Opinions:
1). I watched ND play four games in which we were clearly better than all four opponents. I cannot remember the last time that I honestly thought that. Despite playing the game as if we'd just come from an original recipe KFC picnic without scrubbing the grease off our hands, we still dominated them. Without our turnovers and near-turnovers, Syracuse might not have had even a glimmer of hope.
2). Everett still hasn't become a true quarterback. As a winning athlete, he is fantastic; and maybe that's all we need. If he didn't have a supergenius to get him into success situations, he'd be in trouble. But with Coach we have that genius. If Everett would now just run the correct plays as Kelly wants him to, the opponents would collapse by halftime. Thanks for Everett, but groveling thanks for Kelly.
3). Will Fuller is unguardable and Corey Robinson nearly so. "We" cannot be stopped there. Koyack is OK but is a "possession" TE without Eifert/Rudolph/Carlson's separate-and-shield skills. Prosise could be in the Fuller/Robinson productivity class if he's more hands dependable. Hunter looked really promising. We are deadly good in every way pass-receiving.
4). Our running is OK given what Coach is trying to do. Our trouble is that everybody's favorite guy, Bryant, is not dependable either in blocking or ball-security. Everybody's whipping boy, McDaniel, IS. The passing pockets are cleaner with McDaniel and he has strong hands on the ball. Also, Bryant is not the kickoff return solution --- most hesitant guy we've had back there in a long time.
5). Our defense is, so far, magnificent. Syracuse had almost no threatening plays. Three near-miraculous perfect placements on the sidelines
-astounding that ANYONE could have thrown THREE such perfect long balls-
gained, alongside the fake punt, most of their yardage. One long drag route across the middle was more the linebackers fault than Farley's, as one of them should have interrupted that. When a modestly productive play would occur, our astonishing speed and instincts and scheme would rapidly swarm it. We FLY on defense.
6). Defensive #3 gameball: the secondary [especially the corners and Farley]. I totally disagree with any didn't-get-their-head-around comments. These guys battled the sh!t out of their opponents to the end.
7). Defensive #2 gameball: Sheldon Day, The Wrecking Ball.
8). Defensive #1 gameball: Brian Van Gorder. [thank you, God].
9). Offensive #3 gameball: Corey Robinson.
10). Offensive #2 gameball: Will Fuller.
110. Offensive #1 gameball: Coach. Just brilliant. They decided to defend us like a "T", the deep back and the near middle, so Kelly just killed them in the flats, and had the patience and discipline to stay the course. {Everett, you'll get my gameball when you consistently run the offense like Coach would like to see you run it --- you are a most remarkable athlete. I'd like to see your game-brain rise up to match that.}
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