Sept 28 | Virginia

[T-Boone]

Their QB looks good. I predict Okwara gets 3 sacks and Hayes gets 2 .

 

[Sea Turtle]

We will win by double digits.

 

[Rudy89]

This will be the game where we can determine if we will have a season like 2015 or 2017 (you could even throw in 2013) on our hands where we rise up after an early season loss to a great team and carve out a good season or we can have another 2009, 2011, or 2014 on our hands where we fall into the depths of mediocrity and listen to every swinging d**k say we are irrelevant and overrated again. If it wasn’t for our past of playing down to our opponents level I’d be slightly less worried about this game.

 

[arrowryan]

This will be the game where we can determine if we will have a season like 2015 or 2017 (you could even throw in 2013) on our hands where we rise up after an early season loss to a great team and carve out a good season or we can have another 2009, 2011, or 2014 on our hands where we fall into the depths of mediocrity and listen to every swinging d**k say we are irrelevant and overrated again. If it wasn’t for our past of playing down to our opponents level I’d be slightly less worried about this game.

If we have another 2009 (going way back), 2011, or 2014 season then this is Kelly’s last season. The new system that Kelly put into the program and into himself has me confident those days are behind us.

 

[ThePiombino]

This will be the game where we can determine if we will have a season like 2015 or 2017 (you could even throw in 2013) on our hands where we rise up after an early season loss to a great team and carve out a good season or we can have another 2009, 2011, or 2014 on our hands where we fall into the depths of mediocrity and listen to every swinging d**k say we are irrelevant and overrated again. If it wasn’t for our past of playing down to our opponents level I’d be slightly less worried about this game.

Not a chance we end up with less than 10 wins. This team has too much going for it and the offense hasn't even begin to gel yet.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[IrishLax]

Not a chance we end up with less than 10 wins. This team has too much going for it and the offense hasn't even begin to gel yet.

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Will it ever gel though? I think the passing game can continue to improve, I'm not sure the running game will much.

With regard to the Virginia game, my biggest concern is that Bryce Hall is a perfect matchup for Claypool. I expect him to be shadowed all over the field. Can our secondary receivers step up and make plays? Can our running game? I think those are big question marks. I do not see ND getting out of the 20s, so then it's on the defense to play a complete game and for the special teams to continue to play clean.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Will it ever gel though? I think the passing game can continue to improve, I'm not sure the running game will much.

With regard to the Virginia game, my biggest concern is that Bryce Hall is a perfect matchup for Claypool. I expect him to be shadowed all over the field. Can our secondary receivers step up and make plays? Can our running game? I think those are big question marks. I do not see ND getting out of the 20s, so then it's on the defense to play a complete game and for the special teams to continue to play clean.

I would be much more concerned if Kmet wasn't playing. Is Michael Young good to go too?

If Hall is on Claypool, who covers Kmet? Will they just double him?

 

[Irishize]

Will it ever gel though? I think the passing game can continue to improve, I'm not sure the running game will much.

With regard to the Virginia game, my biggest concern is that Bryce Hall is a perfect matchup for Claypool. I expect him to be shadowed all over the field. Can our secondary receivers step up and make plays? Can our running game? I think those are big question marks. I do not see ND getting out of the 20s, so then it's on the defense to play a complete game and for the special teams to continue to play clean.

I could be wrong, but i think UVA will keep Hall on the same side of the field regardless of which WR lines up there. If that’s the case, he won’t shadow Claypool. It’ll still be an key matchup.

 

[IrishLax]

I could be wrong, but i think UVA will keep Hall on the same side of the field regardless of which WR lines up there. If that’s the case, he won’t shadow Claypool. It’ll still be an key matchup.

IMO, if they do that, they are idiots and ND wins comfortably.

 

[IrishLax]

I would be much more concerned if Kmet wasn't playing. Is Michael Young good to go too?

If Hall is on Claypool, who covers Kmet? Will they just double him?

Yeah, very underrated in all of this is that Michael Young was apparently a beast in fall camp before getting hurt. Great blocking, great hands, and enough speed to get deep. So you couple him at 100% with Kmet and Claypool and I think the passing offensive will be very hard to stop. Spread teams out, and then run it against a box that isn't loaded.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Will it ever gel though? I think the passing game can continue to improve, I'm not sure the running game will much.

With regard to the Virginia game, my biggest concern is that Bryce Hall is a perfect matchup for Claypool. I expect him to be shadowed all over the field. Can our secondary receivers step up and make plays? Can our running game? I think those are big question marks. I do not see ND getting out of the 20s, so then it's on the defense to play a complete game and for the special teams to continue to play clean.

Not challenging you here, just trying to understand the logic. This is mostly just me confused at the lack of confidence heading into this one.

UVA has a good defense. They can stop the run but are mediocre against the pass. It sounds like they have one shutdown corner and are vulnerable outside of that. I don't see why Book won't be able to have his way if he has time to throw and makes better decisions.

ODU moved the ball extremely well last week in the first half and jumped out to a 17-0 lead. They struggled against them, Pitt and FSU. Hardly world beaters. I don't get the narrative that they are THAT tough.

Offensively, their run offense is almost as bad as ours. A lot of their chunk running plays come from their athletic QB. Sound familiar? And from what I've read, he's an okay passer, but he's going up against, by far, the best pass defense he's faced to date. Perhaps in his career (he's never played Clemson).

I think UVA struggles to score. I think ND can have some success doing similar things they did against UGA, with better results. UVA hasn't played a soul outside of Pitt.

Are people just protecting themselves emotionally in the slim chance there is a let down here two weeks in a row? Or are they really that worried about a home game against UVA after an emotional loss that should theoretically have the boys foaming at the mouth to get back out there?

 

[Irish YJ]

Not challenging you here, just trying to understand the logic. This is mostly just me confused at the lack of confidence heading into this one.

UVA has a good defense. They can stop the run but are mediocre against the pass. It sounds like they have one shutdown corner and are vulnerable outside of that. I don't see why Book won't be able to have his way if he has time to throw and makes better decisions.

ODU moved the ball extremely well last week in the first half and jumped out to a 17-0 lead. They struggled against them, Pitt and FSU. Hardly world beaters. I don't get the narrative that they are THAT tough.

Offensively, their run offense is almost as bad as ours. A lot of their chunk running plays come from their athletic QB. Sound familiar? And from what I've read, he's an okay passer, but he's going up against, by far, the best pass defense he's faced to date. Perhaps in his career (he's never played Clemson).

I think UVA struggles to score. I think ND can have some success doing similar things they did against UGA, with better results. UVA hasn't played a soul outside of Pitt.

Are people just protecting themselves emotionally in the slim chance there is a let down here two weeks in a row? Or are they really that worried about a home game against UVA after an emotional close that should theoretically have the boys foaming at the mouth to get back out there?

Honestly I think their D is good, but a bit overrated. They haven't played really anyone that even runs the ball well this year. And honestly, while their D is ranked similar to UGA in YPG, they're talent level is nowhere near UGA's. We'll be fine unless we have a let down game. I see Book back in the 70+% completion clip.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Will it ever gel though? I think the passing game can continue to improve, I'm not sure the running game will much.

With regard to the Virginia game, my biggest concern is that Bryce Hall is a perfect matchup for Claypool. I expect him to be shadowed all over the field. Can our secondary receivers step up and make plays? Can our running game? I think those are big question marks. I do not see ND getting out of the 20s, so then it's on the defense to play a complete game and for the special teams to continue to play clean.

Mid to upper 30s is my guess and if Michael Young is really the difference maker we were hearing about, we might touch a 40 note.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Unless Clark Lea doesn't show up, I doubt that UVA will move the ball much. Our linebackers are getting WAY better, and the middle of the DLine is getting mean. UVA hasn't really impressed either running or passing yet, and their OLine MIGHT have a big hole right in the middle (both centers with nagging injuries.)

If any major part of that is solid info, then we should pretty much stop them.

My understanding is that these guys have some good defensive players, but Book is the ideal QB (when he's getting any real help) to say "Who Cares?" The read is fast, the ball's out fast, if you get too crazy, he can gash you himself. If we just all do our jobs and give this guy support, he'll put up points.

So I think that we'll score a few (5 or 6) times --- Pitt scored some, ODU scored some, and I believe that we are right at the border of exploding.

This team gives me the feeling of one that rompingly gets better and better all season long. Can there be a letdown? anything's possible, but not this Saturday.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

If we have another 2009 (going way back), 2011, or 2014 season then this is Kelly’s last season. The new system that Kelly put into the program and into himself has me confident those days are behind us.

I would add the 2018 and 2019 schedules to that: the usual blue bloods (Michigan, FSU, Stanford, USC) are average to below average. Pretty confident in December of 2019 we'll look back and say UVA was the second best team on the schedule.

 

[fightingirish26]

I would add the 2018 and 2019 schedules to that: the usual blue bloods (Michigan, FSU, Stanford, USC) are average to below average. Pretty confident in December of 2019 we'll look back and say UVA was the second best team on the schedule.

i know what you mean but seeing stanford and blue blood in the same sentence almost made me spit out my drink

 

[NorthDakota]

Honestly I think their D is good, but a bit overrated. They haven't played really anyone that even runs the ball well this year. And honestly, while their D is ranked similar to UGA in YPG, they're talent level is nowhere near UGA's. We'll be fine unless we have a let down game. I see Book back in the 70+% completion clip.

Well ND doesnt run the ball well so that wont be anything new.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Well ND doesnt run the ball well so that wont be anything new.

Watching Virginia's defense, I could see Book getting close to 50-60 yards rushing.

 

[POTUS2017]

GO IRISH! F*CK MICHIGAN!

 

[NorthDakota]

Guys....ND is kicking off with a top 20 team and there is zero hype at all


LETS FUCKING GO.

 

[Riddickulous]

Let's make a statement!

 

[IrishLax]

Guys....ND is kicking off with a top 20 team and there is zero hype at all


LETS FUCKING GO.

File this under reasons why I'm a tad worried about this game. Just don't see the energy here, hope the stadium is way more amped up.

 

[NDisme]

Greeeaat, when Liam and Chris were in the student section, saw a student flash the “okay” white supremacy sign so that will be fun for ND to get raked over coals for come Monday

 

[NorthDakota]

File this under reasons why I'm a tad worried about this game. Just don't see the energy here, hope the stadium is way more amped up.

Right? This is a big game. This isnt some horseshit MAC team.

 

[NorthDakota]

Big hit to start. That was needed.

 

[Legacy]

Virginia was looking past Old Dominion.

 

[T-Boone]

Lets go!!!

 

[Circa]

Pride has been questionable for the last 2 games..

 

[Riddickulous]

Okwara should've had a pick there

 

[AllTimeIrish]

safety left his man in the end zone .. not good