JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 15, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 15, 2023

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Eric Hansen

3:16

Out of time, but not out of questions. So sorry to the ones I couldn't get to. Thanks for all the great questions. Thanks for the minimal whining. Thanks for wearing shoes and/or socks. We'll be back to do this all over again next Wednesday (yes right before Thanksgiving) at noon ET.

3:15

Hi Matt, No. 1 is a challenge to fit in the lightning-round concept. I've addressed it in past chats. Very short/insufficient answer (I have a complex now) is there are academic folks who want a Notre Dame degree given inly to those who earned most of those credits at ND. But there are other factors. 2, Elements of all of those. 3. I think Mickens can do it, but they should look at outside candidates as well and then pick the best. 4. Yes, but may need a portal safety to make that come true. 5. I expect a step forward.

Matt (KC)

3:12

Quickfire Five. Hi Eric, hope you are well. 1. Why does ND not really allow undergrad transfers (with exceptions), with chances to make up certain classes if it is an academic issue? 2. Why have our WRs consistently failed to be able to separate, schematic, skill, or our OL not giving them enough time? 3. A lot of talk about our OC, but if our DC leaves, can someone like Mikens handle the step up with Freeman supporting or do we need an experienced DC? 4. If we lose Cam Hart and Xavier Watts to the draft, are we deep enough to still have an elite secondary next year? 5. Do you anticipate a step back next year or are we talented enough to make a 12 team playoff run?

Eric Hansen

3:11

Xavier Watts is one of the players I was actually right about (and wrong on others). So, yeah I think he's put himself in line for some postseason honors. My prediction, which I might tweak tomorrow, is 30-10 Irish.

Ryan mars pa

3:10

Good afternoon Eric what do you Think About The play of Xavier watts what is your score prediction for Saturday I’m saying 42-10 Irish

Eric Hansen

Which probably got many of you to say, 'Well, duh" but I feel like it needed to be reiterated.

3:10

Ron, who might be available if Marcus elects to make a change will become much more clear in the next few weeks. But one thing is for certain, if Marcus Freeman does make a change, he needs to have the replacement in mind and it needs to be a significant upgrade.

Ron Dover , De

3:08

Hi Eric now that MF has indicated they will look at a QB in the portal do you have a couple of players you would think would really help the program? If MF decides to pull the plug on Parker is there a good candidate other than the folks who last year turned ND down or had no interest? Thanks

Eric Hansen

3:08

Hi Sean, great question, because Michael Carmody was at the top of the depth chart at one point and very highly thought of ... and injuries have taken their toll over the years, and I don't expect him to be able to leap over the others who have passed him.

Sean from NJ

3:07

Hi Eric - love the chats and coverage. With the team facing the prospect of replacing at least one, and possibly two tackles after this season, is Michael Carmody a candidate? Assume he preserved a year of eligibility this year?

Eric Hansen

3:06

I guess it depends on who they hire as a replacement.

Patrick from Atlanta

3:06

Hi Eric! Do you see Jimbo F's departure from A&M helping or hurting ND in any way? If so, how?

Eric Hansen

3:06

A huge, huge list here. We used to do a magazine at the South Bend Trib every year in the summer, and we'd spend extended time with those guys ...and it was awesome ... Kapron Lewis-Moore, Chinedum Nuduke, Louis Nix III, Manti were all experiences I really enjoyed. When Louis called me years later from the hospital after being shot and talked so openly about everything, I'll never, ever, ever forget how much that affected me.

Bob (Oxnard, CA)

3:02

Hi Eric. Which ND player over the years have you most enjoyed interviewing?

Eric Hansen

3:02

OK Doug, this is from Accu-Weather, which might just be a clever branding name and not a reflection of actual performance ... but it is supposed to be sunny with a 0% chance of rain. ... Actually, Al Golden's defense, ranked 7th nationally this season, has been pretty consistent. Why it might not look that way is field position and the predicaments that the offense might put the defense in. For instance, against Clemson, the Irish gave up 285 total yards. The only game against a Power 5 offense they gave up fewer was Pitt (255). but Clemson ran 18 more plays -- so yards per play was excellent. This defense, to me, has played well enough for Notre Dame to be in the playoff conversation.

Doug from Sunny Florida

2:56

Eric, heading up this weekend for the game but I haven't seen the sun in 5 days. Will I see the sun shining this weekend? I'm always surprised to see a defense such as ours be dominate in one game and then so-so in another. What keeps a defense from dominating consistently game after game?

Eric Hansen

2:55

Rich, I can stand one more question on that. Let's keep Jordan Faison out of the discussion. I'd rather celebrate Faison's ascendance than demean someone else because of what Faison is accomplishing. I don't think you meant to do that. The mental part of football -- and in a fishbowl like Notre Dame, especially — is huge. And not everyone navigates it at the same pace and not everyone navigates it as well. There are late-bloomers and there are never-bloomers. Why I hold out hope that Tobias Merriweather will eventually prevail (at ND or elsewhere) is that he does not take his physical gifts for granted, he's not an entitled brat, he comes from a family that's supportive and keeps him grounded. And so. I think putting him in a reserve role was the right move as he figures it out.

rich d Melbourne Fl

2:48

Eric, love the chats...can you stand one last Q. on Tobias M..? Early in the year I asked what would unlock his potential...10 games in and a kid with the same physical attributes of Marvin Harrison Jr is less a threat than a "smallish" walk on lacrosse player...I understand him to be a smart hard working kid....barring an undisclosed nagging injury how is this possible? On Football Never sleeps you admitted he might be a player you over estimated He's had the work Help

Eric Hansen

2:47

Hi Myliah. Thanks for your question. Rico is far from a finished product, and yet the kind of player you'd want to invest in to see how high his ceiling is, knowing that he's likely going to end up there. So, good observations on your part. Here's what I like about the freshman version of Rico -- his quickness, his moves, his utter fearlessness about the game's circumstances, the bright lights, the pressure. Love his willingness to take coaching. Once he assimilates more of the nuances of the game, over reading coverages, etc., I expect to see him game move up another level.

Myliah (El Cerrito, CA)

2:38

Eric, I only really started watching FB when former ND OL Aaron Banks was coming up through our local high school and we could watch him bulldoze competition from our window (few know, but he was also rather agile on the basketball court). I've since been sporadically watching him play for the 49ers. Those few years is all I've watched of pro football so my context is limited, but current WR Rico Flores, despite being a freshman, looks like a pro on the field. I'm not sure what it is, his moves, his physicality, his catching... Can you enlighten us on what makes him so look the part? I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a superstar for the Irish.

Eric Hansen

2:37

Mark, thanks for sharing that and hope you have a great drive and a great time at the game. It's 64 degrees F right now in South Bend, but it's only supposed to get to a high of 49 Saturday, which may be balmy by Canadian standards?

Mark Kincardine Ontario

2:36

Eric thanks for work that you and James do to keep us well informed on our team. Heading to the game on Saturday for the first time in a few years, we have a six hour drive. Thanks again for all your support!

Eric Hansen

2:35

Mike, you do realize NIL money doesn't come from Freeman, right? At the risk of really deeply offending you, and I don't like to do this, but his is so ungrounded in reality, my head almost exploded.

Mike McFadden, Williamsport, PA

2:33

And regarding "what would you learn about the two QB's Steve and Kenny ..." what thought is that Freeman has too much invested in Sam like NIL $$$ that he has to play him and not substitute to keep face. I really really feel that way all season.

Eric Hansen

2:33

Hi Irish Mike. I think the best-case scenario for both Tyler Buchner and Notre Dame was to bring in Sam Hartman with Buchner staying and having a leg up on the starting job in 2024 at ND and having benefited greatly from being around Hartman for a year. That didn't happen. If Hartman doesn't come and Buchner is the starter this season, I don't think ND is 7-3 at this point. I think the record would be worse, especially given Buchner is the No. 3 option at Alabama.

Irish Mike, Altoona, PA

2:30

Hi Eric and as always, thanks for the chat! In your opinion, in the end, was it worth it to bring Sam Hartman in and lose Buchner and Pyne? The record and stats are eerily similar to last season. If we keep Buchner this year’s results are probably similar, plus another year of Tyler would bridge the gap to either Carr or Minchey so we don’t need to go shopping in the portal again.

Eric Hansen

2:29

Hi Dan. Thank you for starting your quest for an adult beverage until AFTER you submitted your question as well as politely including your name and hometown ... unless of course, this isn't really Dan. ... Here's what I have learned about assistant coach hirings and retentions. If you don't get those right, they can ruin you as a head coach. Look at Brian Kelly in 2014-16 with Brian VanGorder as his DC for 30 games. With a different/better DC, Notre Dame makes the playoff in 2015. In 2016, it put Kelly on the hot seat. So, Marcus Freeman knows how important this decision is and how it transcends their past relationship ... but also deserves to be made with the proper vetting and in the proper time frame. ... As far as the transfer portal, it's the way football is now. And having an experienced QB to learn from is something some top prospects, like CJ Carr, actually embrace. Now, if ND is still bringing in portal starters his junior year, that's a different story. Now go have a beer for both of us.

Dan, Grand Rapids, Mi.

2:22

Hi Eric, Do you have any gut feeling on whether Gerad Parker will stay as OC next year, and what, if any changes he'll make for the last 2 games this year? Also, if ND gets a qb from the portal this year, does that disrupt the current qb room with Carr coming in?? I worry about why a high profile recruit would choose ND, if they continually go to the portal for a 1yr. and done qb. Sorry for all the ????? Lots on my mind......time for an adult beverage! Thanks as always!

Eric Hansen

2:21

Robert, it certainly gives it a fresh set of eyes, the prospect of a less-restrictive transfer policy, but it does not change the dynamics that has caused pushback from some of the deans and a plea from the coaches to find common ground. Had the same AD and president remained in place, the challenge to find a happy medium would have been just as formidable. Again, maybe a fresh set of eyes (two sets actually) might find a compromise and more quickly.

Robert, Gd Rapids

2:18

With a new President and AD coming this next year; do you for see any changes with a more open position on transfers since the game/business of major college sports is about a top level program now, not 2 or 3 years down the road?

Eric Hansen

2:18

Hi Aaron, and thank you. I expect to see play-calling that reflects some of the self-scouting Notre Dame last week as a staff and the points of emphasis Marcus Freeman talked about on Monday. ... Those guys have collaborated all year, so not sure why this week would be different. Certainly, it it was, they would not be eager to share that.

Aaron, Washington DC

2:06

Hi Eric, thanks for the chat again today. What do you expect to see from the offense on Saturday in terms of play calling and where ND will be effective (or not)? Have you heard anything about the offensive game plan being more heavily influenced by other coaches (e.g., Gino, Rudolph) or is that already the status quo? Thanks

Eric Hansen

2:05

That may be more appropriate for a deep-dive, highly researched story than a chat ... oh wait, it's perfect for the chat. There are zero. But there are scads of them in neighboring Michigan.

Scubatvt56

Eric , are there anymore Bigboy restaurants in northern Indiana?

2:04

From Jamestown TN

Eric Hansen

2:03

So, he took a leap of faith, and I give him credit for remaining committed to that leap through the ups and downs.

“Obviously, there were some gut punches along the way, but that’s life. And I've enjoyed being here. I think the team just really — it's just the guys. Like, we always joked in the locker room about different things, and it kind of kept it light. Obviously, it was a pretty — whatever — thin-ice situation, but we stayed afloat.”

2:02

And, most jarring, in February offensive coordinator/QBs coach Tommy Rees left to become the OC for Nick Saban at Alabama.
Hartman was left to ponder what he’d gotten himself into, as Notre Dame plodded somewhat clumsily into finding Rees’ replacement, eventually promoting tight ends coach Gerad Parker to the offensive coordinator part of Rees’ old role, which provided some continuity and finally a playbook to delve into.
Gino Guidugli — who had just taken a job at Wisconsin after raising his profile at his alma mater, Cincinnati — took the QBs coaching part of Rees’ old job but was learning the Parker offense right along with Hartman.
“I think I just leaned into the team, leaned into coach Free and trusted that they were going to figure it out,” Hartman said. “Really, the team, like the locker room, just kind of kept everything rolling.

2:01

Andy, how much do you follow Sam Hartman around that you can conclude he looks bummed most of the time? ... And I'll be happy to throw you a marshmallow if you promise to catch it in your mouth ... ok to give you the answer you deserve in a serious sense ... He was disappointed that Rees left and told me as much in a one-on-one interview this summer. Here's an excerpt from that story:

Andy

1:57

Andy - Wilmette IL: Thanks for taking my call...and when I say call, I mean chat question. I was a big Sam Harman fan (and still am to some extent) especially when he first arrived. He was exactly what ND needed this year. With that being said, he seems to have taken a step back in his success. Do you feel that he is disappointed that he did not have a more experienced OC this year. He looks bummed most of the time. I think that the inexperienced offensive coaching is a huge part of our lack of offensive success. Go Irish! And throw a marshmallow my way.

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