JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 25, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 25, 2023

Eric Hansen

3:17

OK, ran out of time. Thanks for all the great questions. Thanks to J&R Solutions for keeping this chat on the free side of the paywall. We'll be back to do it all again next Wednesday at noon ET.

The rest are to be determined.

3:16

Saldate, Kahoun, Hobbs, Bennie-Powell.

3:15

Hi Jerry, still compiling this list. The one we know for sure who are enrolling early are: Carr, C. Williams, Gilbert, Prescod, Peter Jones, Sevillano, Loghan Thomas, KVA ... definitely not coming early are:

Jerry, Portland ME

3:14

Hi Eric, if you were a betting man who would you say comes into the '24 recruiting class before signing day if anyone. Also, early for this question but i just cant help myself, any indication on who will or will not early enroll?

Eric Hansen

3:13

Haha. Thanks for the follow-up. I am from that era too, used to watch all those guys, Wally, Eddie Haskell ... my, Mrs. Cleaver, what a lovely outfit you have on today.

Beaver Grand Rapadis

3:12

Given name Steve, but there are already one or more Steve’s from Grand Rapids on this chat. And have never gone by this name. Correct era though. Thanks for the answer and your analysis.

Eric Hansen

3:12

Hi Thomas. I don' think ND will take Pitt lightly. Having three ex-teammates on that roster is extra incentive. It's more about whether ND has made the offensive adjustments/evolutions necessary to defeat a defense that naturally leans into what has given the Irish offensive problems the past few games.

Thomas, Pittsburgh

3:10

Hi, ND fan from the Burgh. I get an uneasy feeling every year ND plays Pitt, cause I dont want to hear about a loss from my pitt friends. A lot of these games are close, even during undefeated seasons recently. Is ND ready to go this week? Or are they gonna sleep walk thru the first half and make this into a 4 quarter game? Pitt is angry, and they get up for this one, this is their Rose bowl. ND big fav, could they be taking pitt too lightly?

Eric Hansen

3:10

Hi Mark. Marcus Freeman is savvy enough to incorporate all of those elements. But his overriding message is always keep progressing toward the team's potential no matter who the opponent is. They treat mistakes after wins the same as mistakes after losses. I like his approach in this regard.

Mark, Orange County CA

3:07

Hi Eric, thank you for hosting these chats. Historically Pitt has been a difficult opponent. Do you know if coach Freeman goes beyond scheme and execution with the players and works in the historical and emotional elements of the game ? I think one reason I like cfb so much is the will to win has as much impact as any other factor. The team was definetely up for the USC game. Hoping they are just as up for an opponent that they should dominate. An opponent that has outplayed ND too many times in the past

Eric Hansen

3:07

Hi Tony, Tim's oldest brother, John -- who's no longer with us -- was one of my best friends and would have loved the exchange. And so, you never have to sell me on anyone from that family. They're awesome. I haven't coached him but I've met him and he reminds me of on of my grandsons who's the same age, Maurizio (Rio). ... To your more-pressing question. Not all of the guys you see as seniors or even fifth-years are necessarily out of eligibility. Some will return. But keep in mind, ND did a good job early in the season of building game experience for some of the younger players. It's continued on with some. And there are superior athletes at some positions that are up and coming. So potentially a decent amount of turnover, but also some exciting talent waiting in the wings.

Tony, Lake Mary, FL

3:02

Hey Eric. You are the best on the beat, but curious if HCMF's turn around on Tim O'Malley gives him the edge or closes the gap. Do you or Tyler need to take up jr high coaching and start recruiting Nico hard? In other news, I was looking at the depth chart and was really seeing just how many defensive players are in Sr eligiblity year and how many are in Fr eligibility year, although I think a lot of those young guys seem to full full of talent. Made me think about next year and considering if Al Golden just got himself an HC gig with his coaching job this year (especially that USC game plan) how that is going to play out. Without speculating on future coaching opportunities, as it isn't fair to them, but have there been any insider discussions on this experience drop off? Not sure Ben can carry the entire defense next year.

Eric Hansen

3:02

Thanks Len, not sure if it's lacking on offense, but an inexperienced OC can and is playing into it. But look at the defensive starters ... D-line 6th year, 5th year, senior, senior. Linebackers, 5th year, 5th year 5th year. DBs, 5th year, 6th year, senior, sophomore All-American and a 6th year at nickel. On offense you've got a lot of freshmen and sophomores at the skill positions along with junior Estimé and only one senior or fifth year on the O-line in Zeke Correll, no seniors or fifth years at tight end.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:56

Hello Eric, Thanks for hosting. First, I want to give a shout out to you and Tyler. I just finished listening to this week's podcast. Your answers to the questions were very insightful. My question today is a follow-up to last week's podcast. Since so few Notre Dame defensive players are first or second-day draft picks, we can only conclude that the defensive coaches' have done a great job developing and preparing their players based on how well the D is playing. Do you agree? Why is the development on the offensive side lacking? Did we get a better QB but lose continuity at the Offensive coordinator position and on the O line? I know the next 4 games will Tell part of the story, but what are your thoughts as of now?

Eric Hansen

2:56

Hi Matt. 1) Yes he is. 2) Maybe, not preferably. 3) Yes. NFL Draft analyst Mike Renner covered that on last week's podcast. 4) Not necessarily one that works. 5) As you present it, not going to happen.

Matt (KC)

2:47

My quickfire 5 this week: 1. Cam Williams, next year, please tell me he is an immediate impact WR? We need dominant receivers. 2. Outside of getting a transfer QB again, could CJ Carr start as a true freshman, not sure what we have in Angeli or Minchey? 3. If Alt leaves, can Fisher play LT? 4. Do we even have a QB sneak in the playbook for 3rd or 4th and super short (admittedly said with some sarcasm)? 5. Curious, because we are there whether schools want to admit it or not, on your thoughts of maybe having colleges manage rosters under some sort of NIL cap (like NFL salary cap) to try and maintain some parity?

Eric Hansen

2:47

Adam, it is not overly broad, but kind of coming late in the lightning-round part of this. Let me give you an insufficient but quick answer. Where this ends up? Certainly better than Weis/Willingham/Davie, probably similar to Kelly eventually, with a chance to do some Holtz-ian things. Recruiting and Freeman's ability to continue to learn and grow (he has the willingness to do so, which not everybody does) are what I'm banking on.

Adam (Dayton, OH)

2:45

Eric, you are the man, appreciate you! Maybe too broad of a question for a chat, but I'll try anyway. You have seen ND in all forms...great (Holtz), very good (Kelly), and subpar (Davie, Willingham, Weis). What sense/vibe do you get to the program that Marcus Freeman is building, and where would you bet he will fall on this spectrum? Does any of this feel like Holtz to you yet?

Eric Hansen

2:44

Probably more during it.

Bob (Oxnard CA)

2:44

Do you think Marcus will talk to the officials before the game about Narduzzi’s long-established practice of coaching his corners to hold receivers?

Eric Hansen

2:44

Skip, I would only be approximating in numbers. It does vary from week to week ... absolutely packed, for instance, for Notre Dame-Ohio State. For the working part of the press box (and there's a fan area on our level), Notre Dame has really done a good job of winnowing it down to people who are actually working, mostly covering the game, people who work in sports info, stat crew, radio announces, etc. I think NBC is on the other side of the stadium from us. There used to be people in the press box who were there to pretend to be working. Not anymore. During the pandemic, it was REALLY limited. I think for the Clemson game in 2020, there were nine of us in the writers' part of the press box, spaced about 30 feet away from each other.

skip from Houston

2:39

How many people do we have in the press box and what is the primary responsibility of each?

Eric Hansen

2:39

Hi Norris, thanks for your question. The answer, per Marcus Freeman, is Sam Hartman does have the option to change some plays, probably the majority of them, but not all. And sometimes his options of what to change them to are limited. I would like to see him have more sway at the line of scrimmage. That's one reason why you go out and get a sixth-year QB, to win those chess matches pre-snap.

Norris, Singer Island, Fl

2:34

Hi Eric and thanks for your expertise. Please walk me through it. OCGP calls play and it is signaled it.Personnel grouping sent in. Offense lines up to run that play.Defense aligns. Pre-snap reads are made by OCGP and QBSH. Can SH change that play or switch into another and better alternate called play? Can only OCGP call in another play to counter what the defense is likely to do? and how often does that occur? Or do we just run what was first called, regardless of the success factor?

Eric Hansen

2:34

Curt, the goal is to be balanced enough to be unpredictable, to put the opposing defensive coordinator in as many pass/run dilemmas as you can. Having said that, Pitt is 95th in pass-efficiency defense nationally and just lost to Wake Forest's third-string QB ... so hell yes is my answer.

Curt Warsaw iIn

2:32

Eric, can you see the Irish passing more against a defense like Pitt?

Eric Hansen

2:32

One question, in your Navy/Michigan scenario, is Michigan allowed to steal signals?

2:31

Hi Tom, another question for Swarbrick/Bevacqua. That commitment to play an average of five a year remains in place until the mid 2030s, so unless both sides want to change it, there won't be a change. And the initial inclination from both ND and Stanford is they wanted to continue that series separately, so it would essentially go the other way and be six a year on average. There's no provision yet to work on Cal and SMU. There are going to have to be discussions about this, and I don't think changes are off the table, but I doubt the ACC would want to player fewer games against ND. There's no incentive for them to do that. (more)

Tom Potts St. Joe MI

2:27

Now that ACC will be up to 17 Schools could ND get the number of teams they have to play in ACC reduced to 4 games a year? in SB and 2 road. This would add scheduling space to renew a yearly game with Michigan. On scheduling I would like to see ND open every year with Navy then play Michigan.

Eric Hansen

2:27

OK Kevin, thanks for your question and your bravery and the warning not to flinch. I am assuming you are just asking about who the next QB will be, not that they actually bench Sam Hartman and start the audition now. That is how I am interpreting this question, and in that light, it wasn't too early to be thinking about that back in the summertime. There are four very realistic options, some more than others: Sophomore Steve Angeli, freshman Kenny Minchey (who opened eyes big time with his scout team imitation of Caleb Williams), incoming freshman CJ Carr and a portal option. On Oct. 25, I would say the slight edge is to the portal option but I could even see CJ Carr winning it. I think Steve Angeli is well positioned, but is the least likely to have a ceiling that gets you to the 12-team playoff. And this picture and odds will shift between now and when the portal opens up in December.

Kevin, Tampa

2:21

Greetings again Eric, my 1st question on your great chats this year. Don't flinch, this one isn't too bad. :) Now that we are on the backside of the season, is it time to look to who is going to be the next ND QB? Is Angeli up to the task? Anyone behind him or is the transfer portal going to fill the gap again? I'm trying not to look too far ahead as I think 10-2 this year is very possible and probably if they play like they did vs. USC. The program looks to be in great shape with solid recruiting. Haven't seen Angeli out on the field much, at least not enough to know if he is the next one. Thanks for the chats...thoughts?

Eric Hansen

2:21

Well Don, that's cheating. You almost answered your own question. It is the latter, a combination of scheme, execution, talent at some position AND the growth curve of the offensive coordinator. They are all interconnected. What it will look like if/when it it is fixed. ND will be able to open up the run with its passing game AND open up its passing game with the run. It will also mean consistent production from the field receiver position (Flores, Merriweather) and no more regression games from the O-Line. All doable, but none are a given.

Don in Scottsdale

2:18

Eric, Hope the bye week was good to you. It was good week off as we got to enjoy the SC win for 2 weeks. Heading to the game this weekend. I know there's a chance the O gets back on track. What are the keys for that happening? Is it truly execution or is it a combination of scheme, execution and talent at some positions?

Eric Hansen

2:18

Hi Ryan, with pretty strict question limits, it's difficult to work in a question during game weeks about a guy who has zero chance to play this year. That being said, it's still a really good question and one that I wish I had a better answer to. I know this is a developmental year for Chris. We have not had practice access since mid-August. The thought and hope is he'll develop into a good interior O-Line player. But he's got a lot of people ahead of him. We're not too far off on our score predictions ... I had 31-10 Irish.

Ryan mars pa

2:15

Good afternoon Eric how Has Chris Terek looked in practice this year Go Irish what is your score prediction for Saturday mine is 42-10 Irish

Eric Hansen

2:14

OK John, it's nice to see you are participating in the chat from Happy Hour.

Jonathan in Hideaway, TX

2:13

Eric! Knower of such things! What is Marcus Freeman’s middle name? Is it Aurelius? I’m pretty sure it should be. And doesn’t this quote from Meditations sound like him? “If thou art pained by any external thing, it is not this that disturbs thee, but thy own judgment about it. And it is in thy power to wipe out this judgment now.”

Eric Hansen

2:13

Ced, thanks for sharing your prediction and I want to buy you a CAPS key for Christmas.

ced

2:12

ced walker saginaw michigan looking like notre dame win out its new years 6 for us here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd god country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

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