Post Game Observations....

[Luckylucci]

Momentum doesn't carry over in the offseason.

I'll disagree with that from a recruiting standpoint. IMO, it does on at least the recruiting level. We are still using last years success as momentum in recruiting right now. All kids have been talking about is how the program is back to winning and they have a legitimate shot to come here, get a great education and win championships.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

Tony Pauline on Stephon Tuitt vs Lewan:

Stephon Tuitt/DL/Notre Dame: I mentioned Tuitt would be handled all night by Taylor Lewan in “Five Things to Look Out For” on Friday, and the Notre Dame junior did not disappoint. Tuitt was invisible for most of the four quarters and did not register a tackle all night. The interception he returned for a touchdown was the exception to the rule rather then a foundation of Tuitt’s play. The junior lineman was manhandled throughout the game not only by Lewan but also second and third string tight ends Michigan placed on the field. He looked un-athletic, marginally explosive and was constantly on the ground. I posted a month ago that I felt Tuitt was an overrated prospect and has no place as a potential top 25 prospect. Many saw the reason why Saturday evening.

I agree that he is little bit overrated but this review is harsh

 

[DillonHall]

I'll disagree with that from a recruiting standpoint. IMO, it does on at least the recruiting level. We are still using last years success as momentum in recruiting right now. All kids have been talking about is how the program is back to winning and they have a legitimate shot to come here, get a great education and win championships.

Recruiting's important, but it's just part of the formula to winning a national championship. Games are ultimately what decide success/failure. We had all the momentum in the world at the end of 2010 when we beat a ranked Utah team, USC for the first time in 8-9 years, and Miami in the Sun Bowl.

Then we started out 2011 0-2.

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

I'm sure this has been covered in the thread, but it's plainly obvious that the middle of the defense (Calabrese, Fox, Farley and Collinsworth) are simply not athletic or good enough. Average players, the lot of them.

Though neither were exactly athletic freaks, we now see how badly we will miss Te'o and Motta. We absolutely have to continue to recruit athletes at inside linebacker and safety. And the potential studs we already have on campus need to be integrated sooner than later.

Still think this is a 9-3 team. Michigan played nearly flawless football and the Irish dropped a bomb in the first half... and ND was still one bad call away from having a chance to drive for a tying (or winning) touchdown.

I think we'll handle Purdue and Sparty and then face a season-defining showdown against the Sooners in a few weeks. Go Irish

 

[SoDakDomer]

Tony Pauline on Stephon Tuitt vs Lewan:



I agree that he is little bit overrated but this review is harsh

I thought Tuitt had a rough game initially and then went and watched the game sober a few days later and it changed my opinion. He was very good in the run game, created alot of pressure on the meatchicken QB, and had to maintain contain on various plays and play types. Oh not to mention Lewan literally held him almost every play. Not Tuitt's greateast game but to say he got man handled by lewan is a complete fallacy.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I think we'll handle Purdue and Sparty and then face a season-defining showdown against the Sooners in a few weeks. Go Irish

Not gonna lie, Sparty worries me. Their D seems pretty stout (they haven't really played anyone yet tho) and possibly this weekend, or next week, their true Freshman QB may make his way up the depth chart. He's probably the best they have, he's just limited with experience. And he's fast and mobile. That doesn't seem to work out to well for us.

 

[phgreek]

Tony Pauline on Stephon Tuitt vs Lewan:



I agree that he is little bit overrated but this review is harsh

Good find...I like the variety of stuff pulled in to IE. Sometimes I disagree so vehemently it comes off like I'm bagging on the guy who found the data...I'm not. Thanks for bringing it to light.

Now...I don't believe ST is really overrated. His rating exists largely on last years performance...since we are only two games in to this year.

EVERY guy that plays on the line has a slump, or a stretch where things aren't quite right. If he goes through the year and is unproductive, yea...overrated, unless he's still hurt. My guess is by mid season he'll be back to form.

Specifically as relates to Michigan...I don't recall them running behind Lewan for 200 yards...If he didn't have a tackle after Michigan gashed us in the running game (not the QB), I'd wander....but mostly if he's still suffering from an injury.

ST didn't have a sack...happens. Did ST have a great game...no,

but this article is a delusional piece of sensationalist masterbation....see, see, I told you so, I'm now credible, me, I'm right, look at me, ...uhm, not so much.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

OFD just published a film breakdown of our ST performance against Michigan:

What can I say about the special teams in the Michigan game? For all of the back-and-forth about the success and shortcomings of the offense and defense, the special teams units as a whole played a rather outstanding game. With no hesitation, I can say that Michigan’s special teams are in great need of improvement for a variety of reasons and ND did their best to exploit the Michigan special teams flaws in this game. For the sake of space, I am electing to not cover ND’s Field Goal Block unit. A field goal block is, essentially, a glorified pass rush with assignments for eligible receivers. As for the rest of the units, here are my thoughts...

 

[BGIF]

OFD just published a film breakdown of our ST performance against Michigan:

How many rotten tomatoes did the film score?

 

[stlnd01]

Not gonna lie, Sparty worries me. Their D seems pretty stout (they haven't really played anyone yet tho) and possibly this weekend, or next week, their true Freshman QB may make his way up the depth chart. He's probably the best they have, he's just limited with experience. And he's fast and mobile. That doesn't seem to work out to well for us.

Sparty's offense will improve. Statistically, it almost has to. But I don't know that a freshman playing in his first road game is going to fare so well. And their defense, while certainly stout, hasn't seen anything like our offense yet.
It's a game we should win, probably by more than one score. If they beat us, we've got problems.

 

[NDFAN22]

When the hell are the freshman gonna get a shot to show what they can do? Cam honestly might be the best rb right now. Atkinson I don't like too much as an every down back and he has no hands. Amir does run very very hard for his size and like his toughness. But holy hell give Bryant and folston a shot. I'd be interested to see what Kelly told them afterwards knowing before the game he said he had series scripted for them and they will play.