Postgame Thoughts - North Carolina

[IrishSteelhead]

Lots of meat left on the schedule to prove it, but I truly believe this team can play with anyone not named Alabama, and POSSIBLY Clemson. Buckle up, the train is moving pretty fast right now.

 

[Riddickulous]

We've played 5 inferior teams and wrecked them all. When was the last time we could say that?

It's gonna be a looooooooong two weeks to USC. Can't wait.

 

[Graybeard52]

We've played 5 inferior teams and wrecked them all. When was the last time we could say that?

It's gonna be a looooooooong two weeks to USC. Can't wait.

Hung with the one good team pretty much until the end too.

The wait until fUSC will suck but it will give some guys time to heal.

 

[koonja]

Elko having a healthy defense and 2 weeks to prepare for USC is giving me a major clue.

 

[Irish YJ]

NC is hot trash right now, so hard to take any meaningful good out of it. I'm very happy with how we did given we were on the road with a backup QB.

We can take meaningful bad out of it. WR play wasn't great, but I'll give them a break with a new QB at the helm. Play calling was painful at times, so I guess that's my only complaint.

 

[Irish YJ]

Hung with the one good team pretty much until the end too.

The wait until fUSC will suck but it will give some guys time to heal.

I still think we should have had a better showing vs UGA. True freshman QB should not have beaten us at home. But I like your story better, and hope the CFP voters do too.

 

[Onemanwolfpack]

We've played 5 inferior teams and wrecked them all. When was the last time we could say that?

It's gonna be a looooooooong two weeks to USC. Can't wait.

Couldn't agree more with Riddickulous. We are winning the games we are supposed to win and by a large margin. That hasn't happened EVER in the BK era.

Defense continues to play great and well beyond my wildest expectations. The bye week couldn't come at a better time for the team to get healthy and get tuned up for SC.

The remainder of the schedule is daunting, with no easy wins...but we are more than talented enough to win them all. Win most/all and the rankings will come since the strength of schedule will be one of the best in the country.

 

[jakerbluegold]

Imagine what Elko could have done with guys like Jaylon.

The 2015 team would have been lethal.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Imagine what Elko could have done with guys like Jaylon.

The 2015 team would have been lethal.

No offense, but this is a huge 'slippery slope'....

I could say the same with what Chip Kelly could have done with 2012 offense.

 

[koonja]

This defense is playing so good. They're one of the top 15 defenses in cfb if you ask me.

On the flip side, Tony Jones? Pass.

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

Book managed the game well, and operates the passing offense "cleaner" than Wimbush, but it wasn't by a wide enough margin to spark a QB controversy at all. Wimbush brings more to the table in terms of aiding the running game and pushing the ball down field on 50/50 balls, which is where this offense will be at its best. It's nice to have a dude like Book ready to go, though.

Play calling was anywhere from "average" to "bad." I know they wanted to show their faith in Book and open it up to see what he could do, but if they commit to the power run in the redzone a bit more, that's probably a 47-10 game.

It's okay though, because THAT DEFENSE. They look so well prepared that it's unbelievable. And it's fun to watch! That hasn't really been the case since '12. These guys are obviously well-trained in fundamentals, and it's awesome that all the talk about practicing turnovers isn't just coach speak... it's legit. These dudes hunt with the "that's MY ball" mentality, especially Crawford and Tranquill.

Okwara and Hayes are a problem. Excited to see that progression continue (and Kareem, too).

Corners struggle to turn their heads in coverage at times, which is frustrating. But it's better than years past, because at least now they still stay in decent position. In years past, they'd fail to turn their heads AND be out of position. A team like USC could cause big problems throwing down field, though. Elko probably started looking at USC film in the lockers before Kelly gave out a game ball.

McIntosh looked wayyyyy improved as a pure RB this week. He looked good against MSU and Miami (OH), but didn't run like a RB if that makes sense... this week, he looked like a RB, running through contact, protecting the ball, and setting up blocks. I wonder how many reps he got at HB1 in practice the past week.

God help us if Tranquill were to miss time. Bilal looks like a physical freak, but he looks lost if the offense uses any type of misdirection or play action.

Playcalling needs to improve big time if you want to run the table on the back half of the schedule, but it's possible with how this team takes care of business on defense and takes advantage on offense, even with how banged up they are.

Excellent points. The two poor red zone drives were quintessential Kelly play calling. I am curious if he doesn't from time to time get involved in the play calling.

Regarding Book, he makes me nervous watching him. He seems like he drank too many energy drinks. He plays hyper and tense. Also his shoulder pads are either too big or he has no neck. As poor as Wimbush's passing has been, he at least didn't turn the ball over. Really disappointed in his play.

 

[Dizzyphil]

This defense is playing so good. They're one of the top 15 defenses in cfb if you ask me.

On the flip side, Tony Jones? Pass.

8 upper classmen starting helps too!!!!

 

[koonja]

8 upper classmen starting helps too!!!!

Well return about 9 starters from D next year.

 

[Irish YJ]

Couldn't agree more with Riddickulous. We are winning the games we are supposed to win and by a large margin. That hasn't happened EVER in the BK era.

Defense continues to play great and well beyond my wildest expectations. The bye week couldn't come at a better time for the team to get healthy and get tuned up for SC.

The remainder of the schedule is daunting, with no easy wins...but we are more than talented enough to win them all. Win most/all and the rankings will come since the strength of schedule will be one of the best in the country.

If we are truly as good as we hope, Wake and Navy at home should not be daunting at all. But yes, we are thus far handling the teams that we should. And that is F'ing fantastic.

Being that we are home accept for Miami and Stanford, things could line up very nice for us. That is if we can get past USC. With a bye week, I'm optimistic if BW's injury is close to being healed. I don't think the Trees are as strong as they normally are, but it's still at Stanford, and is the last game. Miami scares me the most. That D-line. The environment for that game could be epic if we don't lose before that game. Miami should be undefeated when they play us. F the convicts lol.

 

[STLDomer]

This defense is playing so good. They're one of the top 15 defenses in cfb if you ask me.

On the flip side, Tony Jones? Pass.

Every reporter has raved about Tony Jones Jr from what they see in practice. I agree we haven’t seen it at all in games. Weird.

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

I think for as good as our defense is, there are a couple weak points that can be exploited. Our corners are very hit-or-miss in their coverage. They are usually right with the receiver on longer routes, but don't make as many breakups as they are positioned to and they are slightly vulnerable on short and comeback routes on downs where those aren't expected.

It also seems like our d-line still has some trouble winning one-on-one battles when they only rush four. Hopefully they can improve and get more pressure consistently. Our defense also gives up a lot of yards, which shouldn't be an issue because they aren't letting opponents score, but is an issue because our ST aren't great so we are always behind in the field position battle.

If we don't have the big explosive plays, I don't know if our offense can consistently march down the field to score. That's why I think it is so important that Adams and Wimbush are both healthy for the big games. This is also why I think that Tony Jones isn't as effective. He would have been great in last years offense with his pass blocking, receiving, and short yardage running, but he lacks the explosive ability we need this year.

Good news is that CJ Holmes looks like a baller. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get more playing time if Dexter is not ready to go for a few more weeks. It did look like he ran a little upright, but people said that about Josh Adams and I don't think anyone would complain if he matched Josh Adams production.

Lastly, our WR core (and Alize) needs to step up. I understand that it was raining for much of the game and I've heard that some Under Armour gloves are worse than bare hands when they're wet, but with a RS-FR first time starting QB, as well as with Wimbush who is struggling, you gotta help them out. I think a lot of what ESB is good at is really neutralized with both of these QBs, but we have to find some guys that can get some YAC or that can go up and get a 50/50 ball.

 

[Rizzophil]

Every reporter has raved about Tony Jones Jr from what they see in practice. I agree we haven’t seen it at all in games. Weird.

I think he’s still hurt. He touched it out

No other reason to burn CJ at tailback today.

 

[stlnd01]

Couldn't agree more with Riddickulous. We are winning the games we are supposed to win and by a large margin. That hasn't happened in at least 20 years.

FIFY

Look, I'm curious what happens when we go up against a team with a good passing offense. Miami of Ohio might be the best QB we've played yet. But our defense - especially the front seven - plays such fundamentally sound football that I think we can stay in the game with anyone. And, thus far, we really aren't making serious mistakes or hurting ourselves on offense. We've got a good football team. And I'm trying to remember the last time we reeled off five wins in six games that were really never in doubt.

Meanwhile I'm thinking about Oklahoma fans tonight and watching Michigan State, who we thumped, give #7 Michigan everything they can handle in the Big House.

 

[AvesEvo]

What's the word on injuries after this game?

 

[TheRealLynch51]

What's the word on injuries after this game?

More or less, everyone seems to be fine. Morgan was in later after his injury scare. MTA has a chest contusion. Adams was dehydrated and they kept him out for precautionary reasons. EQ was cramping. Bars had an ankle injury, but its not a high ankle sprain.

 

[Mavericknyc1980]

We won with backups all over the place especially the important positions/ QB and RB, even though NC was bad in all there games they led in the 4th. We blew them out. Good win

 

[koonja]

The Bars ankle injury is the one that worries me most.

That's a big man and a lot of weight on that ankle.

 

[snoopdog]

Am thinking that Claypool has to be the go to receiver and ESB needs to start earning his reps again.

 

[Irish YJ]

Am thinking that Claypool has to be the go to receiver and ESB needs to start earning his reps again.

I'm starting to question the Alexander hire.

 

[Junkhead]

A very quiet 341yds on the ground, though Adams only had what, 12 carries, and #2 Dexter DNP. There is much to improve on (Looking at you, WRs.), but I am onboard and intoxicated on the koolaid when it comes to the defense and running game. And we are not playing down to mediocre teams anymore. Blowing them out is a breath of fresh air.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

Excellent points. The two poor red zone drives were quintessential Kelly play calling. I am curious if he doesn't from time to time get involved in the play calling.

Regarding Book, he makes me nervous watching him. He seems like he drank too many energy drinks. He plays hyper and tense. Also his shoulder pads are either too big or he has no neck. As poor as Wimbush's passing has been, he at least didn't turn the ball over. Really disappointed in his play.

Wimbush has turned the ball over. I still think he is the best option but he does have some picks and a couple fumbles.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Idk if i'd throw him out there next game. Bye week has a nasty defense.

So he isn't expected to practice next week.......or even on a part time basis like this week?

 

[Irish YJ]

So he isn't expected to practice next week.......or even on a part time basis like this week?

I thought I read that he practiced

 

[Irishize]

ESB looked horrible. Very passive when battling defenders for balls.

Coleman has to come down with that interception. The UNC WR just took it away from him.

Bilal looked lost out there in space.

Mack had a decent game but had a key drop. I think he's finding his way though. Pretty obvious he was pressing early on to make up for missing 2016. He'll be ok.

Claypool looked to have a TD reception but dropped it. I think even if he hauls it in, it gets overruled due to stepping out of bounds before entering the end zone.

For the life of me I didn't understand the playcalling. It's 16-7 & then 23-10 vs a horrible team yet ND chose to sling the ball all over the yard. Why not just impose your will by dominating the LOS and running the ball down their throat to salt the game away? Plus, it burns clock. Instead, ND opted for 3 & outs & 2 interceptions that continued to give UNC life.

Pretty sloppy offensive play these past two games. Luckily, both teams were tomato cans so talent won out.

 

[yankeehater]

I feels great to have not just one RB, but several who can take it to the house. It seems like it has been a long time. Guys not getting through holes or getting caught from behind seemed to be the norm at ND. Watching highlights of other teams runners being able to do it and wondering why ND could not find those players. What was the stat they showed, something like 7 runs of 60+ yards this year? Now that is awesome.