Postgame Thoughts - North Carolina

[Old Man Mike]

A). GREAT GAME!
B). Liked almost everything about our game.
C). Book is good. This team can win (in different ways) with either Wimbush or Book.
D). Defense is crazy entertaining. We aren't as stud-loaded as 2012, but far more enjoyable to watch. This is the first time in decades that when the defense goes on the field I wonder if we'll score.
E). OLine is really good. No one blocks everybody every play, so gripers should can that view. These guys are GOOD, even our loyal senior back-up Hunter Bivin. Bless you, Big Man, for hanging in there with us.
F). I think that our DBacks are very good. These positions have everything stacked against them rule-wise. Unless your name is/was Revis, you're going to get beat occasionally. NONE of our guys gets beat REGULARLY.
G). Drue Tranquill should be in the running for D-Player-of-the-Year.

OK, a few downers:
H). Our receiving corps is pretty mediocre, maybe even a touch below mediocre. I can't figure out the lack of "excitement" and muscle-effort in almost all these guys. Other than a TE play by Smythe (or even Weisharr) once in a while (for muscle and throwing one's body in there) and perhaps some routes by Claypool, I'm missing seeing anything that looks like an effort-strong and electric-run route. We NEVER have that problem at ND. What's going on? Where's the max-effort at the climax point of the ball arrival? (Not popular apparently, but I'd like to see Finke get some slot reps to inject some Zip-Zap into the patterns.
I). Hate it that we cannot keep our RBs feet/ankles healthy.

Our schedule back-end is outrageously loaded. If we make it through that with only one more loss, it's a miracle season --- and requires Wimbush to get the passing side of his O together fast. I have great respect for NCState by the way. That's going to be way tougher than it looked several weeks ago.

 

[notredomer23]

Missed the game because of a wedding. Is it worth watching back?

 

[wizards8507]

Missed the game because of a wedding. Is it worth watching back?

Not really.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Missed the game because of a wedding. Is it worth watching back?

Every Notre Dame game is worth watching...


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[phillyirish]

Anybody else concerned with the passing game this year? Both Wimbush and Book are barley at 50% completion rate. That's the one weakness on this very good ND squad. It's gonna be rough with our remainder schedule: 5 ranked games USC, NC ST, Miami, Navy, and Stanford plus a surprisingly competent Wake Forest that is 4-2 with their 2 losses coming hard fought against Clemson and FSU.

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

Never insulted the players. In fact I specifically said this team is always showing to get better which equals passion. They are a nasty team and I love that. I said the coaching staff acted like it was just a scrimmage. In fact what you said is really how I meant it, you just said it better in ways. In reality we are in agreement.

Forgive me. I didn't mean you insulted them. I meant that characterizing the game diminishes the effort put out by the players. Coaches definitely would not considered it a scrimmage...just poor play calling. Nasty? Brings back some bad Weis memories.

 

[Luckylucci]

Every Notre Dame game is worth watching...


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I concur

 

[Luckylucci]

Anybody else concerned with the passing game this year? Both Wimbush and Book are barley at 50% completion rate. That's the one weakness on this very good ND squad. It's gonna be rough with our remainder schedule: 5 ranked games USC, NC ST, Miami, Navy, and Stanford plus a surprisingly competent Wake Forest that is 4-2 with their 2 losses coming hard fought against Clemson and FSU.

What? Wake Forest is certainly more competent than they have been but hard fought Clemson game. They got absolutely owned for 51 minutes and scored in garbage time, lol.

 

[irishandy]

When ND called the timeout after Bivin’s false, start the Notre Dame “fans” sitting behind me went on their BK rant. As the offense gathered around Coach Long, BK stood back and let him do his thing. And that’s when it started, “Look at him, he is completely disinterested”, “I can’t believe he is not at least listening in on this conversation”, “I bet he is jealous cause Long is a better playcaller than him”, and on and on and on they went...

I would've turned around and told them to STFU and asked if they were true Notre Dame fans.

 

[notredomer23]

Every Notre Dame game is worth watching...


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Live, I agree. Considering I already know what happened and saw the highlights, not nearly as important in a game against a below average team. If I can find one of those condensed replays, that literally just shows every play, nothing in between, that is what I will be doing.

 

[calvegas04]

Missed the game because of a wedding. Is it worth watching back?

only if your a ND fan

 

[Dizzyphil]

Anybody else concerned with the passing game this year? Both Wimbush and Book are barley at 50% completion rate. That's the one weakness on this very good ND squad. It's gonna be rough with our remainder schedule: 5 ranked games USC, NC ST, Miami, Navy, and Stanford plus a surprisingly competent Wake Forest that is 4-2 with their 2 losses coming hard fought against Clemson and FSU.

The PASSING game or the RECEIVING game?

 

[snoopdog]

The PASSING game or the RECEIVING game?

I am concerned that ESB seems to be going through the motions too much of the time.
I am not the coach, but if it was me I would be playing Claypool as my number one guy and have ESB rotate with Stepherson until he starts being reliable or loses out.

 

[Dizzyphil]

I am concerned that ESB seems to be going through the motions too much of the time.
I am not the coach, but if it was me I would be playing Claypool as my number one guy and have ESB rotate with Stepherson until he starts being reliable or loses out.

.

Your point is well taken.

If I could choose one word that describes the 'lacking' in the receiving core is the fight. I don't see any of them fighting for the ball. It is almost as if the ball is not in the 'bread-basket' it's not a catch.

 

[BeatSC]

We are poised to have a good game with our receiving corp. Why? Because these drops can't go on forever. Some of the other players getting on the mix. We have probably doubled last years tight end receptions. I still think we have held a lot of th playbook back for the next 6 games.

 

[Dizzyphil]

We are poised to have a good game with our receiving corp. Why? Because these drops can't go on forever. Some of the other players getting on the mix. We have probably doubled last years tight end receptions. I still think we have held a lot of th playbook back for the next 6 games.

Irish are 6 games in....

No excuses for drops this far into the season - especially at this level and this consistency... which is regularly right now

 

[SonofOahu]

We are poised to have a good game with our receiving corp. Why? Because these drops can't go on forever. Some of the other players getting on the mix. We have probably doubled last years tight end receptions. I still think we have held a lot of th playbook back for the next 6 games.

That's the gambler's fallacy, my friend!

I think the UNC game showed how "young" our WRs are. Young in both body and mind. They can't/don't fight through the DBs to make the catches, and the route running is still imprecise. What's a real positive, though, is the fact that our receivers (as a whole) are big, physically.

I think they'll get better, with more experience, but even Will Fuller never really developed into a great pass catcher.

 

[Dizzyphil]

That's the gambler's fallacy, my friend!

I think the UNC game showed how "young" our WRs are. Young in both body and mind. They can't/don't fight through the DBs to make the catches, and the route running is still imprecise. What's a real positive, though, is the fact that our receivers (as a whole) are big, physically.

I think they'll get better, with more experience, but even Will Fuller never really developed into a great pass catcher.

Graded and recruited to play for the Irish as well as many other P5 schools?.. No Sir, not a good excuse. Need to put your hands on the ball more often. I'm not putting all of the misses on them; QBs have some responsibilities as well but fight for the f'n ball. Make something happen.

 

[Irishize]

Hello negative Nancy.

I think it's pretty clear the coaching staff wanted to see what they have in Ian Book as a passer. Also the staff clearly wanted to continue to develop a subpar passing attack. The game was really never in doubt. Getting passing reps in live game is better than in practice. You really can't simulate game speed in practice.

Negative? Forgive me for not annointing them a Top 10 team. Theyre playing great but even Bryan Driskell of BGI admitted theyve been sloppy on offense these past two games. Doesnt mean fans are being negative by asking fair questions.

Yes, they need live game reps to build on the passing game. Did you notice how they put the game out of reach vs Miami (OH) and then kept working on the passing game? That's why I was asking about getting pass happy in inclimate weather with a RS FR QB making his first start when the game was clearly still in doubt. OU didn't think the ISU game was ever in doubt...until it was

If you thought that game was never in doubt, then you haven't been following the Kelly tenure very closely. To be fair, so far this season, he has gone a long way in exorcising the demons of 2016 w/ excellent coordinator hires & a hands on approach with the program. It's resulted in a 5-1 record w/ dominating wins. That has truly been impressive considering how long he has coached.

 

[NDinBoston]

Negative? Forgive me for not annointing them a Top 10 team. Theyre playing great but even Bryan Driskell of BGI admitted theyve been sloppy on offense these past two games. Doesnt mean fans are being negative by asking fair questions.

Yes, they need live game reps to build on the passing game. Did you notice how they put the game out of reach vs Miami (OH) and then kept working on the passing game? That's why I was asking about getting pass happy in inclimate weather with a RS FR QB making his first start when the game was clearly still in doubt. OU didn't think the ISU game was ever in doubt...until it was

If you thought that game was never in doubt, then you haven't been following the Kelly tenure very closely. To be fair, so far this season, he has gone a long way in exorcising the demons of 2016 w/ excellent coordinator hires & a hands on approach with the program. It's resulted in a 5-1 record w/ dominating wins. That has truly been impressive considering how long he has coached.

On the bolded, I did and I have. I get your points though. I think Kelly's egregious crime is loyalty to underperforming coaches.

ND clearly had no respect for UNC. Just took longer than prior games to put them away with the 2nd string QB and banged up RBs. I think that CONFIDENCE pervades the staff and players and is a huge difference from prior years.

This year is clearly different than the past so far. They have never put away inferior teams like this year.

The difference I think is mainly on D. Defense wins in CFB. Just look at the D ranks vs O ranks of Top 10 teams year in and year out.

Lastly, all teams have opportunities. Fans just focus in on their favorite team's opportunities and don't think enough about the opponents' opportunities. Few teams are complete in CFB. Who is complete besides Alabama and Clemson?

 

[Irish YJ]

On the bolded, I did and I have. I get your points though. I think Kelly's egregious crime is loyalty to underperforming coaches.

ND clearly had no respect for UNC. Just took longer than prior games to put them away with the 2nd string QB and banged up RBs. I think that CONFIDENCE pervades the staff and players and is a huge difference from prior years.

This year is clearly different than the past so far. They have never put away inferior teams like this year.

The difference I think is mainly on D. Defense wins in CFB. Just look at the D ranks vs O ranks of Top 10 teams year in and year out.

Lastly, all teams have opportunities. Fans just focus in on their favorite team's opportunities and don't think enough about the opponents' opportunities. Few teams are complete in CFB. Who is complete besides Alabama and Clemson?

I'd add in strength and conditioning as a big factor.
Attitude (in general) has been different from day one as well. Kids having fun.
I'll also give BK some props for game readiness. Has definitely improved.

 

[Irish#1]

IMO this was nothing more than a scrimmage to our coaching staff.

Uhmmm, NO!


Apologies if any of this has been posted, but don't want to wade through all the posts. Listened to the game on the radio, then watched a rerun Sunday.

1. Team took another step forward.
2. If you don't think this was a impressive win, I don't know what to tell you. UNC is a little down this year, but teams get jacked when the Irish come to town and raise their play. UNC still has some athletes.
3. In watching the rerun, Book reminds me "a little" of Montana.
4. Winning with your backup on the road in that fashion is impressive. It tells me we have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.
5. Plenty of things to work on, but once again we saw growth from the week before which is what coaches look for.

 

[RDU Irish]

ND had 3 false start penalties - one each on Smythe, Claypool, and Bivin

At least one of those was on Book - don't snap the ball until your receivers are set. Somewhat to be expected in a first start situation. Total nit picking though - offense is far from hitting on all cylinders but we don't need them to since the real story of this team is DEFENSE!

Fun game to see in person, it really was never in doubt. Our defense was not going to give much up to UNC. Sat on the 25 yard line behind the ND bench for a great view of the bench action. Defense getting coached up right in front of us, tons of ND fans that responded well when the D would appeal to the crowd from the bench. Julian was not going to let anyone take that pick ball away from him, awesome play right in front of us and you could see they were having a blast out there.

D-boys go to work, they have swagger from top to bottom and you can tell it comes from preparation. FIRST FIVE DRIVES OF THE GAME WERE 3 and OUT for UNC for 15 total yards of offense! Four more 3 & OUT to start the second half. Safety to finish the half and INT opening series of the second half - I mean the defense set the tone that this was never in doubt.

Passing game - yikes. Mack - yips continue. ESB who? I place as much blame on receivers as I do on QBs at this point. QBs aren't helping WRs much but WR catch radiuses appear to be about that of a pie dish. Claypool is coming into his own - can see the game slowing down for him and getting more aggressive going for the ball. Trust issues cut both ways here, IMO.

Sitting Adams is the smart play, HOWEVER - would have been nice to get 200 yards out of him to pump up his national hype. We beat USC and Adams is primed to be the poster boy so, like I said, smart play.

Looking forward to seeing the defense healthy with two weeks of prep for USC - at this point more confident in beating USC than I am NCST. Win both of those and I like our prospects to run the table - WF before Miami especially. Our defense can carry this team through the rest of the schedule.

 

[dublinirish]

At least one of those was on Book - don't snap the ball until your receivers are set. Somewhat to be expected in a first start situation. Total nit picking though - offense is far from hitting on all cylinders but we don't need them to since the real story of this team is DEFENSE!

Fun game to see in person, it really was never in doubt. Our defense was not going to give much up to UNC. Sat on the 25 yard line behind the ND bench for a great view of the bench action. Defense getting coached up right in front of us, tons of ND fans that responded well when the D would appeal to the crowd from the bench. Julian was not going to let anyone take that pick ball away from him, awesome play right in front of us and you could see they were having a blast out there.

D-boys go to work, they have swagger from top to bottom and you can tell it comes from preparation. FIRST FIVE DRIVES OF THE GAME WERE 3 and OUT for UNC for 15 total yards of offense! Four more 3 & OUT to start the second half. Safety to finish the half and INT opening series of the second half - I mean the defense set the tone that this was never in doubt.

Passing game - yikes. Mack - yips continue. ESB who? I place as much blame on receivers as I do on QBs at this point. QBs aren't helping WRs much but WR catch radiuses appear to be about that of a pie dish. Claypool is coming into his own - can see the game slowing down for him and getting more aggressive going for the ball. Trust issues cut both ways here, IMO.

Sitting Adams is the smart play, HOWEVER - would have been nice to get 200 yards out of him to pump up his national hype. We beat USC and Adams is primed to be the poster boy so, like I said, smart play.

Looking forward to seeing the defense healthy with two weeks of prep for USC - at this point more confident in beating USC than I am NCST. Win both of those and I like our prospects to run the table - WF before Miami especially. Our defense can carry this team through the rest of the schedule.

did you make any profit on the game then? if you gathered up empty beer cans from the parking lot and drove to Michigan to recycle them..

 

[RDU Irish]

did you make any profit on the game then? if you gathered up empty beer cans from the parking lot and drove to Michigan to recycle them..

I coordinated and paid for a tailgater for about 30 friends. Guess you didn't get the invite for some reason. But Troll On.

For the record - UNC tailgating is a joke. We were in an open air lot very close to the stadium that parks maybe 50 cars. Three tailgates - two of which were ND and maybe a dozen cars parked there right before kickoff - half of which showed up after 3pm. 70% of the passes were just thrown away? Prime tailgate area and no effort at all? People here think tailgating is showing up at 2:30 for a 3:30 game or something. Understandable since you have to be a donor to even have access to decent parking - unwashed masses get relegated to parking structures (well a number of the donor lots are parking garages but right next to the stadium. They don't even try #sad.

 

[NDohio]

I coordinated and paid for a tailgater for about 30 friends. Guess you didn't get the invite for some reason. But Troll On.

For the record - UNC tailgating is a joke. We were in an open air lot very close to the stadium that parks maybe 50 cars. Three tailgates - two of which were ND and maybe a dozen cars parked there right before kickoff - half of which showed up after 3pm. 70% of the passes were just thrown away? Prime tailgate area and no effort at all? People here think tailgating is showing up at 2:30 for a 3:30 game or something. Understandable since you have to be a donor to even have access to decent parking - unwashed masses get relegated to parking structures (well a number of the donor lots are parking garages but right next to the stadium. They don't even try #sad.

The tailgating was really bad, but that campus is not set up in a way that tailgating can easily be done.

*EDIT: And where was my invite?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

In the 15 years since I've been following ND football, this season has easily been the most fun to date. I hope you all are enjoying this for what it is.

 

[greyhammer90]

In the 15 years since I've been following ND football, this season has easily been the most fun to date. I hope you all are enjoying this for what it is.

2012 was more "fun" for me, but obviously much more stressful. That felt like a dream season between all the tight games, awards, individual star players, Te'o Heisman hype, etc.

This has been a much more quiet ride but very enjoyable because I've not really questioned a game in the 4th quarter (other than UGA obviously). That's a heck of an accomplishment for being halfway through the season.

 

[koonja]

In the 15 years since I've been following ND football, this season has easily been the most fun to date. I hope you all are enjoying this for what it is.

How weird is it to actually get excited to watch the defense take the field every series?

 

[greyhammer90]

How weird is it to actually get excited to watch the defense take the field every series?

It's so nice to have that same feeling from 2012. "We have to punt... We have them right where we want them."

If our corners could get a little better in man coverage and if Wimbush could get a touch more accurate I'd feel much better about the second half coming up, but as it stands I can't really complain.