Sep 21 | Michigan State

[Emcee77]

I think top 20 of sacks allowed means they have not allowed many sacks.

Oh, I'm sure you are right. In that case, great stat! Thanks.

 

[ulukinatme]

I think top 20 of sacks allowed means they have not allowed many sacks.

Yeah, 3 sacks in 3 games is pretty good when you consider we had 7 by this time last year with Golson in the pocket (for the most part).

 

[NDohio]

MSU 53 ND7

Thanks - my confidence level just rose.

 

[NDPhilly]

While our pass protection has been very good, I'd give Rees a lot of credit for only allowing 3 sacks. When he sees blitz he makes checks that Golson didn't.

 

[IrishLion]

While our pass protection has been very good, I'd give Rees a lot of credit for only allowing 3 sacks. When he sees blitz he makes checks that Golson didn't.

Do you mean checks in terms of getting into hot-read plays? Or checks in terms of protection?

How much does the OL rely on Tommy to set up pass pro? I have no clue if that's on one of the OL or if it's on the QB in BKs offense. I'm sure it's been discussed on IE plenty of times and I simply missed it.

 

[Irish Insanity]

We know there are questions at RB, but we know what we have in WRs and Reesus. They will be the key to this game for us. Our O Line has played great to this point. DD will show just how great he is in this game. Going up against a top level D with great corners. He's a beast, and the key to our W along with Reesus and TJ Jones.

 

[Emcee77]

Do you mean checks in terms of getting into hot-read plays? Or checks in terms of protection?

How much does the OL rely on Tommy to set up pass pro? I have no clue if that's on one of the OL or if it's on the QB in BKs offense. I'm sure it's been discussed on IE plenty of times and I simply missed it.

I don't really know either, but Herbstreit pointed out at least one play last week where Tommy changed the line call in addition to the play call so he'd have a clear throwing lane. So I don't know if the line relies on Tommy, but it's not like he's not involved.

 

[PANDFAN]

Do you mean checks in terms of getting into hot-read plays? Or checks in terms of protection?

How much does the OL rely on Tommy to set up pass pro? I have no clue if that's on one of the OL or if it's on the QB in BKs offense. I'm sure it's been discussed on IE plenty of times and I simply missed it.

When Tommy is calling the check at line.. the ol is altered to what protection they then get their line responsibilities from this. They follow suit.. the issue before was when he wasn't calling the checks at line. ..the oline was responsible for the oline protection based on personnel and formation. .blitz pick up. . Not havinga night so several drinks inso my explanationMay not be as clear as what trying to say

 

[Irish Fam]

Told my homie, an MSU grad, 30-17.

I don't like our defense, but I think MSU's offense is that bad.

Our offense will move the ball. They haven't seen athletes like we have. They don't have enough to guard both Davaris and TJ.

Our defense will look ugly for a couple of drives, but will do enough to secure the win.

 

[BurningRiver]

I'm actually strangely confident about this game

 

[NDdomer2]

I'm actually strangely confident about this game

that's usually when i get humbled with a loss

 

[Irishbounty28]

Hard to believe their entire defense is chalk full of 2 and 3 star talent, and they consistently are stout. I know stars are not always what matters, but it says something that they haven't really fell off. It is hard enough not to miss on a kid that is highly rated out of high school, let alone picking multiple diamonds in the rough. Pat Narduzzi needs to be given a tremendous amount of credit for what he has done with that defense.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Using the Rivals depth chart:

DE: Marcus Rush - s: #36 DE)
NT: Micajah Reynolds - .8229 #68 OG
DT: Tyler Hoover - s: #19 SDE)
DE: Shilique Calhoun - .8389 #67 SDE

LB: Taiwan Jones - .8665 #36 OLB
LB: Denicos Allen - .8303 #55 ILB
LB: Max Bullough - .8968 #9 ILB

CB: Darqueze Denard - .8306 #88 CB
CB: Trae Waynes - .8227 #84 CB
S: Isaiah Lewis - s: #19 S)
S: Kurtis Drummond - s: NR S)

A ton of these dudes are from '09 and '10, that explains a lot. They're grown men and many were from before 247 started (so I had to use parenthesis for the rankings that I had to get from Rivals instead). Outside of Bullough and Lewis though, none of these guys were studs coming out of high school. Dantonio and Co do a hell of a job.

 

[yankeeND]

I feel like I have been a bad IE member and fan in general as I have not been on here complaining of what has been a head scratcher to the start of this season. I am working weekends this year and I have not been able to catch some of the games live. Game 1 vs Temple was great out the gate but left much to be desired. Game 2... and game 3 vs Purdue actually made me question my fan hood for the first time. I am normally very optimistic but I must admit this whole last year, off-season included has been tough to stomach. That being said there is a lot to be excited about with all of the young talent on the team. The one thing that would make me feel better would be to see Greg Bryant get 10-15 carries a game. I really think he is the answer to our RB woes and I think he could be the spark that the team is looking for. Anyway, 2-1 isn't so bad and the team has much more to offer than what we have seen so far. Sorry for my rant and I hope everyone is enjoying the season so far! Here's to hoping for celebration Saturday instead of a meltdown.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I feel like I have been a bad IE member and fan in general as I have not been on here complaining of what has been a head scratcher to the start of this season. I am working weekends this year and I have not been able to catch some of the games live. Game 1 vs Temple was great out the gate but left much to be desired. Game 2... and game 3 vs Purdue actually made me question my fan hood for the first time. I am normally very optimistic but I must admit this whole last year, off-season included has been tough to stomach. That being said there is a lot to be excited about with all of the young talent on the team. The one thing that would make me feel better would be to see Greg Bryant get 10-15 carries a game. I really think he is the answer to our RB woes and I think he could be the spark that the team is looking for. Anyway, 2-1 isn't so bad and the team has much more to offer than what we have seen so far. Sorry for my rant and I hope everyone is enjoying the season so far! Here's to hoping for celebration Saturday instead of a meltdown.

(not directed at you, but I want to say something on this point)

This goes in two ways in my opinion, how fervid a fan one is, and devotion to a particular team.

The former is totally fine to question. I did. I've toned it wayyyyy down since the '11 Michigan game. I don't think grown men should ever get too upset when 21-year old strangers don't play against other 21-year old strangers as well as they'd like. It should ruin your day exactly never.

Then there's the latter, is Notre Dame your team? Well to hell with you if you change your mind here.

Back to the former: honestly there aren't many things more childish and unmasculine (a word?) than some of the rants on the gameday threads. A bunch of drunk children with too little going on in their lives. It's the creation of this stupid social game of becoming the biggest fan, which gives us this ****:

Woooo!! How much do you love your team?!?!?! WOOOOOOO!!!!

But when it's not going our way, this:

Calm. The. ****. Down. People. When you win, act like you've been there before, but do the same when you lose.

I'm not at all saying one cannot voice concerns, criticize, or get passionate. I do all of those things in spades. But it should never negatively impact you. And again I'm not calling you out (I think I even agree with your concerns) I'm calling the rest out, and you haven't been around this board due to work apparently, so let me fill you in: since the start of the Purdue game, you'd think they suddenly renamed the university The Heinrich Himmler College of National Socialism. That's been that sorta mood around here this week, weird anger at every corner, people contradicting themselves in confusion, fans united in criticism but unknowingly aimed in opposite directions (e.g. "the defense needs to be simpler, too much confusion!" "diaco needs to mix it up! get aggressive and throw something at 'em we haven't seen! it's too predictable!". It's been uneasy to say the least.

IT'S A GAME PEOPLE. LIGHTEN UP! Notre Dame could very will be 2-5 four weeks from now, so can we collectively check our manhood now and make sure it's there?

 

[Irishbounty28]

Using the Rivals depth chart:

DE: Marcus Rush - s: #36 DE)
NT: Micajah Reynolds - .8229 #68 OG
DT: Tyler Hoover - s: #19 SDE)
DE: Shilique Calhoun - .8389 #67 SDE

LB: Taiwan Jones - .8665 #36 OLB
LB: Denicos Allen - .8303 #55 ILB
LB: Max Bullough - .8968 #9 ILB

CB: Darqueze Denard - .8306 #88 CB
CB: Trae Waynes - .8227 #84 CB
S: Isaiah Lewis - s: #19 S)
S: Kurtis Drummond - s: NR S)

A ton of these dudes are from '09 and '10, that explains a lot. They're grown men and many were from before 247 started (so I had to use parenthesis for the rankings that I had to get from Rivals instead). Outside of Bullough and Lewis though, none of these guys were studs coming out of high school. Dantonio and Co do a hell of a job.

Trae Waynes was a 2 Star on rivals.

Trae Waynes - Yahoo! Sports

Darqueze Dennard was also a 2 star coming out.

Darqueze Dennard - Yahoo! Sports

Either way they obviously do a great job of evaluating over there, and deserve a ton of credit.

Edit: I see you were referring to the composite on 247, caught that afterwards. Doesn't change anything stated by both though.

 

[dublinirish]

Using the Rivals depth chart:

DE: Marcus Rush - s: #36 DE) Ohio
NT: Micajah Reynolds - .8229 #68 OG Michigan
DT: Tyler Hoover - s: #19 SDE) Michigan
DE: Shilique Calhoun - .8389 #67 SDE New Jersey

LB: Taiwan Jones - .8665 #36 OLB Michigan
LB: Denicos Allen - .8303 #55 ILB Ohio
LB: Max Bullough - .8968 #9 ILB Michigan

CB: Darqueze Denard - .8306 #88 CB Georgia
CB: Trae Waynes - .8227 #84 CB Wisconsin
S: Isaiah Lewis - s: #19 S) Indiana
S: Kurtis Drummond - s: NR S) Ohio

A ton of these dudes are from '09 and '10, that explains a lot. They're grown men and many were from before 247 started (so I had to use parenthesis for the rankings that I had to get from Rivals instead). Outside of Bullough and Lewis though, none of these guys were studs coming out of high school. Dantonio and Co do a hell of a job.

great post, just thought i would highlight the home states of the MSU starting D, alot of Big Ten country guys on there and they always do well recruiting in OH (Greg Jones et al) and the Midwest in general. Its rare for them to have many SEC country guys

 

[BGIF]

I don't really know either, but Herbstreit pointed out at least one play last week where Tommy changed the line call in addition to the play call so he'd have a clear throwing lane. So I don't know if the line relies on Tommy, but it's not like he's not involved.

Keep in mind Braxston Cave, a 3rd team AA, was a 3 year starter at Center.

Nick Martin has started 3 games at Center.


As a Freshman Nick DNP. as a Soph he was played primarily ST and backup OT and G.


A 4th year QB is going to be more adept at identifying defensive alignments than a 3rd game Center.

 

[dublinirish]

as far as i know NM makes no line calls.

 

[rikkitikki08]

I am calling it, this is ND's best offensive game thus far this season

 

[rtrn2glory]

Drummond is a STUD for them in the secondary...dude will be playing on Sunday's imo

Saw Waynes at a one day camp in BG...kid can flat out fly was timed in the high 4.3 range by the BG coaching staff i believe and then went to MSU's camp the next day and did it again and earned an offer.

 

[BGIF]

I am calling it, this is ND's best offensive game thus far this season

So does that mean 25 Offensive points?

189 Rushing Yds?

544 Total Yds?

A pass thrown to Koyack or Welch?

Or what?

 

[Ndaccountant]

(not directed at you, but I want to say something on this point)

This goes in two ways in my opinion, how fervid a fan one is, and devotion to a particular team.

The former is totally fine to question. I did. I've toned it wayyyyy down since the '11 Michigan game. I don't think grown men should ever get too upset when 21-year old strangers don't play against other 21-year old strangers as well as they'd like. It should ruin your day exactly never.

Then there's the latter, is Notre Dame your team? Well to hell with you if you change your mind here.

Back to the former: honestly there aren't many things more childish and unmasculine (a word?) than some of the rants on the gameday threads. A bunch of drunk children with too little going on in their lives. It's the creation of this stupid social game of becoming the biggest fan, which gives us this ****:

Woooo!! How much do you love your team?!?!?! WOOOOOOO!!!!

But when it's not going our way, this:

Calm. The. ****. Down. People. When you win, act like you've been there before, but do the same when you lose.

I'm not at all saying one cannot voice concerns, criticize, or get passionate. I do all of those things in spades. But it should never negatively impact you. And again I'm not calling you out (I think I even agree with your concerns) I'm calling the rest out, and you haven't been around this board due to work apparently, so let me fill you in: since the start of the Purdue game, you'd think they suddenly renamed the university The Heinrich Himmler College of National Socialism. That's been that sorta mood around here this week, weird anger at every corner, people contradicting themselves in confusion, fans united in criticism but unknowingly aimed in opposite directions (e.g. "the defense needs to be simpler, too much confusion!" "diaco needs to mix it up! get aggressive and throw something at 'em we haven't seen! it's too predictable!". It's been uneasy to say the least.

IT'S A GAME PEOPLE. LIGHTEN UP! Notre Dame could very will be 2-5 four weeks from now, so can we collectively check manhood now and make sure it's there?

Fandom in general is a curious thing. We affiliate ourselves with a team that nearly all of us do not impact. I will not argue against drunkards taking things too far on the emotional meter, but I will push back against the it shouldn't ruin your day comment.

Like most people here, I didn't choose to root for ND when I was a mere infant, I was put into ND clothes. I witnessed my first ND game (well, first quarter) in my dad's arms before falling asleep ( I don't remember the game, I was less than 4 years old). But as far back as my memory goes, I have always watched the game with my family (before moving away from home) or talked to my family after the game. When you hear disappointment in your loved ones voice, whether rational or not, it certainly impacts you and your day. Yes, we all need to move on after losses, but when games/teams are a family affair that cross multiple generations, it's very easy to act irrationally.

 

[irishtrinity]

I just want to see Troy get some touches, and for the love of Gold get some 3 and outs on defense. Go Irish.

 

[Black Irish]

Fandom in general is a curious thing. We affiliate ourselves with a team that nearly all of us do not impact. I will not argue against drunkards taking things too far on the emotional meter, but I will push back against the it shouldn't ruin your day comment.

Like most people here, I didn't choose to root for ND when I was a mere infant, I was put into ND clothes. I witnessed my first ND game (well, first quarter) in my dad's arms before falling asleep ( I don't remember the game, I was less than 4 years old). But as far back as my memory goes, I have always watched the game with my family (before moving away from home) or talked to my family after the game. When you hear disappointment in your loved ones voice, whether rational or not, it certainly impacts you and your day. Yes, we all need to move on after losses, but when games/teams are a family affair that cross multiple generations, it's very easy to act irrationally.

+1. Reps.

 

[NDWorld247]

I just want to see Troy get some touches, and for the love of Gold get some 3 and outs on defense. Go Irish.

He'll be part of the game plan, but he needs to take advantage of his targets. His drop on the first drive vs. Purdue was unacceptable. A real drive killer after Purdue had scored a TD on their opening drive. He had three more targets the rest of the game including another drop (IIRC) and one reception for 9 yards.

I think we'll see Troy stay in to pick up MSU's blitz a lot more than usual, but also find some man-coverage opportunities for him down the seam. If he can consistently beat his man, MSU may think twice about bringing heavy pressure and leaving him 1v1 in the middle of the field.

 

[Emcee77]

He'll be part of the game plan, but he needs to take advantage of his targets. His drop on the first drive vs. Purdue was unacceptable. A real drive killer after Purdue had scored a TD on their opening drive. He had three more targets the rest of the game including another drop (IIRC) and one reception for 9 yards.

I think we'll see Troy stay in to pick up MSU's blitz a lot more than usual, but also find some man-coverage opportunities for him down the seam. If he can consistently beat his man, MSU may think twice about bringing heavy pressure and leaving him 1v1 in the middle of the field.

Yep, I was really disappointed with his drops against Purdue. His blocking has made a huge difference in pass protection, no question, but he's gotta make catches when the ball hits him in the hands.

 

[Ironman8]

Phil Steele predicts a 23-17 Notre Dame win:

Picks for Arizona State-Stanford, other big Week 4 games - College Football - ESPN

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

If anyone wants to stop by the tailgate Saturday and have a few brews and some food, send me a PM and I'll shoot you a text. Go Irish!

 

[Woneone]

Wife and I are heading up for the game. I heard there was a men's BBall scrimage at noon. Is it open to the public? Free? Sorry, never been to a bball game, and wanted to attend if possible.