JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 12, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 12, 2022

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Eric Hansen

2:29

Teddy, I'm fine, but I didn't just have a hurricane blow through my neighborhood. I'm hoping all the best for you and your family. ... I asked Marcus Freemn specifically about Wilkins on Monday. He said the injury was NOT lingering. Here's the rest of his reponse:

“Joe’s a guy that has played a lot of ball for us previously. I challenged Joe and I challenged (receivers) coach (Chansi) Stuckey to continue to communicate what he has to do to get into the rotation. There's a lot of guys that want to be in that rotation that have to earn it in practice."

Teddy Fleishacker, Bonita Springs

2:26

Hi Eric, hope all is well with you. Where is Wilkins? He's been dressing for games but is the injury still lingering?

Eric Hansen

2:26

Tim, my apologies are the geography fumble last week. It really comes down to how much you want to emphasize special teams and what you're willing to risk. Brian Mason put together a heck of a run at Cincinnati on special teams, and a big part of that was playing starters and getting them to buy in. Alabama was doing the same thing when the Irish played them for the national title in 2012 and still may be. Some teams limit the presence of starters on special teams. Brian Kelly went back and forth with it in his 12 years at ND. ... I do think the Bertrand situation last year wasn't smart, because depth was so thin at his position and he was playing so many snaps on defense. That's not the case this year. ...as far as how it's practiced, generally those periods happen when players are doing individual drills. It does not take away from team periods.

Tim Thompson

2:19

Nantucket, Ma., not Rhode Island, as you added last week. Thanks for last week’s response regarding R. Powlus lll, who seems to be the modern-day George Plimpton, although still puzzled. My question this week concerns a couple of issues with special teams. Despite a coordinator change, not much to report. Kickoffs are tough because most don’t invite returns, but I do recall the new guy stating he wants “the best” on ST. So, question one…given the finite time for practice overall, plus academics, weight-lifting, film study, isn’t a better approach to use 2nd and 3rd teamersplus walk-one for ST, with maybe a dominant rush-end for place-kick defense? Last year I was beyond puzzled to see J.D. Bertrand doing punt coverage, when he was already doing overtime. Following this, how are special teams practiced in the context of practice limitations and how does this detract from starters doing offensive and defensive preps? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:17

I agree with you about Manti, Jorge. ... The Syracuse game will tell us a lot (Oct. 29 on the road). That's when ND starts to face some teams (for the first time since Ohio State) that are strong on both sides of the ball, particularly defensively. USC, against admittedly less-than-stellar competition -- does a lot of things well. They lead the nation in sacks and turnover margin. The only areas in which they have struggled are run defense, special teams play and red-zone offense. If they continue to struggle against the run, it gives the Irish an opening to pull an upset. But ND can't afford to have its growth curve flatten out between now and the end of November.

Jorge, Rowlett, Texas

2:09

First of all, it was great to see Manti Te'o as a part of the telecast for NBC. He seems so much more at peace and looks like he could still play a few quarters!!! My question for you Eric is how do you see this team looking when we head out to California at the end of November? We've seen steady improvements in certain areas; Jaden Thomas (WR) made an impact, running game is looking more consistent, OL play is also trending in a positive way, Pyne looks more comfortable, etc.

Eric Hansen

2:09

Hi Jimmy, instead of burning one of the few questions I get to ask in a week (yes, we are rationed) in a press confernce almost a week after the game, let me try to answer it myself. 1) Because the Eagles were successful with a play doesn't mean it would work for ND. 2) The price you pay with a 198-pound QB who doesn't really have perimeter running skills is that QB sneaks and outside keepers are not something the defense needs to take seriously. So they can kind of narrow their focus on those shoft-yardage plays. Witjh Jack Coan last year, he didn't have the perimeter game, but he did have the size to make a QB sneak more viable. And Buchner presented defenses with all kinds of potential problems.

Guest

1:59

Jimmy Z Granger Indiana. At the 7 minute mark of the 2nd quarter ND had a 4th and a foot at the 3 yard line. A time out was called to discuss the play call. All our offensive coaches came up with a play that had our QB in shotgun formation and the running back 2 yards behind him. That means the ball carrier has to run 7 yards to get one foot. Could you please ask the coaches at the next press conference, why we wouldn't run a quarterback sneak in that situation. We have the best o-line in America yet we don't trust them to get us 1 foot. Of course the play netted a 2 yard loss and we turned the ball over to BYU. I watched the Eagles on Sunday with the same situation and their line got them 2 yards.

Eric Hansen

1:59

Dan, thanks for jumping into question mode. I have not rewatched the game, so I will take your word on Foskey being out. And you're right. I think the defensive line rotation is a good thing, but there needs to be a mindfulness of adjusting at critical junctures. In the coaching staff's defense, Justin Ademilola had a great game (actually both Ademilolas did) and Justin WAS in there as the end. But I get your point and agree with you.

Dan from Fort Lauderdale

1:56

Eric - long time reader, first time questioner. Thanks for what you do. My wife and I attended the game Saturday in Las Vegas (shout-out to the in-laws who watched our four kids under 5!). I noticed on the crucial last series for BYU, that Foskey was on the sideline the entire series. How is our potential first rounder not in for that series? I get rotations, but c'mon now!

Eric Hansen

1:55

Hi Adam. Appreciate you too. I have recalibrated my expectations of this team. The Irish are trending up in enough key areas that, barring another QB injury, they could get to 9-3, with 8-4 as the floor. Can they get to 10-2? Not unless they significantly get better in their run defense (currently 72nd). To your second question, I think Marcus Freeman's long-term vision of the offense looks different from the short-term one. He'll always want to make elite offensive line play and running the ball a priority. But ultimiately, he'd like to pair that with a dynamic passing game. ND can't do that right now and win games. And a losing record would do more harm that a ball-control offense on the recruiting trail. He can share and sell that future visioin, and he'd be sincere in doing so.

Adam (Dayton, OH)

1:48

Hello Eric, as always, we appreciate you! 2 Questions. 1.) I believe you said that you needed to see the BYU game to readjust your season expectations or not. So, how do you see the Irish finishing this year and have you seen any of Clemson or USC to get a feel of whether the Irish can win one or both of those games? 2.) Bigger picture. Irish need to upgrade quarterback and receiver talent, we all know this. Does Marcus Freeman's vision for the offense (heavy sets, ball control) affect this in a negative way? If I'm the best receiver in the country, this offense is not near as appealing as an Ohio St./Alabama, etc.

Eric Hansen

1:48

So Notre Dame has verbal commitments from Braylon James, Jaden Greathouse and Rico Flores Jr. — all three top 150 prospects nationally. They're trying to add a late riser in Taeshaun Lyons from Hayward, Calif. Of those four, James and Lyons — per Kyle Kelly — are the guys who can stretch the field. Elite speed? Probably not. I think Bell needs to stay at corrner, though he's able to play offense. ND could use Edwards some in the slot, and if they sign Jeremiyah Love (which is now expected), I think you'll see him in a hybrid role. I also expect ND to add at least one WR from the transfer portal, and that could also be a slot receiver type.

1:42

OK back to Tom from Kennesaw.

1:41

Haha, Tom. Making sure TaRiq Bracy is healthy enough to play is No. 1. Getting Cam Hart back to his old form is No. 2. Investing in the two freshman corners is No. 3. I think you'll see a surge from Jaden Mickey now that he can focus on getting better at just one position. No. 4. Go easy on the safety blitzes. ... Keep in mind, ND has faced Nos. 1, 3 and 25 QBs in pass efficiency in its first five games, all future NFL quarterbacks ... BUT the big-play mistakes are at least partially self-inflicted.

Tom from Toronto

1:34

Dear Dr. Eric,
Watching the last few ND games it would appear that the defense has gotten infected with “big play itis”. They would be going along well, and then a 50 some yard pass for a touchdown, or a 60 some yard pass for a touchdown. The receiver goes left, the cover person goes right. The receiver runs past the cover person, who I expect thought that there would be help behind him, but there was none. In your article earlier this week you commented on the run defense and the need for some change. Would you set out your proposed treatment for this dangerous disease, both for the run defense and the pass defense? Your readers would appreciate the benefit of your wisdom. Thank you.

Eric Hansen

1:34

Tom, I've got a phone-a-friend lifeline helping me with this. Let me take another question in the meantime, and then we'll get right back to you.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

1:20

Eric, the 2023 class has Donovan Edwards, RB, and Micah Bell, DB. Both are listed at 165 lbs (or less) but with elite, elite speed. Wouldn't it make sense to try one or both as a slot receiver given our need for WRs??? I think they could be real difference makers as WR. Speed on the outside has been our problem for many years and I don't see anyone in the '23 WRs with that kind of speed. What do oyu think??? Also, do you see us really dominating anyone this year or are we going to continue to keep the other team in the game with these defensive mistakes???

Eric Hansen

1:19

Hi Matt. Can we adopt you? Thanks! So let's look at the remaining schedules: LSU (4-2) has at Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama, at Arkansas, UAB and at Texas A&M. Notre Dame (3-2) has Stanford, UNLV, at Syracuse, Clemson, Navy in Baltimore, BC and at USC. SO, barring a debilitating injury to either team, I think the most likely finish for LSU is 7-5 or 6-6. I think the most likely finish for ND is 8-4, with a possible ceiling of 9-3.

Matt from Virginia

1:10

Hey Eric: You and Tyler are everywhere now (YouTube, podcasts, chats, articles). Congrats on your new venture and I wish you continued success. Everything you guys do is must-see for Irish diehards. I have a simple question: Who ends up with the better record this season, Notre Dame or LSU (and our old friend BK)? How do you see it shaking out? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:09

Will they return to Vegas? They should. As far as future sites, the only one I'm aware that has been announced is the 2026 game with Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. That's a makeup game for the one scheduled for 2020 and wiped out because of the pandemic.

1:07

Hey Joe. When Notre Dame started the Shamrock Series in 2009, Notre Dame Stadium was an easy place for visiting teams to play, because its signature response to a spectacular play, more often than not, was the golf clap. Brian Kelly deserves credit for pushing for some of the things that changed the environment of home games. It's much better now. I still think there are times at these Shamrock Series games that a good portion of the ND fans there are not regulars at ND home games. And they are pretty fired up to be there. San Antonio in 2009 was like that. The first Yankee Stadium game was another. Vegas set a new standard. I think the BYU fans deserve some credit too. It was a bowl-game type atmosphere by all accounts. (more)

Joe from KC

1:00

Eric, thanks as always for doing these. Always nice to have a break from work. My question… do you think ND will play in Vegas again? That environment was absolutely electric. Far superior to a ND home game, why do you think that was? Alcohol sales? Vegas? All of it? Where are future sites for shamrock series being targeted? Thanks again.

Eric Hansen

12:59

I believe CJ Carr will eventually earn five-star status, so my answer is yes.

Jerry Dallas, Tx

12:59

Jerry from Dallas: Eric, in the era of the NIL, can Notre Dame still get a 5 star Elite Quarterback?

Eric Hansen

12:59

As to Jaylen Sneed, I asked Al Golden about Sneed and fellow freshman linebacker Nolan Ziegler Tuesday night. Here is his response:

“First, both have been getting a lot of reps or additional work here over the last month. Jaylen has really made a lot of progress. You know, we traveled Jaylen last week. It wasn’t because we were traveling a lot of guys. We traveled him, because he’s made progress. So, he’s getting closer. I’m excited about Jaylen. Jaylen is really, really athletic and gifted. He’s starting to settle down and understand the game better and, hopefully, will keep making progress."

12:56

Hi Joe. Thanks for reading us. I don't think it's fatigue as much as it is misreads and bad execution when ND gets into those defensive lulls. You're right, the defense played only 46 snaps. The national average in a game is 69. I addressed the linebacker dilemma in this piece posted Monday morning: Analysis: Addressing the complicated fix of the Notre Dame run defense. So if you want more detail. I'd recommend reading it. My short version is all the cross-training has worked for some and slowed others down. Other than Kiser, there's not someone who's executing at a high level against the run and pass. It's either/or. Again, I do think this is fixable. There is talent there. And yet, I think Prince Kollie is earning a larger role. (more).

Guest

12:50

Joe H Williams Bay Wi Hi Eric Thanks for all your great coverage Great win on Saturday and a phenomenal night for Michael Meyer but once again what should have been an easy win turned into a nail biter.Why does our defense seem to look tired and loose focus late in games,On Saturday I think they played fewer than 50 snaps and secondly why do you think our linebackers have as a whole played so poorly.Do you think we should be seeing more of Prince Kollie and what about Jaylon Snead

Eric Hansen

12:48

Hi Irish Mike. Thanks for your question. I understand your concern. I don't think the window has closed. There's too much talent there. And if Buchner emerges at the 2023 starter, you'd have some insurance in Drew Pyne, provided he stays healthy, keeps improving and stays put. Angeli will be that much closer to being able to help. Powlus will still be around. And ND is still trying to sign a 2023 QB. So you'll have numbers, with or without a portal addition. A setback in recovery for Buchner or a long-term injury to Pyne can change that whole dynamic. But ND will have a pretty strong roster and a challenging schedule in 2023. So the question has to be asked AFTER the season is over: Is there a QB on the 2022 roster than can get you to the 2023 playoff and win a game there?

Irish Mike Altoona,PA

12:36

Hi Eric! As always, thanks for the chats! Has the window closed for Tyler Buchman? It’s been three years and he hasn’t played a full season of football. Barring injury, Drew Pyne will have a full season under his belt and his game continues to progress. Will ND seriously consider Buchman next year? A 5-star (Carr) is coming in in 2023/24! A transfer seems to be his best option! If that happens it leaves the quarterback room thin, Pyne, Angeli and Powlus. Going to the portal is unlikely because a transfer isn’t coming to be a backup. It will be interesting.

Eric Hansen

12:36

So where does that leave JD Bertrand and Bo Bauer? I still think Bertrand can give the Irish quality snaps in that linebacker rotation. Maybe just not play him as much. Bauer already is limited in snaps. So, as to your Kiser-Kollie-Liufau alignment, I give that my vote to try that combination in practices at the very least. But again, I'm still for Bertrand having a decent-sized role.

12:33

Hi Tony. Tyler James and I were talking about this on our Monday Night Live Show. JD Bertrand is definitely the fans' choice to be excluded from the lineup. His grades from Pro Football Focus have been so-so, but he has graded out well when it comes to the ND coaches. Kiser has shown in back-to-back weeks that he can play inside at a high level. Kudos to him for learning all three positions. I would strongly consider him there (MLB). Marist has been struggling. It's perplexing. I asked DC/LBs coach Al Golden about it last night. It's in the transcript posted on our website, but he thinks Marist is trying to do the spectacular on every play and needs to just focus on doing his job. Prince Kollie had an OUTSTANDING practice Tuesday. That has not been the norm. If he can start stringing those together. look for his playing time to increase. (more)

Tony, Lake Mary, FL

12:27

Hi Eric, when your article about better run defense and how to handle the LB corps came out, I chuckled because my friends and I were discussing the very same thing at the end of the game. The solution we came up with was Kiser, Kollie, and Liufau (with Navy being the exception) as the primary. Bertrand seemed either rusty having come in the second half and likely getting fewer reps at practice during the two weeks, but even during UNC (albeit pass happy) he was struggling. I just see the other guys as being more complementary to the rest of the defense. My friend called Bertrand the "Joe Schmidt" of this year, but this d does not lack the mental aptitude that the 2014 team seemed to have. Nothing against JD as a person or a football player, but I do not know if he fits moving forward. I know you wrote the article, but curious if you have comments on this last point directly.

Eric Hansen

12:26

Hi Tom. He said it was a bad call. Took full responsibility for it.: Al Golden press conference transcript, looking ahead to Stanford

Tom from Sister Lakes, MI

12:24

Hi Eric, I couldn’t believe that Al Golden would call another safety blitz with his two freshman cornerbacks on the field. I thought he learned his lesson from the OSU game. There was absolutely no reason to do it in the BYU game given how the defense had dominated up to that point and we had such a large lead. It was a major turning point that could have led to another bad loss. MF looked like he wanted to puke after that play. If you have access to Golden this week please ask him why he called it—especially with the two freshman in the game.

Eric Hansen

12:24

To part II of your question, about the transfer portal QBs: I realize I'm going to get this question every week for the rest of the season. My answer will be the same as it has been. Notre Dame will put itself in the position to add one, through due dilgence of seeing if there's a match out there, academically and athletically. But the Irish don't have to make a decision about it until December at the very earliest. And they shouldn't commit one way or another to it until then. There are too may vataibles that could change between now and then.

12:20

Hi Andrew and thanks. The Irish won't recruit a back like that in every cycle for two reasons ... 1) There are not a lot of elite backs that size. 2) And as long as Estimé is on the roster, do you need another one? ... To the initial point, there are three backs ranked in the top 15 RBs nationally in the 2023 class who might enroll at a similar size to Estimé -- who was the sixth-ranked back in the 2021 class. The only one ND kicked the tires of those 2023s was Texas-bound Cedric Baxter (6-2, 215). ... There's even fewer options in the 2024 class. The two who might grow into that body type — Stacy Gage of Tampa and Davion Cause of Hollywood, Fla. — ND has extended offers to them. The RBs ND has committed in this 2023 class are 181-pound Jayden Limar and 165-pound Dylan Edwards, both elite speed guys. ND needs those kinds of backs too. Jermiyah Love, who could play some receiver at 6-1, 181, may join them soon. Our recruitng writer, Kyle kelly, has put in a FutureCast prediction that he'll commit to ND.

Andrew, South Bend

12:03

Love the chats Eric! Quick question. Do you think ND is going to start recruiting more big backs like Estime? It’s been a breath of fresh air to see us able to pound it like the Bettis days! Also, do you think the staff will be comfortable now with Pyne/ Buchner going forward or will they pursue a transfer? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

Let's get started.

12:03

Also, PLEASE remember to include your NAME and HOMETOWN along wiht your question(s). Telepathy won't work.

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