Nov 30 | Stanford

[ThePiombino]

Agree with everything but the bolded part.

There was a large amount of 3rd and shorts in the game, which was by design. They converted with strong OL play and with Hogan running. I was impressed by it, but I am not sure I would consider it lucky.

Have to agree with this. Not sure we can consider 14 3rd down conversions lucky.

 

[dublinirish]

Yep. He was a non factor last night but that doesn't diminish his ability. He could torch Bennett.

i think Stanford will fancy their chances with the play action game against ND. Oregon's front 7 was there for the taking last night and they did exactly that with the run heavy game plan.

 

[Ndaccountant]

i think Stanford will fancy their chances with the play action game against ND. Oregon's front 7 was there for the taking last night and they did exactly that with the run heavy game plan.

I would agree but for a different reason.

They knew for them to win, they would have to win time of possession by significant margin, which they did. The play action would have worked last night, but all that would have done is give Oregon more possessions throughout the night. Stanford will not have to worry about us in the same vein come thanksgiving weekend.

 

[IrishLax]

Agree with everything but the bolded part.

There was a large amount of 3rd and shorts in the game, which was by design. They converted with strong OL play and with Hogan running. I was impressed by it, but I am not sure I would consider it lucky.

True, the luckily was more towards the fact that they had some plays where any legitimate defensive team stops them but Oregon just played like a bunch of ninnies... like the play where three different guys could've easily tackled Hogan for no gain yet all 3 somehow whiffed.

It's by design, but usually even very good teams only convert about 50% of the their 3rd & 4 or less. Up until the 4th quarter, I think they were humming way over 75%. That's just not really sustainable unless it's always 3rd & inches... or your competition is softer than Charmin. I don't think Notre Dame will be soft.

 

[IrishLax]

Yep. He was a non factor last night but that doesn't diminish his ability. He could torch Bennett.

Ehhhhhhhhhhhh..........

Guys, their "speedster" is a dude who ran a 4.46 ... they don't have guys who "torch" on that team. Typically, I'd be worried about their awesome TEs abusing our linebackers... but they don't have awesome TEs this year. Their skill position talent is at an all-time low. None of their players would play for ND except for Montgomery who would crack the rotation but not be a starter over either Jones or Daniels.

If there is a weak spot on their team, it is that they don't have a dominant QB nor dominant skill position players. Their offense is entirely predicated on grinding the ball with power football, hitting the occasional big play, and having good starting field position.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

45 carries for one running back?!

There are teams in the league that don't run it that much in a season...

 

[dublinirish]

45 carries for one running back?!

There are teams in the league that don't run it that much in a season...

only 1 negative run too. Can't believe Barry Sanders' kid is on the bench there and they cant get him carries!

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Ehhhhhhhhhhhh..........

Guys, their "speedster" is a dude who ran a 4.46 ... they don't have guys who "torch" on that team. Typically, I'd be worried about their awesome TEs abusing our linebackers... but they don't have awesome TEs this year. Their skill position talent is at an all-time low. None of their players would play for ND except for Montgomery who would crack the rotation but not be a starter over either Jones or Daniels.

If there is a weak spot on their team, it is that they don't have a dominant QB nor dominant skill position players. Their offense is entirely predicated on grinding the ball with power football, hitting the occasional big play, and having good starting field position.

I should have used a different verb. I don't think he would torch him in the sense of blowing by him, I think Montgomery has the ability to own Bennett in the passing game. Especially in play-action.

 

[dublinirish]

haha this is gold:

 

[stlnd01]

I think it will come down to who hits the big plays and who makes the mistakes. I doubt we pull it out, but we'll have a chance. Again... safeties and linebackers will probably be the difference. Give up one big play, or miss a tackle on a crucial 3rd down, and that can completely change the complexion of the game. Happened to Oregon a number of times on the evening where they were in position to make a big play and then either mentally or physically whiffed.

I don't think they'll be able to run on us like they could on Oregon. I think we'll have to protect Tommy much better than we did two years ago. I'm not sure either team will be able to mount sustained drives, and I agree a couple of big plays (or blown plays) could be the difference.
Could very easily see our game with them being a grind-it-out 14-10, 17-14 kind of affair. I'll take our chances with that.

 

[Bluto]

If it's close in the fourth ND wins. I've noticed that Stanford tends to run out of gas late (see last nights Oregon game as well as the ASU game). If Tommy is still alive when the clock strikes zero that probably means ND has won. Anyhow, I very much enjoyed watching them run over Nike U. This also proves to me that David Shaw is a damn good coach.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

One thing I couldn't understand last night is why Oregon didn't use a hard count. Tarpley and Skov would literally take a running start on just about every play and blast the center. That's not normal.

 

[Emcee77]

One thing I couldn't understand last night is why Oregon didn't use a hard count. Tarpley and Skov would literally take a running start on just about every play and blast the center. That's not normal.

Yeah, I noticed the same thing. I think they were a little shell-shocked after those early miscues put them behind. After the blocked FG return for a TD they started to look like the real Oregon, but they were not themselves for much of the game.

The game kind of reminded me of our OU game. Oregon made some big mistakes early in the game (the failed 4th down conversion, the DeAnthony Thomas fumble, the missed tackles on Hogan's scramble on that big 3rd and 6 on the ensuing drive, ) and, although they hung in there, they just couldn't recover.

Mariota has serious ball security issues. Major Achilles heel against a good defense.

 

[BurningRiver]

I don't think a win here is out of the question, but we'd have to play damn near perfect football. No turnovers.

 

[Patulski]

This game comes down to two things: Getting off the field on 3rd down and avoiding turnovers. Their QB killed Oregon by scrambling for first downs. We've have had trouble with this all year. So, it is going to be very tough.

Rees can avoid turnovers, but he must be patient if Stanford has long drives that result in points. If he forces the issue he'll make mistakes. He has to stay within his game and be patient.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Win the trenches... win the game. The Irish will have to take away their strength which obviously is running. If Notre Dame can keep them in 3rd and 5 more times than not, then the QB will have to throw to win. I would take those chances all day, even with a solid receiver in Montgomery. And I agree with several other posters here. On third down... Get. Off. The. Field.

On offense, the Irish can not afford to get behind the chains on first down. That plays into the strength of the Cardinal defense. To slow the LBs down, I would have some dedicated seam routes to the TE and make them cover. If they simply line up and hit the gaps on first and second down, I can see the Irish playing a lot of 2nd and 10 or 3rd and 8. That's probably not gonna work.

 

[stlnd01]

This may sound obvious, but to me the trick is not falling behind early. That has been what's cost us nearly every loss we've had since early 2011. We've come out flat, fallen behind multiple scores, and were never really able to assert our game plan. We're not built for comebacks. Especially against a team like Stanford.
If we can weather their early storm, we've most certainly got a shot.

 

[T Town Tommy]

This may sound obvious, but to me the trick is not falling behind early. That has been what's cost us nearly every loss we've had since early 2011. We've come out flat, fallen behind multiple scores, and were never really able to assert our game plan. We're not built for comebacks. Especially against a team like Stanford.
If we can weather their early storm, we've most certainly got a shot.

I think BK has to commit to the run game early to keep them honest. The Irish OL has to hold their own against Stanford's DL. If BK goes out there slinging the ball around, I think that plays in to what Stanford will expect. Gotta keep their lbs honest. If they start cheating the LOS hit the seam route. Your TE is 9 foot tall. Throw him the ball.

 

[IrishLax]

The other thing to worry about is special teams. Stanford's KR blocking is awesome to watch. Our kick coverage is terrible. That has all kinds of "big play" potential.

In a defensive game, special teams and field position often play a huge factor.

 

[stlnd01]

I think BK has to commit to the run game early to keep them honest. The Irish OL has to hold their own against Stanford's DL. If BK goes out there slinging the ball around, I think that plays in to what Stanford will expect. Gotta keep their lbs honest. If they start cheating the LOS hit the seam route. Your TE is 9 foot tall. Throw him the ball.

True. A lot comes down to our OL. We've got to be able to run, and we've got to protect. I remember in '11 we went out there and on the first series they bull-rushed straight up the middle and knocked Rees on his *** and the game was pretty much over right then.

 

[Patulski]

The other thing to worry about is special teams. Stanford's KR blocking is awesome to watch. Our kick coverage is terrible. That has all kinds of "big play" potential.

In a defensive game, special teams and field position often play a huge factor.

Agreed. If we do not improve, he's going to hurt us. No reason why we're not better.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Running and whining about the impossible to beat trees -- ten, nine, eight, seven . . .

They are the same team they were. Maybe Oregon was (overrated.)

 

[T Town Tommy]

Running and whining about the impossible to beat trees -- ten, nine, eight, seven . . .

They are the same team they were. Maybe Oregon was (overrated.)

Oregon....

3,215 uniforms and 0 national championships. Yep... they're overrated.

 

[Grahambo]

This should be a great game. I don't know if it can top last year's game but I'm excited to find out.

 

[cody1smith]

Ehhhhhhhhhhhh..........

Guys, their "speedster" is a dude who ran a 4.46 ... they don't have guys who "torch" on that team. Typically, I'd be worried about their awesome TEs abusing our linebackers... but they don't have awesome TEs this year. Their skill position talent is at an all-time low. None of their players would play for ND except for Montgomery who would crack the rotation but not be a starter over either Jones or Daniels.

If there is a weak spot on their team, it is that they don't have a dominant QB nor dominant skill position players. Their offense is entirely predicated on grinding the ball with power football, hitting the occasional big play, and having good starting field position.

For the most part I agree with I agree with the majority of your posts. But Montgomery would start over Daniels. Plus Hogan would start at most schools.

 

[BGIF]

The new Sagarin Predictor Model, 11/9/13, makes SU a 19 pt favorite in Palo Alto.

 

[Bluto]

The new Sagarin Predictor Model, 11/9/13, makes SU a 19 pt favorite in Palo Alto.

Makes sense considering ND just lost to a horrible Pitt team. With the amount of pressure their D puts on a QB Tommy is in trouble. As Tommy goes so goes this team.

 

[irishff1014]

The new Sagarin Predictor Model, 11/9/13, makes SU a 19 pt favorite in Palo Alto.

Wow 19 points yikes.

 

[tko]

I'm feeling a similar approach in this one as in the MSU game.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

I've got a feeling this game could resemble a scene from the movie 300. And ND would not be the 300 Spartans.