Sept 25 | Wisconsin

[Free Manera]

I feel like every time a game is supposed to be a low-scoring slugfest it's 35-28 at halftime and the halftime crew says something like "A shootout just like we all expected! hahaha!"

 

[Whiskeyjack]

We may have A LOT of questions, most specifically on the OL, but people are giving Wisconsin way too much credit IMO...

Yes. We have the better coached and more talented team, top to bottom. The uncertainty of our OL definitely creates an opening (lol) for the Badger defense to stifle our attack, but this feels like another game where everyone picks against us, we win and still get no credit for it somehow.

 

[ThePiombino]

Yes. We have the better coached and more talented team, top to bottom. The uncertainty of our OL definitely creates an opening (lol) for the Badger defense to stifle our attack, but this feels like another game where everyone picks against us, we win and still get no credit for it somehow.

Not only no credit for it, but probably drop off a couple spots in the meaningless polls.

 

[Irish#1]

I’d like to see Buchner come out for the first set. Wiscy will figure we start Coan and we could catch them off guard as I imagine they might alter personnel for Buchner.

 

[NDdomer2]

Greg Roman and the Ravens were doing some really nice things with Lamar that I thought would be nice fits for Buchner and our run game. Hopefully Tommy was watching.

Something to consider with Coan's efficiency going forward. The more we practice with Buchner at QB the less reps Coan is getting throughout the week. Hopefully, we can continue to rep both QB's in practice and not have it impact the product on Saturday.

 

[IRISHMAN]

would love to see kyreen Williams get more opportunities returning punts. hopefully BK had his eyes opened about how important the punt return game is, those hidden yards could really help out our offense.

 

[Dale]

Greg Roman and the Ravens were doing some really nice things with Lamar that I thought would be nice fits for Buchner and our run game. Hopefully Tommy was watching.

Something to consider with Coan's efficiency going forward. The more we practice with Buchner at QB the less reps Coan is getting throughout the week. Hopefully, we can continue to rep both QB's in practice and not have it impact the product on Saturday.

I actually really hope Tommy isn’t calling plays based off MNF

 

[DONTH8]

I actually really hope Tommy isn’t calling plays based off MNF

Don't worry, he goes off Madden.

 

[tko]

Zone read for a 3 yard loss first play, entire field to the right wide open because the world knows Coan won't pull it and run.

 

[IRISHMAN]

Zone read for a 3 yard loss first play, entire field to the right wide open because the world knows Coan won't pull it and run.

coan doesn't even try to scramble most of the time. wouldn't mind seeing some bootleg passes.

 

[irishff1014]

Yes. We have the better coached and more talented team, top to bottom. The uncertainty of our OL definitely creates an opening (lol) for the Badger defense to stifle our attack, but this feels like another game where everyone picks against us, we win and still get no credit for it somehow.

I agree with everything you said except the better coached team. I really don’t think that’s true right now.

 

[arndtjc]

Tickets dropped low enough on StubHub to stomach it. See you boys in Chicago

 

[Irishize]

We may have A LOT of questions, most specifically on the OL, but people are giving Wisconsin way too much credit IMO...

Just speculating, but I’m guessing that it may have to do w/ ND’s first 2 opponents being much worse than expected yet giving ND a close game

 

[ThePiombino]

Just speculating, but I’m guessing that it may have to do w/ ND’s first 2 opponents being much worse than expected yet giving ND a close game

Have you seen Wisconsin play at all? They're not great either.

 

[NDRock]

You know as well as I do we will take the ball to start and immediately go 3 and out.

We've actually been pretty good last year and this year getting the ball first.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I wouldn't go as far as saying their offense is horrible - yet. I think they can run the ball. They ran all over Eastern but that's Eastern. The Penn State score is a bit deceiving. They moved the ball better than PSU but they just didn't finish the drive - missed FG, a fumble and two picks. Hopefully we can force some turnovers and get the same result.

I think it's a close game and that probably favors Wiscy b/c they have been able to run the ball more consistently than ND but who the hell knows this year. Maybe the defensive makes a big play and scores or specials teams can come up with the big play.

They moved the ball better than PSU, but that ain't saying much.

Wisconsin averaged 3.8 yards per play. They were, in fact, quite horrible, but because Penn State's offense was so insanely abysmal, they dominated time of possession and were able to wear down Penn State's defense.

But they got burned by some big plays while Mertz made some key errors that decided the outcome. If there's two things this team has done well so far this season, it's make some big plays on offense and make crucial negative plays and turnovers on defense.

Though I'd probably feel a lot better if this team showed some discipline.

 

[Irishize]

Have you seen Wisconsin play at all? They're not great either.

Who said anything about them being great?

They took care of their MAC opponent despite running a vanilla offense and their D pitched a shutout. In other words, they did what they were supposed to do against a MAC team. ND struggled mightily w/ their MAC opponent and Toledo is not a good team despite all the experience they returned.

Their QB cost them the game vs PSU. Their D shut down PSU & their run game was successful against the PSU Defense. Factor in an ND OL who can’t block and I’m guessing that’s why the spread is where it’s at. Like I said…just speculating as to why Wiscy is getting “too much credit”.

Personally I don’t think they’re a vintage Wisconsin team and have been unproven thus far but there’s no question they’ll win the LOS on defense. The question will be can our D prevent their run game from running downhill. If they can’t, it could be ugly.

 

[pumpdog20]

We've actually been pretty good last year and this year getting the ball first.

The defense needs to set the tone for this team, kick the ball.

 

[NorthDakota]

Personally I don’t think they’re a vintage Wisconsin team and have been unproven thus far but there’s no question they’ll win the LOS on defense. The question will be can our D prevent their run game from running downhill. If they can’t, it could be ugly.

For God's sake....4 linemen please.

 

[IRISHMAN]

For God's sake....4 linemen please.

I will loose my mind if freeman has ND in a 3 man defensive front.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I don't think those of us who have our doubts are giving Wisconsin too much credit so much as we are taking a look in the mirror and realize that, despite Wisconsin not being that good....neither are we? lol

I hope the squad continues to improve. Saw some signs of life from the OL last week in the running game, but still giving up too many sacks and we are getting ready to play the best defensive unit we've seen this season.

I have high hopes for the defense to keep this game close this weekend, though. Our stuff rate has been very good all season and they did a nice job limiting the big plays against Purdue. If they have actually turned the corner, it would be nice to lean on the defense for some Ws this fall; that didn't appear to be an option after the first two games.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

SP+ projects Wisconsin by 5:

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/espn_billc/status/1440651225586810884?s=21[/TWEET]

 

[NDRock]

The defense needs to set the tone for this team, kick the ball.

Eh, I think it's one of those things fans complain about but have little impact on the game.

 

[Irishize]

When Graham Mertz throws an interception Wisconsin is 0-4
When Graham Mertz doesn’t throw an interception Wisconsin is 5-0

 

[IHateMarkMay]

When Graham Mertz throws an interception Wisconsin is 0-4
When Graham Mertz doesn’t throw an interception Wisconsin is 5-0

Kyle Hamilton likes this statistic.

 

[RDU Irish]

Whoever wins the turnover battle wins the game, IMO. I would be more confident with Lea stuffing the run than Freeman - if we let them rip off a couple of big gainers I don't know if we can recover.

 

[tko]

Whoever wins the turnover battle wins the game, IMO. I would be more confident with Lea stuffing the run than Freeman - if we let them rip off a couple of big gainers I don't know if we can recover.

I won't recover. We should be all over their backfield including Mertz.

 

[WilliamWallace]

Anyone know when we will be getting an update on the depth chart for the game? I’m curious to see who is/is not available.

 

[arndtjc]

Anyone know when we will be getting an update on the depth chart for the game? I’m curious to see who is/is not available.

[TWEET]1439980283885981698[/TWEET]

Depth chart here, unavailable list won’t be available until about an hour and a half before kickoff

 

[arndtjc]

Anyone know of a bar opening early in downtown Chicago for pregame festivities? Landing at Midway about 730, so my time to down enough Jameson to get me right will be extremely limited