JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 11, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 11, 2020

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Alex from Jackson, MO

1:10

Hello, Eric....no question from me. Just want to say the three and out forced by the defense, followed by the offensive drive to score the tying touchdown to force OT is two of the best drives I’ve ever seen from Notre Dame. Absolutely clutch!! What a great moment for me and my 16 year old son. A game we will always remember getting to share together! Anytime your 16 year old son is cool with jumping up and down and hugging you is always a plus! Hope you enjoyed it as well! God bless!

Eric Hansen

1:08

Bruce, I think the thing that fans misunderstand about Brian Kelly (and a lot of coaches) is you never have all the answers, even if you've been coaching a long time, because the game and recruiting evolve. BK's strength is he KNOWS that and is constantly learning. The one time he wasn't (2016), it bit him in the butt. I've gotten to know Brian pretty well as a person, because I've seen him in other settings through his charity work. He's really a funny guy, very quick sense of humor, very balanced in his life away from football.

Bruce, Centralia, IL

1:07

Eric, Brian Kelly isn’t always the easiest guy to root for, but I’m impressed by the way he absorbed the 4-8 season, made adjustments, and rebuilt the program. You wouldn’t think that flexibility and openness would be strengths of his, but that’s exactly what he’s shown. Are there things ND fans still don’t understand about BK, even after a decade? What is your sense of who he is as a person? Thanks as always.

Eric Hansen

1:06

Denny, thank you. It's very difficult to distill. I did a story in the summer of 2017 in which I spent the day with BK. Other than his (and my) believe Darnell Ewell was going to be a revelation, the story really lays out the lessons learned and his blueprint for what you're seeing play out of the field now: A day in the life of Brian Kelly and his attempted Notre Dame football resurrection

denny from beaverton ormcast.net

1:04

Good Morning Eric: What do you think were the two biggest lessons Coach Kelly learned from the debacle of the 2016 season. What are the two most effective changes he has make to get the Irish program to it's current state? Can't thank you enough for the weekly chats!

Eric Hansen

1:03

Kevin, the quick version is players who don't transfer or who didn't sit out the season get six years to complete five playing seasons. Players who did sit out or transferred get six to play four. For more: Hansen: Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly can't ignore festering numbers crunch

Kevin/Lake Geneva, WI

1:01

Can you explain, probably again, the eligibility rues for 2021? Who may or may not receive an extra year, only those with normally expiring eligibility or everyone? Eg.: could a junior who has played 3 years potentially play 5?

Eric Hansen

1:00

In our podcast with Malik Zaire this week, he expressed he would have loved to have gotten a shot at ND while at Florida and almost transferred to North Carolina instead to get that shot. So there's no doubt Phil will be pumped, but will that be an asset or a liability? Will he try TOO hard and force things? Look, he's played well against teams that he didn't have payback for, including Clemson. I like his receivers at BC. I do not think this is a good matchup for the BC offensive line. That may matter more than anything. ... As far as getting the team out of the clouds? They've been through so much already this season and offseason, it's difficult to think they'd take BC for granted. Now could they be physically and emotionally drained? Yes. But I don't think there will be a mental letdown.

Dwight from Arkansas

12:56

I felt even early in the season that the BC-ND game could be a tough one. Whether the Irish won or lost to Clemson the potential to be 'down' or 'too high' was there. First, how does this ND team come down out of the clouds after such a classic win vs the Tigers? BC to many of us I believe is much better than anticipated. They dominated Clemson for a half before losing by just 6. Second, how much does revenge play in this game? Jurkovec I would think is super-hyped for this game and wants to win it more than any game on the schedule.

Eric Hansen

12:55

Block as in doing what Tommy Tremble does to people?

Rick from Peoria:

12:51

I think it's time to BLOCK the Ian Book haters and for ND fans to unite and "Love the one you're with"!

Eric Hansen

12:51

Here are a few things to consider. 1, None of the Notre Dame players were alive when BC beat Notre Dame in 1993. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was in diapers. 2. There has been a bit of a Clemson hangover in 2020. Teams are 2-5 this season the game after playing the Tigers. And the two wins weren't overly convincing. Miami pulled away late from Pitt (31-19) and BC labored against Syracuse last weekend in winning 16-13. But all those teams lost to Clemson. Some got obliterated by them. 3. Notre Dame has won seven in a row against BC, six on Brian Kelly's watch. The last two were 49-20 and 40-7. 4. If North Carolina were coming up next Saturday, there'd be more reason for concern. But there's an off week in between. 5. I like the maturity of this ND team. They may start slow Saturday, but I expect them to win by 17.

Bill Worthington OH

12:43

My son and I watched his first game in Notre Dame stadium Saturday November 20, 1993. The opponent was Boston College and it was the week after #4 ND defeated #1 FSU. Fast forward to November 14, 2020. Following the upset of #1 Clemson, an undefeated ND team takes on what on paper again appears to be an out manned Boston College team. Should loyal Irish fans believe more in this team's ability to rise above a letdown and why, or will we all be quoting Yogi Berra, "It's deja vu all over again"? Many fans, pundits, and I believe even Coach Holtz suggested the '93 team was the best he ever had, so help us believe the 2020 version is a better team and we can back away from the ledge.

Eric Hansen

12:40

I think he's the most ideal "X" receiver on the roster, the outside receiver that plays to the wide side of the field. I'd put Kevin Austin ahead of him in being ideal, but Austin isn't coming back. A healthy and productive Lenzy would cut into the playing time of Ben Skowronek and Joe Wilkins. It would also lessen the chance you'd see Jordan Johnson on meaningful downs this season. But who would you invest in down the stretch ... Lenzy or Johnson. This year, it'd be Lenzy for me.

Jack from Oak Park IL

12:36

Given the success of the passing game when it mattered most against Clemson (BTW last Saturday was best ND game I ever saw in person, and I’ve been going since the late 70’s), what is the best way in your expert opinion to reintroduce Lenzy & his speed back into the rotation? Who do you take off the field? Go Irish.

Eric Hansen

12:35

One of my closest friends, as was the late Vaughn McClure. My heart again is in pieces, but I know in time the memory of who he was will make be stronger. I have zillions of 'O' stories. I could do a whole chat on them.

Jacob, Hobart, IN

12:33

I heard John O'Malley passed away on Sunday (most recently was a sports writer for the Post Tribune, previously worked for the The Times of Northwest Indiana and the South Bend Tribune). He also earned his Masters from Ohio State and covered Notre Dame for years. Was just wondering if you knew him and if you had any stories to share?

Eric Hansen

12:33

Mike, thank you. Technically because of the NCAA's COVID rule, Michael Mayer, Chris Tyree and Kyren Williams each have FOUR years left. I can't imagine any of them would use them, let alone three more for Kyren and Mayer. ... I think Kyren is a household name now after the big game (though someone called him Kyrie in the postgame Saturday night, to which he reacted by scrunching up his face). But he's also now a target. ... Starting tackles next year? Probably Andrew Kristofic and Josh Lugg, but they could move Aaron Banks out to tackle (if he comes back) and have Lugg play guard.

Mike, Lemont,IL

12:28

Eric, Great article last night on the mid-season awards. Do we really have 3 more years left of Williams, Tyree and Mayer? It is gonna be fun to watch. Of course they all might go pro early but love it. How was Williams a 3 star? Should this guy be a household name by now? Do we really need Shipley considering what we have right now? Who will be the starting tackles next year? Thanks for the chats and hope all is well. Rock on!

Eric Hansen

12:28

How does Clemson have two of the top 10 QBs at the same time? Winning. Recruiting. And just one year of overlap. They've had their fair share transfer. If ND and Clemson both end up 11-1, both getting into the playoff is in play, but not guaranteed. What if Florida beats Alabama in the SEC championship game? What if the Big Ten champ has a loss? What it it's Wisconsin and they only played seven games? There are many other factors/scenarios, but an 11-1 record wouldn't automatically remove ND from the conversation. ... I think Notre Dame can get better in several areas, including and starting with red zone offense. ... But not limited to that. .. It is the best game I've ever covered and I've been covering college football since 1983.

Cliff from Battle Creek

12:23

Hi Eric! Wow! Just...wow! What a incredible game. I'm so happy for BK and Ian to get that monkey off their backs! On a side note how does Clemson have 2 of the top 10 QBs in the country at the same time?!? Assuming both teams win out but ND loses a close one to Clemson in the CC game does ND still get into the playoffs? Also given how well ND played but with as many mistakes to clean up how much higher is their ceiling in your opinion? Last question I swear, was this the best game you've covered? Thanks so much for your work!

Eric Hansen

12:22

And Tommy Rees is the OC now, not Chip Long, so there's some differences in blocking schemes, personnel groups, tendencies, etc.

12:21

Denis. Kyren Williams worked very hard back home in St. Louis in reshaping his body and working on straight-line speed. For more background, you can check out a story I did back in September: Inside Kyren Williams' journey to the top of the Notre Dame running back depth chart

I am impressed with his speed and power and blitz pickup. If he progresses, he's got a tremendous future, because his skill set translates well to the pros. But there are rites of passage ahead. How does he handle success? Can he stay healthy was the workload he's getting? Does he stay committed to the kind of growth that allowed him to ascend to the top of the depth chat? If he can answer yes to all those question, then get out of his way. ... As far as Phil Jurkovec, I think there are things both sides can glean, but not a lot that you wouldn't be able to decipher from film. Two things to keep in mind, Phil is in a different offense than he was at ND, so his skill set is going to play differently in that offense. ....

Denis from Niagara Falls, ON

12:13

Hi Eric. Some quick questions. What is your opinion regarding Williams' speed after his 65 yard run. Is he faster than you thought. What do you think of his speed. I think he has plenty of speed especially when combined with his quick feet. If he progresses, what's his future look like. And expectations. Also, who has the larger advantage: ND knowing Phil or Phil knowing ND. Thanks very much.

Eric Hansen

12:12

He certainly has that option because of the NCAA's COVID rule. I would be very surprised if he and most of the other players with expiring eligibility would return. The one player in that category who has expressed a desire to at least give it some serious consideration is K Jonathan Doerer.

Frank from Missouri

12:10

Any indication that Ian Book will return to ND next fall?

Eric Hansen

12:10

Hi Bill. Thanks for making time. I'm not sure they win the rematch. The world changes a lot from week to week with COVID, injuries, opt-outs. ... Clemson will adjust to what it saw from Notre Dame, so the Irish too will have to have countermoves to a certain extent, ... Braden Lenzy would add a different dynamic to ND's passing game if he can build some momentum. Clemson will get players back presumably and Trevor Lawrence back from COVID. But the Irish DO KNOW they can win these types of games, and I don't that's insignificant.

Bill in Toronto

12:06

Eric! Miss getting in here - changes at work eat up my Wednesday lunches usually. If ND sees Clemson again, what makes you think they win that matchup? Love your work as always!

Eric Hansen

OK, the queue is loaded. Let's get started.

12:05

Also, if you've never tried our Pod of Gold podcast, you may want to give it a listen this week. We had Malik Zaire as our guest, and he was extremely insightful about the who transfer process. But he also had excellent insight into Chip Long, for instance, and how that dynamic played out at ND: https://www.ndinsider.com/irishstew/pod-of-gold-malik-zaire-on-notre-d...

12:03

If your DVR didn't capture the entire game because if its length (like mine), you can watch the whole game here: