Oct 18 | Florida State

[Grahambo]

Anyone else feel that if...eerrrr...when ND wins the national pundits will say FSU isn't that good this year.

In fairness, FSU has been questioned all season.

 

[IrishLax]

You kinda defeated your own argument. You said they came ready for Clemson, but not for Auburn or Miami. I'm sorry, but you're basically saying they came out slow for 2 of their 3 biggest opponents that year. I never argued that FSU came out slow, because they did, but I was arguing that they ran over pretty much everybody outside of Auburn and Boston College.

Huh? What I said was:

"Seriously, my only reservation for this game is that they come out more motivated/focused than they have for other games this year. Last year you saw them flip the switch for certain games (most notably Clemson... cuz Clemson players started talking smack before the game)."

So yes... my entire point was that they have a tendency to start some games slow... even games on a big stage (i.e. rivalry games against Miami/Florida, top 5 matchup against Clemson, and then championship against Auburn they only came out clicking for one of them) they'll sometimes come out not dialed in.

And if you're "not arguing that," then why would you respond quoting me saying "I disagree"...? Just makes no sense.

 

[Cackalacky]

Anyone else feel that if...eerrrr...when ND wins the national pundits will say FSU isn't that good this year.

I think most people think FSU is very beatable. It says a lot that a #1 ranked team dropped in the polls. That would not happen at all in the BCS era. At least I don't remember it if it did. But the only real poll that matters gets released the last week of October.

 

[jmurphy75]

I really think Carlise will be key in this game

 

[GBdomer]

Wait, Lax you don't think FSU is a well coached team?

 

[Koreyirishkelly]

Does this season remind anyone of 2012? Undefeated going into Stanford coming out that game with an emotional win with a HUGE season defining road game two weeks later with a lesser opponent in between, BYU then, UNC now, going into that game thinking we weren't looking ahead and going to destroy them but end up barely coming out alive. Now that HUGE season defining game is here in FSU and hopefully the outcome is the same because the OU game set the tone for the rest of the season. I don't know that is just my thinking after that ugly UNC win.

 

[GBdomer]

Does this season remind anyone of 2012? Undefeated going into Stanford coming out that game with an emotional win with a HUGE season defining road game two weeks later with a lesser opponent in between, BYU then, UNC now, going into that game thinking we weren't looking ahead and going to destroy them but end up barely coming out alive. Now that HUGE season defining game is here in FSU and hopefully the outcome is the same because the OU game set the tone for the rest of the season. I don't know that is just my thinking after that ugly UNC win.

My brother and I were just talking about this the other day and I made the same comparison. Great fucking minds think alike

 

[Koreyirishkelly]

My brother and I were just talking about this the other day and I made the same comparison. Great fucking minds think alike

My dad and I literally had a 2 hour conversation today about it during our car ride. He didn't think about it till I literally went game by game comparisons.

 

[IrishLax]

Wait, Lax you don't think FSU is a well coached team?

Not with their DC gone. Nope. Their defense has taken a HUGE step back this year.

And Fisher has always fielded really undisciplined teams that tend to blow games or otherwise underachieve. Last year was an anomaly compared to his "norm" and they still almost lost to an Auburn team that was absurdly lucky to not be a 4 loss squad.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

IMO it works in our favor that we aren't a conference opponent. No familarity with the team and players, no rivalry that the players care about, no conference standings to be worried about. It's not like FSU won't be motivated. They obviously will be. But there isn't something to give them that extra little thing that will make them kick our ass.

 

[GBdomer]

Fair points, I do think they are extremely well coached on offense but I will agree with you that the defense has taken two steps back. Way to much talent on that team not to be the number 1 defense in the country.

But you also have to remember they lost a ton of talent and leadership to the NFL

 

[choo choo]

lots of compelling arguments here...ive never been big on putting the game on the qb's shoulders, but in this case i almost do...if eg doesn't turn the ball over so damn much we gotta good chance...if he plays well i think were gonna spank their ass...but he (eg) has got to make good decisions, take care of the ball when he moves and move more...through the michigan game, i thought we were holding back a bit...didn't see eg run much, didn't need to - but the last 3 weeks weve needed it and he just hasn't been anxious to take off...love the way hes trying to take his game to the next level, but he has a tremendous weapon in his legs...i think it would help open up his passing game if he showed a few more runs...what a talent he has

 

[stlnd01]

I just cannot imagine Golson continues to turn the ball over at the pace he has the last couple of games. It's almost statistically impossible.
If he play well, and if our defense can contain Winston, then we certainly have a shot. As others have said, FSU's very beatable.
But if we win it won't be because they overlooked us. They overlook teams and lose, but it's NC State or Georgia Tech, not Notre Dame. We're the best team they'll play this year and you'd have to think they know that.

 

[BGIF]

I just cannot imagine Golson continues to turn the ball over at the pace he has the last couple of games. It's almost statistically impossible.
...

In 1952 ND average more than a fumble per quarter for the season.

This wasn't a horrible team, they finished ranked #7. Leahy Lads were 7-2-1 shutting out #2 USC, beating #4 OU, and #5 Texas while losing to #1 MSU and unranked Pitt. They tied with 7th ranked Penn in the opener.

ND fumbled 10 times versus PU and OU but won both games. ND lost 7 fumbles to #1 MSU and lost the game.

Leahy was so frustrated with the fumbles he had Johnny Lattner walk around campus one week with a football taped to his hand so he couldn't fumble.

Lattner was a Unanimous All-American that year as well as winning the Maxwell Award and finishing 5th for the Heisman. The following year Lattner was again a Unanimous All-American as well as winning both the Maxwell Award and the Heisman.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

Not with their DC gone. Nope. Their defense has taken a HUGE step back this year.

And Fisher has always fielded really undisciplined teams that tend to blow games or otherwise underachieve. Last year was an anomaly compared to his "norm" and they still almost lost to an Auburn team that was absurdly lucky to not be a 4 loss squad.

They have lost Telvin Smith, Timmy Jernigan, Lamarcus Joyner, Terrence Brooks, Christian Jones and Jacobbi Mcdaniel (ALL of them are in the NFL right now) among others. Lawrence-Stample is out for season, Thomas has not played yet. Terrance Smith, Mario Edwards and PJ Williams have missed some games.. they still have talent but the level of their defense has decreased, a lot. Not sure if it is a DC thing.

 

[BGIF]

Injury Report

Injury Report

FLORIDA ST
(!)[RB] 10/12/2014 - Karlos Williams "?" Saturday vs. Notre Dame ( Ankle )
[RB] 10/12/2014 - Mario Pender injured last game, probable Saturday vs. Notre Dame (Ankle)
[DL] 10/12/2014 - Demarcus Christmas "?" Saturday vs. Notre Dame ( Ankle )
[DB] 10/12/2014 - Trey Marshall "?" Saturday vs. Notre Dame ( Concussion )
[2nd QB] 10/06/2014 - Sean Maguire out indefinitely ( Hand )
[C] 10/05/2014 - Austin Barron out indefinitely ( Arm )
[DT] 09/25/2014 - Nile Lawrence-Stample out for season ( Pectoral )
[LB] 09/05/2014 - Matthew Thomas out indefinitely ( Suspension )
[LB] 08/28/2014 - Delvin Purifoy out for season ( Leg )
[WR] 08/16/2014 - Isaiah Jones out for season ( Academics )


FSU Leading Rushers

	Name	Yr	Pos	G	Att	Yards	Avg.	TD	Att/G	Yards/G
1	Karlos Williams	SR	RB	5	74	353	4.77	5	14.80	70.60
2	Dalvin Cook	FR	RB	5	47	250	5.32	3	9.40	50.00
3	Mario Pender	SO	RB	5	32	200	6.25	4	6.40	40.00
4	Jameis Winston	SO	QB	5	23	39	1.70	2	4.60	7.80

 

[greyhammer90]

To be fair about Thomas, he tested positive for weed and missed 6 games. That's standard procedure at FSU.

 

[koonja]

FLORIDA ST
(!)[RB] 10/12/2014 - Karlos Williams "?" Saturday vs. Notre Dame ( Ankle )
[RB] 10/12/2014 - Mario Pender injured last game, probable Saturday vs. Notre Dame (Ankle)
[DL] 10/12/2014 - Demarcus Christmas "?" Saturday vs. Notre Dame ( Ankle )
[DB] 10/12/2014 - Trey Marshall "?" Saturday vs. Notre Dame ( Concussion )
[2nd QB] 10/06/2014 - Sean Maguire out indefinitely ( Hand )
[C] 10/05/2014 - Austin Barron out indefinitely ( Arm )
[DT] 09/25/2014 - Nile Lawrence-Stample out for season ( Pectoral )
[LB] 09/05/2014 - Matthew Thomas out indefinitely ( Suspension )
[LB] 08/28/2014 - Delvin Purifoy out for season ( Leg )
[WR] 08/16/2014 - Isaiah Jones out for season ( Academics )


FSU Leading Rushers

	Name	Yr	Pos	G	Att	Yards	Avg.	TD	Att/G	Yards/G
1	Karlos Williams	SR	RB	5	74	353	4.77	5	14.80	70.60
2	Dalvin Cook	FR	RB	5	47	250	5.32	3	9.40	50.00
3	Mario Pender	SO	RB	5	32	200	6.25	4	6.40	40.00
4	Jameis Winston	SO	QB	5	23	39	1.70	2	4.60	7.80

I take it Darby leaving the game and not returning was just precautionary? I never heard anything on it.

 

[Irish#1]

Does this season remind anyone of 2012? Undefeated going into Stanford coming out that game with an emotional win with a HUGE season defining road game two weeks later with a lesser opponent in between, BYU then, UNC now, going into that game thinking we weren't looking ahead and going to destroy them but end up barely coming out alive. Now that HUGE season defining game is here in FSU and hopefully the outcome is the same because the OU game set the tone for the rest of the season. I don't know that is just my thinking after that ugly UNC win.

My brother and I were just talking about this the other day and I made the same comparison. Great fucking minds think alike

My dad and I literally had a 2 hour conversation today about it during our car ride. He didn't think about it till I literally went game by game comparisons.

I see where you're coming from, but it doesn't have the same feel for me. Going into the OU game we still weren't sure what we had and to be honest, OU didn't know who we were. Teams have a lot better idea of who ND and BK are now. And our expectations of Golson are much higher. Definitely a lot of similarities, but a different feel for me. Would like to have the same outcome!

 

[BleedBlueGold]

As mentioned above:

-This game reminds me of '12 OU game. Pray for the same outcome.

-Jimbo Fisher is not Nick Saban. I'm not concerned with "being outcoached."

-I think ND matches up better in this game than they did against UNC. Barring a catastrophic meltdown on defense or in the turnover department, ND should be able to play this team straight up.

 

[Booslum31]

As mentioned above:

-This game reminds me of '12 OU game. Pray for the same outcome.

-Jimbo Fisher is not Nick Saban. I'm not concerned with "being outcoached."

-I think ND matches up better in this game than they did against UNC. Barring a catastrophic meltdown on defense or in the turnover department, ND should be able to play this team straight up.

I think that we are going to see speed that we haven't seen thus far. Not really sure how you prepare for that. Did anyone else almost soil themselves when Riggs went down? i guess kelly said after the game "he is fine"...but man do we need him.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I think that we are going to see speed that we haven't seen thus far. Not really sure how you prepare for that. Did anyone else almost soil themselves when Riggs went down? i guess kelly said after the game "he is fine"...but man do we need him.

FSU is undoubtedly the best team ND will have played. UNC is a very talented football team and while I don't compare them evenly with FSU, I feel like they were a good warmup. I think FSU's offense matches up better against ND's defense. It will be interesting to see what BVG comes up with.

And yes, I about shit a brick when I saw Riggs go down.

 

[IrishLion]

I keep wanting to post about how I'm worried that Winston and his great group of WRs + Nick O'Leary will copy the blueprint UNC put down, except execute it even better because of how talented they are...

But then Lax keeps making completely reasonable posts about FSU's underwhelming start to the season (which is kind of similar to ND's start), and now I'm completely confused as to what I think about this game.

Apart from poor tackling, which would have eliminated a few of UNC's big QB scrambles, the biggest thing that hurt ND against UNC was the tempo. The defense hadn't seen warp speed like that, and it showed. We don't have to worry about FSU operating with that type of tempo, so BVG should be able to settle back in and dial some things up to confuse Crablegs.

The other thing that worried me, which Kmoose mentioned a few pages back, is how Jaylon is our only defender athletic/big enough to keep up with O'Leary and Winston. So do you let Jaylon key on Jameis to keep him from going all UNC-QB on us? Or do you let him run with O'Leary?

I think you let Jaylon worry about Jameis, just like he did with Gardner, and let Farley and maybe even Onwualu try to run with O'Leary. O'Leary is not a super-stud athletically... he's not out there roasting LBs and safeties. However, if he does start winning consistently, I think you can switch Jaylon's responsibilities and then take your chances with Joe Schmidt holding his own in a duel with Winston.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I doubt FSU can do the things that UNC did that hurt ND.

Plus, ND hurt ND against UNC. We handed them 21 points. Stop that, and we dominate them. If we are up by 14 early, instead of down, we force them to pass. Instead we forced ourselves to pass against a team that ran 90 plays! Talk about putting pressure on yourselves!

We make mistakes (more than average) because we are young. But this team has shown great ability to adapt and learn from mistakes.

 

[koonja]

My concern is where does the offense come from? Will we actually be able to run on them? Cause Fuller won't be faster than their corners IMO.

 

[woolybug25]

My concern is where does the offense come from? Will we actually be able to run on them? Cause Fuller won't be faster than their corners IMO.

Jesus Koon. This is like the 30th time you have said this same thing. If speed alone was the reason a team could pass or not, then almost everyone would run primarily. Corners are generally faster than most receivers.

Their corners have been faster than all of the receivers they have faced this year. If that is all that matters, then why have they given up 213 yards through the air on average?

We will pass on them.

 

[greyhammer90]

My concern is where does the offense come from? Will we actually be able to run on them? Cause Fuller won't be faster than their corners IMO.

This mentality reminds me of pre-Miami/Oklahoma 2012 talk. If we lose, it won't be because we weren't athletic enough on the wings. It'll be because our interior line is embarrassing right now.

 

[tussin]

From an FSU website, but pretty sick regardless.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YZy05atU2fA" frameborder="0" allowfullscre<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YZy05atU2fA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>en></iframe>

 

[greyhammer90]

Plain and simple: Playoffs start on Saturday for ND.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

My concern is where does the offense come from? Will we actually be able to run on them? Cause Fuller won't be faster than their corners IMO.

Full doesn't have to be faster than their corners, he needs to win off the line of scrimmage...something he is very good at doing. He is electric for reasons other than just his straight line speed. He is extremely quick in tight spaces and makes great cuts. He plays bigger than his stature with the ball in the air too. ND isn't playing the '85 Bears here, and the Irish have some elite athletes of their own and in my opinion a far superior coaching staff.