Pre-Game Analysis: TEXAS @ nd
- Thread starter Godz40acres
- Start date
Godz40acres
Happy Feller
Player interviews following Strong's PC:
I love that last line by Duke. He's calling the other DBs "my guys." He's being a leader as a senior; he's doing what Strong has wanted since he arrived last year - for seniors to step up and take control; be leaders!
There were reports throughout Fall Camp of Duke, Shiro, Jinkens, and Flowers all coaching their younger position players. This is what needs to happen to bring players together and make them a team. We may not see gigantic progress this season, but...
It. Is. Coming!
(Dang it, I think I just wet myself.)
Senior TE Alex De La Torre
On changes in quarterback Tyrone Swoopes: A hundred eighty. I feel like last year was really his first year to get going. He's got a year under his belt; he is playing outstanding right now. You can tell he is a lot more confident and, you know, he has really taken that extra step to become the leader we need on the offensive side as well as the team.
On handling the hype: We know it's a big game, but we treat it as every other game. We have to focus on our objectives. We have to focus on winning, and we're taking it play by play, drive by drive, and we have practiced so much to where it's got to become normal to us. We have got to just go do our jobs.
On the offensive line's improvement: It helps a lot. It gets Tyrone even more time to throw the ball. That's what is building his confidence. The O-line within itself, they are pretty gritty, pretty nasty. I like it a lot. That's the type of player I think I am. It will be interesting to see Saturday night; I think a lot of really good things are going to happen.
On the freshmen: They're ready for it. They play with us, I mean we practice against guys who are at the same level as everywhere else in the nation so, they built their confidence just through practice I think. It's not normal to go in a game and not be nervous, I think after the first hit it will just be normal. You practice so much in fall camp, it's so repetitive that it just becomes a normal thing.
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Senior CB Duke Thomas
On if this team is ready: Definitely. The guys are really confident and we are talking about preaching preparation. Preparation builds confidence. In the film room twice a day we got our iPads. Everybody is in it, freshmen through seniors. We are looking to going into the game well prepared.
On the playbook being loaded to the iPad: Yeah, we are trying to go strictly digital. We don't want to use much paper anymore. It is easier for coach just to upload it right there to us and get it right where we are.
On the freshmen getting their first taste of college football this weekend: I mean just like any of us, we are going to be nervous and anxious about it. It is going to be a big game. That is what I came here for. Coach Strong and everyone knows that. I mean it is the Longhorns. That is what we came here for. We are definitely going to start it off right.
On thoughts on Notre Dame Quarterback Malik Zaire: Yeah, we have been watching film on him, but he is a big guy. We really have to corral the ball because a 220-pound quarterback, he is like a running back to us. We just got to get to him and corral the quarterback. We can't let him scramble much and (force him to) keep him in the pocket.
On playing more nickelback: I feel like I have grown more. I know more of the defense. I feel like I am comfortable there. I like being in that physical position. You get a lot more action there. And I feel like I can definitely be effective.
On managing your emotions going into a big game, the season opener, and a road game: I mean going into the atmosphere will be fun. I am going to enjoy it. But I am definitely take it as it is. It is another game. It is the same game I have been playing since I was a kid. There are fans. I mean there is just more people to watch. That is the same thing I am telling my guys. The same game they have been playing their whole lives. Get out there, have fun, and handle what we can.
On changes in quarterback Tyrone Swoopes: A hundred eighty. I feel like last year was really his first year to get going. He's got a year under his belt; he is playing outstanding right now. You can tell he is a lot more confident and, you know, he has really taken that extra step to become the leader we need on the offensive side as well as the team.
On handling the hype: We know it's a big game, but we treat it as every other game. We have to focus on our objectives. We have to focus on winning, and we're taking it play by play, drive by drive, and we have practiced so much to where it's got to become normal to us. We have got to just go do our jobs.
On the offensive line's improvement: It helps a lot. It gets Tyrone even more time to throw the ball. That's what is building his confidence. The O-line within itself, they are pretty gritty, pretty nasty. I like it a lot. That's the type of player I think I am. It will be interesting to see Saturday night; I think a lot of really good things are going to happen.
On the freshmen: They're ready for it. They play with us, I mean we practice against guys who are at the same level as everywhere else in the nation so, they built their confidence just through practice I think. It's not normal to go in a game and not be nervous, I think after the first hit it will just be normal. You practice so much in fall camp, it's so repetitive that it just becomes a normal thing.
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Senior CB Duke Thomas
On if this team is ready: Definitely. The guys are really confident and we are talking about preaching preparation. Preparation builds confidence. In the film room twice a day we got our iPads. Everybody is in it, freshmen through seniors. We are looking to going into the game well prepared.
On the playbook being loaded to the iPad: Yeah, we are trying to go strictly digital. We don't want to use much paper anymore. It is easier for coach just to upload it right there to us and get it right where we are.
On the freshmen getting their first taste of college football this weekend: I mean just like any of us, we are going to be nervous and anxious about it. It is going to be a big game. That is what I came here for. Coach Strong and everyone knows that. I mean it is the Longhorns. That is what we came here for. We are definitely going to start it off right.
On thoughts on Notre Dame Quarterback Malik Zaire: Yeah, we have been watching film on him, but he is a big guy. We really have to corral the ball because a 220-pound quarterback, he is like a running back to us. We just got to get to him and corral the quarterback. We can't let him scramble much and (force him to) keep him in the pocket.
On playing more nickelback: I feel like I have grown more. I know more of the defense. I feel like I am comfortable there. I like being in that physical position. You get a lot more action there. And I feel like I can definitely be effective.
On managing your emotions going into a big game, the season opener, and a road game: I mean going into the atmosphere will be fun. I am going to enjoy it. But I am definitely take it as it is. It is another game. It is the same game I have been playing since I was a kid. There are fans. I mean there is just more people to watch. That is the same thing I am telling my guys. The same game they have been playing their whole lives. Get out there, have fun, and handle what we can.
I love that last line by Duke. He's calling the other DBs "my guys." He's being a leader as a senior; he's doing what Strong has wanted since he arrived last year - for seniors to step up and take control; be leaders!
There were reports throughout Fall Camp of Duke, Shiro, Jinkens, and Flowers all coaching their younger position players. This is what needs to happen to bring players together and make them a team. We may not see gigantic progress this season, but...
It. Is. Coming!
(Dang it, I think I just wet myself.)
NJlonghorn
2,500+ Posts
Roflmao. I love how you stuck that in there in a tiny font. I almost overlooked it.
Godz40acres
Happy Feller
This could be a sign...
Godz40acres
Happy Feller
I don't get why football writers are so high on domer QB Zaire - he's only played two games. Against LSU in the bowl game last year he went 12/15 for under 100 yards.
Take away Zaire's ability to run and nd will be in trouble. I hope we stack the box, release the surge, and press the receivers 'cuz it doubtful he can beat us long.
Per HD:
Freshman LB Breckyn Hager, who left practice last Thursday with a knee injury, it turns out, had some scar tissue in his knee come loose, which is actually not a bad thing. He does not have torn meniscus. So look for Hager to start on special teams and possibly even get a few reps at MLB in a rotation with Malik Jefferson on Saturday.
DE Shiro Davis said junior DE Bryce Cottrell has pushed him to the max.
"He's definitely pushed me. He's made some huge strides, and it forced me to do the same."
On Notre Dame's offensive line, Davis said:
"Seems like a typical offensive line - nothing too special about em. If they get their hands on you, you're done. So you can't let them get their hands on you."
Shiro Davis, Poona Ford and Desmond Jackson all said they think Notre Dame is probably overlooking Texas and the strength of UT's D-line:
"Very possibly," Jackson said.
Asked if the Texas defense can contain ND's running QB Malik Zaire, Jackson smiled and said, "We'll see Saturday."
Ford said DL coach Brick Haley has told the D-line Zaire "is a running back playing quarterback."
When asked for one word to describe the Texas defense, Tank Jackson said, "Hungry."
Take away Zaire's ability to run and nd will be in trouble. I hope we stack the box, release the surge, and press the receivers 'cuz it doubtful he can beat us long.
Per HD:
Freshman LB Breckyn Hager, who left practice last Thursday with a knee injury, it turns out, had some scar tissue in his knee come loose, which is actually not a bad thing. He does not have torn meniscus. So look for Hager to start on special teams and possibly even get a few reps at MLB in a rotation with Malik Jefferson on Saturday.
DE Shiro Davis said junior DE Bryce Cottrell has pushed him to the max.
"He's definitely pushed me. He's made some huge strides, and it forced me to do the same."
On Notre Dame's offensive line, Davis said:
"Seems like a typical offensive line - nothing too special about em. If they get their hands on you, you're done. So you can't let them get their hands on you."
Shiro Davis, Poona Ford and Desmond Jackson all said they think Notre Dame is probably overlooking Texas and the strength of UT's D-line:
"Very possibly," Jackson said.
Asked if the Texas defense can contain ND's running QB Malik Zaire, Jackson smiled and said, "We'll see Saturday."
Ford said DL coach Brick Haley has told the D-line Zaire "is a running back playing quarterback."
When asked for one word to describe the Texas defense, Tank Jackson said, "Hungry."
I like how this is coming together... if the Horns stack the box and can slow the ND running game, make ND somewhat one dimensional, keep pressure on Zaire and force him to pass.... the odds for the Defense improve greatly.
Godz40acres
Happy Feller
Yeah, what Joe said AND they got a damn silly leprechaun mascot:
^^^ This or this? vvv
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Godz40acres
Happy Feller
nd Scouting Report
Defense
- The Irish lost starting defensive tackle Jarron Jones for the season. The big DT (6-5, 315) was Notre Dame's poor man's version of Vince Woolfork and he was a likely NFL draft pick. The drop off to his replacements is steep and he'll be missed. Notre Dame still has DT Sheldon Day and he's very solid.
- Freshman DB Shaun Crawford was also lost to a knee injury. He was expected to provide depth and get some snaps in nickel and dime packages. His best football is a year away and the Irish can replace him for now.
- Notre DC Brian Van Gorder is known for being blitz happy. Like on every down. Given our OL inexperience and Tyrone's history of pocket panic, expect to see a lot of that on Saturday. Swoopes has to step into some hits and deliver on the deep post routes he missed last year (ALL OF THEM) and the Longhorn wide receivers need to make some plays in the screen and short game.
Offense
- RB Greg Bryant is suspended for the year Tarean Folston was slated to start even if Bryant had returned and he's the tougher, more dependable player.
- Notre Dame's skill positions are loaded. If you have images of the plodding Irish, erase them. Great mix of wide receivers (they've got at least four who can really play), good running backs and QB Malik Zaire is a powerful dual threat runner. While still unproven as a polished passer, Zaire is a stocky, strong dude who isn't afraid of contact.
[Full BC article]
Defense
- The Irish lost starting defensive tackle Jarron Jones for the season. The big DT (6-5, 315) was Notre Dame's poor man's version of Vince Woolfork and he was a likely NFL draft pick. The drop off to his replacements is steep and he'll be missed. Notre Dame still has DT Sheldon Day and he's very solid.
- Freshman DB Shaun Crawford was also lost to a knee injury. He was expected to provide depth and get some snaps in nickel and dime packages. His best football is a year away and the Irish can replace him for now.
- Notre DC Brian Van Gorder is known for being blitz happy. Like on every down. Given our OL inexperience and Tyrone's history of pocket panic, expect to see a lot of that on Saturday. Swoopes has to step into some hits and deliver on the deep post routes he missed last year (ALL OF THEM) and the Longhorn wide receivers need to make some plays in the screen and short game.
Offense
- RB Greg Bryant is suspended for the year Tarean Folston was slated to start even if Bryant had returned and he's the tougher, more dependable player.
- Notre Dame's skill positions are loaded. If you have images of the plodding Irish, erase them. Great mix of wide receivers (they've got at least four who can really play), good running backs and QB Malik Zaire is a powerful dual threat runner. While still unproven as a polished passer, Zaire is a stocky, strong dude who isn't afraid of contact.
[Full BC article]
Godz40acres
Happy Feller
Just what we've been waiting for... Another VANCE RANT!
I love to hear Bedford talk.
He is smart, he says all the right things. He means what he says.
I know he says all the right things to any player on that team.
What I like most about what he said in this interview:
"We are going to play hard, play fast and play physical"
He is smart, he says all the right things. He means what he says.
I know he says all the right things to any player on that team.
What I like most about what he said in this interview:
"We are going to play hard, play fast and play physical"
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Godz40acres
Happy Feller
Per BON:
To preview [the TEXAS/nd game], we exchanged questions with Patrick Burns to get some expert insight into head coach Brian Kelly.
1. Notre Dame had been in a long rebuilding process when Brian Kelly arrived. How did he turn things around in South Bend and are the expectations of Golden Domers are high as some in the national media who are predicting a possible College Football Playoff birth for the Fighting Irish?
PB: The crater from which Brian Kelly has lifted us from was pretty spectacular. Bob Davie was an alright coach who made some questionable in-game decisions, but kept the ship mostly pointed in the right direction. Tyrone Willingham I don't believe ever actually recruited a player, and Charlie Weis couldn't develop anything other than quarterbacks and wide receivers, and also brought in a very entitled sense of being to the Notre Dame locker room.
Much like Charlie Strong at Texas, Brian Kelly came in and immediately set to work on changing the feel and mood of the team. No more entitlement -- it was all about hard work and doing it for the guy next to you. That was step one. Step two was simply recruiting across the board to replenish what was a ruined depth chart. Only now, in 2015, would I say that we are at full strength across the board.
2. The last month or so hasn't really gone to plan for Kelly's team, as there have been some serious injuries and significant attrition, including the season-ending injury to defensive tackle Jarron Jones and the departure of former five-star running back Greg Bryant. For Texas fans who haven't been paying close attention, can you quickly run through all those losses and provide some perspective on how much they will impact the upside of the 2015 team?
PB: I'll speak first about the Bryant departure, since it won't truly affect the Notre Dame team. He would have likely been a kick returner and spelled the starting running back Tarean Folston, but wasn't a huge part of the plans this year (as far as we can tell).
Jarron Jones is a MUCH larger injury. He was hurt at the end of last season, when powerhouses such as Northwestern and Louisville ran riot over our defensive line. He was going to bring some much needed beef to the defensive front. That being said, he was coming off of injury, so there's no guarantee that he would have had the impact we were all hoping for. Daniel Cage and Jerry Tillery (true freshman) will pick up the slack, and as long as they give us average snaps, the rest of the defense should be able to pick them up.
3. Even though junior quarterback Malik Zaire has only started two games at Notre Dame, he already seems entrenched as Notre Dame's QB1. What are his strengths and weaknesses right now?
PB: I don't think it will be all sunshine and rainbows this year, as he has a tendency to rocket every pass, not using enough touch on some balls. He is also far less accurate than Everett Golson was.
Where Zaire sets himself apart is his physicality in the running game and his amazing leadership.
4. Which skill-position player on offense should the Longhorns be most afraid of breaking off a big, game-changing play or two this weekend?
PB: There is a TON of talent across the skill positions for the Irish, so this is a tough one for me to answer. As far as a jaw-dropping "did he just do that" type play, I think freshman tight end Aliz'e Jones is the No. 1 candidate to do something that makes you think he's not as human as the rest of us.
As far as a breakaway score, or making something out of nothing, I would expect CJ Prosise to make a big play on a jet sweep or screen pass at some point on Saturday.
5. Texas head coach Charlie Strong said that he would blitz the Longhorns every time if he was the opposing defensive coordinator going against a team with two true freshmen starting along the offensive line. Is that the strategy that you expect Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to adopt on Saturday and what are some of his favorite blitzes?
PB: Its BVG, so yes. Blitzes will be coming early and often from everywhere on the field. He really likes using his nickelback in blitzes, and we have shown in camp the desire to put KeiVarae Russell (our most dynamic corner) in the slot to cause the quarterback some pain. He will run very complex zone blitzes, and it's not uncommon to see defensive tackle Sheldon Day in coverage. BVG will give everything he can to the Texas offensive line.
6. The Irish return a ton of starts from a defense that started out strong last year and then faltered down the stretch for a number of reasons. Is this group going to build on last year's early-season success or are there concerns that better health and more experience won't solve those late-season struggles?
PB: There's definitely concerns, particularly against uptempo and option offenses (we face both GT and Navy this year). Brian VanGorder's scheme is extremely complicated from all accounts, so hopefully another year will prove to be advantageous for the defense. The biggest concern comes in that it is so complicated that only one year extra isn't enough.
7. How do Notre Dame fans feel about this contest and the trip to Austin that looms next season. And what should Texas fans expect when they arrive in South Bend? Are the Fighting Irish faithful more like Ohio State fans or more like Nebraska fans?
PB: Very excited about this, I am trying all I can to convince my wife to let me start planning the trip to Austin now. Two great programs, and there's a ton of respect from both fanbases it seems like. You can ask your neighbors to the north about how they thought the hospitality was when they were here. I'd say we're great hosts, and very happy to have y'all here. (Did I y'all correctly?)
To preview [the TEXAS/nd game], we exchanged questions with Patrick Burns to get some expert insight into head coach Brian Kelly.
1. Notre Dame had been in a long rebuilding process when Brian Kelly arrived. How did he turn things around in South Bend and are the expectations of Golden Domers are high as some in the national media who are predicting a possible College Football Playoff birth for the Fighting Irish?
PB: The crater from which Brian Kelly has lifted us from was pretty spectacular. Bob Davie was an alright coach who made some questionable in-game decisions, but kept the ship mostly pointed in the right direction. Tyrone Willingham I don't believe ever actually recruited a player, and Charlie Weis couldn't develop anything other than quarterbacks and wide receivers, and also brought in a very entitled sense of being to the Notre Dame locker room.
Much like Charlie Strong at Texas, Brian Kelly came in and immediately set to work on changing the feel and mood of the team. No more entitlement -- it was all about hard work and doing it for the guy next to you. That was step one. Step two was simply recruiting across the board to replenish what was a ruined depth chart. Only now, in 2015, would I say that we are at full strength across the board.
2. The last month or so hasn't really gone to plan for Kelly's team, as there have been some serious injuries and significant attrition, including the season-ending injury to defensive tackle Jarron Jones and the departure of former five-star running back Greg Bryant. For Texas fans who haven't been paying close attention, can you quickly run through all those losses and provide some perspective on how much they will impact the upside of the 2015 team?
PB: I'll speak first about the Bryant departure, since it won't truly affect the Notre Dame team. He would have likely been a kick returner and spelled the starting running back Tarean Folston, but wasn't a huge part of the plans this year (as far as we can tell).
Jarron Jones is a MUCH larger injury. He was hurt at the end of last season, when powerhouses such as Northwestern and Louisville ran riot over our defensive line. He was going to bring some much needed beef to the defensive front. That being said, he was coming off of injury, so there's no guarantee that he would have had the impact we were all hoping for. Daniel Cage and Jerry Tillery (true freshman) will pick up the slack, and as long as they give us average snaps, the rest of the defense should be able to pick them up.
3. Even though junior quarterback Malik Zaire has only started two games at Notre Dame, he already seems entrenched as Notre Dame's QB1. What are his strengths and weaknesses right now?
PB: I don't think it will be all sunshine and rainbows this year, as he has a tendency to rocket every pass, not using enough touch on some balls. He is also far less accurate than Everett Golson was.
Where Zaire sets himself apart is his physicality in the running game and his amazing leadership.
4. Which skill-position player on offense should the Longhorns be most afraid of breaking off a big, game-changing play or two this weekend?
PB: There is a TON of talent across the skill positions for the Irish, so this is a tough one for me to answer. As far as a jaw-dropping "did he just do that" type play, I think freshman tight end Aliz'e Jones is the No. 1 candidate to do something that makes you think he's not as human as the rest of us.
As far as a breakaway score, or making something out of nothing, I would expect CJ Prosise to make a big play on a jet sweep or screen pass at some point on Saturday.
5. Texas head coach Charlie Strong said that he would blitz the Longhorns every time if he was the opposing defensive coordinator going against a team with two true freshmen starting along the offensive line. Is that the strategy that you expect Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to adopt on Saturday and what are some of his favorite blitzes?
PB: Its BVG, so yes. Blitzes will be coming early and often from everywhere on the field. He really likes using his nickelback in blitzes, and we have shown in camp the desire to put KeiVarae Russell (our most dynamic corner) in the slot to cause the quarterback some pain. He will run very complex zone blitzes, and it's not uncommon to see defensive tackle Sheldon Day in coverage. BVG will give everything he can to the Texas offensive line.
6. The Irish return a ton of starts from a defense that started out strong last year and then faltered down the stretch for a number of reasons. Is this group going to build on last year's early-season success or are there concerns that better health and more experience won't solve those late-season struggles?
PB: There's definitely concerns, particularly against uptempo and option offenses (we face both GT and Navy this year). Brian VanGorder's scheme is extremely complicated from all accounts, so hopefully another year will prove to be advantageous for the defense. The biggest concern comes in that it is so complicated that only one year extra isn't enough.
7. How do Notre Dame fans feel about this contest and the trip to Austin that looms next season. And what should Texas fans expect when they arrive in South Bend? Are the Fighting Irish faithful more like Ohio State fans or more like Nebraska fans?
PB: Very excited about this, I am trying all I can to convince my wife to let me start planning the trip to Austin now. Two great programs, and there's a ton of respect from both fanbases it seems like. You can ask your neighbors to the north about how they thought the hospitality was when they were here. I'd say we're great hosts, and very happy to have y'all here. (Did I y'all correctly?)
I think our D will play well enough to win. But the O scares the hell out of me. Mainly I fear mistakes: penalties, fumbles, ints. The play has to get to the QB quickly, and TS must maintain his cool and confidence in the face of the intense pressure the ND linebackers will put on him, the running game; esp by stacking the box and blitzing.
I am so hyped!
I am so hyped!
L
LtSwtCrude
Guest
"We are going to play hard, play fast and play physical"
L
LtSwtCrude
Guest
104.9 with Ketch today said this may be the pivotal game of Strong's entire career here -- [words to the effect] it carries the chance to pivot the program in some dramatic direction. Carries a lot with it. I think Charlie and the staff have gone through the past weeks with measured attitude and hard work all aimed at showing up in South Bend with nothing but all-out victory on their minds!!!
Think how Coach Royal instructed and guided the team regards going out on the field against OU... same thing.
This game means business. A lot of business. Think ... a team of white horses trained by Ben Hur!!!
Notice who's wearing the gold helmet... who's all-white horses...
Think how Coach Royal instructed and guided the team regards going out on the field against OU... same thing. This game means business. A lot of business. Think ... a team of white horses trained by Ben Hur!!!
Notice who's wearing the gold helmet... who's all-white horses...
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L
LtSwtCrude
Guest
"They’re gonna be ready to play, I can promise you that. Somebody’s gonna get hit on defense. They don’t do that, they gonna be on the sidelines. Like I always say, I like Gatorade, they gonna be standing next to me like I’m doing, watching the game." - Coach Bedford
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LtSwtCrude
Guest
"The guy in front me, you got a problem cause you showed up today!" - Vance
If what we are hearing and reading is accurate -- that the team has a new attitude, that the freshmen are something special, that the O-Line is dramatically improved and that Swoopes is a different player this year -- then we should be competitive with a reasonable opportunity to win Saturday. And if we do, it will be validation for Strong, and the beginning of a new and exciting chapter.
Every year hope springs eternal. I have a good feeling about Saturday.
Every year hope springs eternal. I have a good feeling about Saturday.
L
LtSwtCrude
Guest
Every position on the depth chart now is earned, and continues to be earned. In a game, if not producing, on the sidelines sipping Gatorade. Play fast, play hard, play physical, play hungry. Yes, new attitude.
Godz40acres
Happy Feller
Takeaways From Bedford's Presser
I'm glad to hear PJ Locke will be playing Nickel. I thought he'd become a CB and that's a great way to work him into it. Big news is Duke Thomas will be starting at Nickel and John Bonney will be the number 1.
There is really no wrong way to play our corners. I've tried to look at why this may be bad, but John Bonney is a wonderful cover 2 corner or a nickel corner. Same with Duke Thomas.
You either have your best corner covering the number 1 WR or you have him covering the most athletic guy (who is often a slot receiver in the spread offense). He's diagnosed William Fuller as their most potent threat at WR who will be running the X position at WR. Thus he's decided to have his best CB (aka Duke Thomas) play the Nickel to cover Notre Dame's top receiving threat. Fuller is now the responsibility of Duke and this young linebacker corp instead of Bonney (who's really good but never played) and a young linebacker corp.
You get size out on the outside with Bonney as he guards Corey Robinson, but you lose some run support.
Duke is basically taking Quandre Diggs' old spot. Just because Duke will be a Nickel does not mean he will be off the field when we go base defense, nor does it mean he's our 3rd best cover guy.
Antwaun Davis has been called the most athletic player on the team, so I'm pretty ok with him matching up vs ND's WRs.
There is just so much depth in this position. These freshmen could be starting on other P5 teams.
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About Ridgeway being 2nd team... People should stop panicking about this. Hassan has not regressed. Hassan is not overrated. Poona is just good. This doesn't mean he's not going to play (maybe he'll even play more than Poona) - this is a motivational tool for Hassan Ridgeway.
"They're both starters." I'm looking at this as a positive. Something along the lines of "Look at how stacked we are at defensive line! We have so much depth!"
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On Malik: "I'm just hoping I don't get rattled." Bedford is trying to tailor and cut back expectations for Malik. This is great as a coach. High expectations crash careers.
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"Some of these kids don't know who Earl Campbell is." There's the old saying "ignorance is bliss." I think the fact that these guys don't know the history and don't know what they're supposed to be afraid of will be nothing but beneficial. They will not be intimidated walking into South Bend.
[HornSports article]
Gawd, I hope he is right.
Godz40acres
Happy Feller
Hey everyone, not here to cause trouble, just get tired of reading all the junk and close minded opinions on ND boards. Nothin but respect for Texas. For two reasons i am glad we are playing you the first game of the year.
1.) I wanna see Zaire get smacked and see how he responds, and i think texas will do this rather than starting against a powder puff team where he can shred them 55-0. I think he will learn some valuable lessons here that will pay dividends later in the season. Also, we have some other freshman that i think need to be exposed to this same kind of treatment.
2.) I would much rather play texas the first game of the season instead of the last, bc i think you guys are just going to get better as the season goes along. My honest opinion is that ND will win, but if this was week 9 or 10 at texas, i would be unsure. This will be a fun game, i think starting out we would have been better off if Golson would have stayed, but regardless, i think the weapons we have to go with a decent defense will be too much at this point. I don't think your offense will have much success outside the tackles, but can gain some momentum up the middle.
I will admit that this is based more off of ND knowledge and little texas knowledge. I did watch some of last year and did some research.
I am open to discussion if you want, can leave if thats the case. Just hoping to gain some knowledge on possible texas/nd mismatches and individual battles that will be fun to watch throughout the game.
What are texas's biggest strength where you think they can gain advantage against ND?
Thanks and safe travels for those comin in!
1.) I wanna see Zaire get smacked and see how he responds, and i think texas will do this rather than starting against a powder puff team where he can shred them 55-0. I think he will learn some valuable lessons here that will pay dividends later in the season. Also, we have some other freshman that i think need to be exposed to this same kind of treatment.
2.) I would much rather play texas the first game of the season instead of the last, bc i think you guys are just going to get better as the season goes along. My honest opinion is that ND will win, but if this was week 9 or 10 at texas, i would be unsure. This will be a fun game, i think starting out we would have been better off if Golson would have stayed, but regardless, i think the weapons we have to go with a decent defense will be too much at this point. I don't think your offense will have much success outside the tackles, but can gain some momentum up the middle.
I will admit that this is based more off of ND knowledge and little texas knowledge. I did watch some of last year and did some research.
I am open to discussion if you want, can leave if thats the case. Just hoping to gain some knowledge on possible texas/nd mismatches and individual battles that will be fun to watch throughout the game.
What are texas's biggest strength where you think they can gain advantage against ND?
Thanks and safe travels for those comin in!
Godz40acres
Happy Feller
Offensively, nd is supposed to have a super receiver corps. But, our D's strength is the line and excellent blitz schemes (like nd). So, if Zaire is pressured/harassed, will he be able to hit his guys consistently? I don't think he will, so that's a plus in our favor.
Our other strength is the speed of our offense should wear down your defense. Now, if it doesn't affect them until the 4th quarter, we may be in trouble. If it begins to disrupt your guys in the 2nd half of the 2nd quarter, then we should be in good shape.
Also, your team has never seen our offense on film, so that should handicap their preparation. Conversely, our DC, Brick Haley, just saw your offense a few months ago.
Lastly, we have a Tongan and you don't.
Thanks for posting - would love to hear more of your thoughts.
Last edited:
Godz40acres
Happy Feller
Thanks for the good response, not always well received when visiting boards.
Zaire reaction to pressure is one of the things i will be watching most. Our offensive line is suppose to be a huge strength all season, and i am just unsure about it. I cant get people in ND land to understand that a large amount of golson's struggles last year were due to poor offensive line play. So we will see how that plays out. The problem with the blitzing is though, IF we can pick it up, ND's receivers should destroy man coverage. But we will see which way that "IF" goes.
I will curious of the speed battle between your O and our D. Like i hinted at earlier, i dont believe our middle has much, but on the outside, we have some pretty good speed, jaylon smith, kavari russell, max redfield. They are pretty quick, mainly smith. That kid is a freak lol. And we have a lot of depth to rotate people in and keep them fresh.
i do think an advantage is the lack of what we know about your Defense.
Zaire reaction to pressure is one of the things i will be watching most. Our offensive line is suppose to be a huge strength all season, and i am just unsure about it. I cant get people in ND land to understand that a large amount of golson's struggles last year were due to poor offensive line play. So we will see how that plays out. The problem with the blitzing is though, IF we can pick it up, ND's receivers should destroy man coverage. But we will see which way that "IF" goes.
I will curious of the speed battle between your O and our D. Like i hinted at earlier, i dont believe our middle has much, but on the outside, we have some pretty good speed, jaylon smith, kavari russell, max redfield. They are pretty quick, mainly smith. That kid is a freak lol. And we have a lot of depth to rotate people in and keep them fresh.
i do think an advantage is the lack of what we know about your Defense.
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