Post Game Observations (Oklahoma)....

[kmoose]

1. Oklahoma was clearly the better team, today. They took it to us, offensively and defensively. ND's offense had some life in the middle of the game, but not much outside of that.

2. The turnovers really hurt, but they were not the reason that ND lost. The defense was abused like a red headed step child.

3. Tommy had a bad game. But if you think that he was responsible for all 3 of those INTs, then you are just bitching for the sake of bitching. The first one was absolutely NOT his fault; there was a guy coming unblocked. Rees actually felt the pressure and tried to get the ball out before the clock in his head expired, but he was just a hair too slow, and he got hit as he threw the ball. It also just happened to fall right into the hands of a defender who just happened to be running away from the offense. The guy didn't have to reverse direction or anything. It was a bit of a fluke.

The second pass was not a good pass. He led TJ a little long on the slant. TJ tries to make a play on the ball, and it bounces up, causing a tip drill. That's a pass that goes incomplete, 95 out of 100 times. This was one of the 5. This INT gave Oklahoma the ball on the ND 32, putting the defense in a bad spot.

The third INT was on Rees. He tried to throw the ball to the deep receiver, and he lost track of the short receiver and his defender. However, comma, this left Oklahoma the ball on their own 12 yard line. They proceded to drive the ball 88 yards in 8 plays, for the Touchdown. The Defense let the rest of the team down, on that turnover.

4. Third down tackling was pretty bad. I saw at least a half dozen or more missed tackles that would have gotten the defense off of the field, on 3rd down. You just can't miss those tackles.

5. I was really worried when Kelly started platooning so many guys, including the QBs. But the offense really did catch a spark of life when he did it, so I guess whatever works. The playcalling is questionable, but not as bad as a lot of armchair coaches would like us to believe.

6. I'm starting to scratch my head at some of the play calls, like many of you, but I have faith that the coaching staff know what they are doing. Maybe you should, too.

 

[peoriairish]

 

[Irishman77]

We came out on fire in the second half. Then turnover tommy demoralized the team. If we roll with hendrix we would have gassed them and kept their offense off the field.

Our D played better, but when tommy gives them three extra possessions, their stats will inflate.

Tommy was not to blame on the first int, but he misses the easiest of throws. And he got lucky 4 of his floaters didn't get picked off when he threw into double and triple coverage.

I don't care how bad Hendrix is, he allows us to run the ball and gives us a fair shot to win.

 

[KPENN]

We came out on fire in the second half. Then turnover tommy demoralized the team. If we roll with hendrix we would have gassed them and kept their offense off the field.

Our D played better, but when tommy gives them three extra possessions, their stats will inflate.

Tommy was not to blame on the first int, but he misses the easiest of throws. And he got lucky 4 of his floaters didn't get picked off when he threw into double and triple coverage.

I don't care how bad Hendrix is, he allows us to run the ball and gives us a fair shot to win.

Yep......... Oh until teams realize he can't f*ckin throw, but yeah, other than that.

 

[kmoose]

We came out on fire in the second half. Then turnover tommy demoralized the team. If we roll with hendrix we would have gassed them and kept their offense off the field.

Our D played better, but when tommy gives them three extra possessions, their stats will inflate.

Tommy was not to blame on the first int, but he misses the easiest of throws. And he got lucky 4 of his floaters didn't get picked off when he threw into double and triple coverage.

I don't care how bad Hendrix is, he allows us to run the ball and gives us a fair shot to win.

Does Hendrix allow us to stop them from scoring 35 points?

 

[Kanye West]

Rees blows and Hendrix is worse. Its pathetic how bad both of them are the new blood next year will be great.

 

[Veer option]

Those two early turnovers are what decided this game. As hard as ND played it was over after the first quarter.

That was an absolutely terrible Oklahoma defense. If they go against a big time offense they will get shredded.

Skip the two QB nonsense it doesnt do anything to help momentum.

GAIII played much better. Still do not think hes a D1 starting running back.

This team screams of 2011. Decent defense but not enough offensive juice to take it over the top.

 

[frankygoes69]

"1. Oklahoma was clearly the better team, today. They took it to us, offensively and defensively. ND's offense had some life in the middle of the game, but not much outside of that."

I don't agree. The turnovers are what lost this game for ND........

If not for the turnovers, we would have won this game. Other that that, great analysis.

 

[kmoose]

"1. Oklahoma was clearly the better team, today. They took it to us, offensively and defensively. ND's offense had some life in the middle of the game, but not much outside of that."

I don't agree. The turnovers are what lost this game for ND........

If not for the turnovers, we would have won this game. Other that that, great analysis.

If not for balls, your dad would be your mom.

 

[frankygoes69]

Your mom has BALLS!

 

[Irishman77]

Yep......... Oh until teams realize he can't f*ckin throw, but yeah, other than that.

I am sure he can throw a lame duck jump ball just as well as tommy. Also he does not look like a statue in the pocket.

 

[Veer option]

You saying his dad has titties?

 

[fightingirish26]

This is an 8-4 team, nothing wrong with that as long as it doesn't become a trend next year etc.

 

[frankygoes69]

Balls and tits. YES!

 

[bmf175]

Those two early turnovers are what decided this game. As hard as ND played it was over after the first quarter.

That was an absolutely terrible Oklahoma defense. If they go against a big time offense they will get shredded.

Skip the two QB nonsense it doesnt do anything to help momentum.

GAIII played much better. Still do not think hes a D1 starting running back.

This team screams of 2011. Decent defense but not enough offensive juice to take it over the top.

Agreed. ND had some fight but they could not overcome what happened in the first 5 minutes of the game.

 

[irishknight35]

The turnovers are Tommy Rees....Tommy Rees is the turnovers. That is just what your going to get with the guy. The sad part is that NOTRE FREAKING DAME can't get better QB players to come to school and stick around more than a semester.

With all the audibles Tommy loves to call, why when he knows the apposing team is blitzing is there not a RB screen call?

The frustrating part is this years defense can't overcome our **** pour offense and keep us in closer games.

Running game looked 5 times better today but doesn't matter when your playing two scores behind all game long.

Continues to be nothing special about ND's special teams.

Hendrix might not be able to throw but if he can offer us the chance to actually run a faster paced up tempo offense then why not give it a go?

 

[gkIrish]

Did we win or lose the coin toss?

 

[frankygoes69]

That's right! ND has to wait for EG or MZ in order to be successful. I hate to pick on TR but he is who he is and does what he does. We have seen his performance for four years, with the exception of last years (fill in) role.

He is very predictable and there is nothing we as observers can do but wait until EV or MZ take the reigns. More of the same but we have to be supportive of TR, AH or whoever is in there.

 

[kmoose]

Agreed. ND had some fight but they could not overcome what happened in the first 5 minutes of the game.

Bull shyte!! Early in the 4th quarter, it was 27-21, Oklahoma. One stop by the D, and one more TD by the O, and ND is winning. Instead, the Defense barfs all over itself and gives up a 5 play, 75 yard TD drive.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

My humble OPINION:

There is a clear lack of leadership. There isn't a single player that seems interested in taking the reins and making this "his" team on either side of the ball.

Trust issues abound. Looks like there is some serious finger pointing going on, and nobody is being accountable for their mistakes.

Bottom line: This team is drowning in the high expectations they and everyone else set for them, despite losing their QB and best defensive player. Last year was easier to play loose because nobody expected much.

This program is still cutting its teeth figuratively speaking after laying dormant for an extended period of time. They continue to improve, and will eventually find an identity on both sides of the ball. Playing in and ACTUALLY WINNING big games is a relatively new concept to this program after the last decade. That ability to not gag on a big stage will eventually be more consistent.

 

[frankygoes69]

Spoken like a TRUE arm chair coach!

Yo Mama Has BALLLLL!

 

[Crazy Balki]

1. Tommy Rees is done. I'm sorry, but your analysis is half baked. Sure the first pick wasn't his fault, but the next 2 were solely on him. In addition, he completed 37.5% of his passes. THAT IS SH*T! I'm sorry, but I'm tired of watching this garbage. Teams wise up and figure out how to defend Rees, because frankly, it's easy as connecting the dots. I don't care if he's a freshman, Zaire better be under center in Dallas. Kelly might as well put up a sign that says "HELP WANTED" and an arrow pointing at his head.

2. I don't know if it's conditioning or stupidity, but the defense looks flat out slow. That is simply unacceptable. ND has WAY too much talent to be getting beat so often in coverage. This has been an issue all season long, and it will stop.

3. The running game was really good. GAIII made me eat my words, as he carved up the OU defense. Folston was brilliant as well, but WHERE IS GREG BRYANT!? Carlisle was okay, but they are not using him correctly. McDaniel is doing what he can, but Folston is showing that he has way more athleticism and power. I'd say go with Folson, Bryant and Atkinson. Unfortunately the running game's hard work was cancelled out by a sh*t passing game.

4. This season is essentially over as far as I'm concerned. If they play Zaire throughout the remainder of the year, then we'll have something to look forward to, but with Rees, it's just one bad joke after another.

3-2 is simply unacceptable. Way too much talent, I don't care who's starting at QB.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

I don't have any insightful analysis that most on here don't already know, even if some won't admit it.
But, I do have an honest to God question: WHY CAN'T WE START PLAYING WELL BEFORE THE SECOND HALF!!???

This goes back more than a year now. With the exception of a few games, we simply come out flat almost every game.

Someone help me figure this sh!t out!

 

[kmoose]

4. This season is essentially over as far as I'm concerned.

Then we can look forward to NOT hearing from you, for the rest of the season?

 

[Riddickulous]

* Tommy Rees was 9/24 today and is 23/58 over the last two weeks. That's just unacceptable.

* This was the best game of George Atkinson III's career.

* Receivers were quiet again today, sans Jones. Freshman continue to see more PT.

* Niklas had a great game. Dominant blocking and a nice TD.

* Offensive line was great in the running game, so-so in pass protection. Hopefully we continue to see good production on the ground.

* What happened to our defense? Five weeks of this and I still can't figure out how we could become so bad so quickly.

* This team is soft.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I don't have any insightful analysis that most on here don't already know, even if some won't admit it.
But, I do have an honest to God question: WHY CAN'T WE START PLAYING WELL BEFORE THE SECOND HALF!!???

This goes back more than a year now. With the exception of a few games, we simply come out flat almost every game.

Someone help me figure this sh!t out!

Seems our initial game plan is falling flat, but we make good adjustments at the half.

 

[KPENN]

Then we can look forward to NOT hearing from you, for the rest of the season?

I like the thought of this.

 

[koonja]

1. Tommy Rees is done. I'm sorry, but your analysis is half baked. Sure the first pick wasn't his fault, but the next 2 were solely on him. In addition, he completed 37.5% of his passes. THAT IS SH*T! I'm sorry, but I'm tired of watching this garbage. Teams wise up and figure out how to defend Rees, because frankly, it's easy as connecting the dots. I don't care if he's a freshman, Zaire better be under center in Dallas. Kelly might as well put up a sign that says "HELP WANTED" and an arrow pointing at his head.

2. I don't know if it's conditioning or stupidity, but the defense looks flat out slow. That is simply unacceptable. ND has WAY too much talent to be getting beat so often in coverage. This has been an issue all season long, and it will stop.

3. The running game was really good. GAIII made me eat my words, as he carved up the OU defense. Folston was brilliant as well, but WHERE IS GREG BRYANT!? Carlisle was okay, but they are not using him correctly. McDaniel is doing what he can, but Folston is showing that he has way more athleticism and power. I'd say go with Folson, Bryant and Atkinson. Unfortunately the running game's hard work was cancelled out by a sh*t passing game.

4. This season is essentially over as far as I'm concerned. If they play Zaire throughout the remainder of the year, then we'll have something to look forward to, but with Rees, it's just one bad joke after another.

3-2 is simply unacceptable. Way too much talent, I don't care who's starting at QB.

Boy do I have a thread for you. Lol!

 

[Irish Insanity]

* Tommy Rees was 9/24 today and is 23/58 over the last two weeks. That's just unacceptable.

* This was the best game of George Atkinson III's career.

* Receivers were quiet again today, sans Jones. Freshman continue to see more PT.

* Niklas had a great game. Dominant blocking and a nice TD.

* Offensive line was great in the running game, so-so in pass protection. Hopefully we continue to see good production on the ground.

* What happened to our defense? Five weeks of this and I still can't figure out how we could become so bad so quickly.

* This team is soft.

To me this has flip flopped from the last few week. We need be good at both, not just one or the other. They've shown they can accomplish both, now they just need to put it together in one game.

 

[NDTampa]

Does Hendrix allow us to stop them from scoring 35 points?

Maybe! But 2 of the INT gave Oklahoma 14 points and 1 cost ND 3 points.

Do you remember what the final margin of victory was?