JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 3, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 3, 2021

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Eric Hansen

12:21

Dave, there's some validity to your angst and also an explanation that might mitigate some of it. 1. North Carolina is the most difficult offense ND will face this season, in my opinion -- because of how balance it was, because of Sam Howell's true dual threat, because an elite slot man (Josh Downs) almost forces you to play too much nickel with Kyle Hamilton out. With Hamilton, ND could have played more base defense and been sounder against the run. (USC put ND in that same dilemma in the second half Oct. 23). (more)

Dave from Ponte Vedra

12:17

How amazing that the offense is now a strength while the defense is becoming a liability. I’m a long time fan and I don’t want to be a prisoner of the moment, but I simply cannot remember a game where the tackling was as pitiful as it was against UNC. I’d like to think the defense is progressing under the new coach, but I’m not sure that it is.

Eric Hansen

12:17

It makes sense for Pyne to stay and compete in the spring, and see where things fall. Even if he's No. 2, he's one play away from being No. 1. Now if one of the freshmen jump him on the depth chart, then maybe he ponders a transfer AFTER 2022. At that point he'd also have to weigh the value of an ND degree and waiting to ponder a transfer until after getting that. All speculation, mind you. So much of rising to the top of the depth chart is timing. Tommy Rees is a great example of being able to do so in part because of injuries and suspensions.

12:14

Manny!!!^%$#)(^^!! Thank you for being here and bringing the energy. Because of the change in transfer rules to no sitting out, I'm not sure there's such thing as a silly or premature transfer question. Knowing how grounded Drew Pyne is and how confident he is in his abilities, though, I wouldn't see him leaning in that direction at this time. ... So here is how 2022 sets up. Coan will be gone. You'll have Buchner, Pyne, Powlus, Angeli and perhaps five-star Walker Howard. Buchner and Pyne will have sophomore eligibility (because of a 2020 redshirt for Pyne). The others will be true freshmen or redshirt freshmen. (more)

Manny from San Pedro

12:08

Eric!!!!!!!!!! As always thank you for the chats. Even though I can’t attend live, the recaps make my Wednesday evenings! Love the questions and your in depth answers!!! You are the best!! What is the fear of Drew transferring. The way Tyler runs seems to make him a huge injury risk and I would hate to see us with no solid backup next year…

Eric Hansen

12:08

Hi Cheryl. It's been a couple of years since any of them have had to play a game against a triple-option team, but Drew White has been exceptional when facing it both in 2018 and 2019. I suspect JD Bertrand and Jack Kiser will be adept against it as well. Notre Dame playing so much nickel the past two weeks stressed the linebackers on running plays, because there was no rover on the field. ND might even play a fourth linebacker, something Marcus Freeman employed in a shutout of Navy in 2018 while he was the defensive coordinator at Cincinnati.

Cheryl from Texas

12:04

Are the ND Linebackers playing well enough to stop Navy’s massive running attack?

Eric Hansen

12:04

Let's get rolling.

PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question.

12:03

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