Sept 13 | Texas A&M

[Dale]

Currently seniors we will lose: JD Price, Malachi Fields, Eli Raridon, Gabriel Rubio, Jared Dawson, Jason Onye, Junior T, Botehlo, Stroman, Pauling, DeVonta Smith.

Underclassman likely gone: Jeremiyah Love, Jalen Sneed, Billy Schrauth?

I'm not sure next year is the year. This team has more talent and upperclassmen.

You listed less than 15 guys and 5 are one and done transfers lol. There will be transfers again next year. Impossible to project at this point.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Right or wrong, the narrative on a 10-2 ND on a 10 game winning streak would be "they came out of the gate slow with a new QB and DC, but they're ready to bear and have deep playoff experience." It'd take a large number of undefeated and/or 1 loss teams to keep that out of the playoffs.

IF they start out 0-2, I don’t believe this team runs the table. One year is not a trend & the loss of Watts, Mills, Cross, Kiser & even Leonard showed up often Sunday night.

 

[IrishWayDomer]

You listed less than 15 guys and 5 are one and done transfers lol. There will be transfers again next year. Impossible to project at this point.

Losing 5 DL, 4 of which were/are starters, is not going to be fun in 2026.

Bothelo, Rubio, Onye, Junior T.

Dawson will he starter by years end too, if not A&M.

 

[Dale]

Losing 5 DL, 4 of which were/are starters, is not going to be fun in 2026.

Bothelo, Rubio, Onye, Junior T.

Dawson will he starter by years end too, if not A&M.

The mental gymnastics to list Junior Tulihalamaka as a starter lol.

 

[MacIrish75]

Man the next week is going to be long as hell.

 

[Dale]

Man the next week is going to be long as hell.

What you don’t enjoy being pre-mad about being bad next year?

 

[MacIrish75]

What you don’t enjoy being pre-mad about being bad next year?

I went to work today and we were pissed about Sunday and I get home and now we’re already pissed about 2026.

 

[calvegas04]

Can we get a portal thread for all the holes we need to fill for 26?

 

[CousinEddy]

Can we get a portal thread for all the holes we need to fill for 26?

Need a whole separate one for 2008 and his DT opinions

 

[PutuporShutup]

It is possible more than just Notre Dame could have gotten improved in the off-season.

You’re also comparing January 2024 ND to August 2025 ND. Check back in January where this team is.

ND improved on the lines?

The problem is we don’t have 2 easy games to get right. We need major improvements for next week or there may not be a team playing to check back in on during January.

I think ND coaches mistakenly went pot committed on Knapp and don’t have a viable solution until jagusah comes back. Wagner was serviceable most of the night until last series, so he’ll stay starting.

A quick fix for the dline is Hinish just not playing other than obvious passing downs and young playing significantly more.

I bet you hardly see any differences in lineups other than Hinish probably not playing as much, and maybe kva playing some more (honestly he should be playing more over Bowen). Bowen struggled last year with missed tackles and that’s continued. I thought he shed some bad weight and would be better, didn’t look it vs Miami, but kva looked good.

The big change needs to be opening the playbook and if we need to score 30+ against a good D, we can with our WRs, RBs, and qb. I really believe with an opened playbook vs we win vs Miami like 34-30

 

[mrmcgrail]

ND improved on the lines?

The problem is we don’t have 2 easy games to get right. We need major improvements for next week or there may not be a team playing to check back in on during January.

I think ND coaches mistakenly went pot committed on Knapp and don’t have a viable solution until jagusah comes back. Wagner was serviceable most of the night until last series, so he’ll stay starting.

A quick fix for the dline is Hinish just not playing other than obvious passing downs and young playing significantly more.

I bet you hardly see any differences in lineups other than Hinish probably not playing as much, and maybe kva playing some more (honestly he should be playing more over Bowen). Bowen struggled last year with missed tackles and that’s continued. I thought he shed some bad weight and would be better, didn’t look it vs Miami, but kva looked good.

The big change needs to be opening the playbook and if we need to score 30+ against a good D, we can with our WRs, RBs, and qb. I really believe with an opened playbook vs we win vs Miami like 34-30

Bowen missed 5 tackles all of last year

 

[stlnd01]

Losing 5 DL, 4 of which were/are starters, is not going to be fun in 2026.

Bothelo, Rubio, Onye, Junior T.

Dawson will he starter by years end too, if not A&M.

Yes all those people have started a game but only one of them (Onye) started the Miami game. It’s college football. Rosters turn over. We have a lot of eligibility coming back next year.

 

[Dale]

Bowen struggled last year with missed tackles and that’s continued.

Gonna ignore most of the rambling and point out according to PFF Bowen missed 5 tackles all year last year and had the 6th best tackling grade in the country amongst LBs.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Bowen missed 5 tackles all of last year

He missed 3 vs osu alone (but I count missed gaps like the long run he gave up vs judkins to start second half). He was NOT gap sound last year and didn’t make a lot of tackles he should have.

Can’t just use pff when it’s favorable. They aren’t checking for who is responsible for tackles, they’re just counting broken tackles. Big difference.

 

[JamIrish]

Does anyone have a tentative visitors list for the game? I know DJ Jacobs is suppose to be there...

 

[mrmcgrail]

So when you say missed tackles you didn't mean missed tackles you meant something different got it

 

[PutuporShutup]

So when you say missed tackles you didn't mean missed tackles you meant something different got it

No, I actually use pffs own definition of a missed tackle for my assessment, but I’ve found they tend to use broken tackles as their missed tackle metric. That’s not accurate.

Point being, people don’t break a lot of bowens tackles, but he isn’t great at being gap sound and by pffs definition it should be a missed tackle, like judkins huge run he was responsible for that I mentioned as an example.

 

[mrmcgrail]

That's how they grade you it isn't a missed tackle but you played d1 big ten CB and everyone here is missing your insight

 

[IrishBoognish]

Maybe it's because I was drinking but we played a ton of man I thought.

not enough imo

im no expert, but at least 2 or 3 of their big plays came when we were playing a pretty soft zone. it seems like our guys are pretty uncomfortable not playing at Mach 2 with their heads on fire

Watching ISD today and they mentioned this and how potentially it was partly because of the rain and slippery field

not trying to sound like a DC or anything, just one goofball's observation

 

[Irish du Nord]

Worst season of Twin Peaks yet

 

[SportsingHard]

Worst season of Twin Peaks yet

 

[PutuporShutup]

That's how they grade you it isn't a missed tackle but you played d1 big ten CB and everyone here is missing your insight

Missed tackles is a sum of different types/reasons for missed tackles. By PFFs definition and pretty much every coach a missed tackle is one you are responsible for. Then the breakdowns in different categories could be broken tackle, missed assignment, eye discipline, block shedding, etc etc. You don't have to wrap someone up, or grab them, then they break it to ONLY be considered a missed tackle.

I'm explaining how when bowen wraps up he does a good job typically of finishing his tackles. Cool. The bigger issue is him not being gap sound, not shedding blockers, and lack of foot speed to get where he needs to be in the box. If a tackle is his responsibility at that time, and he doesn't make it, it's a missed tackle, even if he doesn't lay a hand on them. Then it goes into sub buckets of what type of missed tackle it is. Perfect example is the run by judkins. Terrible job by bowen here to start second half. Feel free to watch bowen on this play, and how a LB can be responsible for giving up a 70 yard run. This is where KVA has much better instincts than bowen IMO to ensure he stays gap sound and assesses the play developing better.

Hinish like normal gets pancaked and opens a huge hole, bowen should have been there to ensure it wasn't a huge gain. Bowens is an easier fix than Hinish just not being capable.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Currently seniors we will lose: JD Price, Malachi Fields, Eli Raridon, Gabriel Rubio, Jared Dawson, Jason Onye, Junior T, Botehlo, Stroman, Pauling, DeVonta Smith.

Underclassman likely gone: Jeremiyah Love, Jalen Sneed, Billy Schrauth?

I'm not sure next year is the year. This team has more talent and upperclassmen.

ND has a ton of NIL money to throw around and won’t need to spend it on a QB any time soon. There’s a good chance Price could come back next year and take the load of running back work without Love in his way. I think right now he’s probally a round 4-5 guy, Scrauth same I don’t see why he wouldn’t come back I don’t see him going in rounds 1-3.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Losing 5 DL, 4 of which were/are starters, is not going to be fun in 2026.

Bothelo, Rubio, Onye, Junior T.

Dawson will he starter by years end too, if not A&M.

You are forgetting that Burgess is waiting in the wings he’s gonna be a stud id be surprised if he doesn’t ball out once he gets snaps this year. Also if ND holds onto their class for 2026 Dunham, Golden and Tika are all 3 guys that will see the field early. I think they’ll go after another DT in the class as well. I do agree DT is concerning next year. They won’t need to go after another DT QB or any secondary players in the transfer portal all their NIL and resources in that regard will be put towards probally 1 TE, 2 DT’s, 1-2 DE, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they go after a big name WR. Now that we have Carr it might be easier to bring in a stud tranfer. Greathouse, Faison should be back. I actually think Gilbert is gonna be a problem be end of year and Buress is gonna be good

 

[NDPhilly]

ND has a ton of NIL money to throw around and won’t need to spend it on a QB any time soon. There’s a good chance Price could come back next year and take the load of running back work without Love in his way. I think right now he’s probally a round 4-5 guy, Scrauth same I don’t see why he wouldn’t come back I don’t see him going in rounds 1-3.

Totally forgot the possibility of JD coming back next year, I bet we throw a bag at him.

 

[PutuporShutup]

You are forgetting that Burgess is waiting in the wings he’s gonna be a stud id be surprised if he doesn’t ball out once he gets snaps this year. Also if ND holds onto their class for 2026 Dunham, Golden and Tika are all 3 guys that will see the field early. I think they’ll go after another DT in the class as well. I do agree DT is concerning next year. They won’t need to go after another DT QB or any secondary players in the transfer portal all their NIL and resources in that regard will be put towards probally 1 TE, 2 DT’s, 1-2 DE, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they go after a big name WR. Now that we have Carr it might be easier to bring in a stud tranfer. Greathouse, Faison should be back. I actually think Gilbert is gonna be a problem be end of year and Buress is gonna be good

I think they need to go after 3 DTs next year. 2 starter quality, and one depth piece. We don't have any starter quality returning next year unless Dixon makes a big leap once healthy. I'm not sure if he's fully recovered from his pec injury over the winter, that doesn't help his development.

 

[SportsingHard]

I think they need to go after 3 DTs next year. 2 starter quality, and one depth piece. We don't have any starter quality returning next year unless Dixon makes a big leap once healthy. I'm not sure if he's fully recovered from his pec injury over the winter, that doesn't help his development.

God, I hope ND never intentional recruits anybody without starter potential.

 

[PutuporShutup]

God, I hope ND never intentional recruits anybody without starter potential.

We did that with 2 portal players last year brought in. Elijah Hughes and Ty Washington better not ever NEED to start at ND. Even Pauling wasn't brought in to be a starter.

I'm good with depth pieces where needed. Example, dawson should be starting and we should have brought in another interior dline player better than hinish. Not expected to start, but expected to compete for PT.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Totally forgot the possibility of JD coming back next year, I bet we throw a bag at him.

Yeah I mean he could test the NFL waters I honestly think he’s gonna be a very good NFL back or he could come back and be RB1 it might not make Williams, Young, or James happy but price is ahead of all them currently. Some might not agree but if Price came back and got 18-20 carries a game I think he could be one of the best backs in college next year I legit think he’s top 10 right now

 

[SportsingHard]

We did that with 2 portal players last year brought in. Elijah Hughes and Ty Washington better not ever NEED to start at ND. Even Pauling wasn't brought in to be a starter.

I'm good with depth pieces where needed. Example, dawson should be starting and we should have brought in another interior dline player better than hinish. Not expected to start, but expected to compete for PT.

Yeah, I should have clarified I was referring to HS recruiting. Plugging in warm bodies from the portal as needed is fine by me, but if we're allocating a scholarship to somebody for 4+ years, I want there to be a belief that the guy has talent.