Sept 30 | Duke

[IRISHDODGER]

Got a feeling this thread is gonna get real ugly tomorrow night.

ND should have the advantage in the trenches. That’s what has led them to dominating the ACC for 29 (?) straight games.

ND has the better QB, RB unit, LB unit, TE & secondary.

Duke has a really good QB whose offense runs directly through him. He led their team in rushing last year but is an underrated passer (IMO).

Duke has better WR unit so I’m glad ND has great CB. Hopefully the safeties can be solid & Duke doesn’t try to go over the top. They haven’t shown that yet but who knows?

Duke has really good secondary according to the stuff I’ve read & listened to. Incl a 7th year safety who started at TAMU for four years?!?
It will be up to the youthful ND WR corps to get separation. May open up a lot for Staes & Evans?

Maybe Golden tries to scheme Leonard to where he gets hit on every play…almost like defending triple-option? If ND can bring the heat it may lead to Leonard handing the ball off more or at least second guessing the keep. Good theory, but I’m gonna assume Leonard plays the game of his life & ND should too. ND’s underwhelming tackling in some games this season needs to be few & far between b/c this kid can take it to the crib & he won’t go down easy.

I stand by my original statement in that ND should win if they can avoid turnovers or at least win the turnover battle. That’s how Duke beat Clemson & that’s what Duke was so good at last year. Avoid the 2011 South Florida type game and Irish should prevail.

If they lose tomorrow? I’m trying not to think about it.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I'm on record pessimistic about tomorrow but no matter what way you slice it the next three games it's going to be tough to win all three:
1. Ranked Duke team at night, college game day
2. Likely undefeated Louisville on the road
3. Heisman winning QB and top 10 USC game at home

If ND makes it through those three unscathed they are going to win out.

I’d actually take a loss to Duke or Louisville if it meant ND finished 10-2 with wins over SC & Clemson in Death Valley at night.

 

[NormND_44]

I believe if the Irish win tomorrow, they win out. I took a lot of good from the OSU game. The first 58 minutes of the game made me a believer that we can beat USC.

What I’m worried about is the human element - being able to respond strongly enough to avoid Elko’s cunning. If they can rally and win tomorrow, I think they have the pieces to win out. Get on board.

 

[irishff1014]

I'm on record pessimistic about tomorrow but no matter what way you slice it the next three games it's going to be tough to win all three:
1. Ranked Duke team at night, college game day
2. Likely undefeated Louisville on the road
3. Heisman winning QB and top 10 USC game at home

If ND makes it through those three unscathed they are going to win out.

If they do that everyone better look out. That means people are getting burnt up by this team and it would be awesome to see.

 

[arndtjc]

Still looking for a tailgate to crash tomorrow. Anyone else make the trip?

 

[stpeteirish]

Got a feeling this thread is gonna get real ugly tomorrow night.

Game day threads are always ugly win or lose

 

[Irish#1]

I know Clemson is closer but if I recall they took over the stadium.

They forgot to take over the field.

 

[Wild Bill]

Any reason why?

Yes, mainly the obvious - they're at home, game day shitbags will be in town, night game, crowd will be into the game, ND is coming off a brutal loss, a win for them could potentially be the most significant win in their history.

Everyone expects a strong response after the loss and I just think it's going to be tough to match Duke's intensity and focus. Elko is going to have them ready and I think ND will be a bit drained.

Duke is good, and I don't believe their early success is a fluke or the result of an easy schedule. They whipped Clemson week 1. They haven't played anyone the last few weeks but they beat the hell out of whoever they played and that's a sign of a good team.

ND is a better team and they should win this game for that reason alone. My gut tells me we're not going to play a clean game and win convincingly. I think it's going to be an ugly win or another painful loss. Either way, there will be meltdowns on here - just another typical fall Saturday on IE.

I'll be thrilled if I'm completely wrong and we coast to an easy win.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Yes, mainly the obvious - they're at home, game day shitbags will be in town, night game, crowd will be into the game, ND is coming off a brutal loss, a win for them could potentially be the most significant win in their history.

Everyone expects a strong response after the loss and I just think it's going to be tough to match Duke's intensity and focus. Elko is going to have them ready and I think ND will be a bit drained.

Duke is good, and I don't believe their early success is a fluke or the result of an easy schedule. They whipped Clemson week 1. They haven't played anyone the last few weeks but they beat the hell out of whoever they played and that's a sign of a good team.

ND is a better team and they should win this game for that reason alone. My gut tells me we're not going to play a clean game and win convincingly. I think it's going to be an ugly win or another painful loss. Either way, there will be meltdowns on here - just another typical fall Saturday on IE.

I'll be thrilled if I'm completely wrong and we coast to an easy win.

All reasonable points. I just dont see how they man up with our run game, and realistically who from their offense will threaten us? I dont see any gamebreaking WRs and dont expect them to move the ball consistently yrhoigh the air. Their run game is pretty much all QB run. Our defense has been really stingy this year and the loss last week was tough but they are still in the playoff conversation.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Louisville game worries me more. ND by 14+

 

[T-Boone]

their DBs won't be as good as OSUs and so the WRs should get open more. That to me means ND should be able to score TDs. Just got to hope the D is good. Too many abbreviations.

 

[Bluto]

ND is going to roll these fools.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I’d like to see a little more pace to our offense (not tempo), but just keep the pressure on duke.

They’re going to have to bring 7/8 to stop our run game… osu never brought in an 8th other than short yardage so they always had safeties over the top. I’d expect us to have more opportunities downfield vs duke

 

[tko]

I can’t believe the media hype for Duke. Yes, they could play out of their minds and they could steal a victory, but people are acting like this is a national championship team. I like that we’re on the road in a hostile environment with everyone picking Duke, bring it!

 

[irishff1014]

We ran for 176 yards against OSU. No way unless we don’t commit to the run can Duke do that unless they stack the box. I don’t know their defense players at all but in the case I bet Evans would have a huge day. I would like to see Greathouse have a big big day.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I can’t believe the media hype for Duke. Yes, they could play out of their minds and they could steal a victory, but people are acting like this is a national championship team. I like that we’re on the road in a hostile environment with everyone picking Duke, bring it!

The media hype for Duke is good.
It will focus the players knowing this isn't a typical Duke team and when we boat race them, it shows just how good we really are.

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

Yes, mainly the obvious - they're at home, game day shitbags will be in town, night game, crowd will be into the game, ND is coming off a brutal loss, a win for them could potentially be the most significant win in their history.

Everyone expects a strong response after the loss and I just think it's going to be tough to match Duke's intensity and focus. Elko is going to have them ready and I think ND will be a bit drained.

Duke is good, and I don't believe their early success is a fluke or the result of an easy schedule. They whipped Clemson week 1. They haven't played anyone the last few weeks but they beat the hell out of whoever they played and that's a sign of a good team.

ND is a better team and they should win this game for that reason alone. My gut tells me we're not going to play a clean game and win convincingly. I think it's going to be an ugly win or another painful loss. Either way, there will be meltdowns on here - just another typical fall Saturday on IE.

I'll be thrilled if I'm completely wrong and we coast to an easy win.

I'm with you. I also get worried that they'll mail it in and just play for themselves for draft status. If we couldn't beat the most beatable OSU team in the last ten years at home at night wearing green. We are not beating USC outside of them having a collapse during the game. So, Playoffs won't be happening. So playing for what? the Mac n Cheese Bowl in December? Like you, I hope i am completely wrong. But in my nearly 40 years of fandom, Notre Dame as let me down...every...single...

Additionally. We beat the crap out of Duke the story will be that Duke isn't any good. lol

 

[BleedingGold]

Just reviewed the injuries. Is it right that we basically have 4 injuries and they are all receivers? Oof

 

[forkbeard3777]

ND needs to brake their foot off in Duke’s ass. Clemson had how many turnovers inside the red zone? 3? Duke’s having a nice season and all, but ND should be able to win this strictly on talent alone.

Go out, start strong and dominate and don’t let up. Run up the score if you have to. Embarrass them on national TV.

 

[stlnd01]

I'm with you. I also get worried that they'll mail it in and just play for themselves for draft status. If we couldn't beat the most beatable OSU team in the last ten years at home at night wearing green. We are not beating USC outside of them having a collapse during the game. So, Playoffs won't be happening. So playing for what? the Mac n Cheese Bowl in December? Like you, I hope i am completely wrong. But in my nearly 40 years of fandom, Notre Dame as let me down...every...single...

Additionally. We beat the crap out of Duke the story will be that Duke isn't any good. lol

Lighten up, Francis.

 

[Valpodoc85]

Elko was good at getting our guys to tackle and creating turnovers. I suspect he has taken the same mindset to Duke. Hopefully, MF's no practice tackling won't come back to bite us

 

[irishnd31]

Lighten up, Francis.

You are my newest and bestest buddy… and Big Toe

 

[dang227]

This campus is annoying. Fuck Duke


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[IRISHDODGER]

Elko was good at getting our guys to tackle and creating turnovers. I suspect he has taken the same mindset to Duke. Hopefully, MF's no practice tackling won't come back to bite us

My understanding is that there’s not an FBS team in the nation that takes players to the ground in practice. It’s all about avoiding injuries.

 

[irishff1014]

This campus is annoying. Fuck Duke


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Game day looks small

 

[IrishTusker]

Duke hype train is out of control. Lol.

 

[irishff1014]

Everyone on game day selected Duke but Lee

 

[IA4irish]

Everyone on game day selected Duke but Lee

You cannot be serious? They all picked duke?!

 

[irishff1014]

You cannot be serious? They all picked duke?!

Rece and Kirk did t pick due to calling the game

 

[NorthDakota]

Game day looks small

Duke ain't a big school. Duke football ain't a big fanbase.