Oct 24 | Pittsburgh

[ThePiombino]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BK: WR Lawrence Keys III still in concussion protocol.</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/1318223676144308224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ian Book was 3-of-11 last week on throws more than five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Notre Dame&#146;s pass game needs help. <a href="https://t.co/SGERbRSQlS">https://t.co/SGERbRSQlS</a></p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1318255302748274693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly said that after Louisville he noted three players who need to play more: Isaiah Foskey, Jack Kiser, Joe Wilkins.<br><br>Said he&#146;s talked to Clark Lea about Foskey (7 snaps) and Kiser getting more work (2 snaps).</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1318224869214007302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Took him 4 games to realize Foskey needs more snaps?

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[Irish#1]

Took him 4 games to realize Foskey needs more snaps?

Probably wants to give Lea some leeway to run the D as he sees fit, but decided now is the time to "suggest" some adjustments.

 

[IrishLion]

It seemed like Foskey played plenty against Duke and USF.

Maybe he's one of the guys that was held out because of COVID, but they don't want to say that directly and explain why his usage was actually low?

 

[Irish YJ]

I like hearing more Wilkins. That along with more Austin.

Give me Austin, Wilkins or Watts, and Lenzy or Johnson.

More Kiser and Foskey sounds good. Perhaps more Bo too.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Please Coach, leave Clark Lea alone.

 

[317Irish]

It seemed like Foskey played plenty against Duke and USF.

Maybe he's one of the guys that was held out because of COVID, but they don't want to say that directly and explain why his usage was actually low?

Irish Illustrated guys mentioned on their podcast from yesterday that he was held out of FSU game due to COVID in some form.

 

[Irishize]

Irish Illustrated guys mentioned on their podcast from yesterday that he was held out of FSU game due to COVID in some form.

Yup & he didn’t play vs UL due to scheme. They were focused more on stopping the run so they went w/ Daelin Hayes off the edge.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Did he talk about MTA's snap count for Pitt?

 

[ThePiombino]

Please Coach, leave Clark Lea alone.

Lea isn't infallible, especially if he thinks Foskey is getting enough snaps.

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[Old Man Mike]

Lea is infallible.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Lea isn't infallible, especially if he thinks Foskey is getting enough snaps.

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Tricky. Everyone can overlook things.

My guess is, Lea knows Daelin is the "better" (more experienced) run defender. However, Foskey is clearly better at chase down pursuit. Kelly, likely, wants to "break" the habit of "just using" Foskey as passing down player, and force him into more run down situations to continue to grow his game.

Lea isn't wrong to play Daelin. Kelly isn't wrong for wanting to play Foskey.

 

[Old Man Mike]

All true. Both Kelly and Lea are infallible (when it comes to defense.)

 

[Luckylucci]

I expect Narduzzi to blitz the crap out of Book. Hopefully they've went back and watched 2018 film so Book can get an idea of how to beat the CB blitzes they threw at him in the first half. Hopefully, they come out of the gates with more under C and play action to combat the blitzes. Get guys involved in motion, misdirection, etc.

 

[Irishize]

I expect Narduzzi to blitz the crap out of Book. Hopefully they've went back and watched 2018 film so Book can get an idea of how to beat the CB blitzes they threw at him in the first half. Hopefully, they come out of the gates with more under C and play action to combat the blitzes. Get guys involved in motion, misdirection, etc.

No question. Listening to one of the post-game pods it was mentioned that as great a CB as Assante Samuel, Jr may be, he does not employ press coverage which may be why McKinley had such a big game. When you look at UL (& Pitt this week), their secondary definitely presses and it shut down Javon as he was almost responsible for every incompletion. I bet that’s why after the FSU game, BK was telling McKinley that he’s a “beast” and needs to keep playing like that b/c he knew FSU could be an anomaly.

 

[Legacy]

I'd prefer more play action, too.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

Line opened at ND -9.5 O/U 48, and has already moved to ND -10.5 and O/U 46.

Game is approximately predicted to be a 28-18 final for ND.

In ACC contests:
- ND's defense has given up 15.3 ppg while offense has scored 27 ppg.
- Pitt's D surrendered 23 ppg with 23.2 ppg pacing by offense.

ND has averaged 10.6 possessions in their 3 conference games, Pitt is at 12.6 possessions per game (not including end of half or game kneeling).

If there will be approximately 12 possessions in the upcoming game per team, with the consensus of a lower scoring game, how many punts, FGs, and TDs for each team? Considering Book and company had "realistically" 4 out of 6 scoring drives with a probable 5 of 7 if time permitted despite how bad the operation looked against Louisville. The defense forced 5 punts, 1 TD, and a long missed FG, again affected by time last weekend.

On the season, the Irish are 12-of-21 in converting red-zone opportunities into touchdowns, though two of those include clock-killing drives, so a more accurate barometer would be 12-of-19; 63.16 percent would have ranked No. 51 in the country last season.

https://irish.nbcsports.com/2020/10...friend-off-the-field-its-foe-in-the-red-zone/

With more red zone discussion by Tyler James:

Pittsburgh (3-3, 2-3 ACC) could present a challenge for the Irish in the red zone Saturday (3:30 p.m. EDT on ABC). The Panthers are tied for 17th in the FBS in red-zone defense in allowing scores on 76.9 percent of red-zone trips. Opposing offenses have scored 10 times with five touchdowns and five field goals.

Pittsburgh has allowed only one rushing touchdown in the red zone. Nine of Notre Dame’s red-zone touchdowns have come on the ground.

https://www.indystar.com/story/spor...-spend-more-time-red-zone-offense/5988815002/

 

[irishtrain]

Just got back from vacation in Connellsville my hometown near the Burgh Pitt is going to be a handful. This one scares me. Book better be ready for the kitchen sink.

 

[Irish#1]

Just got back from vacation in Connellsville my hometown near the Burgh Pitt is going to be a handful. This one scares me. Book better be ready for the kitchen sink.

This weeks game plan should contain a box of Brillo pads.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I'm going to laugh when this is the game that we somehow dominate from the opening minute, comfortable the whole way...causing more head scratching about previous weeks

 

[Whiskeyjack]

SP+ gives us a 73% of victory and expects us to cover (just barely, 30-19).

 

[WilliamWallace]

I'm going to laugh when this is the game that we somehow dominate from the opening minute, comfortable the whole way...causing more head scratching about previous weeks

I certainly hope so, but it just gives BK the opportunity to say, I told you so. All I want is consistency, a team to prove they deserve the ranking. Right now no one believes ND is deserving of #3. Can’t say I disagree. Last week I was so disgruntled with Book that I failed to realize that the defense was having a good game, aside from the fact that we weren’t trailing on the board.

I also don’t care if we blow someone out by 70 points. I would like them to look the part of a dominant team. I don’t think we hang with Bama in the manner that Ole Miss did, and this is Kiffins first season there. BK needs to stop making his typical bs remarks after games and start putting it together. He’s paid handsomely to do so.

 

[Dizzyphil]

I'm going to laugh when this is the game that we somehow dominate from the opening minute, comfortable the whole way...causing more head scratching about previous weeks

This is legitimately the only gameplan you need against Narduzzi lol.

Attack their press with shots down the field. Throw it high and trust your receivers to compete for the ball.

Either you have a Will Fuller that's just gonna blow by them (2015), you're gonna get enough PI calls to make them pay (2013), or your monsters will make enough plays to win (2018).

As long as your defense doesn't lay an egg, you're stressing them enough to make it work.

I've stated many times here on IE that I refereed Div III and HS football in TX. I try to stay fair to the refs as much as possible and be non-biased watching the Irish...



But - there could have been 5-6 PI calls both ways vs LV.... 4 (minimum) going for the Irish. Also, LV got away with a few holding calls that were CLEARLY obvious... but, we see the entire field/line while the Refs are trying to look through 6' 5" 350lb linemen at field-level .....


That being said, the Irish are only averaging 3 penalties per game this year so far - great discipline.... Pitt - 9 per game.



So - I agree with you 100%..... not the way I would want the Irish to win.


I believe Irish (run) away with this one with more on the ground. Going to be a very wet field but minimal wind. 250+ yards rushing so, don't expect a tremendous amount of passing yards from Book again - the yards will probably be from PI calls against Pitt.


IMO - Irish 38 - 17

 

[zelezo vlk]

No Lugg this week due to an ankle injury.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

It was reported in the beginning of the week, but it sounds like Pickett’s ankle hasn’t improved enough to play this weekend leaving Yellen to start again.

https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2020/10/19/narduzzi-joey-yellen-expected-to-start-again-at-qb/

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

It was reported in the beginning of the week, but it sounds like Pickett’s ankle hasn’t improved enough to play this weekend leaving Yellen to start again.

https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2020/10/19/narduzzi-joey-yellen-expected-to-start-again-at-qb/

Joey Yellen is completing less than half of his passes at 6.0 yards per attempt (and has -39 yards rushing from four sacks). Their starting RB is averaging 2.8 yards per carry this year.

This is a bad Pitt offense when their best player is healthy. If this game is anywhere near close then I'm worried.

 

[Luckylucci]

Joey Yellen is completing less than half of his passes at 6.0 yards per attempt (and has -39 yards rushing from four sacks). Their starting RB is averaging 2.8 yards per carry this year.

This is a bad Pitt offense when their best player is healthy. If this game is anywhere near close then I'm worried.

I think if we are patient and smart on offense then this should be a fun game to watch. However, I have some reservations that the blitzes won't be handled well and we may try to beat the pressure with the spread it out throw it around gameplan. Which, I'm not a fan of these days.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Joey Yellen is completing less than half of his passes at 6.0 yards per attempt (and has -39 yards rushing from four sacks). Their starting RB is averaging 2.8 yards per carry this year.

This is a bad Pitt offense when their best player is healthy. If this game is anywhere near close then I'm worried.

Don’t you worry. Yellen will have a career game and go something like 21-24 for 270 yards and 2 TD’s along with 60 yards rushing and a TD...sigh


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[IrishLion]

I'm not buying it until game time lol. Narduzzi has no love for BK, and that report was on Monday.

It wouldn't surprise me if that was gamesmanship, and Pickett's ankle is fine and ready to run around on. Whoever is calling the game is gonna do their pregame intro on ABC, then say "and how about this... Pickett is gonna suit up and play today" while showing him warming up his arm on the field prior to kickoff.

 

[pumpdog20]

Don’t you worry. Yellen will have a career game and go something like 21-24 for 270 yards and 2 TD’s along with 60 yards rushing and a TD...sigh


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Yup

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

Don’t you worry. Yellen will have a career game and go something like 21-24 for 270 yards and 2 TD’s along with 60 yards rushing and a TD...sigh


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he'll be a Heisman candidate by Saturday night