JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 9, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 9, 2020

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Jim from Berlin, CT

1:44

Eric, I hope you and your family are doing well as we head into the holidays. I have a question concerning the Irish attendance at their home games this season. I thought they were allowed about 15,000 fans per game but I kept seeing attendance figures of about 10,000 each time. Why were there so few fans in the stadium each time when there could have been 5,000 more? I remember last season there were two games that were not sold out which broke the team's decades-long streak of sellouts. Is there an underlying reason why fans haven't come out to cheer the team on when seats were available? Thanks for all your weekly chats. We all look forward to the latest observations each week on our favorite football team.

Eric Hansen

1:44

As a AP voter, I've been ranking Ohio State all season and have the Buckeyes fourth this week. To me the bigger issue isn't whether they're Big Ten champs are not (and it appears they will be given the chance to play for the title), it's the number of games. And the difference between playing seven games and six is significant for me. Now would I leave them out of the playoff? It depends on a number of things -- how OSU plays against Northwestern, what Texas A&M, Florida and Cincinnati do. I'd even consider putting a two-loss Clemson team ahead of Ohio State. I'd let it play out, but for me they're on double-secret probation.

Charlie, Medellin, Colombia

1:36

Now for the question: If you were on the playoff committee, would you argue for or against the inclusion of Ohio State in the top 4, using all the criteria that the committee uses? Why?

Eric Hansen

1:35

Charlie, thanks on both counts. And even better, thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Charlie, Medellin, Colombia

1:35

Thanks for another year of great insight. Congrats on your prediction 2 years ago that this would be the year that ND would be most likely to compete for a NC.

Eric Hansen

1:35

John, thank you. The Notre Dame offense has improved in a number of ways. Unfortunately, your gut lied to you about the red zone rate. ND was 10th last year at 93% and is 79th out of 127 FBS teams this year at 80%. Had Jarrett Patterson not gotten hurt, I would have expected ND to win the Joe Moore Award. This Clemson game will be pivotal as to whether that's still the case.

John St Pete Fl

1:27

Hi Eric , thanks for your great coverage of Irish football. My gut tells me that the Irish under OC Tommy Rees have been much better in the red zone this year, love how Tremble is used, do the numbers bear that out? Also do you think the O - Line wins the Moore Award, coolest trophy in all of CFB! Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:25

Those last-minute changes are made possible this year, because there's not full stadiums, people buying plane tickets and making hotel reservations, and planning wedding around games. Once the pandemic subsides/ends and stadiums are full, it will be back to business as usual.

Kevin, Fort Wayne

1:23

Eric, going forward, do you think ADs for college football programs will no longer require scheduling games a decade in advance given how sudden changes ( i.e., BYU vs. Coastal Carolina, etc) have been pulled off in 2020?

Eric Hansen

1:20

Frank, a few things here. Those 13 players who would have had expiring eligibility don't count against the NCAA max of 85 (next year only). Second, every player does have to declare for the draft if they're interested this year. That likely will be in mid to late January, but the date hasn't been firmed up. The numbers that affect recruiting have to do with the players who have two or more years left. Some of them will have their degrees and choose to do a grad transfer. Brian Kelly said recently he has spoken to the entire roster as to whether they plan to continue at ND in 2021 or not. So they're good to go with their final recruiting numbers.

Frank from Missouri

1:16

Is there a time limit when ND football seniors have to notify the university if they want another year of eligibility under the NCAA edict? Doesn’t this affect recruiting?

Eric Hansen

1:10

Attendance will be capped at 5,240,and tickets will be available ONLY through the participating schools. ... Haven't gauged ND's interest in Russo and I doubt they have at this point, but they're really thorough in their potential grad transfer evaluations, even if they don't end up moving on them.

ND Harvey from Philly

1:00

E, the season is Far from over. Any update on how many fans will be able to attend the game in Charlotte, also does the Irish have any interest Former Temple QB Anthony Russo. Be Safe. Go Irish

Eric Hansen

12:59

Dwight, I actually just finished a story, that will run on the web Saturday night and in print on Sunday, on ND's pro prospects. Interestingly, McKinley has a mid-round grade. So unless he doesn't work out well or runs poorly, he's going to get drafted. In talking to draft analysts, the one guy they thought might benefit coming back — among the 13 Irish players who would have had expiring eligibility — is NG Kurt Hinish.

Dwight from Arkansas

12:50

With next year being a sort of 'open invitation' for a free year I know the question of what seniors might return has been asked a great deal. I understand that J. Doerrer has expressed an interest, but no other seniors. I totally get it that these guys are ready to move on. A few may have an NFL future, but most will go in other directions. I'm not sure that pro scouts are knocking at Javon McKinley's door, and not certain he will be drafted. He has had such a breakout season, might another year not help his pro prospects?

Eric Hansen

12:49

If they're equally healthy, Correll gives ND the edge of having been practicing at the position since he stepped on campus. Lugg give you size and more game experience. I'll go with Zeke Correll, though it's not an easy decision.

Terry from Cincinnati

12:48

With Tommy Kramer back in at right guard, who do you think the Irish will start at center against Clemson, assuming both Correl and Lugg are equally healthy, and why?

Eric Hansen

12:47

Tom, thanks, and you be well and safe too. Wow, there are so many beyond those you named. A few more that come to mind: C'Bo Flemister, DJ Brown, Howard Cross, Rylie Mills and on special teams Jordan Botelho.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

12:43

Hi Eric. With only Top 5 teams ahead of the Irish this season, another victory for Book, while possible, will be very difficult. How ironic then that the one game that put Book at 30 wins versus the other three with 29 came as a result of Brandon Winbush being injured and not able to play. Or, that BK made the move to Book in 2018 when he did and not one week later!! Just sayin'.... Now for a question, who do you think are some unsung heroes for this year's team? Guys like Jack Kiser, or Jayson Ademilola, or Brock Wright who have not gotten the headlines but made a real contribution doing the important little things. I might even consider Michael Vinson who stepped in as the long snapper this year. Thanks and be well and stay safe. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

12:43

Probably the same percentage that I could go on The Voice and win it.

Austin Boss

12:42

If ND wins the national championship, what is the percentage likelihood Kelly walks away before the 2021 season starts?

Eric Hansen

12:42

Even with the new changes coming in transfer rules, underclassmen transfers are very difficult for Notre Dame to deal with because of so often credits not transferring. With grad transfers, there's not that issue, because they already have their degrees.

12:40

The staff will also want to evaluate the readiness of Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne. So unless Clark's knee is really iffy, I wouldn't expect ND to move on a grad transfer until after spring (and that's assuming spring practice will be somewhat normal this year). If it's not normal, a summer grad transfer would make even more sense. Grayson McCall is a fabulous player, but he's a redshirt freshman. I think Notre Dame would like only to commit to one year of a transfer QB. They're very high on Buchner. (moreO

12:36

Great question, Marie. I think it will become a little more clear once the postseason evaluation is done on Clark's knee and a recovery path is in place. Even in the best-case scenario for Clark's knee, I think ND should and will keep an eye on the transfer portal. That doesn't mean they should act on it, but they need to be prepared for every eventuality, and they will. A case in point was Nick McCloud. ND was in contact in January, but didn't move on him until May when the need went from a possibility to an absolute and the scholarship numbers aligned for ND to take another player. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

12:30

Hi Eric, I hope you are doing well and staying safe. With the news of Brendon Clark's knee issues, and the potential for chronic knee problems, it seems ND will need to at least seriously consider the transfer portal for another QB. Who do you see as possibilities? Does it have to be a grad transfer? With the rules likely changing and no longer requiring sitting out a year, would an undergrad be considered, and if so who might be a possibility? Do you think someone like Grayson McCall could be a good fit at ND? Thanks for hosting the chats, always look forward to them even more so this year.

Eric Hansen

12:30

Jordan, it's a great idea and one I plan to do after the season, so I can talk to everyone involved. You're right. The more people I talk to, the more intricate the plan appears to be.

Jordan from Nashville

12:28

Hi Eric, can you comment on the multiple people and layers involved in pulling this season off, never mind the Irish's success on the field? This was a team that was supposed to start the season overseas against Navy in August and is now looking at playing in a conference championship game. So much has gone right for ND this season on and off the field, but it certainly seems like the administration and athletic department had a solid in plan in place to allow its players to succeed. Looking at some of the programs in the Big 10, for example, it seems that some of their programs have sputtered to get out of the gate due to COVID issues and a shortened schedule. Perhaps a topic for the end of the season retrospective, but I would love to read a column about this in the SBT!

Eric Hansen

And thanks for listening and for the feedback on the podcasts.

12:28

Hi Denis. I'll remind our readers in the U.S. that Denis is spelling offense and defense as is commonplace to do so in Canada. Notre Dame's defense has been better statistically all year, so I'll go with Clark Lea's defense.

Denis from Niagara Falls, On.

12:26

Hi Eric! What would you rather see in reference to ND having the greater chance of winning a national championship? ND defence on their own 5-yard line, 4th down, three seconds left. Or the ND offence on opponent's 5-yard line, fourth down, three seconds left. Would you rather have it in Lea's hands or Reese's. Thanks a lot. Also enjoyed very much your podcasts with Dungy and former ND lineman Bob Morton. He was was especially thoughtful and well spoken.

Eric Hansen

12:25

Jude, that's something I might be able to get into more depth on with Brian Kelly and/or Jack Swarbrick in the offseason. I don't think what Book is doing is uncommon, but it's not universal either. There are players who really want to get a master's degree, like Cody Riggs. Drue Tranquill used his fifth year to lighten his load academically and use that time for postgame recovery/therapy. So there are a lot of different paths available.

Jude from Watertown, N.Y.

12:22

I learned this week that Ian Book took three courses last semester as "non-degree seeking student." They were all in the Irish Studies department. Is it more typical nowadays for fifth year players to be taking "non-degree" classes or working toward their master's? I feel like we have no visibility on this anymore.

Eric Hansen

12:21

Lorne, I have a feeling you were a big fan of the Bonanza TV show growing up? ... I think there's plenty of ways TaRiq can help this team. He did play a handful of snaps against Syracuse. He's such a good athlete. He needs to get his confidence back. There may be matchups, situations in which you want to play three corners. Certainly depth is an area where he can help in case someone gets injured. Special teams. And ideally, especially against the receivers ND is going to see in its next 2-3 games, playing 70 snaps isn't ideal for Lewis.

Lorne

12:13

Class of '78 from Carson City. Thanks for the chats and coverage. You're the best. Favorite play this week was Kyren's ankle-breaker. It looks like Lewis' emergence and Bracy's struggles mean that there's a clear first and second string now. If so, what is TaRiq's role going forward? Next man in and breathers?

Eric Hansen

12:13

Travis, thanks. Off the top of my head, the top three would be Mike Elston, Harry Hiestand and Clark Lea. The "why" will have to wait for another day, but they've all helped transform the program in multiple and various ways and they're all reasons why Notre Dame has a chance to play for a national title this season, even though Hiestand is no longer on the staff. I'll change three worst, to "three bad fits." It goes down easier for me to label it as such. That group would be Brian VanGorder, Charley Molnar and Tom Hinton.

Travis from Manhattan, KS

12:04

Thank you for the time you put into the chats. The transcripts are always a fun read for me every week. Who do you think are the 3 best and 3 worst hires of the Brian Kelly era and why?

Eric Hansen

Without further blather ...

12:03

A reminder: PLEASE include your name and hometown with your question.

Here are the rules.