JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 30, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 30, 2020

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Eric Hansen

3:04

That's going to do it for this week. I have a Pod of Gold podcast with special guest Todd McShay we will be recording soon. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it again next Wednesday at noon ET. Happy Nee Year everybody.

3:03

I think 17. .... Yes more Kyren in space ... yes more 50/50 balls, just not a Patrick Surtain. ... Thank you for being part of the chats and best wishes to you and your family.

Stan from Rockford IL

3:02

Prediction time . . .1) Does ND score more than 20? I'm concerned after giving up 46 to FL, Bama will want to make a statement on D. 2) Will getting Kyren in space happen more often? 3) Will Book throw more 50/50 passes to Javon and big #11? Thanks for these chats. Many of us look forward to them. Best health to you and your loved ones. Go Irish.

Eric Hansen

3:02

I've seen a lot of different answers to that question over the years. Tom Lemming told me 70, but that seems a little high now. I'd probably say 50. And I'm glad you phrased it academic restrictions, because it's not just admissions. You have to be able to survive in classes where there's nowhere really to hide academically.

John from Champaign

3:00

Eric, a follow up question to your excellent recruiting article... how many of the top 100 players can Notre Dame actually recruit given their academic restrictions?

Eric Hansen

3:00

Cowboy Mike, I don't see anything wrong with your premise. I'd like to see that too. Surprise player? That happens more when there's 5-6 weeks of bowl prep, not 13 days. But I'll play along and say Isaiah Foskey on defense.

Cowboy Mike Atlanta

2:58

Any chance we will see at least 5 deep pass plays and or jet sweeps with our speed merchants like Davis, Lenzy, Tyree and maybe a surprise player that you would know about. Thanks - always enjoy your perspective.

Eric Hansen

2:58

Well. Alabama was 26-23 overall and 13-19 under Mike Shula, the man who preceded Nick Saban. So yes, a falloff is possible when there is coaching turnover. Some feel (and I haven't given it much thought yet) that expanding the playoff field to eight would lessen the grip some at the top by Bama, OSU and Clemson.

Denis from Niagara Falls, On.

2:52

Hi Eric. ND clearly must attempt to take recruiting to a higher level to compete with the top tier programs. This is difficult due to academic constraints since, in my opinion, most five-star recruits don't want to be bothered with academics of the ND high standard (or could not do it). These teams above them would have to come back to the pack a bit to help out. So if we just say Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson for now, could these programs be weakened enough so that the playing field is levelled out a bit when their current coaches leave? But of course, ND must be at a high level if this were to occur. And it would be best if two of these three teams fell off somewhat at the same time. Too much to ask for? No doubt that certainly all the stars must align. Thanks very much.

Eric Hansen

2:51

I asked Brian Kelly that question about his college career before he arrived. He is such a pain to gameplan around as a safety, I'd leave him there.

Joey Westernport,Md

2:51

Eric, Happy Holidays! Do you think Kyle Hamilton will end up being a linebacker in the NFL? His frame looks like he could add another 20 or 30 pounds. Thanks for the chats.

Eric Hansen

2:50

Get helps from ND's offense and don't give Alabama 14 possessions. Mix up the defensive looks, gamble a bit with pressures, because if you give Jones time that's the real gamble.

Pat Princeton, Illinois

2:49

Hi Eric How can we scheme the defense tp protect our DB's. Any team would struggle to contain Alabama's wideouts. What can Clark do to keep them under 40 points.

Eric Hansen

2:48

It does not scare me that he has four years of experience with that scheme as well as experience with the 3-4 and the 4-3. He did coordinate ND's defense for 8 games in 2016 after Brian VanGorder was fired. In a small sample size, ND held 75% of opponents to fewer points than their season average and 88% to fewer yards, compared to 53% and 43% for BVG in his 30 games at ND. Cincinnati runs a 3-3-5.

Matt in Augusta NJ

2:45

I know Kelly has said he wants to keep the 4-2-5 defense, which I agree with. Does Elston only having a background with the 4-2 for the last few years scare you at all ? I know he can coach the d-line, but the back 7 is another thing. Also what defense does Cincinnati run? Is it a 4-2?

Eric Hansen

2:40

I think they can and must improve from the Clemson game, but I don't think we'll see them play at the level they were with Jarrett Patterson in the first Clemson game.

Matt from SugarLand, TX

2:39

Hello Eric, I am excited that ND still has a chance and can leave it all on the field. I do not think Offensive/Defensive Coordinators can have worse day than the last Clemson game. Also have some optimism that ND can pressure Alabama's QB. Do you think that ND's Offensive Line can improve from the recent Clemson game as a unit with back-up Center?

Eric Hansen

2:38

No one did it on both sides of the ball. Georgia maybe for a half and maybe could have extended it beyond halftime had there been a better quarterback option used in that game. Ole Miss did a real good job on offense, 268 yards rushing, 4.7 per carry, gave up two sacks. Their front seven was a disaster on defense. Florida didn't offer much resistance on D either. It allowed five sacks and didn't even try to run the ball much. But they were really good on third down (8 of 11). Thanks, I had an "interesting" Christmas. Looking forward to a normal one in 2021.

Tom, Kennesaw, GA

2:26

Hi Eric, hope you had a nice Christmas and best wishes for a great 2021!! Did any of Alabama's opponents have any success controlling the line of scrimmage? Offensive line or Defensive line? Given the success of Florida in the passing game maybe we should have been developing Jordan Johnson more thru the season. His skills might be useful against Bama. Here's hoping we pay to our best ability, regardless of the outcome. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:26

Bob, I think you may be extrapolating the second Clemson game disproportionally one what happened the rest of the season, or at least since late October,

Bob from Faiport Ny

2:25

From my perspective it appears that ND has difficulty pivoting it’s offense to what the Defense is doing. All too often when the run is struggling, then the insistence is on the deep side line passes. Would be nice to see some slants, screens and mid range TE across the middle. We rarely exploit that. When we face top notch DBs, you need to be more flexible in play selection

Eric Hansen

2:25

Misdirection plays.

Jeff from Morgantown, WV

2:24

Hey Eric, thanks for all the great work on the chats. What is an offensive wrinkle you could see ND break out against Alabama to give them a different look?

Eric Hansen

2:24

Bob, I like the thought about bootlegs and getting Book on the perimeter. Not sure I'm digging the two backs in this game, but throwing to the backs I like a lot. Tyree didn't play much in either Clemson game. Against a fast, physical defense, I think Kyren's game plays better. Not against 5-6 touches for Tyree, but I'm rolling with Kyren Williams.

Bob from Huntersville NC

2:22

Hi Eric, formerly from Valpo , went to every home game for over 30 Years until I moved. Considering how Clemson schemed Ian Book, would like to see more bootlegs and designed runs for him. Also, would like to see more 2 back sets and getting our backs more involved in the passing game. Was disappointed in how little Tyree was used against Clemson. Your thoughts?

Eric Hansen

2:22

Terry. I think continuity tops the list. So if Kelly makes an outside hire, he'd want someone willing to essentially run the Elko/defensive structure. Otherwise, I'd go for the best candidate, whether young, old, head coaching aspirations or not. Who gives you the best chance to win in 2021, 2022?

Terry from Honolulu

2:20

Eric, I am having a tough time figuring which would be a better hire for DC. Would Notre Dame be better off hiring a long-term coordinator who does not have head coaching aspirations, that would keep the ND defense in the 15-25th best defenses range, or go for a young stud that could catapult them into a top 10 defense, but will probably move on in a few years?

Eric Hansen

2:20

I'd use Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah there in certain situations. Otherwise, Crawford. I don't think there's another alternative.

Steve from Las Vegas

2:19

Great chat! What solution should Lea use for covering the speed that Bama uses in the slot? Crawford has had a good year, but has been beat multiple times this year in coverage. After all of his injuries, it looks like he is a step slower than he was when he was younger. Who else on the D would be good to cover the slot?

Eric Hansen

2:19

Happy New Year, Charles. .. My easiest response of the day!

Charles

2:18

Hi Eric Happy New Year!

Eric Hansen

2:18

No national championships since WAY BACK in 2014? Look, they've been there four times. They've recruited at a higher level than Clemson. I'm not giving you this one, and neither is just about anyone else who doesn't live in Michigan.

Tim - Pleasant Prairie WI

2:15

Why is OSU continually lumped in with AL and Clemson as being part of the Big Three? They are a respectable but not remarkable 2-2 in the playoffs and haven't won a NC since 2014. I would submit that in reality there is a Big Two, and everybody else, including OSU.

Eric Hansen

2:13

If Notre Dame can't get pressure, you will need to go buy more beer. ... The good news is Alabama hasn't faced a top 50 team in pass-efficiency defense this season. Notre Dame is 19th. So for all their apparent shortcomings, they're one of the better pass defenses nationally and have faced two quarterbacks in the top 12 nationally in pass efficiency (Trevor Lawrence and Sam Howell).

john - charlotte

2:04

Hi Eric - I distinctly remember in 2012, Saban just running straight at an undersized Prince Shembo over and over again. There seems to be a clear weakness in this team in the secondary with an inexperienced Clarence Lewis and Crawford's tendency to give up big plays. How can Lea protect them on Friday? I'm extremely concerned if we cant get pressure on the QB, which allows Smith and co. to run deep.

Eric Hansen

2:04

I think Marcus Freeman will get an interview. I don't think DC at Vandy would be a step up for Elston, to be quite honest. I know Diaco wanted to bring him to UConn, and he turned it down (good move too)>

max - san diego

2:03

Hi Eric, if Kelly doesn't promote Elston, do you think Lea takes him to Vandy to be DC there? Personally, I feel Kelly has to give Marcus Freeman a real interview (unlike the other OC "interviews" last year).

Eric Hansen

2:03

Mark, Happy New Year to you ... and thank you. Let me say this, the upside is you can throw a load of laundry in the washing machine during a timeout while covering a game. I've never been able to do that in my career. ... The downside, and this is not to blame anyone but the virus, it's hard to follow up on questions. It's hard to get a rhythm in an interview. It's hard to form relationships with players. To earn their trust. You're just a disembodied voice on a computer. Michael Mayer doesn't know me. ... But the time I spent with Louis Nix in college, when I sent him a message earlier this month after he had been shot in the chest, the guy called me from his hospital bed to fill me in on the details. ... I hope to get back to that kind of reporting/relationship building, etc. next year ... but was grateful we even had a season this year and for the access we did have.

Mark, Orange County CA

1:56

Hi Eric, Happy New years. Thank you for all that you do in covering the Irish. CFB, especially ND's great season, has been one of the most positive parts of this crazy year. What has been the greatest challenge for you this season in covering ND football? It seems to me not seeing any practices in person and interviews through Zoom must have provided some unique challenges. Even with these challenges you have continued to provide us with exceptional coverage. Thank you for all that you have done to provide us fans with your fantastic, objective reporting

Eric Hansen

1:56

I'm not uncomfortable with either scenario. It's part of the job, but the question might be received better by someone you cover regularly and kind of knows who you are and what motivates you.

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