JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 16, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 16, 2022

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Marie from Atlanta

1:25

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. With the loss of Avery Davis and the thin wide receiver room, it seems like Rees will really need to lean on his tight ends . Do you see him possibly using three tight end sets? Also, do you see him using some of the tight ends in sets where they function more as wide receivers than tight ends? What one player on offense and defense from Ohio State will it be imperative that Notre Dame neutralize in order to have a chance to win the game ? As always, thanks for all your great insights.

Eric Hansen

1:24

It sounded like a punchline at first, didnt it? But two things have made it seem more realistic -- NBC gaining additional college football inventory, which should enhance the ND product. No. 2 those numbers seem to be in line with where the market is going with college football rights fees. That's especially true when you factor in streaming rights. ... The kicker, though, is what does that $75m figure look like down the road? Is it still competitive with conference packages in 2035? Is there potential for revenue growth over time. Those are also important questions to answer. That calculus might work better in an article than the chat, so thanks for the idea.

Dan from Vernon Hills Il

1:11

Eric, enjoy the chats.
With all the talk about super conferences, TV rights deals, etc., do you think it’s reasonable to believe that Notre Dame can get a 75 million dollar deal and is that really enough to compete with the B1G and SEC? Thanks

Eric Hansen

1:10

Terry, Notre Dame was not a consistently good tackling team in 2021, and yet they were able to pull it together and finish 15th in scoring defense, without All-America safety Kyle Hamilton for half the year. I think the issues with tackling earlier in the season were related to lack of depth and the scheme being a little overly complicated. That helped lead to the sloppy fundamentals. I don't see either of those being issues this season. I expect this defense to be fundamentally and statistically very good. But they do face the No. 1 scoring offense from 2021 in the opener.

Terry McAndrew

1:05

Eric: it’s great to see Harry Hiestand back and teaching the fundamentals of blocking. Are the defensive coaches teaching the fundamentals of tackling (wrap the legs from the knees to toes) to stop the offensive players’ engine(legs)? I’ve been attending ND games for 60 years since I was 5 and it’s tough to watch consistent poor tackling, wouldn’t you agree?

Eric Hansen

1:04

Fred, I think there is reason to worry about Ohio State and USC -- Clemson and BYU as well. But if you aspire to be a playoff team, those are the games that need to be on your schedule and that you need to win. Each of those games present different challenges. I think Ohio State presents the most difficult matchup, all things considered -- location, timing on the schedule, etc. The Buckeyes should be favored and they are. I do think there's a pathway to victory for Notre Dame, but it's very narrow. And keep in mind, nine of the past 14 national champs had inexprienced QBs (first-year starters), and the other five had second-year starters, An elite offensive line can mitigate some of that inexperience at other positions.

Fred from Richmond

Eric, I look forward to your column every year. Do you feel we have the depth and experience on offense to realistically compete with OSU in the first game. I'm concerned about our quarterback and lack of depth at running back and receiver, let alone an unproven kicking game. I feel the defense can be strong but as you know we are going to have to score against Ohio State and USC to have any chance of winning those games. We have a schedule which is favorable, but those two games have me worried.

12:59

Mr. Hansen,

Eric Hansen

12:58

That was a Jim Knowles scheme, but Jim wasn't calling the plays are coaching Okie State in the Fiesta Bowl. ... As I look at the Ohio State defense, they're not going to have the mastery of Knowles scheme that Oklahoma State did. Because that group was older and had played together longer, he could get very complex with moevement and pressures and that team could absorb it. I think he'll start simpler with Ohio State at first. I think it you look at the Minnesota, Oregon, Michigan and Utah games last year, you can see what gives the Ohio State defense problems. A balanced offense with a potent running attack. And all four of those teams had Ohio State figured out on third down. In fact, the Buckeyes' weakness was third-down defense. So I expect ND to follow that blueprint. And with Harry Hiestand back, they can.

Steve from St Louis

12:46

Last time ND faced a Jim Knowles defense they threw the ball 70 times. With the makeup of this year’s offense how do you see them attacking the Ohio St defense? Can the Irish have success if the Buckeyes load the box?

Eric Hansen

12:44

Corey Robinson too. All have been on the pod with us.

12:43

Hi Tony. I have gotten to meet Jac and have interviewed him a couple of times, and really enjoyed those experiences. I've also seen/heard him doing sideline work and hosting in-studio shows, and like him in those roles. I have not seen/heard him doing a game (He's doing USFL games), but I would expect him to be pretty good. Judging from my Twitter feed, there seems to be the anticipation that won't be the case. Look, whoever followed Mike Tirico was going to have plenty of skeptics. I'm looking at it with an open mind based on Jac's other work. Man. there's a lot of talented Notre Dame alumns who would do a great job of analyst work in the both, but NBC has yet to go down that road. Bob Morton is someone who's NOT doing it for a living who does a great job of breaking down a game. Dayne Crist, who's a successful businessman and relatively new dad, would shock you how good he's be at it. There are those already in the business we've had on the Pod, who would be really good -- Brady Quinn, Aaron Taylor (more)

Tony Lake Mary FL

12:32

Hey Eric. I am certainly going to miss Mike Tirico. He is one of the best in the business in my opinion. I also enjoyed Drew Brees. Apparently others didn't. Maybe he was too in the weeds, but for me that was great. I think Garrett will be good though too. I have only seen Jac Collinsowrth do the sideline/halftime thing. I know he is an alum and he has the enthusiasm so I'll give him a chance. Have you met Jac and have a good sense of how he will be in the booth? I was trying to think of someone currently not in broadcasting that would be a great addition to the color commentary role. Bob Morton would be awesome. He's witty, knows the game, knows ND. Anyone else that you could think of, maybe from the podcast?

Eric Hansen

12:29

Tony called me out of the blue a couple of weeks ago, so this is an easy one. He's 93 and retired and enjoying life. He sounded great, like he could do a Notre Dame game this weekend if he wanted. It's a shame he was pushed out of that role during the Charlie Weis Era. ... Tony was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2016. It was great catching up with him. He still closely follows the Irish.

Tim St Louis

12:25

Had a question for"where are they now?" What happen to Tony Roberts, Westwood One radi

Eric Hansen

12:25

Hi Tom. While there are a lot of redshirt freshmen who have made significant progress in evolving their games this offseason, there are only two who are really in position to have breakout seasons because of opportunity, barring injuries at a particular position. And you could argue OT Blake Fisher already broke through in the two games he played in during the 2021 season. The other player is WR Jayden Thomas. His spring surge has continued this August, and the Irish are going to need him to be good. I talked to him yesterday ... very impressive young man. ... For those kind of down the depth chart but who have been lauded by their position coaches, that group includes DL Gabe Rubio, CB Ryan Barnes, OG Rocco Spindler, C Pat Coogan, and TE Cane Berrong (coming back from injury). K Josh Bryan is in that class too. He's competing with Blake Grupe for kicking duties. We'll get a good report on his progress and likely a look at him live in practice on Friday.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

12:15

Hi Eric, Kyren Williams had his breakout season as a redshirt Freshman. Who do you see among this year's "redshirt freshman" that you might expect to have that kind of breakout season?? Both on offense and defense. Does Rylie Mills fit that category? Thanks. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

12:15

Let's commence the chatting.

Here are the rules.

12:14

As for today's chat, PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question(s).

12:13

A quick plug, I'll be part of the 2022 NDSA Football Kickoff Event presented by the Notre Dame Senior Alumni Group on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 8 pm ET. with Pat Scanlon, Mike Golic and Jamie Uyeyama. If you want to submit questions for us, you can send them to Pat here: ndsa.midwest@alumni.nd.edu ... and if you want to watch live, you can do so here: https://my.nd.edu/networks/events/29379

12:08

We'll also chat on Tuesday next week again because of a coverage conflict. Then we'll move back to Wednesday for good until the end of the football regular season.

12:07

Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, a special Tuesday edition.

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