JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 20, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 20, 2021

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Eric Hansen

2:10

So these week-to-week polls are snapshots, and each week you get more date. Was the loss to Purdue an outlier or did Iowa's lousy offense finally catch up to it? Its next game, Oct. 30 at Wisconsin, should start to answer that question. And it's another comparison point with ND. ... To be completely objective, Notre Dame doesn't yet pass the eye test. It has the potential to, but the Irish need to start to show it. Using a similar comparison, a one-loss Pitt team had a much easier time with Va Tech than did the Irish. If you cherry-pick that point, Pitt should be ranked ahead of ND. But then you see a Pitt loss to Western Michigan. The Panthers play Clemson this week, which should tell us a lot more about them and Clemson.

2:04

Robb, great question and I hope this is an equally great answer. Where fans and some media get hung up, is cherry-picking just one part of the résumé and making the argument based solely on that one facet. It doesn't work that way. You need to look at the ENTIRE résumé. ND definitely earns points for the Purdue data point. BUT Iowa's wins are better than ND and largely more decisive. They have a top 10 win over Penn State, crushed Indiana by four touchdowns and took down Iowa State by double digits on the road. What's ND's best win besides Purdue? V Tech? Wisconsin? (more)

Robb from Manassas Va.

1:56

So, Notre Dame has one loss - to the Number 2 team in the country, in a relatively close game, Cincinnati, and somehow we are ranked 13th, while other one-loss teams remain far ahead of us in the rankings. Take Iowa, for example, it lost to a team we beat (and the Purdue-Iowa game wasn't all that close) yet Iowa remains in the top 10 and substantially ahead of us in the polls. Either our loss to Cincinnati is not regarded as a "good" loss, (in other words Cincinnati is not truly regarded as a No. 2 team) or we get no respect because of our quarterback situation and no one believes we can compete with elite teams and that is reflected in our lagging poll numbers. I can remember years ago we were a one-loss team to highly ranked Georgia and we were ranked very high in the polls and in the conversation for the playoffs. What do you think it is - why aren't we ranked higher with just one loss to the number 2 team in the country?

Eric Hansen

1:56

North Texas, No. 1 in offensive plays per game, has the No. 103-ranked defense (in total yards allowed per game). No. 2 Ole Miss is 106th in total defense, No. 3 Utah State is 108th, No. 4 Duke is 110th and No. 6 Virginia is 95th. ... Now playing uptempo in key stretches, I think, is a good idea.

1:53

Rick, in a vacuum, playing uptempo in large doses makes a lot of sense. But in the context of complementary football, that doesn't always work. Notre Dame knew its defense had a lot of personnel turnover and was learning a new scheme, so maybe not exposing the defense to so many plays was the smart path to take.

So let's take a look at the six teams that run the most offensive plays per game. The national average is 69 and all six of these average 78 or more. Other than No. 5, Colorado State, this philosophy really taxes those team's defenses. (more)

Rick Doerolf

1:49

Rick from Sinking Spring Pa. My question is why don’t we play more uptempo style of offense? It worked at the end of the Toledo. Purdue and Va Tech game. It seems when Coan takes a quick drop and gets the ball out of his hands quickly is when he is at his best

Eric Hansen

1:48

I think they would be silly not to, and lo and behold a five-star QB just happens to be visiting this weekend.

Larry from Millersville, PA

1:48

Hi Eric, I'm not looking forward to the long drive on Friday, about eleven hours, but I am looking forward to the game on Saturday night. Question: With Coan graduating and Clark transferring is there a chance that ND looks for another quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class?

Eric Hansen

1:48

Mike, I respect your right to disagree, but let me clarify. The question, I believe, was for us to grade this season -- not what Jeff has done in the past. And I've pointed out his past when I've defended his overall track record. This season, he inherited a very difficult situation. My critique is that he could have handled that difficult situation better. If you still disagree with that context, that's fair. ... Yes the Purdue win helps. Every data point like that helps. Purdue's challenging stretch continues though with Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan State and Ohio State over the next four games.

Mike from Rochester NY

1:40

Hi, Eric, fingers crossed for a strong finish to the second half of the season, providing you, Tyler, and Tom with great storylines. A comment and a question. I love the Pod of Gold podcast but thought you and Tyler were a little harsh in your assessment of Jeff Quinn’s performance this year. I’d give him at least a C+ if not a B-, given the lack of upperclassmen he had to work with (said lack coming from poor recruiting by Harry in his final year, injuries, transfers, etc). Given the excellent recruiting Quinn has done the past two years and the performance of last year’s line, I think a little patience is deserved here, although that seems to something many Irish fans lack. My question - does Purdue’s “upset” of Iowa strengthen ND’s case for a New Year’s Six bowl berth?

Eric Hansen

1:40

Hi Gerry, in the new era of transferring without sitting out a year, no question about a player contemplating a transfer hits the absurd scale. But I would think Drew feels good about his chance to compete with Buchner next year without Clark of Jack Coan in the picture.

g.labelle@picanoc.ca

1:38

Gerry from Waltham, Quebec. Eric do you see Drew Pyne transferring now that Brendan Clarke just left. or is there hope for him next year?

Eric Hansen

1:38

"When it’s a single-bye year, the conference has to allocate them out in a pretty structured way. And so this sort of consequence isn’t going to happen. In a two-bye year, you’re wide open for things like this, and all you can do is be flattered by it, because people are choosing you to put the bye before.

"I understand the angst about it. If I had a resource available to me, I’d employ it, but I don’t.

"I also want to be clear in just how good a partner the ACC has been in scheduling with us. No one should look at that circumstance and think, ‘The ACC is not being fair to Notre Dame.’ They have been great partners."

1:37

Hi Paul, I think you are thinking about 2019 ... and here's my question and Jack Swarbrick's answer when I asked him about it just before the 2019 season kicked off:

Q: I’m going to start with the question that I got absolutely hammered with by fans over the summer, and that is: There are seven teams on the Notre Dame football schedule this season that have a bye the week before playing the Irish. I’m not sure you could have done anything, but what’s your reaction to that and what could you have done to prevent something like that?

Swarbrick: "There is nothing you could do — that’s accurate. You have to keep in mind it’s a two-bye year, and two-byes years change everything. Because effectively the schools have the flexibility to figure out where to put that second bye. (more)

Paul, Stuart, FL

1:35

Eric, do you have a comment on the ACC schedule makers again (this the second year?) giving out byes for their teams the week before they play ND? Swarbrick ever addressed this?

Eric Hansen

1:33

I wasn't surprised he elected to transfer. I was surprised by the timing of it. Why not wait until December and get better on scout team going against ND's No. 1 defense?

Tom St Pete Fl

1:32

Were you surprised to see Brendon Clark transfer? I was. It doesn't appear that our QB situation is settled so if Clark is finally healthy wouldn't he be in the mix for 2022? If he isn't healthy he has no business transferring.

Eric Hansen

1:31

Hi Tom. USC's offensive weaknesses (93rd-ranked rushing attack, a QB with limited running ability) expands ND's options a little. With Purdue's David Bell, ND lined up Kyle Hamilton on him a large portion of the game. I don't think that works with London. But I think regular help from Hamilton over the top does make sense. I do think Hart is the best CB matchup there.

Tom from Grand Rapids thru Dowagiac

1:26

Eric, welcome back after the bye week. Does ND put Cam Hart on wr Drake London (following him around also) as that creates the least of a mismatch possible. I don’t see Bracy or Lewis being able to handle him without a safety over the top.

Eric Hansen

1:26

Of course, he's much better than Clay Hetlon, who was let go earlier this year.

Bob Alvey Loganville, GA

1:25

Do you think the USC football program would be in better shape today if Sarksiian would not have had personal issues

Eric Hansen

1:25

Hi Denny, it's nice to have you here for the chats. When you say surprises, I'm assuming pleasant ones ... so that would include JD Bertrand, Joe Alt, Cam Hart leading the way there. ... Concerns beyond the offense line? So many are tied to that, including what's going on with the quarterbacks ... but better consistency on defense and depth at tight end.

Denny from Beaverton

1:18

Hi Eric; At the half way point in the season, what has surprised you the most so far? Since it seems the offensive line may be developing, what else would be your primary concern for the second half of the season. I miss the old days when the USC game was in the afternoon in South Bend. It is really nice to have these chats each week. Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:17

Hi Marie, great week here. Hope yours is going well, too. Thanks for the email regarding feedback for the Pod of Gold podcast. ... To your first question, the offensive line needs to continue to improve, the pass efficiency number of the quarterbacks needs to surge upward no matter who's playing. And ND needs to play on defense the way they played in the Wisconsin game. ... Part II .. I think Rees had to play 12 personnel more than maybe he'd like (two tight ends) because of the protection issues on the O-line. Now, if Tommy Tremble were still on the roster, how dynamic would that have been? I think the more Buchner plays, the less 12 personnel becomes a necessity and the more it becomes a choice.

Marie from Atlanta.

1:12

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great USC week. For Notre Dame to finish 11-1 what three things with regards to on field play most need to happen? Also, do Do you think Rees used to much 12 personnel in the first half of the season. It doesn’t seem like the tight end blocking has been that great this year. Do you think we will see less 12 personnel in the second half of the season not only because of injuries but also because of its lack of effectiveness? Thanks for all the great work you do, look forward to hearing your answers.

Eric Hansen

1:12

Hi KJ, my Cardinals had the Dodgers on the ropes in the wild card game until the manager decided to put in the shakiest possible reliever in the highest-leverage situation of the season. Oh well, the better team won. I think the only part of the QB tag team that is preordained is that Jack Coan starts and Tyler Buchner stays ready. Then it's really about the flow of the game from that point.

KJ from near the Channel Isles

1:09

Greetings from the land of Dodger miracles! Ya gotta believe. Speaking of which, what do you believe will be the QB time share breakdown against the Trojans? Or will it depend on who appears to have the hot hand? As always, thanks for your informed insights.

Eric Hansen

1:08

I agree with the frozen development of certain players/position groups in 2020. And the offensive line, given the offseason COVID restrictions and no spring practice took at hit with its developmental players. ... So stuff backup O-lineman normally would do together in the offseason, they couldn't. Then when ND did get to campus last summer. there was much more emphasis on conditioning (at other schools too) than there was learning. The veteran starters could handle that. The reserves not so much. And yes, game experience helps with the growth curve -- both for starters and backups.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

1:04

Eric, coaches always talk about how important experience and chemistry are especially for the OL I still maintain that one of the problems with this year's OL is that we missed opportunities last year to get more back-ups more playing time.. As we get into the rest of our schedule, let's say we have several games under control and the defense is dominating the other team. What do you think are the chances we could see, for a couple of series, an OL of LT Alt, LG Kristofic, C Correll, RG Spindler, RT Carmody or Baker? Your thoughts on this??? Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

1:04

Don, thank you. I would say Blake Fisher on offense and Marist Liufau on defense.

Don Phoenix

1:02

Eric. You and Tyler are doing a great job this year. As crazy as it's been I like this team. My question is which lost player to injury on both O and D has had the largest impact?

Eric Hansen

1:02

Hi Chris, thanks doing great here. For those unfamiliar, Walker Howard is a five-star QB prospect from Lafayette, La., in the 2022 class who has been committed to LSU. The Tigers will have a new head coach next year. The fact that Howard is taking a visit to ND this weekend means there's a chance. How the visit goes will likely help determine how realistic of a chance there will be going forward. This is not a sight-seeing trip for Howard.

Chris in Albuquerque

12:57

Does ND have a legit shot with Walker Howard? Feels like a Howard or Dante Moore is the final piece in the BK rebuild that started after 2016. Love the chats and hope all is great with you!

Eric Hansen

12:54

Hi John, and thank you. Brian Kelly turns 60 on Monday and becomes the first active Notre Dame head football coach to be still coaching at ND at that age. Lou Holtz was next closest, at 59. BK is in good health and loving what he's doing. I'm not sure he'd want to coach another eight years, and I don't think he's sure either. He's the kind of guy who takes stock after each season and assesses that. I think having Jack Swarbrick as the AD is a big deal for him. We don't know how much longer Jack will stay in his role, either.

John from Champaign

12:50

Eric, there is a great article by Kevin Clark of the Ringer: "The Cult of the Coach is losing its power. Good riddance". The article focuses on Urban Meyer and Jon Gruden. These are two coaches that have been seemingly thought of as 'savior' coaches for Notre Dame for close to two decades. Alas, no more. Personally, I think Brian Kelly is the perfect fit and his flexibility as a coach since 2016 has proven great dividends. I see him as a Tom Osborne or even a Bobby Bowden, coaches never really on the hot seat, but questioned as whether or not they could really win the big one ... until they did ... multiple times. Does your gut tell you the Coach Kelly will stay here 20 years like Osborne or Bowden? Does Irish nation, especially the administration, have the patience to see this play out? Thanks for all you do

Eric Hansen

12:49

Hi Buddy. Let's give Bertrand credit, above all, for his instincts and preparation. There are some other factors in play here. A significant one is snap counts. At middle linebacker, the time share looks like this: Drew White 260 snaps/Bo Bauer 159. At rover, it's Kiser 220/Pryor 121. But at weakside linebacker, it's Bertrand 417/Kollie 2. So then if you add the tackles at the positions together, there's a little more parity: MLB 41, WLB 59, Rover 42. I can't separate out special teams tackles for those individuals, but that gets you in the ballpark. Finally, I do think there is a DECIDED SCHEMATIC ADVANTAGE for the WLB, but it's also a reflection of Marcus Freeman trusting JD and keeping him in the game in certain packages.

Buddy from Oakland

12:36

Eric, Bertrand has been an immense surprise this season. His tackle total is by far the best of the ND defenders. Is Bertrand really that much better than the other Irish linebackers or is the ND defensive scheme designed to funnel the offensive activity into his defensive area? Is it the player or the position?

Eric Hansen

12:35

Hi Chad, and thank you. Let me start with my prediction for Saturday, which is the easiest. But that doesn't make it any more likely to be correct. I've predicted ND 34, USC 24. .. As far as the bowl game, I don't have a rooting interest in that scenario. However, I think matchups with Oklahoma, Oregon and Ole Miss would be intriguing because of the matchups/personalities involved. Again, I am not naming Georgia, Alabama and Cincinnati, because I think those three will be in the playoff (and ND likely will not be). Oklahoma might end up there, too.

Chad Denver

12:26

Thanks for these chats they are always very insightful. I know you get a ton of questions and it's a lot to sift through. IF ND can finish 11-1 who would you like to see them match up with in a bowl game and why? What is your prediction for the game on Saturday? As always great work and thanks for your time.

Eric Hansen

12:26

Hi Bruce. Thanks for the kind words. If Notre Dame baseball is a top 25 team, which I think the Irish will be, we'll make every effort to expand upon what we did last season. There seems to be the readership demand. ... While the original prognosis had Blake Fisher returning sometime in November, the revised one post-surgery wasn't anywhere close to being that optimistic. Likely he won't return this season. When he does next year, I expect Fisher to be the starting left tackle and Joe Alt to start at right tackle with Tosh Baker and Michael Carmody backing up if they aren't pushing for a starting guard spot. If Fisher did come back for a bowl game. I would think Lugg would start over Alt.

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