JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 24, 2019

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 24, 2019

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Eric Hansen

1:14

Back when Notre Dame and NBC started this venture, NBC wanted to avoid being a cheerleader per se for the Irish, and present an objective broadcast. I think you can accomplish that by using on-air talent that has ND ties and doesn't have ND ties. I don't see many games on NBC, because I'm at the games. But when I'm watching a game, I want someone to provide insight. I don't care where they went to school, as long as they give me that and are honest with their opinions. I'm not sure that answers your question. I'd suggest you take it up with NBC.

Jim from Morganton, NC

1:07

Did not see to add hometown so included above

Jim

1:07

Why do we have to suffer through NBC broadcasts that have Non-ND fans as analysts? Mike Mayock was fantastic and not biased. Doug Flutie, who could not get into ND when he was of college age, is so negative on ND. Let’s add some others from the ND hater club - Pat Hayden, Jonathan Vilma. Why doesn’t NBC hire some of the great ND alums who are analysts like Aaron Taylor?

James from Columbus

1:03

Eric, do you think Tony Jones Jr. is making a case for offensive team MVP? If not, who would your candidates be?

Eric Hansen

1:00

Mike, he played almost exclusively in ND's dime package, that is when ND puts three safeties and three corners on the field with one linebacker, three ends and an interior defensive lineman. The Irish didn't show that look against USC. They played a gimmicky defense as their base, specifically designed for USC's fleet receivers. I think they'll go back to mixing in the dime package this week, so you'll see jack Lamb again.

Mike in Maine

12:57

Eric, early in the season, Jack Lamb seemed to be a regular piece in the LB rotation, and played well, but it seems that he has not played much lately. Is that perception accurate, and if so, do you know why he is out of favor?

Eric Hansen

12:57

You could really flip that question and ask if ND had a better sense of urgency, because they do have a lot to play for and Michigan does not have as much to play for. I don't think it will affect the bottom line. These teams and fan bases don't like each other. I don't think either side will be lacking in motivation or effort.

Tim - Pleasant Prairie WI

12:55

Hi Eric....Seems to me that, other than their reputation in the rivalry and what bowl they will play in, Michigan really has nothing to lose in this game, while ND is playing for their playoff lives. How will that affect the outcome in your opinion? Will Michigan be looser and more relaxed than ND? Or will ND, knowing their backs are against the wall, be the more focused team?

Eric Hansen

12:55

Beth, in part because of growing pains against Louisville and New Mexico, the Irish are a middling 64th in rush defense. They're 21st in pass-efficiency defense and 41st in total defense. Their No. 15 ranking in scoring defense is a reflection of their penchant for takeaways as well as the ND offense's penchant for not giving away extra possessions. ... The Irish would have mixed things up on defense in the second half against USC, I believe.

Beth - Lansing, MI

12:52

HI Eric! Where does ND rank in total defense, pass defense and rush defense so far this year? Michigan looked much better in the second half of the Penn State game and USC looked much better in the second half against us. Were there no adjustments made in the USC game? Can't do that against Michigan. You have no idea how much I want to win this game.

Eric Hansen

12:52

Oversimplifying here to keep this within a reasonable length, I think Notre Dame is the more talented and more balanced team. Michigan's strength is its defense. On offense, it turns the ball over way too much. If the Wolverines could cut that element out of their game, they'd be difficult for most teams to handle.

Dwight from central Arkansas

12:49

UM was very impressive in the 2nd half Saturday vs PSU. They dominated offensively and defensively in a tough environment. In listening to a Michigan sports talk show on YouTube, the 2 co-hosts even stated ND may be in for a long night. If the Wolverines do indeed play well with a huge home crowd, do you think the Irish can stay in the game? I know emotions will be sky-high early on. Hopefully the Irish can ride that wave out and play well.

Eric Hansen

12:49

The next step down is the Citrus Bowl and there are some contingencies there that may or may not leave the door open to the Irish. If they landed there, they'd match up with an SEC team, perhaps Auburn. The next step down is the Camping World Bowl vs. the Big 12. The likely opponent there would be Texas or Baylor.

Ryan from mishawaka

12:47

Eric, If ND doesn't make the Playoffs or a New Years six bowl what are their options for a second tier bowl and who might their opponent be? Is their any chance that the match up could be more interesting than playing a game against Virginia or SMU?

Eric Hansen

12:44

Bill thanks. I think ND went into "prevent" mode too early. I mean that from a schematic standpoint and not an effort standpoint.

Bill 1000 Oaks Ca

12:43

Did the Irish take the foot of the gas at half time or were USC'S half time adjustments better than ours.Realise USC has scored in The last minute the last two years which kind of distorts the final score. Your thoughts please because you represent the best in the field.GO IRISH!!

Eric Hansen

12:43

Hi Mike. Thanks for the kind words. If I am understanding you correctly, you're asking if a player just decides he's tired of football but wants to get his degree, is the school obligated to foot the bill for a fifth year? No, unless there's been a medical hardship established. And at ND, they have the players on a timetable to graduate in 3 1/2 years, so you wouldn't have a fifth-year player still in search of an undergraduate degree. In more general terms, even if a school isn't obligated, they may very well be willing to take on the financial piece of that and it would be well within the NCAA rules. It certainly would boost the graduation rate.

Mike from Danville IN

12:39

Eric: Life time ND fan of 75 years. Really enjoy your work and love the chats. If a player uses a fifth year scholarship but decides to continue his education, instead of going pro, after the season. Is ND, or any school for that matter, obliged to keep him on an academic scholarship through the process of getting his degree?

Eric Hansen

12:38

Both Tyler James and I now disagree with that prediction. I picked ND 28-27 on our Pod of Gold podcast, and I believe Tyler picked the Irish 24-20.

Nick - Barrington IL

12:37

Eric, The predictions you and your cohorts made in the Preview have been extremely accurate so far this season. You tabbed the team from up north to win 27-24. Are you still holding to that?

Eric Hansen

12:37

Thanks, Jack. Because ND is a private institution and USA Today doesn't have access to his total compensation, those numbers are always WAAAYYY off.

Jack Strongsville, OH

12:36

Eric. Thanks for all the great work here and on Sportsbeat. I see in the USA Today that Brian Kelly makes about $1.6 million as coach at ND. Is that accurate as his total compensation. That puts him in the mid seventies behind many lesser programs. How could the job be attractive to Kelly or anyone else if such a big program pays relatively small compensation.

Eric Hansen

12:33

Ha. Love it. I actually had jalapeno and pepper jack burgers at lunch that day, so I believe I'm guilty too... Kelly said he wanted to use Jafar more in the passing game than the running game vs. USC. When the Trojans overcommitted to the pass and left the run open, that lessened the urgency to use Armstrong. Tony Jones was running so strong, it didn't make sense to push it. My sense is he didn't have strong practices leading up to the USC game. Giving him two more weeks to shake the rust and heal made sense. Kelly seemed to be confident Armstrong will play and play well moving forward.

Jeff from Phoenix

12:29

Eric, this past weekend I was sitting on my couch eating cheeseburgers and came up with this question (ND Insider fans will get the reference). Why did Jafar Armstrong only have 1 carry versus USC? Was it game plan dictated as BK suggested or was he not fully recovered? For this weekend, is he 100% in your opinion?

Eric Hansen

12:29

Matt, you were dangerously close to a 17-part question violation there. Remember, point spreads aren't predictions. They're designed to get money bet on both sides. The line moved from Michigan being a 4-point favorite to ND being a 1-point favorite and it very well move again before kickoff. ... I'd make ND a slight favorite. The venue and how Michigan matches up, I think, will make this a close game. I have ND 6th in my poll and Michigan 17th ... My entire ballot can be found here: https://collegefootball.ap.org/abqjournal/poll-voter/eric-hansen

I thought ND needed to mix it up defensively in the second half once USC figured out to move the ball consistently against the three-man front. ... Not a short answer to offensive consistency, starts with consistent QB play ... Favorite ND-Michigan memory: "He's at the 30, the 20, the 10, bye, bye Rocket."

Matt #2/1B from St. Louis

12:21

Hi Eric,In your opinion should Michigan be favored, and why/why not? Where do you have both ranked in your AP poll? Do you think ND overdid it on the three man fronts versus USC, and what would you have done? What does ND most need to do to have more offensive consistency (not getting stagnant and allowing teams to stay in the game)? What is your favorite ND vs UM memory? Thank you!

Eric Hansen

12:20

I don't necessarily disagree with you, but health has been an issue at times this season for all three. And now that they're healthy, do you sacrifice two-back sets and two-tight end sets to get them on the field? Even in three-WR sets, who do you sit to get all three of them on the field? I think Young and Lenzy at this time have the least roadblocks to playing time and yet I don't think you'll see either in large doses this weekend.

NDWhitey from Alpha, NJ

What's your opinion? The time is now to use "all the weapons in the arsenal".

12:17

I think it's time to incorporate Braden Lenzy, Michael Young and Lawrence Keyes for bigger roles in the offense.

Eric Hansen

12:16

I can't see a reason why that would be an advantage in games when you don't need it. The more you use it, the more a defense has an opportunity to decode it. And even when you practice it constantly, it's less reliable than using audible cues.

mark

from Pittsboro NC

12:13

Why doesn't Kelly make his team use the silent count all season long? Hometown Pittsboro NC

Eric Hansen

12:13

Kelly seemed to be pretty optimistic Monday about Armstrong being back at full strength and speed. It's hard to say the number of carries, because a lot of it will depend on the flow of the game. My guess is 10-12 with some involvement in the passing game as well.

Mike Stacey

12:12

How many carries do you think Jafar Armstrong will get, and how close is he to 100%?

Eric Hansen

12:11

Kelly usually gives the players the weekend off when he can, and he did so this year. So they did not watch the Michigan-Penn State game live together.

Michael from Chicago

12:11

Does the team and/or coaches watch the games of their opponents together on bye weeks or when the schedule allows? And if so do they watch by position group? Or do they watch separately and break down film accordingly?

Eric Hansen

12:10

I do expect all five to return to Notre Dame, and only Jarrett Patterson among them isn't draft-eligible. Liam Eichenberg was probably most prominent on the NFL radar before the season. I don't think his stock will be high enough at season's end that coming out early will be more appealing than staying. He's open to all possibilities.

Sam from DC

12:08

Do you expect next year's OL to be the same starting 5? Along the same lines, are any of the current starting 5, who are eligible, getting NFL draft attention?

Eric Hansen

12:07

Brian Kelly talked about this a little bit recently. If there are those kinds of observations, usually Kelly is the one who would bring that up in a meeting. I didn't get the sense that it happens all that often.

Steve from St. Louis

12:06

Do Clark Lea and Chip Long ever collaborate on game plans? For example if Lea see's something on film Michigan does on defense does he go to Long and say "here's how you can attack that" and vice versa.

Connecting…

Message History

On Off

Your current subscriptions

None

E-mail Address	Chat Owner	Status	Remove

Enter your email address to be notified when Eric Hansen hosts a chat