JotCast | Notre Dame Football Black Friday Chat

Notre Dame Football Black Friday Chat

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Eric Hansen

1:41

I'm going to cut and paste from an email I sent out this morning on that very subject: That was rover Paul Moala. If you remember, a play preceding that series was originally ruled a touchdown. Moala changes his jersey on kickoff returns so there won't be two No. 13s on the field for the Irish (Lawrence Keys III is the other No. 13). After the TD was overturned Moala didn't have time to switch back to 13. He was a part of the goal-line package.

Dave, Springfield oh

1:39

Great game last weekend! Totally dominant even with back ups on offensive and defensive lines. On Boston colleges only scoring drive, a #70 was playing left side defensive line. Just curious who that was? I don’t even see him listed on Notre Dame official roster.

Eric Hansen

1:38

I don't mind an occasional glass of wine. I actually had a glass of cranberry wine at dinner last night, just to try something new. ... Hope you had a great Thanksgiving as well. ... Shaun Crawford, despite physical limitations, is a difference-maker. Great instincts, great tenacity. Makes players around him better. When healthy, he has track speed. I love his game.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

1:33

Hi Eric, Hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving. You don't seem like a wine guy to me so what will you feast on in Cali?. It seems to me that the defense has really picked up their game since the return of Shaun Crawford to the line-up. I don't count the few snaps that he played in his return game at Michigan. Do you agree and what is that he brings to the defense that has made them so much better? Is it more on the field play or leadership off the field? Thanks. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

1:33

Robb, thank you for being part of the chats. I am not sold that McKinley comes back for a fifth year, but it is a possibility. Even then, I think Kevin Austin is your starter at boundary receiver in 2020, with incoming freshman Jordan Johnson getting a look there too. Micah Jones has the size to be a boundary receiver, but he'll have to step up his game dramatically to push for playing time of any significance next season.

Robb, Colorado

1:28

Hey Eric, thanks for doing the chats. They are great. I don’t see McKinley being next in the line of big WR like Boykin, Claypool, etc. to go off. So who maybe fits that mold size and talent wise? Is that guy even on the roster right now?

Eric Hansen

1:28

If ND did not have the ACC options, the Irish would be dumpster diving -- filling a spot another conference couldn't fill at the bottom of its bowl tie-ins because it didn't have enough bowl-eligible teams.

denis

1:26

denis from Niagara falls, on. bowl possibilities seem to be slim pickings this year. if notre dame was without the acc affiliation this year, what would the possibilities be. could it be any worse. thanks very much.

Eric Hansen

1:26

Chuck, I think the turkey and the gravy tied yesterday. Everything was exceptional. ... Who said he did or didn't veer from the script? I didn't have a chance (not did anyone else) to ask him. ... The third question wouldn't have the same answer in a given week, If you're facing someone like Bryce Hall, for instance, separation becomes more problematic. ... I'll try to answer a fluid and changing question with a general answer ... ND needs to recruit more speed at the position, and they are in the 2020 and 2021 classes. That will help the bouts of lack of separation, but again there are layers to the causes.

chuck @ Brigantine, NJ

1:26

Hi Eric, 3 easy questions for you: 1) What 1 food did you like the most about your dinner yesterday -- turkey, stuffing, potatoes, etc? 2) Chip scripts 9 plays and BC shows him "D" not seen on film. Is he unwilling or unable to veer from the script especially since we took the opening Kickoff vs defer? 3) WR's not getting separation ---root cause is a) not playing the right WR's? b) play called too predictable? c) Ian not waiting long enough for them to get separation? I would rather have a boring 9-2 team ( getting more and more hard to watch) than an exciting 7-4 team ---we disagree on the value of Chip ------ GO IRISH! THANKFUL FOR YOUR INSIGHTS!

Eric Hansen

1:18

Haha, Im headed back tonight with leftovers, so he is welcome to come over and try some. ... I was thinking about the MVP question the other day. I'm going to give it to Chase Claypool. Most Improved? I've got a trio -- Jonathan Doerer, Asmar Bilal, Drew White.

Ken- Pensacola

1:15

Eric, Did you bring any of your Mom's Thanksgiving stuffing for Brian? Now on the Q's. Who is the most valuable and improved player for this year's team? "Let's go Camping!!!!!" Thanks mucho, a little Spanish for your Taco Bar.

Eric Hansen

1:14

Alex, thanks. We actually did stories recently addressing both of those issues:

Tyler on the false starts here: https://www.ndinsider.com/football/notebook-notre-dame-s-false-start-i...

And me on the ticket sales here: https://www.ndinsider.com/football/sellout-streak-ends-at-notre-dame-s...

Alex from Jackson, MO

1:12

Hope your Thanksgiving was great! Two questions from me. The false start penalties are a pattern of behavior. It appears the group is very undisciplined. Interested in what you think the problem is? Other than that, the team is playing really well. Secondly, there were a lot of empty seats last weekend. With all the renovations to the stadium, and the team playing well, I am surprised by this. Also interested in your thoughts on why this is happening? Appreciate you as always.

Eric Hansen

1:12

Frank, that is a question that comes up regularly ... first here is a link to all the old chats ,... both mine and Tom Noie's ... https://www.ndinsider.com/multimedia/chats/

To your question, I'll answer it consistently with how I have before. It's baffling, given Todd Lyght's track record of development and his past and his personality. He's a guy I'd want to play for and would want my son to play for. However, there's urgency in taking that next step as a recruiter in the 2021 cycle.

Frank from Cincinnati

1:07

Cornerbacks!!! We seem to have made some progress with the Safety position, but why, oh why, does recruiting at a high level at the Cornerback position seem to be so elusive? I am also interested in previous chats if they are available. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:02

As of this moment, Iowa State. If they lose to Kansas State this weekend, then they would not be the top candidate. Oklahoma State, Texas and K State are all in play.

Jim, Cumberland Md

1:01

Hi Eric ,What is Your best guess who ND will likely play in a Bowl game.

Eric Hansen

1:00

Hi Bob. I will relay the message as soon as she gets in from Black Friday shopping. ... I do think it's an aberration. Let's start with the offensive line.Because of injuries, Stanford has started four true freshmen on the offensive line, most in the country, for much of the season. Counting punter Ryan Sanborn, eight true freshmen have started a game for the Cardinal this season, tied for third-most in the country. Injuries at quarterback hurt too. K.J. Costello won't play Saturday, nor will All-America CB Paulson Adebo. Even when Costello has played, he's done so physically compromised. I would expect a bounceback next season from Stanford.

Bob

12:53

Columbus but in Minneapolis for holiday. Kathleen says Hi to best yoga teacher in the world. What happened to Stanford? Is this year an aberration? I have too much respect for Shaw and their program to think otherwise.

Eric Hansen

12:50

First, not all 10-2 teams are created equally. Who you lose to matters. How much you lose by matters. When you lose matters. But a huge factor that you're overlooking is the rotation of bowls as semifinal hosts. That also affects Notre Dame's possibilities. The bottom line is if you want to be in play for a New Year's Six Bowl, you better be at least No. 11 in the CFP standings and probably in the top 10.

Matt in Augusta NJ

Sorry.... so does a possible 10-2 Notre Dame team’s bowl destination being all but set with a game left have any affect on the call to join a conference? Even if they lost they will still go to Orlando? Years ago... a 10-2 ND team would be in the mix for a bigger bowl, right? I know there are other factors then bowl tie in’s(Michigan loss is one)but our options seem limited. Any thoughts?

12:47

Happy Thanksgiving Eric. We can really see how the times have changed with a possible 10-2 Notre Dame team’s bowl

Eric Hansen

12:46

What evidence do you have that they're not already doing that?

Jeb - RI

12:43

Eric - When on campus see Tony Rice/Chris Zorich and the way they are honored as they walk around - They are a credit to ND and ND did great things for them - Will ND ever accept student/athletics like them again - If not as stated in other Q&A sessions ND will never truly compete for National Championship - win/win - Jeb

Eric Hansen

12:42

What your team does is never in a vacuum. Yes, there's a three-loss team ahead of the Irish, in Auburn. That's not the way I voted, but I can see why others did. Had ND won that game, even by a small margin, we'd be having a much different discussion.

Dwight from central Arkansas

12:36

Polls are something I just don't understand. I know the 'no-show' at Ann Arbor dropped the Irish, and that's fair. In the weeks since, however, ND is rolling, piling up impressive wins. Teams above them in some instances are struggling, some have 3 defeats. If ND goes to Stanford and loses 63-3, by the way the pollsters seem to gauge the season, the Irish should not drop. Why are the polls so unforgiving? (or maybe biased)?

Eric Hansen

12:36

I don't know if it's been about trust as much as it's been about readiness in the past in many instances. Take Braden Lenzy, who came in at 160 pounds and couldn't get off the line last year. Jordan Johnson won't come in lacking the physicality to compete at this level. Neither will Tyree. As far as adjustment to college ball, sometimes it's impossible to predict until they get on campus, because it's not always the actual football that's delaying the adjustment. Having said all that, my expectation is for both to be contributing players as freshmen -- not necessarily starters, but not deep reserves either.

Terence from NJ

12:26

What are you hearing about Chris Tyree and Jordan Johnson? Given that Coach Kelly usually does not trust freshman to play a big role in the offense. Do they have the football IQ and do they exhibit the “traits” to make an impact as freshman next year. Their speed could really make Notre Dame more dangerous offensively. Thanks for your great work Eric!

Eric Hansen

12:26

Joe, thanks for the kind words. Let's me answer your question with a question, If that were the truth, why wouldn't they be giving No. 2 reps to Brendon Clark rather than Phil?

Joe-Valparaiso, IN

12:25

Happy Holidays , love your work Eric. I realize many such things should be discounted however a national publication last week indicated the coaching staff has little to no confidence in Phil Jerkovec now or for the future. Any semblance of truth to that opinion?

Eric Hansen

12:24

Haha. I have a no-return policy. Is that OK? I expect Kareem to play. Less sure about Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, even though Brian Kelly expressed optimism about his availability. I would expect Jayson Ademilola to start at the defensive tackle spot. ... This is game No. 4 for DE Isaiah Foskey, so he will play this week, but not in the bowl. I don't expect the Irish would have to use Howard Cross III unless there were a run of injuries during the game in the interior defensive line. I think ND will be in its dime package quite a bit, and that package uses only one interior player. Also nose guards Jacob Lacey and Ja'mion Franklin have shown they can play together, which is another plus.

Jeff from Phoenix

12:15

Eric, in honor of black friday, I will take 50% off the number of questions. So, concerning the defensive line...of course we have lost the 2 DEs, but are KK and MTA ready to go this week at 100%? Will any of the DL freshman or sophomores have to burn an unplanned year of eligibility to fill in during the next 2 games? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

12:15

Marie, thank you and I admire your astute observations. You are spot on. I think the offensive line started off a little choppy, then started to find their rhythm. Then more inconsistencies popped up, then two season-ending injuries happened, which didn't help. I'm not sure collectively they were ever as good as most of us expected, even when healthy. Where I give Jeff Quinn the benefit of the doubt is that he has a history -- at other schools -- of developing very good lines and developing individuals. He's recruited extremely well for the Irish. But with five O'line starters back next season, it will be a defining year for him at ND, with or without injuries.

Marie in Atlanta

12:09

Thanks for the great Nd coverage. My question concerns the Offensive line. I feel as is it has underperformed all year. There seems to be a lot of poor technique and they get blown off the line. During the BC game when I would think Tony Jones got 3-4 yards it would be one yard because the BC line would have pushed our line back 2 yards. Technique is something that is clearly coaching related an correctable. How confident are you the Jeff Quinn can do the job? I know many are looking forward to our chances for the playoffs next year, but if the offensive line is not better, I just don't see how that will happen,

Eric Hansen

12:09

Brian Kelly's agent's interest in creating a market for Brian Kelly and leverage for an extension at ND is exponentially greater than either BK's interest in Florida State and vice versa. I do not see that changing. I think BK finishes his career at ND.

Corey. Orlando

12:07

How serious is the interest in Brian Kelly for the FSU job? Would he be interested in a rebuild job

Eric Hansen

12:07

Jim thanks... I did have a good one, and I spent it very close to Oakwood, Ohio. ... In the committee's mind and many of the pollsters' minds, they can't get past the Michigan game. It is defining, fairly or unfairly. And if you've noticed, Michigan hasn't climbed much either the past few weeks, part of that being a loss to Penn State and a blowout loss to Wisconsin. The other issue is the teams just ahead of Notre Dame haven't been losing. Those well ahead of the Irish have, but they tend not to fall far enough to fall behind ND.

Jim K , Maui & Oakwood OH

12:06

Hope you had a terrific Thanksgiving - I am grateful for your excellent writing and coverage of ND football. I especially liked your lede in the Analysis column earlier in the week about the future of Kevin Austin and Jacob Lacey: “Sometimes the pieces of a promising future can be sneakily significant to a suddenly brightening present. Even if they are not conspicuous.” GREAT lede! My 2 part question kind sir: Why are the Irish in the 15 or 16 CFP area despite their strong offensive and defensive performances of the last 4 games ; and, is the Michigan game performance still indelible in the minds of the national media? Be well!

Eric Hansen

12:02

Let's get things rolling.

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