Oct 29 | Miami

[EvilleIrish]

Stephenson over Tori isn't as obvious as Claypool over everyone not named ESB, but yes, I think Stephenson has been better than Hunter.

Ok. So who comes out to get Claypool more reps? Sanders? Come on.

 

[koonja]

Ok. So who comes out to get Claypool more reps? Sanders? Come on.

Our TEs or Tori Hunter if Claypool can play that position (IDK if he can).

 

[IrishLion]

Ok. So who comes out to get Claypool more reps? Sanders? Come on.

Sanders does need plenty of reps, but putting Claypool on the inside to spell him, or to line up along with him, isn't a crazy idea. Corey Robinson was often most effective when he lined in up on the inside for trips formations.

Our TEs or Tori Hunter if Claypool can play that position (IDK if he can).

I would think that ESB could play Torii's position, and Claypool could play the true "W" position opposite him.

 

[EvilleIrish]

Sanders does need plenty of reps, but putting Claypool on the inside to spell him, or to line up along with him, isn't a crazy idea. Corey Robinson was often most effective when he lined in up on the inside for trips formations.



I would think that ESB could play Torii's position, and Claypool could play the true "W" position opposite him.

Agreed that Claypool on the inside isn't crazy. Especially given the fact that he almost becomes a detached tight end in that spot. My argument is that it's tough to take Sanders off the field as he is one of our few guys who has the ability to go the distance at any moment.

 

[Wingman Ray]

This is just dumb.

As others have mentioned Clemson should have lost to NC State when playing at home, not on the road at HOME, if not for NC State kicker missing a chip shot FG at the end of regulation.

OSU just lost PSU. Elimate one of the block punt or block FG and OSU wins the game.

Let's go to Michigan now. They would have beaten Michigan State at home last year, if it was not for the punter completely f*cking up.

Alabama next...Would have been in the National title game a few years ago, if they had not decided to kick a game winning 55 yard (or whatever distance) FG.

Firstly, both Mich/MSU and Bama/Auburn is not wins/losses vs subpar competition. So not in the same bracket there.

Secondly, OSU/FSU/Clemson teams do it ONCE a year (lose or come close to losing subpar teams). ND does it EVERY WEEK this year.

That is a sign of a very bad team.

 

[gkIrish]

Don't put us in the same breath as some of those other schools. For one, few schools have seen the attrition we've had the last few years. We're operating with a very young team right now, and we've been playing like a young team. There's been growth on defense the last few weeks since BVG left, we just need to see some consistency on offense, maybe a stabilized OL and find our running game. We could be fine if those things happen and the defense continues to improve.

I keep seeing people make excuses based on youth and attrition but I again direct everyone to the 2016 ND Prediction Poll thread. We knew what we had coming into the season, give or take a player or two. Literally only 2 people on this entire site (out of 151 votes) predicted 5 losses or more. Was youth not taken into consideration before the season started?

 

[Irish Insanity]

Don't put us in the same breath as some of those other schools. For one, few schools have seen the attrition we've had the last few years. We're operating with a very young team right now, and we've been playing like a young team. There's been growth on defense the last few weeks since BVG left, we just need to see some consistency on offense, maybe a stabilized OL and find our running game. We could be fine if those things happen and the defense continues to improve.

You do realize by the time we get all that straightened out this year will be over and we will have won only 2 or 3 games.

 

[Wingman Ray]

You do realize by the time we get all that straightened out this year will be over and we will have won only 2 or 3 games.

I used to think 3 by beating Army. Now Im 50/50 on Army. I cant see a win short of an upset left on the schedule.

 

[ACamp1900]

I used to think 3 by beating Army. Now Im 50/50 on Army. I cant see a win short of an upset left on the schedule.

Even with our youth and such, this is inexcusable... ND's roster is still loaded with talent.

 

[ulukinatme]

I keep seeing people make excuses based on youth and attrition but I again direct everyone to the 2016 ND Prediction Poll thread. We knew what we had coming into the season, give or take a player or two. Literally only 2 people on this entire site (out of 151 votes) predicted 5 losses or more. Was youth not taken into consideration before the season started?

No, no it was not. Well, at least outside of the receivers and maybe secondary. To be fair, I voted 12-0 in the poll somewhat as a joke, but in reality I said I thought we'd go closer to 10-2. The thinking was we had a fairly good record last year despite all the injuries on defense. We lost some great players in Jaylon and Day, but on the flip side I think a lot of us thought guys like Morgan would help strengthen us in some weak spots (And he did) and maybe we would be a more complete defense. The secondary took a hit with Redfield going out though. Even if he never lived up to potential, he was still an experienced body in the secondary and at a position that was not deep. On top of that, we projected to have a decent OL again, with either Kizer or Zaire tearing it up at QB, and the return of Folston to strengthen the backfield, not to mention Smythe coming back. Everyone knew the receivers would be young and inexperienced, but I honestly thought we'd push a strong run game to take the pressure off Kizer and the young receivers. Instead we did the opposite, and the lack of a consistent run game has really hurt us this year given some tight games like NC St.

 

[gkIrish]

No, no it was not. Well, at least outside of the receivers and maybe secondary. To be fair, I voted 12-0 in the poll somewhat as a joke, but in reality I said I thought we'd go closer to 10-2. The thinking was we had a fairly good record last year despite all the injuries on defense. We lost some great players in Jaylon and Day, but on the flip side I think a lot of us thought guys like Morgan would help strengthen us in some weak spots (And he did) and maybe we would be a more complete defense. The secondary took a hit with Redfield going out though. Even if he never lived up to potential, he was still an experienced body in the secondary and at a position that was not deep. On top of that, we projected to have a decent OL again, with either Kizer or Zaire tearing it up at QB, and the return of Folston to strengthen the backfield, not to mention Smythe coming back. Everyone knew the receivers would be young and inexperienced, but I honestly thought we'd push a strong run game to take the pressure off Kizer and the young receivers. Instead we did the opposite, and the lack of a consistent run game has really hurt us this year given some tight games like NC St.

Nothing wrong with any of that logic. That is why I predicted 10-2 myself. It just highlights how badly we have failed to meet reasonable expectations. I don't think losing one player justifies excusing 5+ losses. Just like losing Schmidt should not have led to 5 straight losses a couple years ago. Staff should have a competent plan B and plan C in place by year 7.

 

[koonja]

What would our record be if Joe Schmidt was still here?

 

[fitz_bu47]

I can't shake the feeling that we are going to shake a lot of the b.s. off this week and put together a performance like a lot of us expected coming into the year, and kick the $hit out of these guys Saturday. I know, I know I have no reason to be confident the way things are going, can't explain it, but I think this is the beginning of a strong finish and a springboard into a great 2017.

 

[Meatloaf]

What would our record be if Joe Schmidt was still here?

1-6. No italics.

 

[fightingirish26]

1-6. No italics.

you think nyles morgan was the difference in winning the cuse game? I'm assuming you think we'd beat nevada regardless.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Just stop it. Stepherson has no idea how to run a route yet, nor does he have a very strong grasp of the playbook. This is evident. How can you possibly justify starting this true frosh over a talented vet like TH? Unreal

Yep. It seems like many times him and Kizer are not on the same page. Have to look at the freshman WR to fault there. Also, Stepherson is not very good a tracking the ball in the air.

It's funny that you bring up Route running, when that is what Stepherson is praised for and Hunter can't separate from anyone.

No that is not correct. What he is good at per the coaches is his ability to not have to slow down when catching the ball and he supposedly is supposed to have good hands.

 

[ThePiombino]

I can't shake the feeling that we are going to shake a lot of the b.s. off this week and put together a performance like a lot of us expected coming into the year, and kick the $hit out of these guys Saturday. I know, I know I have no reason to be confident the way things are going, can't explain it, but I think this is the beginning of a strong finish and a springboard into a great 2017.

This site had a lot of people saying the same thing about Stanford. This is simply time washing off the stench of the last performance. There is zero evidence to suggest this is going to happen, as much as we all would like that to be the case.

 

[ulukinatme]

I can't shake the feeling that we are going to shake a lot of the b.s. off this week and put together a performance like a lot of us expected coming into the year, and kick the $hit out of these guys Saturday. I know, I know I have no reason to be confident the way things are going, can't explain it, but I think this is the beginning of a strong finish and a springboard into a great 2017.

I thought the same at Stanford, given how the defense was coming around and the offense was slinging the ball all over the place. Now it's hard to say which team we're going to get Saturday. I hope it's a tough nosed team that dominates the trenches. By all accounts Miami's OL is suspect in places, hopefully our DL can eat.

 

[RDU Irish]

Excited to be going to this game even though the season is a huge disappointment. At least tickets should be cheap enough to merit getting the whole family in versus just me and my son. If anyone has four to trade for my pair plus some cash let me know.

 

[Black Irish]

So what's Notre Dame's biggest area of opportunity against the Convicts? Where are the Irish theoretically better and have an advantage to exploit?

 

[Irish Insanity]

So what's Notre Dame's biggest area of opportunity against the Convicts? Where are the Irish theoretically better and have an advantage to exploit?

Almost every position in the field, but not the guys roaming the sidelines.

 

[TDHeysus]

Miami DC Diaz: Losing to Notre Dame is a failure | theScore.com

 

[BobbyMac]

Story from the Miami Herald:

Hatred for Notre Dame was part of the "U" brand | Miami Herald

The clothes and hairstyles look quaintly retro and the colors have faded in the images from three decades ago. But what comes through vividly with the passage of time is how revolutionary the rivalry between Miami and Notre Dame was when those two teams polarized and mesmerized the nation.

Catholics vs. Convicts: It was only a game, except it was so much more. The antagonism transcended football. The two universities were symbols of a schism in society.

The saints from tradition-rich Notre Dame represented all that was honorable and brilliant about the young gentlemen of America. The sinners from upstart Miami, from the land of “Miami Vice,” cocaine cowboys and inner city riots, represented all that was ignoble and uncivilized about the young thugs taking over America.

Caricatures, of course. Cleveland Gary could have gone to Yale. Steve Walsh was from the Midwest heartland. Leon Searcy is one of the most eloquent people you’ll ever meet. The notorious Catholics vs. Convicts T-shirt was created and sold by Notre Dame students. The disturbing hate mail to Jimmy Johnson was from Notre Dame fans.

The contrast, the stage, the personalities and the compelling plots of the games made Hurricanes vs. Fighting Irish one of the greatest rivalries in sports for an intense six-year stretch — so intense and weighed down by racist undertones and bitter rhetoric that the series was discontinued after 1990.

The rivalry gets renewed Saturday in South Bend, Indiana, when 4-3 Miami and 2-5 Notre Dame clash again. The nation won’t be transfixed because neither team is a powerhouse anymore. Miami is trying to halt a three-game losing streak and Notre Dame, ranked in the preseason top 10, has been a bust.

The players, born when the series was dormant, know about it like they know about the ride of Paul Revere — an ancient legend. Knute Rockne? The Gipper? Lou Holtz? J.J.? Dennis Erickson? The phantom fumble? 58-7? Touchdown Jesus?

“I think, from what I’m hearing, it’s a big thing,” UM’s R.J. McIntosh said.

Among fans and alums, it’s still a big thing. To UM defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, a teenage fan of his hometown Hurricanes, it’s still a big thing.

“Our players need to understand that it’s fun to come to the ‘U’ during recruiting, but you have to understand what made the ‘U’ the ‘U,’ ” said Diaz, who is telling his guys that a loss to Notre Dame puts a black “failure” label on a season. “Those battles that went both ways in the 1980s are really what made the ‘U’ the ‘U.’ ”

Coach Mark Richt started at quarterback for UM in 1982 at Notre Dame when Jim Kelly was injured (and Bernie Kosar and Vinny Testaverde were freshmen). Notre Dame won on a late field goal. He was an assistant at No. 1 Florida State when the Seminoles lost in a windstorm in 1993.

“Regardless of the records, this game kind of stands alone,” Richt said. “These are two teams that have a national brand that’s pretty impressive.”

Watch the newest “30 For 30: Catholics vs. Convicts,” coming out in December for an entertaining look back. An advance screening will be held Friday on the Notre Dame campus. The last time they played, in 2012, the Irish won 41-3.

Simmering disdain reached a boil in 1985 when J.J. ran up the score to 58-7 against outgoing Gerry Faust’s pitiful team, telling his team, “Let’s pour it on!”

UM’s players laughed, taunted and danced in a landmark performance. They were on their way to redefining the notion of sportsmanship.

“We were bad boys, and we enjoyed being bad boys,” Searcy says in the film. “We despised Notre Dame. We looked at them as spoiled, briefcase-carrying, prep school boys.”

Johnson, who earned the best villainous nickname ever bestowed on a coach — “Porkface Satan” — got death threats, all because he did to holier-than-thou Notre Dame what it had done to many of its opponents. He had the audacity to allow his players to express rather than repress their joy and fire. The Canes chose honest celebration over fake humility. Football has been a lot more fun since.

“I think some people confused the bad boy image with the free spirit, emotional, passionate,” he recalled. “And at times especially when you’re winning every week, that played wrong to some of the opponents.”

UM won again in 1987 en route to its second title. Notre Dame, en route to the 1988 title, won 31-30 in a controversial thriller that included Gary’s was-it-or-wasn’t-it fumble and UM’s failed two-point conversion. In 1989, UM won and won its third title.

Parity has changed college football. The usual suspects no longer have a monopoly on talent. Miami and Notre Dame are rebuilding. But the rivalry burns on.

“We had our own slogan,” Searcy said. “God made Notre Dame No. 1. But we made Notre Dame No. 2.”

 

[ThePiombino]

Miami DC Diaz: Losing to Notre Dame is a failure | theScore.com

Is this the same douche that Alford had to bitch slap on Twitter?

 

[ThePiombino]

For anyone looking for a glimmer of hope this week. CBK is 12-2 since 2004 coming off the bye. You're welcome

 

[ulukinatme]

Is this the same douche that Alford had to bitch slap on Twitter?

Dunno, but he was also the Texas DC for 3 years under Mack Brown, and not well thought of (Gave up a school record 550 yards rushing to BYU). Prior to this year he was the DC at Miss St. for a year after he got ousted from Texas.

 

[Irish#1]

Canes rush defense has been poor. We need to run the ball, then run the ball, then run the ball again.

 

[Free Manera]

Miami DC Diaz: Losing to Notre Dame is a failure | theScore.com

The title is kind of clickbaity. He isn't saying losing to ND is a failure because ND sucks this year. He is saying everyone at Miami really wants to beat ND because of the history. Therefore the season would be a failure to many if they don't beat ND. He is actually complimentary in typical coach speak fashion.

 

[ThePiombino]

Dunno, but he was also the Texas DC for 3 years under Mack Brown, and not well thought of (Gave up a school record 550 yards rushing to BYU). Prior to this year he was the DC at Miss St. for a year after he got ousted from Texas.

Ah hah, thanks! I don't think it's the same guy. Dude I'm thinking of was a position coash at the U few years back

 

[IrishLion]

Miami DC Diaz: Losing to Notre Dame is a failure | theScore.com

The title is kind of clickbaity. He isn't saying losing to ND is a failure because ND sucks this year. He is saying everyone at Miami really wants to beat ND because of the history. Therefore the season would be a failure to many if they don't beat ND. He is actually complimentary in typical coach speak fashion.

Definitely click bait. He praised the ND offense, and talked about how beating ND is a requirement, regardless of situations and records, or else you have failed. And he echoed the beliefs of many that the NC State game should never have been played.

Good comments, but the headline is made to look like he's insulting ND.