Even Freeman noted that if missing Patterson was going to make that big of a difference on the OL performance, then they have bigger troubles than previously thought.
Most, not all; predicted ND would run the ball successfully vs OSU based on last year’s performance. Even Ryan Day was quoted in his postgame presser as saying that this was a game that they lose last year.
So a new DC & OL Coach make an instant impact on OSU to the point where it erases any issues they had last season but ND’s new OL Coach (despite all that talent) has the fan base continually bitching about the OL like Quinn is still there?
I’d be interested in seeing how many times ND tried to run between the tackles…even w/ a loaded box. When a team commits to the run, like it or not; they are going to have plenty of run stuffs for no gains or losses along the way. But you don’t quit on the run…you COMMIT to it. Especially when you have inexperienced QB & WR corps.
ND fans should have known that interior running against OSU's DL was going to be pretty tough. I tried to say as much and was ridiculed. This hasn't been a program that has been able to "assert their will" against an elite DL for a long time. To be repetitive, ND has been on an incredible run for the last few years but the trouble starts when they play teams with long/athletic CBs and specifically NGs/DTs who will control the inside. Going back to struggles against USC and Clemson in the first playoff run, it was the same struggle.
I think you're making a false equivalence argument. OSU has guys who were top ten nationally. Notre Dame has highly touted four-stars. Should ND be better one-on-one? Not according to the talent difference. This was made worse by the fact that ND has a very pedestrian WR corp and, as you said, OSU was going to stack the box.
I think running right into a stacked box and expecting things to change fits the definition of insanity. OSU figured out that ND's WR corp was going to do exactly nothing all game and in the second half just sat in the box. I wouldn't want Rees running dives and ISOs into that. The way you win is by putting your all-American TE in a CB mismatch, running outside with Tyree--all things Rees called but they didn't execute.
The good news is the OL will almost certainly gel and improve, as will the passing game. I agree with Goolsby that they should just put the younger guys in who have higher ceilings, because if you're going to be coaching for dramatic improvement, you might as well put in the underclassmen and coach them up.
All teams change throughout the season. Some get better, some get exposed as they can't adapt to what opponents see on film. That is the mark of a good staff. That is where fans should expect Heisman, Rees, Freeman, etc etc to make their mark.
