Week 3 Prediction Poll (Georgia Tech @ ND)

[woolybug25]

With doubts as fuel, Paul Johnson drives Georgia Tech

haha

So when Johnson called in 2006 — by then, more successful and wealthier than ever — ranting and raving about how Georgia Southern's first-year coach Brian VanGorder was trying to undo the triple option offense that had lifted the program to prominence, Inman knew it had wounded Johnson's football soul.

"VanGorder had made some comments that he didn't think too highly of the offense, and Paul called me up and said, 'I need to talk to (athletics director) Sam (Baker) and get Georgia Southern on the schedule,'" Inman said. "I said, 'Why do you want to play us?' And he said, 'Because I want to beat the hell out of Brian VanGorder.' "

I believe BVG referred to his offense as a "high school offense"...

 

[mgriff]

haha



I believe BVG referred to his offense as a "high school offense"...

Then someone as touted and experienced as BvG should have no trouble stopping said offense with the athletic advantage that ND possesses, right?

 

[woolybug25]

Then someone as touted and experienced as BvG should have no trouble stopping said offense with the athletic advantage that ND possesses, right?

 

[GoldenDomer]

 

[irishnd31]

Have no numbers or facts behind it, rather a gut feeling. I say defense shuts them down early and GT goes into ND "panic mode" as they have not faced a bit of adversity up until this point. I have ND winning by 15+. Kizer is a house hold name after Saturday.

 

[BobbyMac]

Taking GT against the early spread is the bet. Can't wait to see where it ends. Money is going to pour in on Tech.

I knew ND was going to crush UT but then again, I also knew they were going to crush the Hoo's. I have no idea what is going to happen this Saturday.

Still gotta like -3 if you are inclined to wager. I thought it was going to open GT -1.5. A lot of guys -10+.

I can't bet against the Irish though... even the spread. Bad mojo. That's too bad because the open is like an early Christmas gift from Vegas.

 

[phillyirish]

In 5 games against Navy's Option, Brian Kelly gives up and average of 275.8 rushing yards and 26.5 points. Georgia Tech runs the option a lot better against better teams with better players. That's why I have no choice but to go with..... ND big. 15-20 point blow out, techs run get shut down with Jaylon Smith has ~20 tackles and then a healthy amount of this team being 'gangsta' praise follows from the board members.

 

[woolybug25]

In 5 games against Navy's Option, Brian Kelly gives up and average of 275.8 rushing yards and 26.5 points. Georgia Tech runs the option a lot better against better teams with better players. That's why I have no choice but to go with..... ND big. 15-20 point blow out, techs run get shut down with Jaylon Smith has ~20 tackles and then a healthy amount of this team being 'gangsta' praise follows from the board members.

 

[gkIrish]

Good news on your turnover margin. We are one of the few teams left this year to not turnover the ball.

I think you beat an option team by beating them at their own game. Take care of the ball, mistake free football, wear them out, and win on third down and in the redzone.

P.S. - That's a pretty good recipe to beat any team. That's why an option team that takes care of the ball is ALWAYS really tough to beat.

The fact that we haven't turned it over makes me think we are due for a couple.

Also, Georgia Tech is #1 in fewest penalties per game so yeah we are in trouble....

 

[longliveautrydenson]

Can anyone provide an actual analysis of GT's defense? I know we've gotten burned by option teams in the past, but oftentimes the best defense against the option is a great offense.

If GT's front 7 is worse than UVa's or UT's we could just pound the ball all day and hope we revert to the mean on converting 3rd downs and scoring in the red zone. I think this game will be relatively close no matter what, but we could win with some level of comfort if we score TDs early, keep our defense off the field with long drives and catch some breaks when GT tries to throw it downfield.

 

[woolybug25]

 

[Kingbish01]

Both teams will be able to run on the other. I like a high scoring game with both teams beat up in the 4th and whichever defense comes up with the big stop gets the win...I like ND 41-35

 

[Riddickulous]

GT 35, ND 14

Kelly has no idea how to defend the option and Kizer will make a few mistakes that will bury us.

Then ND beats UMass 21-17 on a last second TD. Then blows out Clemson 56-7, beats USC, then loses to Navy, Pitt, and WF and finishes at 8-4 with a blowout win of Stanford on the road.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

GT is scary based on the way they finished last season and trounced the 2 cupcakes they started with this year.

Hopefully Virginia brought a little reality check to this locker room. Because this will be a gut check for the defense. I think we will score on them but not enough to win a shootout.

They return their whole secondary and have a really athletic front 7. This D will be better than Texas and Virgina so take that for what it's worth.

I think Schmidt keeps the D in this and we pull out a 31-24 win.

 

[Grahambo]

Love the faux GT/ND hate.

ND - 41
GT - 27

 

[Ndaccountant]

Given that some posters seem a bit down on this game, just thought I would post an IE gif favorite to perk everyone up.

 

[tko]

First mushroom bruise for Brian Kelly this year comes from Mr. Paul Johnson.

 

[mgriff]

Given that some posters seem a bit down on this game, just thought I would post an IE gif favorite to perk everyone up.

This is now a hot female athlete thread? I can get behind that.

 

[NDRock]

GT 35, ND 14

Kelly has no idea how to defend the option and Kizer will make a few mistakes that will bury us.

Then ND beats UMass 21-17 on a last second TD. Then blows out Clemson 56-7, beats USC, then loses to Navy, Pitt, and WF and finishes at 8-4 with a blowout win of Stanford on the road.

That would be an insane season.

 

[NDBoiler]

I'll reiterate what others have touched on, and that is if the defense doesn't have a really good game, what a waste of time for Elliot. I hope it pays off.

 

[johnnycando]

What would your score change and your outlook be with MZ and TF at 100% and starting?

 

[Irish YJ]

What would your score change and your outlook be with MZ and TF at 100% and starting?

ND
45-31

 

[irishknight35]

What would your score change and your outlook be with MZ and TF at 100% and starting?

41-17 Irish. Malik begins to be known for showing up big in big games, Folston/Prosise/Adams rush for 200+ yards. Elliot makes his biggest contribution at ND by finally teaching BVG how to defend a triple option.

without.....

42-24 GT. ND tries to lean on its defense to get a win but the D crumbles under the pressure, Elliot reveals he spent all summer reading his AARP magazines and being Robert Redford's stunt double instead of working up a master plan to stop one stinkin' offense. Kizer tries admirably but fails to get a rhythm going with GT locking in on stopping Prosise from getting any traction in the run game. But no major injuries after Brian Kelly holds a secret Pagan sacrificial ritual at mid-field of ND Stadium the midnight before the game. No italics.

 

[NDJimmy]

3 members of ND front 7 go down as victims of cut blocks, all miss the UMass game, one also misses Clemson.

Defense generally effective against GT option.

Kizer commits his first turnover.

Sanders returns a punt for a TD.

ND O-line dominates GT front, wearing them down in the 4th quarter.

ND 38
GT 24

 

[palinurus]

The good news: G Tech doesn't pass much, so our questionable secondary won't get tested.

The bad news: the Option, and Weis-ian Flashbacks to Navy debacles and a 7 point loss.

 

[Blaise]

I thought we lose this game before the injuries... No Folson, No Zaire and we lose our best Dual TE... Going to be tough to win

 

[dublinirish]

If i was BK this week all I'd practice is short yardage running. ND is going to have to convert some 4th and 1's. Just can't afford GT to win the battle of possession.

The MVP this week will be Tyler Newsome, gotta keep making sure GT plays with long fields

 

[Bogtrotter07]

If we have a hard time stopping Virginia, GT will roll us. Our only hope is scoring a ton, and I don't see that happening.

Love ND, Love this team--but, I don't think we are a top 15 team this year. And losing Zaire, it will be even tougher. Top 25 for sure, but right now we are over ranked. And I am scared that GT will expose us in a huge way. We have serious issues with teams like GT. We may get run over.

Hope not, but watching the Virginia Game our defense isn't as good as I thought it was.

See, no disrespect intended but I have a problem with some of the logic in this post.

ND's offensive line didn't have a problem with Va's, defense; the ND coaches didn't want to take what Va., was giving, or didn't see it. And Zaire didn't see it. And Kizer probably didn't see it until the last drive. That is the only drawback with being exclusively a zone blocking line.

I am not sure that one of our losses are going to hamstring the Irish this year; how can anyone be sure? Cage is playing fiercely, CJ is off the charts, and there is every indication that we have something special brewing at quarterback. Of note, other than Jones and Smythe, who (Durham) may not have ended up at starter by the end of the year, anyways, the Irish appear to be totally healthy in the trenches, and have the best lines we have had for quite a few years.

The game Saturday night was not on the offensive line, per se. Tenuta created the perfect situation for his little guys to attack a big, zone blocking offensive line. The Irish would have had to pull in a wide receiver and the running back on every play to stop his scheme. Then Va., was sitting back on the routes. It was a brilliant plan that the ND staff never came up with a real answer for all night.

GeoTech is much different than Va., and actually a better matchup for the Irish in my opinion, even though almost everyone would agree that Tech is a better team. It will be interesting to watch them head to head this year.

First thing, from least important to greatest :

Tech came off two practice games that were no test. Tech is small up front. Even Tulane is tiny compared to them. And then Tech walks into a brutal ACC schedule. I am not talking about looking ahead, but the rigors of the schedule, and the ACC championship goal have to weigh heavier on their program than does this game.

You can talk about recruiting stars all you want, pro or con, and it doesn't matter until you get to the bottom line. The bottom line is Georgia Tech doesn't have the horses on defense to stop the Irish, and most particularly to play with their receivers. GeoTech lost their one truly great linebacker from last years team, and though their defensive backs are all returning, they are not particularly fast or good. One of the differences between Va., and GeoTech is that even though neither team is particularly large, Va., is much quicker and faster on defense. And much more aggressive. Actually both Texas and Va., had quite a bit of speed on defense. In both games players missed assignments and recovered to make plays; you don't see that so much, especially against teams with ND's offensive speed. GeoTech is going to have to live with their defensive mistakes more than either of ND's other two opponents.

I am not sure that GeoTech's offense has faced a defense as skilled, fast, deep, and strong as ND's this year. Sheldon Day, Jerry Tillery, Daniel Cage, and some other mystery guest may well be able to take the fullback option away. If that works, with virtually no passing game, that leaves two things; the quarterback pitch, and the quarterback keep. How many hits like Smith put on Swoops against Texas do you think that Thomas will be able to take? Or from Grace? Make no mistake Grace moves well, is as big (practicably) as some of GeoTech's offensive linemen, and he hits like a freight train. That goes double for Martini. And what about Bringing Shumate up? Talk about a target rich environment for a heat seeking missile!

But I do agree that we are starting a first time quarterback. And I do think the defensive backfield needs to get their heads out of each others asses. And if Kelly doesn't listen to Sanford this week, ND could well grab defeat out of the jaws of victory!

All in all I see GeoTech scoring a lot less points than they are used to scoring. And I see ND hanging around no matter what with the long ball to the wide receivers that ND can flood the field with.

What would be really cool would be to see some kind of exotic stunt game plan from the Bulldogs, that they just don't have the horses, or dogs, if you will, to pull off!

I have no idea what the line is or anyone else is saying, but I see the Irish by 4. And that is the best I can do because no one can predict the staff's offensive game plan.

 

[phgreek]

If we have a hard time stopping Virginia, GT will roll us. Our only hope is scoring a ton, and I don't see that happening.

Love ND, Love this team--but, I don't think we are a top 15 team this year. And losing Zaire, it will be even tougher. Top 25 for sure, but right now we are over ranked. And I am scared that GT will expose us in a huge way. We have serious issues with teams like GT. We may get run over.

Hope not, but watching the Virginia Game our defense isn't as good as I thought it was.

I don't disagree with the overall assessment of the D, but if you look at what the D does well...penetration, thats really hard on a tripple option. If the D tackles are getting wins, that messes up timing, and running lines/lanes. And realistically they only need to win once a series (preferably on 1st/2nd down), and honk up the down and distance schedule to tip the odds. Never going to stop them, but if the D can get 2 wins / half, and force GT to earn their scores (long drives), and the O can be reasonably effective...this thing will be close. In that scenario, GT puts up 28ish. I think ND can put up 28ish on GT.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Bogs, several of your posts I've read over the last few days have been phenomenal. You've been bringing it lately, and I love it.