line? That will determine how explosive they will be.

Their OL is pretty darn good, at least per Football Outsiders. I'm not sure what PFF has to say. In a weird sense, they have as good of an offense as pretty much anyone in the country -- top 10 pick at QB, two NFL RBs, two NFL WRs, very solid offensive line.

They're basically Clemson, except maybe with better WRs. They would be a top team if their offense was the only unit playing games and it's frankly shocking that they assembled this level of talent this quickly in Chapel Hill of all places. Football Outsiders has their offense rated #6 in the country behind Bama, Ohio State, BYU, Florida and Ole Miss.

Their defense, on the other hand, is a dumpster fire. They're rated 77th in the country. So they're perfectly suited to make this a high scoring affair and potentially pull an upset if ND struggles in the red zone... but there is no reason ND shouldn't score 50+ on these guys short of shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[EvilleIrish]

Their OL is pretty darn good, at least per Football Outsiders. I'm not sure what PFF has to say. In a weird sense, they have as good of an offense as pretty much anyone in the country -- top 10 pick at QB, two NFL RBs, two NFL WRs, very solid offensive line.

They're basically Clemson, except maybe with better WRs. They would be a top team if their offense was the only unit playing games and it's frankly shocking that they assembled this level of talent this quickly in Chapel Hill of all places. Football Outsiders has their offense rated #6 in the country behind Bama, Ohio State, BYU, Florida and Ole Miss.

Their defense, on the other hand, is a dumpster fire. They're rated 77th in the country. So they're perfectly suited to make this a high scoring affair and potentially pull an upset if ND struggles in the red zone... but there is no reason ND shouldn't score 50+ on these guys short of shooting themselves in the foot.

The RZ issues that ND has had are what really worry me about this game. Field goals won't cut it.

 

[NDVirginia19]

I trust Clark Lea. So far UNC has played


Syracuse (T-103rd Dypg)
Boston College (55th Dypg)
Virginia Tech (96th Dypg)
Florida State (T-103rd Dypg)
NC State (98th Dypg)
Virginia (90th Dypg)
Duke (68th Dypg)
Wake Forrest (99th Dypg)

Not exactly world beaters, and Boston College, the best defense they've played, held them to 26 points.

 

[zelezo vlk]

So it's gonna be a repeat of the 2014 game? 50-43 ND

 

[notredomer23]

ND opens at -6. Should be a nail biter.

I try not to bet on ND but if you think they are gonna win why wouldn't you hammer this??

 

[EvilleIrish]

I try not to bet on ND but if you think they are gonna win why wouldn't you hammer this??

I'm not convinced that we will win.

 

[EvilleIrish]

I try not to bet on ND but if you think they are gonna win why wouldn't you hammer this??

If it gets above 7 I will probably take UNC.

 

[arrowryan]

Notre Dame should* be able to do whatever they want on offense. UNC can’t score if their offense is on the sideline

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

They're basically Clemson, except maybe with better WRs. They would be a top team if their offense was the only unit playing games and it's frankly shocking that they assembled this level of talent this quickly in Chapel Hill of all places. Football Outsiders has their offense rated #6 in the country behind Bama, Ohio State, BYU, Florida and Ole Miss.

Their current offensive NFL talent mostly arrived before Mack did. Obviously Howell was a signing day flip and had plenty of prep accolades. The #2 player in his first class, Khafre Brown who is currently 3rd in receiving yards, also committed after Mack was announced on November 27, 2018.

RBs:
Michael Carter, Sr, #6 APB/#434 OA, 11 TDs since start of 2019
Javonte Williams, Jr, #94 RB/NA OA, 24 TDs since start of 2019

WRs:
Dazz Newsome, Sr, #70 WR/NA OA, 14 TDs since start of 2019
Dyami Brown, Jr, #8 WR/#181 OA, 20 TDs since start of 2019

Besides Dyami, mostly unheralded recruits. A top NFL QB prospect can certainly sharpen the weapons abilities too and their production shows they're the real deal. Hopefully they all go pro after 2020 so on 10/30/21 when the ND vs UNC game is sandwiched between USC and Navy, we don't see more fireworks.

 

[Irish#1]

Their OL is pretty darn good, at least per Football Outsiders. I'm not sure what PFF has to say. In a weird sense, they have as good of an offense as pretty much anyone in the country -- top 10 pick at QB, two NFL RBs, two NFL WRs, very solid offensive line.

They're basically Clemson, except maybe with better WRs. They would be a top team if their offense was the only unit playing games and it's frankly shocking that they assembled this level of talent this quickly in Chapel Hill of all places. Football Outsiders has their offense rated #6 in the country behind Bama, Ohio State, BYU, Florida and Ole Miss.

Their defense, on the other hand, is a dumpster fire. They're rated 77th in the country. So they're perfectly suited to make this a high scoring affair and potentially pull an upset if ND struggles in the red zone... but there is no reason ND shouldn't score 50+ on these guys short of shooting themselves in the foot.

Appreciated.

I like our D line to make them one dimensional. We have a lot of bodies to rotate to keep them fresh.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

The two times I've watched UNC football this year were BC in September and the upset in Tallahassee. Both games, the offense wasn't the world beaters being portrayed here. Everyone knows how good Howell is and they have some studs at the skill positions, but BC and FSU were able to keep them one dimensional and their offense was hardly fluid.

FSU in particular jumped out to a huge lead and played the entire second half like they were trying to protect it. In the first half, they stopped the run early and made them one dimensional and got after Howell. If FSU could do it, I'm confident in Lea and co. to do the same.

Do I think we hold them to 17 points? Absolutely not. But I trust Lea to shake it up enough and get some key stops and turnovers to let the offense take control of the game. I'm not too worried as long as we start fast on O. I know ball security will be a high priority leading up to this one, too, so I'm not concerned about the fumble woes against BC.

 

[ThePiombino]

ND coming off a bye is the great x-factor here. I would have liked us to win regardless, but I REALLY like us to win with a week of rest. Lea and the D boys are probably feeling like they have something to prove and the O is finally starting to fire on all cylinders.

I could see this being something like 41-27

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[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I'm not convinced that we will win.

The offense is easily playing its best ball of the season. The defense is going to have the bye week to work on preparation.

I'm not a gambler but I feel really good about ND; even giving the six points.

I think the Irish are more likely to win by 3+ touchdowns than lose this one.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

ND coming off a bye is the great x-factor here. I would have liked us to win regardless, but I REALLY like us to win with a week of rest. Lea and the D boys are probably feeling like they have something to prove and the O is finally starting to fire on all cylinders.

I could see this being something like 41-27

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This is what I thought, last year before UM....
But seriously, not worried. Completely different mindset for this team. Especially now that they know they can matchup with the Clemsons of the world.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

This is what I thought, last year before UM....
But seriously, not worried. Completely different mindset for this team. Especially now that they know they can matchup with the Clemsons of the world.

You're not wrong but I bet that UM game goes a lot differently if Notre Dame had cashed in that last possession against Georgia a month before.

 

[EvilleIrish]

This is what I thought, last year before UM....
But seriously, not worried. Completely different mindset for this team. Especially now that they know they can matchup with the Clemsons of the world.

Completely agree, but can't help shake the thought of a 2017 Miami/2019 Michigan type letdown on the road. Not saying we would get blown out by UNC, but just a dud of a performance.

 

[Irishize]

The two times I've watched UNC football this year were BC in September and the upset in Tallahassee. Both games, the offense wasn't the world beaters being portrayed here. Everyone knows how good Howell is and they have some studs at the skill positions, but BC and FSU were able to keep them one dimensional and they're offense was hardly fluid.

FSU in particular jumped out to a huge lead and played the entire second half like they were trying to protect it. In the first half, they stopped the run early and made them one dimensional and got after Howell. If FSU could do it, I'm confident in Lea and co. to do the same.

Do I think we hold them to 17 points? Absolutely not. But I trust Lea to shake it up enough and get some key stops and turnovers to let the offense take control of the game. I'm not too worried as long as we start fast on O. I know ball security will be a high priority leading up to this one, too, so I'm not concerned about the fumble woes against BC.

Both of UNC’s losses were games where they got behind big early. Not sure about UVA but I know vs FSU that had turnovers including a pick six. In both losses, their offense was potent enough to give them a chance to win in the 4th quarter. I don’t think this is a team that gets blown out by very many teams. ND can be one of those teams provided they play clean w/ zero turnovers & RZ efficiency. If not, they’ll be in a battle until the end & may even get handed their first loss.