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

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 20, 2021

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Bruce, Centralia, IL

12:21

Eric, one recommendation: Sam McEwon does a great job covering Nebraska football - you might check out his work - almost as good as our own Eric Hansen. One request: more ND baseball coverage this year, please, once things pick up in the spring. And one question: when Blake Fisher comes back, would the plan be to move Alt to RT, or does Josh Lugg keep that spot? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

12:21

Bill, if this were a team that had locker room/chemistry issues, I'd pick your B scenario. But it clearly does not. As long as there's not a key long-term injury (Hamilton, Foskey, Mayer, etc.), that the O-line keeps making incremental improvement and the QB situation doesn't crater, i see this team being better in November with a chance to play in the New Year's Six.

Bill-Idaho Falls, Idaho

12:16

Hello Eric. Hope things are well with you. I have a couple of questions regarding the second half of the season: A. ND's ability to win close games shows their resiliency and no quit which bodes very well for the second half of the season; or B. ND's issues both offensively and defensively come home to roost in the second half of the season which does NOT bode well for them. Which of these is the more likely scenario and what do you see that leads you to one or the other as your conclusion? As always your insight and expertise are appreciated.

Eric Hansen

12:16

Hi Javier and thanks for your question and for doing some of the math for me. The only thing Notre Dame can control is finishing 11-1 and showing significant improvement as a team over its last six games. The Irish would need BOTH to even be considered -- even with doomsday kind of scenarios for other teams. They'd need a LOT of help. That would include Virginia only losing to ND the rest of the way, Purdue to keep winning and Cincinnati to go unbeaten. That still likely would not be enough, so that's where some of the scenarios you laid out would have to come into play. ... As far as what's best in terms of a postseason destination, Notre Dame being in the playoff for two of the last three years -- even with one-sided losses there -- has been HUGE on the recruiting trail. My philosophy is always strive to play on the biggest postseason stage and against the best competition. That's how programs get better.

Javier from Parkland, FL

12:10

Eric, as always, thanks for all the information you send our way. You are the best! This year in College Football seems to be full of surprises. I have a question and a follow-up: If the Irish win the rest of their games finishing with an 11-1 record, Cincy goes undefeated, the B1G champion with one loss (either PSU, OSU or Michigan), Georgia the undefeated SEC champion and Alabama with 2 loses, and Oklahoma losing at least one game (either to ISU in the regular season or the BIG12 championship), does ND get a chance to get into the CFP over Bama, whoever ends up winning the PAC10 and Oklahoma? Would it be better for the program to get into the CFP or go to a NY6 bowl and win? I know, a lot of scenarios and possibilities, but it is fun to dream! Thank you!

Eric Hansen

12:08

Frank, we have updates a couple of times a week, for future reference. On Mondays, Tyler James rounds those up in his notebook. On Thursday, it's my turn to do those honors. As of Monday, Lacey (ankle injury) was the only Irish player whose status was uncertain, one way or another, for Saturday night. I'll follow up on that Thursday.

Frank from Rockwall Texas

12:06

Is Jacob Lacey out for the auSac game?

Eric Hansen

Let's get started.

12:05

An addendum to those, let's go easy on the whining. We're coming off a bye week.

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