JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 25, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 25, 2020

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Eric Hansen

2:46

That's going to have to do it for today. I've got to go record our Pod of Gold podcast with Tyler James and our special guest Dennis Dodd. Thanks for all the great questions. Happy Thanksgiving. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon EST.

2:44

Happy Thanksgiving, Tom. On the few occasions UNC saw really good front sevens last year, the points came way down. I don't expect a game in the low 20s, but I am predicting a 33-29 ND victory. 2) I think your vision of what ball control may look like is a good one. Keep your eye on special teams. UNC has really struggled in that area all season.

TOM, Kennesaw, GA

2:40

Hi Eric. Happy Thanksgiving!! Hope the family is well. Two questions: 1) will ND's DL be able to consistently dominate the UNC OL to control the running game and put pressure on Howell when he is passing? Does Powell scramble well or is he more of a pocket passer? 2) Seems that ball control and clock management will be important to winning on Friday. With that in mind do you expect to see more of a short-passing game involving the TE's and RB's instead of going downfield? Thanks. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:40

I think Matt Balis, trainer Rob Hunt and team physician Matt Leiszler have all played huge roles.

Stephen from Toledo OH

2:39

I can’t help the feeling that NDs success this year is in large part do you our strength and conditioning program. I know a lot of big time programs struggled this year with teams that had less talent and I finally feel we stopped playing down to our competition. Do you believe that this year in particular Matt Balis played a bigger role in just making sure we could still play physical with such a shortened camp season to prepare?

Eric Hansen

2:39

Both very good teachers. More press coverage, more aggressive approach with Mickens.

Jimmy in Chicago

2:38

What is/are the differences in techniques being taught by Mickens versus Lyght?

Eric Hansen

2:38

Wow, thanks for such a nice non-question. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Alex from Jackson, Missouri

2:37

Happy Thanksgiving, Eric. No question this week. I truly appreciate you being kind and allowing your readers some of your time on these chats. I am sure I don’t just speak for myself on this. My son and I look forward to these chats every week. Thanking you for setting an example to him in your kindness. You set the bar! God bless!

Eric Hansen

2:37

I think Alabama is better than Notre Dame at this time and Notre Dame is better than Ohio State right now.

John from GLENVIEW, Il

2:37

I know this is way too premature but if we make the playoff, how do you believe we match up with Alabama and Ohio State, assuming they, along with Clemson, get in? I haven’t really seen either of them play but I’m confident our players feel they belong in that top tier and they may just be right. What are your thoughts? I know there’s lots of work still to be done but can’t blame us for starting to think about these possibilities. Thank you

Eric Hansen

2:36

I would assume that, yes, and I assumed it before he accepted the Senior Bowl invite.

Caleb from Charlotte, NC

2:36

Does the fact that Ian Book has agreed to play in the Senior Bowl mean that he will not be returning to ND for another year?

Eric Hansen

2:36

I wouldn't argue with anyone who had scissors in their hand.

Ken - Pensacola

2:35

Eric, Just got back from getting a haircut and my barber whom always like to pull my chain thinks ND would have lost to Clemson had Trevor been playing. I told him ND would have won even if Trevor was playing. Do you agree?

Eric Hansen

2:35

I've been rolling that around in my mind all week. What would I do. Keep in mind ND is No. 9 in total offense. UNC hasn't faced a top 50 defense in 11 games dating back to last year and a top 40 defense only three times in 21 games under Mack Brown. I would tilt my defense toward stopping the run on first and second and play lots of dime on third down. I'd mix it up some, though, so Sam Howell isn't throwing deep balls on first down all game. ... also you can help control UNC's offense by sitting on the ball yourself.

John Walled Lake MI

2:34

Hi Eric, Happy Thanksgiving, North Carolina has a very balanced offense that is the best in the country. Sam Howell is going to light it up through the air against Notre Dame's weak secondary and if Notre Dame safeties help the cornerbacks, North Carolina will gain a lot of yards rushing the ball with there 2 great running backs. There is no way Notre Dame will stop this offense. How do you think Notre Dame defense will do against this very prolific offense. I have no hope that Notre Dame defense will be able to stop North Carolina's Offense. Could you please give me your opinion. Thanks

Eric Hansen

2:31

Benjamin, it's tricky because of the COVID rule of universal eligibility in 2021. But I since everyone who's going to be in the draft needs to notify the NFL by mid-January and the Senior Bowl is at the end of January, Book could not play in the Senior Bowl and then play for the Irish in 2021. Happy Thanksgiving.

Benjamin Fayetteville Nc

2:30

Hey Eric, thanks for taking my question last week regarding how the players being allowed to profit off of their image will impact Notre Dame. Since Ian Book accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl does that mean that he has decided to not come back next season? Or can a senior with eligibility remaining play in the Senior Bowl and still come back to school? Thank you for what you do with these live chats. I have been a reader a long time just never had the confidence to ask my own question until last week. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Eric Hansen

2:28

Joe, thanks for sharing. I answered the recruiting part. So my favorite leftover meal is the same exact thing I had Thursday night, just microwaved. I don't change a thing.

Joe, Stamford, CT

2:27

Long time reader. My grandfather played tennis and hockey at ND in the era of Rockne and the Four Horsemen. The first weekend after moving here from Taiwan, my grandfather sat me down and had me watch an ND game. Been watching ever since. Thanks for being a normal dude in a world of crazy and providing excellent, balanced coverage. Regarding recruiting, the class is currently at 24 (more likely 23 with Abiara’s situation and rumors). How many more can/do they take and at what positions? Will the Clemson bump happen? Not frustrated, more eagerly anticipating with impatience. Lastly, what’s your favorite Thanksgiving leftover meal? My dad used to make creamed turkey with mushrooms over rice/leftover stuffing but I’m a sucker for a good sandwich with all the fixings. Thanks again and Happy Indigenous Peoples Day!!!!

Eric Hansen

2:27

North Carolina is a big-play team that gets those from both its running game and passing game. They run the ball and pass the ball so well, it's difficult to decide what you want to take away.

Dwight from Arkansas

2:25

The upcoming ND vs UNC game looks like it could be an 'arena football' type match in terms of scoring. 2 prolific offenses that could make the final score 49-45 or such. I know little about NC, have not watched them. Are they a quick strike team or 12 play drive type? How will ND respond? Grind it out if possible and play keep-away with the ball to use the clock? In checking the weather forecast, sunny skies and upper 60s on Friday in Chapel Hill, so that is not an issue.

Eric Hansen

2:24

Sweet potatoes. ... but there's one sentimental/unconventional one that I love because I had the best grandpa in the world.

Dan from Granger, Indiana

2:24

Eric, what is your favorite Thanksgiving meal side dish (other than stuffing which is too obvious)?

Eric Hansen

2:23

He was out of isolation and had tested negative. The only reason he didn't play was no practice time and he was working his way through the cardio testing that comes with having had COVID.

Smitty

2:22

Love your work. Consummate pro. In light of Dabo Swinney flipping out on FSU for the cancellation of their game this week, I'm still trying to medically (or even ethically) understand Trevor Lawrence, with COVID, travelling with his team from S. Carolina (plane/hotel?), on the sidelines at ND Stadium, participating in sideline huddles, albeit with a mask on Nov. 7th.

Eric Hansen

2:22

Not necessarily against UNC, but soon.

Lee from Lancaster, SC

2:21

With the improved play of receivers Ben Skowronek, Javon McKinley and Avery Davis, do you expect Braden Lenzy to play significant minutes against NC?

Eric Hansen

2:16

Matt, I love it and you are forgiven for the bare feet. I don't have time to do the research vs, the spread in this forum, perhaps down the road. But you can at least see when there are ranked teams involved. And there's a large enough sample size to believe the point spread thing would mimic non-bye week games. 2) I run a chart once a week of how the top 10 teams compare with each other. I also include ND's 2012 and 2018 teams, which so far 2020 beats both hands down. I do not run regularly, but have available, the metrics for every title team and runner-up in the BCS/Playoff Era if you'd like to see them. 3) Tracking the under-evaluated prospects is something Kelly values from his days at Cincinnati and Central Michigan, when he had to making a living on such players. Bill Rees is an important piece to that puzzle as well. Excellent evaluator. He doesn't care about star ratings.

Matt from St. Louis

2:15

Hi Eric. Thank you for doing these. I always appreciate your insights. My feet are bare, but I am submitting my questions early. I will endeavor to have them covered when I read your response. Three questions. 1) You gave the breakdown of Notre Dame winning after a bye week under Kelly, but how does that translate to how we were expected to do—versus the spread? 2) All stats this year come with a “number of games played” qualifier, so how do we compare to top teams in other years for the five key metrics you always track? 3) How does ND find and develop under-recruited or poorly evaluated prospects that other schools all seem to miss? Thank you!

Eric Hansen

2:14

Peter. I'm not sure about playoff money. I will ask Jack Swarbrick when we talk in the next couple of weeks. The TV money is split evenly no matter how much you bring in and no matter how many games you play. It was a good concession for Notre Dame to make to get to play an ACC schedule, don't you think?

Peter in Provo

2:13

Hi Eric,
I'm curious about TV revenue and how it pertains to ND this season with their 1 year agreement to join the ACC.
I think I read where the NBC TV money will be divided up among the ACC teams evenly along with the rest of the TV revenue from the other broadcast of ACC games.
Is this true? What if some of the teams play one or two less games? Do they still get the same amount as teams that play more games? If ND makes it to the playoffs, will they need to split that money, too? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

2:13

GB, Happy Thanksgiving. Since I will be staying in SB for the holiday, I have no choice but to do the cooking. I will say a prayer beforehand.

GB from Wasilla, Alaska

2:12

Eric, Are you doing any of the cooking at the Hansen household tomorrow? Happy Thanksgiving!

Eric Hansen

2:12

Ty thank you for reading and thanks for piping up this week with a question. No, they were not protecting plays. Yes, they were not trying to run up the score. The committee watches games. They know a cheap score when they see it. That doesn't impress them.

Ty from Godfrey, IL

2:09

Long time reader and first time to offer a query on chat. Love reading your work Eric! On three or four occasions the Irish decided to not score when inside the five yard line at the conclusion of the game. In all instances ND was up by at least two scores. Two thoughts come to mind. Were they protecting potential plays that might be used against more formidable opponents in the future, or, they chose to be satisfied with the outcome rather than running up the score to impress pollsters?

Eric Hansen

2:05

When you have a top five team, some of your young prospects are progressing in relative anonymity. That doesn't mean they're not progressing. How do you think Alabama and Clemson reload every year with so many graduating and early draft entry losses? They have prospects stacked on top of prospects. Quinn Carroll, Tosh Baker and Kevin Bauman all have bright futures. They just don't have relevant presents at the moment.

Virginia Beach

2:03

What has happened to some of our most highly rated O-line recruits? Quinn Carroll and Tosh Baker are never mentioned as progressing or even mentioned as having great future potential. Also, early in the year there was a story that Kevin Bauman was looking really good, and since then, no mention of any sort. Are these guys all likely to not get any meaningful playing time in the future ?

Eric Hansen

2:03

I like the puns and poetry of that. Happy Thanksgiving.

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