JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 18, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 18, 2024

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Eric Hansen

2:45

If I were IU, that is what I would start with defensively. Riley Leonard running the ball himself in the run game can also make IU change out of that. But I think that is IU's best chance to win, try to limit ND's traditional run game. Keep in mind that run defense has only faced two rush offense ranked higher than 90th and no one in the top 50. ND is 10th.

Steve Toledo Ohio

2:43

Hi Eric, Is it obvious to you Cignetti will load the box and force Riley to beat him through the air? How do you see our defensive rush ? Will we get to their QB?

Eric Hansen

2:42

Not a dumb question, but Bill just asked part of it. The part he didn't. It is not anticipated that Title IX will throw a wrench in this, but there are other things that could sidetrack the trajectory ... again not expected.

Adam (Dayton, OH)

2:41

Eric, Friday can't get here soon enough! Here's a (maybe dumb) question. If everything goes to plan according to the House ruling, and the schools can pay athletes directly, capping around that $20 million mark, does that render the collectives obsolete? Or will they still have some purpose/will athletes be able to get paid in addition to the caps that the schools have? Also, can Title IX still put a wrench in this whole thing?

Eric Hansen

2:41

Welcome. Have a Rolling Rock for me.

Mike McFadden, Williamsport, PA

2:40

… just joined ya Eric..

Eric Hansen

2:40

Ryan, you have been strong at picking winners all year. And I do have my score prediction ready this week. I'm picking ND 27, IU 20. So we can compare our picks in the next chat.

Ryan Frankfort illinois

2:39

Good afternoon Eric i think the Irish win 35-21 or something like That What do you Think GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

2:39

Patrick, if you had ONLY included your hometown (and your address), I'd send you something nice in the mail, That made my day. Well-played.

Patrick

2:38

Could the black jerseys be the ultimate pairing with your white sunglasses?

Eric Hansen

2:38

For those of you who are lost in this question, you can read more here: Key takeaways from AD Pete Bevacqua's big picture for Notre Dame football and here: Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua's press conference transcript ... But for chat purposes, I'm going to keep this short for Bill. The university will make direct payments. NIL will still exist but it will be more in the way it was originally intended, for market-driven revenue outside of the university's direct payments.

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:34

Hi Eric!!!! So is that $20 plus million cap funded directly by the University or is it thru the various contributions from NIL? And if it is directly from the University, can NIL supplement that pot of money?

Eric Hansen

2:33

Marie, by my count that a 5 1/2-part question, so you made it under the limit and I'd probably let it slide anyway. I am having a great week, thanks to my Keurig machine. I think the tougher matchup for Notre Dame is IU's offense, but it's also the most tested unit of the two. And ND's defense is better than ND's offense, so I think this is kind of a wash. I think it's a game that will play in the 20s if that helps. ... I think it's imperative that ND win both lines of scrimmage and at least break even in turnovers ... I like the Devonta Smith pickup and I trust Mike Mickens familiarity with him and their scouting of him. He has one year left. 2025 will be him using his redshirt year. .. .Heated press box, yes. The old one was not air-conditioned, however, in the first few years after the stadium was expanded in 1997. ... Favorite hot beverage Friday night and always ... black coffee. I'm drinking it now. God Bless Mrs. Olson. Happy Holidays.

Marie from Atlanta

2:16

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week and I’m sure you’re excited for the game on Friday. Are you more concerned about Indiana’s offense or defense and why? What matchup is it imperative that Notre Dame wins to win the game on Friday night? Off-topic from the game, can you give your thoughts on Devonta Smith? Does he have one or two years remaining? Finally slightly off-topic, is the press box heated at Notre Dame and what will be your hot beverage of choice? Enjoy the game! Thanks for hosting the chat and all the great insights.

Eric Hansen

2:16

Hi Sean. I mentioned earlier, Marcus wasn't going to make that a priority this week. Again, BK made it a big deal later in his career. Marcus point was they didn't even do it Virginia week, because the weather conditions were going to be much different on Saturday for the rest of the week. And I think that's his thinking this time ... When we saw Jeter kick, it was 50+ degrees and misty. Wind, temps, precip will be different on Saturday. I think it's a legit question. The one thing I can tell you is leg strength was not an issue. Accuracy? We'll see.

Sean, Schaumburg, IL

2:13

Tyler mentioned avoiding Jeter kicking in any meaningful manner on Friday night. Would it benefit the FG kicking team to practice on Wednesday/Thursday night in the stadium?

Eric Hansen

2:12

8:10, I am told.

NWI_Irish96, Munster

2:12

Do you know what the actual kickoff time will be Friday? ESPN says 8 pm but their games tend to actually kick off quite a bit later than listed. I don't want to sit out in the cold more than necessary.

Eric Hansen

2:11

Hi Mike. Well you can catch up on the transcript. Happy Holidays and your mother-in-law obviously has good taste! There is no template for that portal situation. The player can stay on the roster if the coach allows AND the player wants to. In this case, I believe it was the player who made the choice not to play, but it's a little bit out of my tunnel vision this week.

Mike McFadden, Williamsport, PA

2:07

Hi Eric, When a player enters the transfer portal, by rule, is he officially off the team and cannot play the rest of the season? IE. psU backup QB Pribula. Or did Franklin simply not allow him to finish the bowl season by Franklin’s choice? Or is it the players choice? PS I cannot follow todays chat bc I’ll be at the movies watching ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ with my 95 yr young mother-in-law … who loves Rolling Rock beer since teenager! GO Irish !!!

Eric Hansen

2:07

Yes it will. In almost every way, with few exceptions, this will be very very much like a Notre Dame home game .., but hopefully with minimal golf claps. More like the electric atmospheres you come to expect at ND night games.

Roger from Peoria

2:06

Eric: Do you know if the Stadium will include the typical ND Student Section?

Eric Hansen

2:02

Yes the teams in the playoff field in general (not all) are better positioned to forced the Irish and the other teams they face to at least be competent in the weaker parts of their respective offenses. But if Riley Leonard doesn't go bombs away Friday night, that doesn't mean it's the end of the road for ND. I think it's reasonable to expect the passing game to continue to improve as long as ND is alive in the playoff.

2:00

Strong punctuation game, there, Brian! Thank you. Brian the passing game, offensive line development, overall offensive prowess has been an evolution. So, when you talk about one-dimensional, you're talking about the September offense. Riley Leonard is 47th individually in passing efficiency. Take out the two MAC games, an awful Purdue team and Texas A&M -- the first four games -- and he's 14th. Efficiency matters most this year, last year, every year. Michigan last year was 81st in passing offense, but 8th in pass efficiency. The four teams constructed like ND the lean way into the run over the pass are the Irish, Boise, Az State and Tennessee. Georgia is the most imbalanced in the other direction. (more)

Brian from Nashville TN

1:54

Now that ND has reached the playoff we can assume that a mostly one dimensional offense (albeit potent) is not likely to hold up. Do you believe that the staff has a plan to get any sort of vertical passing game going, or even a (non bubble) screen game going to balance out the running game? Perhaps they have been holding some of this back over the last 10 weeks in game situations and have kept the new wrinkle for the playoffs.

1:53

Avid reader and admirer of your coverage!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

1:53

Look, Curt Cignetti is very good. Just ask him, or better yet, Google him. Seriously, he deserves a lot of credit for getting Indiana into the playoff. He is the much more experienced coach. Marcus Freeman has coached in bigger games. And if you asked me who I'd want to lead my program, I'd say Freeman. But how it will play out in a playoff game also includes coordinators. And while I think IU's a very good, I think ND has the best. So overall coaching advantage to ND.

johngipp

1:50

johngipp Lititz,Pa Hey Eric In your opinion who has the head coaching advantage ND or IU?

Eric Hansen

1:48

Merry Christmas, Jack. I think that would be fun. And I am not ruling it out.

Jack, Strongsville,Ohio

1:48

Hi Eric. Merry Christmas to you and your family. You and Tyler are the best in reporting on Notre Dame. Here is hoping that you have 3 more games to cover after Friday night,

Eric Hansen

1:48

And he did admit ND will have special jerseys for this game. As to what color? He said "I haven't seen them." But the rumor is black jerseys, which would play way better than white if it snows. And I have to say this is one time I am kind of curious ... If anybody wants to know what the media is wearing, it's also kind of a secret. Spoiler alert: Nobody cares about that one.

1:45

Hi Tom. If exclamation points count toward winning, IU will be in trouble! I asked Marcus Freeman the stadium practice question on the Zoom call right before I started the chat (thus the time slot change this week). I know Brian Kelly put a premium on that later in his time at ND. Marcus Freeman did not see it as a necessity, so they did not prioritize it. As far as the uniform question, there's several of them in the queue and normally I would threaten you all with buying you and your families matching PJs for posing such a question to me, the non-fashion plate. But Marcus Freeman was asked that as well in his Zoom ... (more)

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

1:42

Eric, regarding my previous post about practicing in the Stadium, I would think that could be extremely beneficial for Mitch Jeter who is already having some uncertainties. He very well could be the deciding factor in the game. Go Irish!!!

1:41

Hey Eric, what better place than ND's historic stadium for the first on-campus playoff game!!! I'm excited and nervous. We could have a really good run if we continue to play to our potential and don't beat ourselves with silly penalties or turnovers. Questions: 1) It has been since November 16 against UVA that ND played in the Stadium. Any idea if they will hold any practices before Friday in the Stadium?? I would think it would make sense, especially Thursday's walk-through. 2) By my count ND has worn 6 different uniform combinations so far this season. Do you think they will come up with number 7 on Friday or wear one of the previous uniforms??? Since this is a Playoff game I'm guessing something new. We will have plenty of time to discuss the Transfer Portal but we have had great success with finding a nickel back the past two seasons so hopefully that will continue with the Smith kid from Alabama. Go Irish!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

1:41

Hi Scott and Happy Holidays to you and your family as well. I am NOT going to include ugly sweaters, because I don't have ANY sweaters at the moment for a good reason. I do think gustier winds than are being predicted would favor ND, but I don't think either team would wish for those. I think if ND is going to advance to the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl quarterfinal, we'll be talking about the Irish lines on both sides of the ball. ... I think Marcus should be considered and is a strong candidate. Four more wins, is that asking too much? You better not ask for a PlayStation 5 on top of that.

Scott, Greenville, SC

1:33

Eric! Hope all is well for you and the family and happy holidays. Are you going to include ugly sweaters this week? Big week and I have to believe this team is focused and ready for IU. While I don't think the cold weather will impact either team, if the wind kicks up, do you see advantage ND with the run game and ND's pass defense? Do you feel NDs lines are strong enough to carry the day? Do you think MF should get Coach of the Year? With all the key injuries, coming back from a devastating loss, and all the one-sided wins, he certainly has the resume this year! And lastly, Merry Christmas to you and your family. All I want for Christmas is 4 more wins. Is that asking too much?

Eric Hansen

“The conversations I had with Marcus were never about Marcus,” Bevacqua said. “It was always about his staff, which tells you a lot about him. The good news is we have been incredibly competitive with his staff, and it wasn't a question of catching up, because we're there.

“It's more a question of, ‘Hey, do I have your commitment — me, Pete — to stay there and to respond to changes in the marketplace?’ And I said, ‘Yes, 100%.’ I don't think it's any secret that we're keeping our foot on the gas."

1:33

Hi Bill and thanks for the compliment. Maybe you and Len can invite me out sometime! Yes, as you noted Golden received a lucrative extension last winter and Denbrock was given a four-year contract that made him the highest-paid OC in the FBS last December. I don't know that more money is coming their way necessarily this winter, but athletic director Pete Bevacqua mentioned on Tuesday that he made a commitment to keeping up with that ... here's the quote:

Bill from the Jersey Shore (also)

1:26

Good tidings, and thank you for the good work!!! Very happy to see Marcus Freeman extended. What is the status with Al Golden and Mike Denbrock? I know Mike Denbrock was just added this year. I was wondering if there is any additional money in the works to ensure that our lead assistants remain. Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:25

Happy Holidays, Don. What strikes me when I see CJ Carr leading the offense is confidence, command, precision, the ability to read defenses and coverages, lots of intangibles, enough mobility to be a threat to run and extend plays. Just really impressed with him. I do NOT believe he is a lock, but if you asked me who I think will win the job, I would say CJ Carr. I think it's more Mike Denbrock talking to portal and 2026 high school prospects and sharing his vision that will influence WR recruiting the most during portal season and in the current recruiting cycle for high school recruits. But Carr is an impressive guy to talk to and a willing aide to recruiting.

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