Sept 23 | Ohio State

[IRISHDODGER]

OSU's oline is NOT as good as last year though. They had two frichan STUD tackles last year probably playing better than Alt/Fisher are now (due to fisher having 1-2 really bad plays per game it seems).

Yes, henderson looks like he has some burst back better than last year.

Right. I was speaking more to Stroud’s ability to make plays which he did in the 4th quarter. You’re right about the downgrade in tackles. Their LT played RT at San Diego St last year. Their RT was who they hoped to be LT this year.

 

[Luckylucci]

I have an irrational amount of excitement and optimism for this game (probably not a good thing, lol). I think this is it. This is the moment. Here come the Irish!

I also think there is a very real chance that if we can punch them in the mouth early. They will fold. Elite teams don't fold when they have elite coaches and elite leaders. I don't think Day is an elite coach and I struggle to see the type of leadership truly elite teams have.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Right. I was speaking more to Stroud’s ability to make plays which he did in the 4th quarter. You’re right about the downgrade in tackles. Their LT played RT at San Diego St last year. Their RT was who they hoped to be LT this year.

and their center is a RS frosh, playing in his fourth collegiate game.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I have an irrational amount of excitement and optimism for this game (probably not a good thing, lol). I think this is it. This is the moment. Here come the Irish!

I also think there is a very real chance that if we can punch them in the mouth early. They will fold. Elite teams don't fold when they have elite coaches and elite leaders. I don't think Day is an elite coach and I struggle to see the type of leadership truly elite teams have.

I hope you're right and I thought the same. Other than the last drive, I thought Day's best coaching job was last year vs Georgia where they should have won. A few bad calls, harrison injured, and then bonehead day not trying to get more yards to have an easier kick.

With that said, He had OSU ready to win that game, and they looked like the better team IMO. I hope he regresses back to his old days of big game coaching.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

and their center is a RS frosh, playing in his fourth collegiate game.

right. Isn’t he like a top 500 kid from Indiana? Not the typical OSU blue chip.

 

[Luckylucci]

I hope you're right and I thought the same. Other than the last drive, I thought Day's best coaching job was last year vs Georgia where they should have won. A few bad calls, harrison injured, and then bonehead day not trying to get more yards to have an easier kick.

With that said, He had OSU ready to win that game, and they looked like the better team IMO. I hope he regresses back to his old days of big game coaching.

I think that a week 1 CJ Stroud was not a good comp for our we would've competed against that same team in games 12 and 13. However, they get absolutely blitzed by Michigan and they don't have CJ Stroud.

If we're talking about players shitting the bed in a big game. I think the probability that McCord falls apart is much much greater than Hartman. McCord is still looking over his shoulder for the starting gig.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I think that a week 1 CJ Stroud was not a good comp for our we would've competed against that same team in games 12 and 13. However, they get absolutely blitzed by Michigan and they don't have CJ Stroud.

If we're talking about players shitting the bed in a big game. I think the probability that McCord falls apart is much much greater than Hartman. McCord is still looking over his shoulder for the starting gig.

Agree, I just trust their first time OC and their DC more than ours right now, and they are very important coaches obviously.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I think ND needs a pick or near pick really early in the game to make McCord start thinking a bit more. He's coming in confident, need to not let him build on that early.

Other option would be a "harper" type sack/hit where it rattles him a bit as well.

Either way, we gotta let him know, NDs D IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU'RE USED TO!

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Knowles has the experience advantage over Parker. He’s likely seen it all and has been able to mix in some schemes that inexperienced OCs haven’t seen on film. I wonder how much, if any; insight Thomas Harper can provide. I assume he played under Knowles at Oklahoma St and was a key cog who had intimate knowledge of Knowles mindset.

 

[Free Manera]

the university partnered with a online secondary ticket exchange company that directly gives you the option to sell your tickets. I dont know how they can punish you for using their partnered service. And it isnt like they have a choice who buys once listed.

I don't think there is much they can do about it now. But they are tracking all the data and they know who is selling their tickets. So if it remains a problem after their other efforts for this game, they may change how they handle that in the future.

I think it might be Lambeau that blackballs season ticketholders that don't attend a certain percentage of games. There are things they can do if it comes down to it.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think ND needs a pick or near pick really early in the game to make McCord start thinking a bit more. He's coming in confident, need to not let him build on that earl.

Other option would be a "harper" type sack/hit where it rattles him a bit as well.

Either way, we gotta let him know, NDs D IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU'RE USED TO!

This right here. In my CMU post game comments I mentioned that I think Harper is one of the keys to this game. If he's able to make an impact early, on McCord, I think that could span the rest of the game.

 

[NDohio]

This right here. In my CMU post game comments I mentioned that I think Harper is one of the keys to this game. If he's able to make an impact early, on McCord, I think that could span the rest of the game.

I thought he played extremely well last week and takes the ND DB room up another level. Super excited to see how he impacts this game. We know BenMo and Hart are gonna do their things and that may give Harper the freedom to create havoc.

I think their is a pretty good chance that the two players that make the biggest WOW plays on defense could be transfer portal guys - Harper and JJB

 

[Irish#1]

OSU likes to run outside and use the stretch play. Probably because their line isn't capable of being dominant between the tackles. If we can shutdown the outside and force them to run between the tackles it will also help in getting pressure on McCord. On the offensive side, if Estime can break a big one early, it will force OSU to fill in the box opening lanes for Sam & Co.

I'm getting a little more pumped everyday.

 

[lcaps20]

There is a big gulf between the perception of Ohio State (offense isn't as good as past years // not physical in the trenches) and what many of the "experts" think (OSU is one of the two or three most complete teams in the country and has an underrated defense full of NFL talent).

I'm still a little skeptical on the ND defense and ND OL, and I think best case scenario is something like ND 31 Ohio State 27. I can't see ND winning a blowout and I think there is a solid chance that Ohio State wins something like 38-17 with ND not being able to hit the big plays they've been feasting on through four weeks.

You took everything that has been rattling around in the back of my brain and actually typed it out, damn you Lax.

Still really excited for this game and will be ready to cheer the boys on Saturday night.

 

[PutuporShutup]

This right here. In my CMU post game comments I mentioned that I think Harper is one of the keys to this game. If he's able to make an impact early, on McCord, I think that could span the rest of the game.

He's probably on Egbuka a lot, so key matchup. Probably not going to be nickel blitzing when on him.

 

[lcaps20]

He's probably on Egbuka a lot, so key matchup. Probably not going to be nickel blitzing when on him.

Jamie or Greg mentioned on Hit and Hustle that even a good game from Harper this week is going to be very up and down. Harper just needs to make sure his ups are game changing.

 

[Luckylucci]

Jamie or Greg mentioned on Hit and Hustle that even a good game from Harper this week is going to be very up and down. Harper just needs to make sure his ups are game changing.

I didn't watch/listen but it's a very good point. In fact, I think in order to win this game, the team truly needs to embrace the "one play, one life" mantra that Freeman preaches.

When playing very talented teams, they are going to get theirs. They are going to make plays. We have to keep coming back and throwing our own punches. And, that's where Hartman comes in. As long as he's on the field, this offense will keep coming at that defense. So, much different than what we've seen from previous offenses.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

Bring the house early and often. Blitz like crazy, disguise coverages when needed. As we’ve all noted, the OSU WRs will get theirs regardless of our style of play.

But if we can create chaos early on and have McCord seeing ghosts… we gain a massive edge.

 

[condoms SUCk]

It's only Wed and i've exhasuted all ND/OSU pod and YT vids to date, I may have a problem.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

Some random tidbits from Ohio State's last three regular season losses:

2021:
vs. Oregon: 35-28L
@ Michigan: 42-27L

2022:
vs. Michigan: 45-23L

1. Ohio State lost the 3rd quarter in every game: 7-14, 0-14, 0-7. Interestingly, in their losses they gave up a quick TD on their opponent's first possession of the 3rd quarter. In 2021 Oregon took 3 plays to go 81 yards (1:22 minutes) for a TD (including a 77 yard TD run). In the 2021 game, Michigan held OSU to a 3 and out on the opening possession of the 3rd, and then went 5 plays for 77 yards (1:15 minutes) for a TD (including a 55 yard run). In the 2022 game, Michigan took the opening kickoff to start the 3rd and went 7 plays for 75 yards (3:04 minutes) including a 45 yard TD pass.

2. Ohio State gave up over 250 yards rushing in every game (252, 269 and 252), while being held to under 150 yards (143, 64 and 128).

3. Michigan (twice) and Oregon had more offensive rush attempts than pass attempts.

4. In 2021 Michigan and Oregon spread the ball around on pass plays. Michigan had 9 different players with receptions while Oregon had 11. By comparison, OSU had 5 and 7 in those games. That trend reversed in the 2022 Michigan game as OSU had 8 different players with receptions vs. Michigan's 7 but that may be because Michigan went almost exclusively to the run in the 2nd half.

5. Win or lose, OSU's WRs are gonna get theirs. Smith-Njigba (11 rec - 127 yards, 0 TDs) and Wilson (10-119, 1) against Michigan in 2021, Smith-Njigba (7-145, 2), Olave (12-126) and Wilson (8-117, 1) against Oregon in 2021 and Egbuka (9-125, 1) and Harrison Jr. (7-120, 1) in 2022 against Michigan. Lots of big stats on the WRs, but all losses.

Obvious Observations:

Commit to the run. Commit to stopping the run.

Don't be predictable on pass plays. Spread the ball around.

You can't stop OSU's passing game. They will get their stats. But limit their ability to run, make 'em one dimensional and force them to throw (seems counterintuitive to make them go with their strength). Even with CJ Stroud and those 1st round WRs, they weren't successful. This year's QB isn't Stroud.

Hang around. Keep the first half close. Successful opponents appear to be able to make quick adjustments and exploit OSU's D early in the 3rd. Then beat them up with a steady diet of power running.

Liked your post. All of this is huge context.

The only thing I’ll add is it’s not surprising to me that, upon filtering to losses, the opponent had a lot of rushing yards. This extends past OSU, of course, to losses across the sport in general. Sort of a “chicken or egg” situation.

That being said, it’s still true that our ground game is a massive component here - if Estime can break a few/if we can eat up clock and limit the damage of OSUs offense, we win.

 

[greyhammer90]

It's only Wed and i've exhasuted all ND/OSU pod and YT vids to date, I may have a problem.

I'm here as well. I genuinely don't know what I'm supposed to do while I wait for Saturday.

 

[Fbolt]

 

[Free Manera]

I'm here as well. I genuinely don't know what I'm supposed to do while I wait for Saturday.

Not be productive, that's for sure. I can barely get through reading an email without getting distrac - ayy that a new post on 247?

 

[IrishSpartan]

Is day calling plays or Hartline?

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I don't mean to be an insensitive prick, but if there is one single fan who walks into that stadium with a navy, grey, white, gold...any shirt that isn't green, they should have their fan card revoked.

You can buy "The Shirt" for like 20 bucks, after tax. Ask for $20 from friends or relatives if you don't have it, I guarantee you they'll support the cause. Wear green or gtfo.

That's all, back to your regular scheduled programing.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Is Fay calling plays or Hartline?

I just found out today via OSU beat writer who appeared on Inside ND SPorts pod that Day decided this summer that he didn’t want to relinquish play calling so he’s still the guy.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Inside Notre Dame's strategy to keep Ohio State red out of the stadium

Notre Dame Stadium is a destination for opposing fans, including infamous Georgia and Nebraska invasions. How can it limit Ohio State red?

theathletic.com

 

[Mattmags]

Knowles has the experience advantage over Parker. He’s likely seen it all and has been able to mix in some schemes that inexperienced OCs haven’t seen on film. I wonder how much, if any; insight Thomas Harper can provide. I assume he played under Knowles at Oklahoma St and was a key cog who had intimate knowledge of Knowles mindset.

I wonder if it's common for coaches to go to players for intel. For example, maybe Ryan Day picks the brain of Lorenzo Styles jr. Or maybe Marcus Freeman picks the brain of JJB or Thomas Harper?

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I just found out today via OSU beat writer who appeared on Inside ND SPorts pod that Day decided this summer that he didn’t want to relinquish play calling so he’s still the guy.

Yet Hartline made Feldman's short list of candidates for Michigan State.

Someone needs to explain this to me because I'm still living in a world where most guys who end up head coaches should have at least called an offense or defense at some point in their coaching careers. PJ Fleck is a guy who did not. Deion Sanders obviously did not. They're exceptions, and I guess Hartline could be one too since he's known for his recruiting acumen, but I just don't get the hype around the guy other than that.

 

[ulukinatme]

I'm here as well. I genuinely don't know what I'm supposed to do while I wait for Saturday.