Nov 3 | Northwestern

[Irish YJ]

That's a fair assessment to how NW plays the ball, but I do have to point out one thing.

NW has played zero passing games that I would consider "solid". The closest thing to a solid passing game that NW has seen this year is Michigan, who is 89th in passing yards per game. And I know someone will bring up Purdue. They don't count. Purdue's numbers went up tremendously after they inserted David Blough at QB. NW didn't face Blough, they faced Sindelar.

Needless to say, Book and ND's passing attack is a considerable step up from anything they've seen this year.

They've played zero teams with balance.
We should roll. And we need to roll.

 

[NDdomer2]

Watching anything on ESPN is unbearable right now. Just constant noise about northwestern.

 

[Irishize]

They've played zero teams with balance.
We should roll. And we need to roll.

Rolling NW should shut up the haters that claim if ND vs scUM played on a neutral field today that scUM would be favored. On the flip side, if ND blows it & gets upset the scUM win will forgotten.

 

[GATTACA!]

<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=159351748272876" width="640" height="480" frameborder="0"></iframe>

 

[IrishFaninTX]

What is it about Northwestern that has the talking heads predicting an upset? Are they just voicing what they hope will happen or does Northwestern pose a legitimate threat? Yeah they have a decent record but it doesn't appear they have beaten anyone that is very good. Wisconsin is definitely having a bad year, NU lost to Akron of all teams. Michigan struggled but I think that was probably Michigan's trap game.

Maybe it's more about ND's history in November and the fact we traveled to Cali last week and may be tired. Or they figure ND usually loses at least 1 game they shouldn't so they will have us on upset alert every week from here on out. Honestly, some of the talking heads have had us losing pretty much every week since Stanford. Just really hoping they don't know something that is fueling these predictions other than blind hate for the Irish and our history in games like this one.

 

[Irish YJ]

What is it about Northwestern that has the talking heads predicting an upset? Are they just voicing what they hope will happen or does Northwestern pose a legitimate threat? Yeah they have a decent record but it doesn't appear they have beaten anyone that is very good. Wisconsin is definitely having a bad year, NU lost to Akron of all teams. Michigan struggled but I think that was probably Michigan's trap game.

Maybe it's more about ND's history in November and the fact we traveled to Cali last week and may be tired. Or they figure ND usually loses at least 1 game they shouldn't so they will have us on upset alert every week from here on out. Honestly, some of the talking heads have had us losing pretty much every week since Stanford. Just really hoping they don't know something that is fueling these predictions other than blind hate for the Irish and our history in games like this one.

It's a mix of NDs history in November, NW is a "good news" underdog story and a scrappy team, ND is in the top 4 and it makes a good "story", and most of all..... There's a lot of ND hate out there. It's a microaggression.....

Good Morning and
GO IRISH

 

[NDdomer2]

I think two battles decide this game.

Battle #1 - ND oline vs NW dline - NW dline looked really good vs a good Wisconsin oline and held their running game in check. We have to be able to run the ball efficiently.

Battle #2 - ND Secondary vs NW "shot" plays. BK acknowledged NW has started to develop a nice run game, but noted when their offense has put up big numbers it's been because of multiple explosive plays.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly describing Northwestern’s offense as needing deep shots to thrive. <br><br>Notre Dame has allowed five 30-yard completions all season. Only three teams have allowed fewer.</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1058118502379339776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[rtrn2glory]

Most nervous I've been for a game in awhile. I can't help but think we win out if we win tonight

 

[IrishLax]

There's a lot of circumstance... night game on the road, Fitzgerald saving every trick in his book for this game, playing after Navy which people have proven is typically a letdown game for every team because of the readjustment to real football, etc... that points to this being a tough game.

Realistically, our biggest issue from a matchup standpoint is our OL against their DL and what that means for making ND one-dimensional. Our biggest personnel issue is going to be missing Tranquill.

But if our defense plays how they should, ND should win. It really comes down to execution on that side of the ball and making NW's offense look like it has all season. If they can't score they can't win.

 

[Irish YJ]

Stat Ranking and OvsD comparison

Stat Ranking and OvsD comparison

Deficit in RED

ND Offense VS NW Defense
Total yards per game: 36 vs 48
Total points per game 35 vs 44
Passing yards per game: 41 vs 57
Rushing yards per game: 46 vs 49

ND Defense VS NW Offense
Total yards per game: 30 vs 98
Total points per game 19 vs 99
Passing yards per game: 32 vs 28
Rushing yards per game: 52 vs 127



Top 25 in RED

Notre Dame 8-0
Saragin SoS: 45
Stock up/down: n/c
Best Win: scUM 24-17
Best Loss: none
Worst Win: Ball State 24-16
Worst Loss: none

Offense
Yards p/g: 36
Points p/g: 35
Passing yards p/g: 41
Rushing yards p/g: 46

Defense
Yards p/g: 30
Points p/g: 19
Passing yards p/g: 32
Rushing yards p/g: 52
Sacks 65
INTs 41

@Northwestern 3-3
Saragin SoS: 20
Stock up/down: up
Best Win: @MichSt 29-19 and Wisc 31-17
Best Loss: Michigan 20-17
Worst Win: Nebraska 34-31 OT
Worst Loss: Akron 39-34

Offense
Yards p/g: 98
Points p/g: 99
Passing yards p/g: 28
Rushing yards p/g: 127

Defense
Yards p/g: 48
Points p/g: 44
Passing yards p/g: 57
Rushing yards p/g: 49
Sacks 110
INTs 74

 

[Irish YJ]

BK interview on game day now.

 

[Irish YJ]

said the 12 team, was a collection of a some very good individual players, while the 18 team is a situation where the sum is greater than it's parts. they are very different teams. didn't watch the ND NC game vs Bama until 3-4 years later. said the O was not good enough at that time to compete.

on bama... saban is an honorable coach. different business plan, but they do it the right way. wouldn't be unhappy if bama lost in first round. thinks on one given day they can win it all with this team.

 

[Irish#1]

I think two battles decide this game.

Battle #1 - ND oline vs NW dline - NW dline looked really good vs a good Wisconsin oline and held their running game in check. We have to be able to run the ball efficiently.

Battle #2 - ND Secondary vs NW "shot" plays. BK acknowledged NW has started to develop a nice run game, but noted when their offense has put up big numbers it's been because of multiple explosive plays.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly describing Northwestern’s offense as needing deep shots to thrive. <br><br>Notre Dame has allowed five 30-yard completions all season. Only three teams have allowed fewer.</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1058118502379339776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wiscy is one dimensional. ND isn’t.

 

[IrishLax]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's all you need to know about Northwestern-Notre Dame: ND used to play NU every year, because NU is the least successful program in college football history. NU won ONCE in 1995 (after losing 14 straight) & ND instantly canceled the series. (Until 2014, when NU won again)</p>— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) <a href="https://twitter.com/rodger/status/1058738793698615299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Check out this blue check mark from Northwestern just completely making shit up.

 

[BGIF]

Wiscy is one dimensional. ND isn’t.

The Badgers were forced pre-game to be more dimensional than usual. They're a 60% run team but their starting QB Hornibrooks DNP due to concussion. His replacement Coan was not only making his first career start he was taking his first snap of the 2018 season.

NW could afford to focus on stopping the run game forcing Coan to beat them. He couldn't. Hornibrooks is not a stellar passing QB but experienced enough to blend his passing in with Wisconsin's running game.

All week long on IE I've read about NW's defense with no mention that Wisconsin was starting and playing a backup with 5 career pass attempts as a freshman but NO PT in 2018. Most offensive production drops significantly when any backup QB is forced to be the Go To Guy. NW had a bona fide strategic advantage against Wisconsin that they won't have against ND. IF Wimbush was forced to play the entire game ND would have a better offensive attack than Wisconsin did.

 

[Irish YJ]

here's an interesting article
Football: Notre Dame, Northwestern to renew historic rivalry at Ryan Field meeting decades in the making
https://dailynorthwestern.com/2018/...-at-ryan-field-meeting-decades-in-the-making/

from wiki

Starting in the 1920s, Northwestern and Notre Dame played for a Shillelagh until the mid-1970s. The trophy game was created at the behest of Notre Dame head coach Knute Rockne, who wanted a rivalry in the Chicago metropolitan area to help build Notre Dame's fanbase there.[2]

The game decided the national championship in 1930, and a Notre Dame victory cost Northwestern a national championship in 1936. The two schools stopped playing regularly in the 1970s, though the rivalry was renewed from 1992 to 1995. When Northwestern stunned No. 8 Notre Dame 17–15 as a 28-point underdog in 1995, the Chicago Sun-Times billed it as the "Upset of the Century."[3]

In 2014, the rivalry was renewed in a two-game series, with Northwestern winning 43–40 in overtime in South Bend. It gave Northwestern only their second winning streak against the Irish since they won four straight from 1959–62. Notre Dame is scheduled to travel to Evanston in 2018 for their first encounter on the Wildcats' home turf since 1976.[4] Notre Dame leads the series 37–9–2.[5

 

[Irishize]

Driskell brought up an interesting point on podcast. He noted that after NW run game struggled, they’ve changed the OL blocking scheme & w/ Bowser have trasitioned to a straight-ahead, downhill run game. He said that leaves the question “Is their last two weeks a case of bad Ds or a trend”. He suggested that NW has been a team that has enjoyed late season success (esp Novemeber) so his thought was it should be taken as a trend and expects the NW run game to defy their national rankings tonight and be formidable unless ND front 7 can take that away.

 

[Irishize]

I don’t think Pride is 100% either. If not, we may see Bracy replace him.

They need Tranquill & Pride healthy going forward.

 

[Irish YJ]

Driskell brought up an interesting point on podcast. He noted that after NW run game struggled, they’ve changed the OL blocking scheme & w/ Bowser have trasitioned to a straight-ahead, downhill run game. He said that leaves the question “Is their last two weeks a case of bad Ds or a trend”. He suggested that NW has been a team that has enjoyed late season success (esp Novemeber) so his thought was it should be taken as a trend and expects the NW run game to defy their national rankings tonight and be formidable unless ND front 7 can take that away.

I posted something on the topic earlier. The article i read talked about what you mentioned (play calling and blocking scheme changes) and Bowser coming on. Can't remember who, but someone made the point while Bowser has hit 100 yards the past two games, his yards per carry average was still pretty low. It can be looked at several ways, but I think they are more balanced regardless. Even so, I think our O will put them in a hole and they'll have to give up on the run sooner than they'd like. If Bowser gets off early, it might be a long game.

 

[Irishize]

I posted something on the topic earlier. The article i read talked about what you mentioned (play calling and blocking scheme changes) and Bowser coming on. Can't remember who, but someone made the point while Bowser has hit 100 yards the past two games, his yards per carry average was still pretty low. It can be looked at several ways, but I think they are more balanced regardless. Even so, I think our O will put them in a hole and they'll have to give up on the run sooner than they'd like. If Bowser gets off early, it might be a long game.

Sorry for the redundancy. It’s hard to read every post on this board b/c there’s so many so I missed it. Agree with your latter statements...defense travels so ND needs to shut them down.

 

[arrowryan]

Bowser has averaged just 3.8 ypc in the last 2 games. That isn't all that good.

 

[Irish YJ]

Sorry for the redundancy. It’s hard to read every post on this board b/c there’s so many so I missed it. Agree with your latter statements...defense travels so ND needs to shut them down.

it was much much earlier so not expecting you to read lol...
i was just pointing out that i heard the same things, and agreed with you.
i honestly think we'll get 3 or more sacks and at least 2 INTs tonight.

 

[IrishLax]

Driskell brought up an interesting point on podcast. He noted that after NW run game struggled, they’ve changed the OL blocking scheme & w/ Bowser have trasitioned to a straight-ahead, downhill run game. He said that leaves the question “Is their last two weeks a case of bad Ds or a trend”. He suggested that NW has been a team that has enjoyed late season success (esp Novemeber) so his thought was it should be taken as a trend and expects the NW run game to defy their national rankings tonight and be formidable unless ND front 7 can take that away.

What does this even mean? What trend? They played Rutgers and Wisconsin.

Bowser had 4.5 YPC against Rutgers, which isn't good. Northwestern scored a total of 18 points. Every FBS team Rutgers has played this year has scored more than that. Rutgers ranks 117th against the run.

Bowser ran for 3.4 YPC against Wisconsin, which isn't good. Wisconsin ranks 91st against the run.

So they haven't had success, or a good trend. They can't even break 5 YPC against some of the worst rushing defenses in the country. I'm not saying they couldn't possibly have success against ND with Tranquill out, but there is no "trend."

 

[Greenore]

I'm very sad lads.

Decided not to go hunting this weekend so I could participate in the ND/NW game. Forgot to record the Navy game last week as it was opening weekend and I was chasing elk.

Went through the channels last night and I get just about every damn game but ND. Went to the ESPN site to see if I could live stream. Nope!!

Please be generous with your descriptive comments... it appears that will be my only connection to the game.

Dang Nab It.

Cheers and Go Irish!!

 

[Irish YJ]

I'm very sad lads.

Decided not to go hunting this weekend so I could participate in the ND/NW game. Forgot to record the Navy game last week as it was opening weekend and I was chasing elk.

Went through the channels last night and I get just about every damn game but ND. Went to the ESPN site to see if I could live stream. Nope!!

Please be generous with your descriptive comments... it appears that will be my only connection to the game.

Dang Nab It.

Cheers and Go Irish!!

i just checked espn. there looks to be like 5 different options to watch
http://www.espn.com/watch/schedule/?categoryId=0f8e3d42-fa27-3f60-9e8d-276e4892f50e&type=upcoming

 

[NDShark]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's all you need to know about Northwestern-Notre Dame: ND used to play NU every year, because NU is the least successful program in college football history. NU won ONCE in 1995 (after losing 14 straight) & ND instantly canceled the series. (Until 2014, when NU won again)</p>— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) <a href="https://twitter.com/rodger/status/1058738793698615299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Check out this blue check mark from Northwestern just completely making shit up.

Is "Professional Internetsman at @ringer" code for douche canoe?

 

[Irish YJ]

BK's interview from earlier Game Day broadcast

 

[DONTH8]

I'm very sad lads.

Decided not to go hunting this weekend so I could participate in the ND/NW game. Forgot to record the Navy game last week as it was opening weekend and I was chasing elk.

Went through the channels last night and I get just about every damn game but ND. Went to the ESPN site to see if I could live stream. Nope!!

Please be generous with your descriptive comments... it appears that will be my only connection to the game.

Dang Nab It.

Cheers and Go Irish!!

You want me to send you a link to a stream online when it's game time? Or would you rather not fuss over that? Just let me know. Shoot me a DM or comment here.

 

[Greenore]

i just checked espn. there looks to be like 5 different options to watch
http://www.espn.com/watch/schedule/?categoryId=0f8e3d42-fa27-3f60-9e8d-276e4892f50e&type=upcoming

If I lived in the U.S.!!

Thanks for the effort. I sincerely appreciate that. I'm about 45 minutes north of the Montana border so there is always that option.

Cheers and Go Irish!!

 

[Greenore]

You want me to send you a link to a stream online when it's game time? Or would you rather not fuss over that? Just let me know. Shoot me a DM or comment here.

That would be awesome!! I'm not holding my breath though as the whole "Canadian" thing is really putting a crowbar into the spokes. Really appreciate your efforts!

Cheers and Go Irish!!