Sep 28 | Oklahoma

[Irish Insanity]

My concern is that, last year, the Oklahoma win was really about 3 plays: the Manti interception, the Cierre run up the middle and the Chris Brown bomb.

I'm not saying that these can't happen again, but given how we've played the last 3 games they seem much more unlikely.

Not possible. Two of those players are no longer on the team.

no hope.

Boomer 64

Irish 2

Step back from the kool-aid, buddy. Blake Bell is 6'6'' 252 lbs. You think our defense is gonna be able to take him down in his own endzone?

Possibly we could get a holding in the endzone call.

 

[HoosierSooner]

I'm probably not one you considered a "buddy" but I did post quite a bit on here last year with you guys. For the record, I did post in two different threads last year after the game as well, congratulating you on a great win.
This year, I really don't know what to expect. Clearly, ND is the far more tested team up to this point as we haven't played anyone of substance. I suppose if you put a gun to my head and made me bet 1000 dollars on this game, I'd go with the Irish. A couple of your posters have it right I believe. Our DB's are on the small side and I think ND will have some success running the ball. With that and responsible Quarterbacking, it should be enough to keep our offense off the field for much of the game. If we make a couple big mistakes (and we're likely to, given it's a big road game with some inexperienced players), that should be the game. Either way, I think it's going to be a nail-biter all the way. I can't wait, should be fun!

 

[phork]

Calling for the first triple digit score of the modern football age.

ND 109 OU 0

 

[dshans]

Calling for the first triple digit score of the modern football age.

ND 109 OU 0

You Canucks have a great sense of humor ...

 

[phork]

You Canucks have a great sense of humor ...

Its the exchange rate bro.

 

[NDinFL]

You Canucks have a great sense of humour ...

FIFY

 

[Irish#1]

A) Defining moments. They happen. AND of course anything can. The reason last years seem so incredulously impossible this year is because the are last years. Those weren't "shots at glory," they were best efforts that turned out much better than expected. There will be others this year. It is like shooting at the side of a barn. Three shots hit close, okay draw a circle around them. Will three shots hit there again? Probably not. But it doesn't mean three shots won't his close together somewhere else, like in "2013 OK."

B) I had to repeat this. I have a friend who is on ISD who is enamored with Sean Mele, over there who does a weekly breakdown of the games. My friend thinks Sean figured out the problem with the running game. I think my friend is right about Sean, and Sean is right about the running game.

Remember after the MSU game when Kelly said that the running game problems weren't just on the interior linemen? To really oversimplify on certain formations ND only ran certain directions until MSU. Cam's longest runs came off of running against the power, which was a break in tendency.

Also Tarean Folston's best run he bounced away from the safety he saw lurking to the left, which happened to be the power side, so the run ran away from that to the other side.

Also, our running has devolved through happenstance to run at a numeric advantage of the opponent. However you want to say it. The majority of the running plays Saturday against MSU were run against numeric superiority. Tendencies changed three times in the game for our best three runs.

And we are not getting hung up on the double teams anywhere near as much anymore, and are starting to get to the second level. If anything, too quickly. They will get balance. This is exciting!

If the coaches design a running game around play action and establishing numerical superiority, we will grow a running game out of nowhere and help our passing game!

Gotta believe the staff saw that we ran the ball with a little more success when we used the jet sweep motion and will incorporate it more in the game plan. At least I'm hoping they do.

On Cam's TD run, I don't know if TR checked to the run or if it was called in by the staff. The play reminded me of Peyton Manning. He will check out of a pass and run the ball on 3rd if the defense is playing pass defense. Regardless, those are the type of wrinkles that need to be used to keep a defense on their heels.

 

[Cackalacky]

Watching some of OUs highlights this year and last, Stoops loves to hit the seams. He used WRs and RBs to attack the seams numerous times for large plays. We handled it ok last year, but Bell hit them several times during the Tulsa game for large chunk plays.

I have not seen many teams hit us with seam plays this year so I don't know if they don't try or it is not there. Hopefully we will not be hurt by it whatever the reason.

 

[NDdomer2]

My big question marks going into the game.

1. Can the ND defense develop the bend but don't break style again. We showed a different approach from last year against Temple, scUM, and Purdue. Then you saw a lot of last years philosophy against MSU (with similar result in close win). Oklahoma is going to be able to move the ball. Can we close out 3rd downs and turn redzone attempts into 3 or less?

2. Special teams. Last week we defied the odds winning a game with a blocked punt. I don't remember the exact stat but I heard on some program that the winning % after a blocked punt is phenomenal. We then iced the game with our own punting. I think special teams can be the hidden factor in this game.

3. Blake Bell. College football world got to know him as the "Belldozer" but I don't expect to see much of that all this week. The offense is clearly better with him behind center, and with the Knight kid already having gotten hurt once this year I don't expect them to use Bell as a battering ram too often. What does Ok go to on short yardage plays and can we make the stops?

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Some pretty funny stuff from LandThieves.

Fightin Irish Look-A-Like Thread..

 

[FLDomer]

Some pretty funny stuff from LandThieves.

Fightin Irish Look-A-Like Thread..

I like Carlo's comparison to a thumb!! LMAO

 

[NDdomer2]

Some videos for everyone:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/k73ck5R58vQ?list=UUAMR05qSc5mfhVx20fDyAoQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qrKRrh6nQlA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/est71AzY69I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8OPb328G6_w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4DZFOy9wwbQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[dublinirish]

Some pretty funny stuff from LandThieves.

Fightin Irish Look-A-Like Thread..

gawdammit they bagging on our precious walk-on's!!

 

[NDdomer2]

Some pretty funny stuff from LandThieves.

Fightin Irish Look-A-Like Thread..

Who knew Springmann was the triple doppelganger!

 

[notredomer23]

Some pretty funny stuff from LandThieves.

Fightin Irish Look-A-Like Thread..

The Heuermann and sloth from the goonies comparison literally had me LOL in the library.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

If Louis sees this, he is going to be highly motivated . . .

And thanks for the BGI interviews IV!

 

[JughedJones]

Some pretty funny stuff from LandThieves.

Fightin Irish Look-A-Like Thread..

They seriously made a whole website named after the land run.

I have to assume they know what that means and the people it affected.


I love my Sooner fan brothers and sisters, they've shown a lot of class around here and all the stories I've heard say that they were great hosts to our fanbase in Norman last year.

But seriously guys? Landthieves . com? Keep it classy Oklahoma.

 

[Cackalacky]

They seriously made a whole website named after the land run.

I have to assume they know what that means and the people it affected.


I love my Sooner fan brothers and sisters, they've shown a lot of class around here and all the stories I've heard say that they were great hosts to our fanbase in Norman last year.

But seriously guys? Landthieves . com? Keep it classy Oklahoma.

Oklahoma...Stolen by the Irish. We win.

 

[dublinirish]

Oklahoma...Stolen by the Irish. We win.

dear god nooooooooooooo

 

[Emcee77]

They seriously made a whole website named after the land run.

I have to assume they know what that means and the people it affected.


I love my Sooner fan brothers and sisters, they've shown a lot of class around here and all the stories I've heard say that they were great hosts to our fanbase in Norman last year.

But seriously guys? Landthieves . com? Keep it classy Oklahoma.

I thought the same thing ... tasteless name. On the other hand, it's probably meant ironically, like "we know our team's nickname is almost as dumb as the 'Runnin Rebels.'"

 

[greyhammer90]

They seriously made a whole website named after the land run.

I have to assume they know what that means and the people it affected.


I love my Sooner fan brothers and sisters, they've shown a lot of class around here and all the stories I've heard say that they were great hosts to our fanbase in Norman last year.

But seriously guys? Landthieves . com? Keep it classy Oklahoma.

I mean if your going to find "land thieves" offensive you might as well say "Sooner" is offensive too. After all, a Sooner is just someone who participated in the land run early.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

OFD's pburns2010 just published a breakdown of our formational tendencies against MSU.

And Murtaugh just published his preview of the OU game:

1 Prediction

As I discussed with Larz in this past week's podcast I don't feel very good about Notre Dame's chances in this game. There hasn't been much to the Irish season so far that leads me to believe they are going to be able to beat a good team with the offensive weapons that Oklahoma possesses.

That said, there are a few ways for the Irish to win this game.

1.) Oklahoma's inexperienced defense really isn't that good

2.) The Sooner running backs have terrible production

3.) Bell's passing ability is skittish and leads to turnovers

The first and third ways seem like the best way for Notre Dame to win. It would be nice to make Oklahoma one-dimensional on offense but their passing game (with Bell's athletic ability sprinkled in) may still be enough to get the job done.

The Sooners are really inexperienced on defense and this might be something the Irish can exploit. If you don't count defensive linemen Chuka Ndulue who is not starting this season Oklahoma only has 3 returning starters from last year: Linebacker Corey Nelson, corner Aaron Colvin, and safety Gabe Lynn.

Now, the defense has looked better than last year through 3 games (20th nationally in total defense right now) but it's been a very small sample size against three below average teams.

Bell looked pretty impressive against Tulsa a couple weeks ago (27 for 37, 413 yards, 4 TD) but I wonder how he'll react in his first road start against a much more formidable opponent? If I had to bet I think Bell will likely play pretty well but for someone with so few pass attempts in a career there may be hope that he lays an egg this Saturday.

At any rate, if Notre Dame is going to win some combination of these three things is going to have to occur.

I want to believe that the Irish are tougher and will smack Oklahoma in the mouth which will lead to a win. I want to believe that Oklahoma's 3-3-5 defense won't match up well with Notre Dame's ability to go with two tight-end sets and play more physical even without Everett Golson. I want to believe this will be the game that the Irish turn the corner, put a shaky start to the season behind them, and defeat a ranked team on the big stage.

I just don't believe it.

Notre Dame is coming off a tough, physical battle with a rival while Oklahoma has been resting comfortably for 2 weeks with nothing to do but prepare for their South Bend invasion. Last year, the Irish had the mobile quarterback able to make plays with his feet and it was Oklahoma with the statue signal-caller. This year, the situations are reversed and that's not a good sign in the college game.

Last week I was confident in a Notre Dame win over Michigan State but I'll be very surprised if the Irish come out on top this weekend. The difference this year will be that Oklahoma's running game will be much more potent than it was last year and Notre Dame's is going to take a step back. I doubt we see such a huge discrepancy in rushing like last year's game but with Bell, a nice stable of backs, and a veteran offensive line I think OU wins the rushing battle by 50 yards or so and it makes a big difference.

Notre Dame 20

Oklahoma 30

Most insiders on both sides seem to be predicting a loss for their own team. Anything could happen.

Finally, HLS' Twibby just published an article analyzing our run/pass balance for 2013:

As you would expect from watching the Irish so far this year, the offense has been most pass heavy when in the red zone. This may represent the biggest departure from 2012 – last year, the Irish offense ran the ball on 64% of plays in the red zone compared to only 39% this year. Looking more closely at the numbers, both Rees and Everett Golson have struggled to find their receivers inside the red zone. Last year the ND offense only completed 35% of passes in the red zone, and this season the number has improved to a very slightly less miserable 40%. ‘

It remains a bit early in the season to look too deeply into these numbers, but there is certainly a noticeable trend towards the pass at this point. Do you think this trend benefits the offense? How much of this deviation from 2012 is due to Rees’s lack of running ability?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

F/+ is projecting that OU will win by either 1.9 (new method) or 4.2 (old method). It's still not very accurate this early in the season (both methods incorrectly predicted an MSU win last week), so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>“<a href="https://twitter.com/stevieyuran">@stevieyuran</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/TheIrishTP">@TheIrishTP</a> have you seen this yet? <a href="http://t.co/rgbP3orMm4">pic.twitter.com/rgbP3orMm4</a>” oh lawwwd</p>— The Turning Point (@TheIrishTP) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheIrishTP/statuses/383275813816532992">September 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Cackalacky]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>“<a href="https://twitter.com/stevieyuran">@stevieyuran</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/TheIrishTP">@TheIrishTP</a> have you seen this yet? <a href="http://t.co/rgbP3orMm4">pic.twitter.com/rgbP3orMm4</a>” oh lawwwd</p>— The Turning Point (@TheIrishTP) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheIrishTP/statuses/383275813816532992">September 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Maybe they should remember this. looks like Manti is choking out Jones:

 

[JughedJones]

I mean if your going to find "land thieves" offensive you might as well say "Sooner" is offensive too. After all, a Sooner is just someone who participated in the land run early.

Ohhh... I do. You gotta problem with that?

You know what the Land Run was right?

Are you one of those folks that doesn't think anything is offensive? We should just be OK with any ridiculous moniker we put on things?

Chief Wahoo is OK?

Maybe you were just asking, but if not? It's horseshite.

 

[Cackalacky]

Ohhh... I do. You gotta problem with that?

You know what the Land Run was right?

Are you one of those folks that doesn't think anything is offensive? We should just be OK with any ridiculous moniker we put on things?

Chief Wahoo is OK?

Maybe you were just asking, but if not? It's horseshite.

I would be careful. The white flight versus gentrification haters are gonna mob you.

 

[Emcee77]

Ohhh... I do. You gotta problem with that?

You know what the Land Run was right?

Are you one of those folks that doesn't think anything is offensive? We should just be OK with any ridiculous moniker we put on things?


Chief Wahoo is OK?

Maybe you were just asking, but if not? It's horseshite.

Hammer can speak for himself, but I don't think he meant it the way you took it. Since you didn't mention the term "Sooner" in your original post, it did seem like you didn't realize that "Land Thieves" is just a more, ahem, colorful name for "Sooners," and hammer was just pointing that out.

 

[BGIF]

I mean if your going to find "land thieves" offensive you might as well say "Sooner" is offensive too. After all, a Sooner is just someone who participated in the land run early.

I'm surprised in a PC country that the "S" word is still permitted. Think of the poor children who didn't want to break the law but dragged along by their transgressing parents and were burdened forever with the stigma of the "S" word.

Besides, aren't they really just undocumented landowners?

 

[ACamp1900]

I am offended by the term 'poor children'