JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 5, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 5, 2022

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Eric Hansen

1:50

Tom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (my salute to Manny). I've never been a big gambler. I'm just wired different. We have a casino five minutes from my house, and I'll I've ever done there is go to dinner. So no money on the St. Louis Cardinals. I'm just going to enjoy them. ... Marcus Freeman said on Monday that the expectations were that both Ramon Henderson and DJ Brown were expected to practice this week. I'll make sure to ask about them on Thursday's Zoom with Marcus. I agree with you about BYU being critical/pivotal. When ND started 1-2 and had a new QB, I felt I needed to see how the UNC and BYU games played out before I recalibrated by 10-2 prediction. When looking at whether a team has a chance to improve, there are five statisitcal metrics that are the most telling: Rush offense, rush defense, pass efficiency, total defense and turnover marring. ND is 65th, 68th, 76th, 53rd and 119th, respectively. Not impressive, but trending up. Those numbers need to trend up each week, no matter the opponent. (more)

Tom Kennesaw, GA

1:42

Hi Eric, hope you have a great time in Vegas. Are you going to put any $$$ on the Cardinals?? What is the health status of our Safeties for this week? What is it the freshman TE's are showing that have the coaches and media singing their praises? I see the BYU game as a pivotal game for the season between going 8-4 and possibly only 6-6. Certainly Clemson and SC are going to be challenges and Syr could be very tough up there. What are your thoughts on this and what do the Irish have to improve to go 9-3??? Thanks and as always Go Irish!!!!!!!!!! (the extra excl. are for Manny's return)

Eric Hansen

1:42

Hi Bobby. Notre Dame did pull TE Eli Raridon out of Iowa in the last recruiting cycle and was a finalist for safety Xavier Nwankpa, so I think the coaching staff is paying attention to the state.

Bobby Kull

1:36

There has been major recruiting going on in the Midwest for the Irish this past season, but i real think our Iowa recruitment specialist can do better in the state. We have a junior at Sioux City Bishop Heelan named Favors who is tearing up the record books in class 3A. He has great speed and superb catching skills. The Irish have tapped Bishop Heelan High School in the past years, but it has been dormant for quite some years. We can go back to Mike Courey who was a recruit in 1975 and even prior to that Ray Lemek who was team captain for The Irish in 1955 from Bishop Heelan. Let's get back into Iowa recruiting,and get on the radar!!!!!! Sincerely, Bob Kull (Dakota Dunes, SD) Kudos to the Platoon Players

Eric Hansen

1:36

Hi Shane. Well, if it were all about NIL and teams allegedly leveraging it in improper ways -- and I said allegedly -- Texas A&M would be the No. 1 team in the country ... and yet they're a team that's so far fallen well short of expecations. Now, with the transfer portal, yes, that allows teams with mass attrition to reload quicker and to fill critical needs. So, yes that would be a factor in all the surprise outcomes and teams we've been seeing.

Shane from White Deer Tx

1:32

Hey Eric, hope all is well with you. Is it just me, or does it seem like the old adage “on any given Saturday” seem to be becoming more than just a platitude? It seems like that gap that used to separate the upper tier teams and the mid to lower tier teams has closed more so than ever before? Could it be attributed to teams using the transfer portal, or teams taking ‘advantage”of NIL? Or maybe it’s some combinations of these or other factors? Can you buy into this, or am I going down a rabbit hole? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:31

Even though ND isn't letting much info out about its new QB targets, I think they have a better than 50 percent chance of landing/flipping a 2023 QB. ... I think Tommy Rees evaluative eye and ambition in going after elite QBs has improved. He identified Jackson Arnold and Christopher Vizzina, for instance, long before they were coverted, highly rated prospects. Tactically, though, the 2023 cycle was a mess. And you could argue 2022 was close to being the same and could have been better. He did land an outstanding QB for 2024, so there's that.

1:27

Hi Marie, and thanks. ... To your first question .. .for me to think ND has a chance to run the table based on the BYU game: 1) Dominating performances on both lines of scrimmage. 2) Another step forward by QB Drew Pyne again against a better defense than he faced last week. 3) The Irish defense being stout on third downs and forcing turnovers. That still doesn't guarantee it, but it gives the Irish a shot at it. ... OK, let's get to your QB questions. I think shambles is a strong word, but ND' s situation should have been better than this, even with bad luck. ... Let's let the 2023 recruiting cycle play out. I think getting a '23 QB and keeping CJ Carr in the 2024 class is the preferred scenario. (more)

1:21

Sorry for the delay. I'm back and will have your answer soon.

Marie from Atlanta

1:10

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week and getting excited for going to Vegas. What three things could the Irish do this weekend that would make you think they have a legitimate chance to run the table? Changing gears, how much of the quarterback room shambles do you think Rees is responsible for? No 23 QB, a 24 QB they want to re-classify who by all accounts doesn’t really seem to want to do that. In the meantime, 24 QB recruiting is being hurt. Additionally, if I remember correctly Notre Dame could’ve had JJ McCarthy. Identifying talent is a huge part of the job, I’m pretty sure anyone could’ve seen Dante Moore was going to be great, but as for Rees, do you think he has the chops to identify talent and recruit really well at QB? The Dante Moore recruitment demonstrated a really bad miss read of the situation. As always, thanks for your great insights, have a great time in Vegas.

Eric Hansen

1:09

Hi Jim, and thanks for the kind words. I was criticial of the linebacker play, as you are, but I felt they took a step forward in the UNC game against an elite offense. There's still plenty of room for improvement. I keep waiting for Marist Liufau to evolve into a breaklout player. I have not given up on that notion, and perhaps the bye week will be a catalyst for that. I think Prince Kollie ascending is a good thing for that group. ND plays so much nickel, which pushes Jack Kiser inside, I'm not sure we've seen him at his best, and yet he's having a good year. He leads ND in tackles with 26 and he's only averaging 36 snaps a game. JD Bertrand, even without the targeting penalities, must improve. Clear and simple.

Jim Tal, Valley Center, CA.

12:57

Greetings Eric and a sincere shoutout for all the dedicated work you do to keep your appreciative readers up to date with the state of the Irish. If ND is to have a successful rest of the season, it's imperative that the play of the linebacking corps - which has been rather subpar to this point - takes a significant step forward. In your opinion, for that to happen, what exactly needs to take place and who needs to dramatically step up their game? Also, is there any possibility that one of the younger 'backers could force his way into the rotation and help change the dynamic of this up to now, disappointing group? Many thanks.

Eric Hansen

12:56

Hi Tim. We actually had a shot to interview Ron in August, but it was also at the same time Tyler Buchner, Drew Pyne and Steve Angeli were available. So in prioritizing reader interest, we weren't able to get to Powlus. So to be completely candid, I'm unsure of what his aspirations and expectations look like. He grew up around the program, and maybe his love for Notre Dame and his value for that kind of education outweighed increasing his chances of playing time elsewhere. He was injured his first season, but in the practices we saw in August, he did not look grossly out of place. Still, I would not anticipate he'll rise higher on the depth chart during his career than where he is now.

Tim Thompson Nantucket

12:45

Despite the fact that he is currently third on QB depth chart now, in his second year, I continue to wonder why Ron Powlus lll is on the squad, or more specifically what his expectations have been since signing. He obviously has the overall skills to play at this level or FCS. Was his plan to get a foundation at ND and then transfer all along? Has he ever been taken seriously as competing for playing time?

Eric Hansen

12:45

Given the likliehood that four WRs will leave the roster after this season and ND is looking to sign four in December, adding at least two via transfer seems like a must goal for the offseason.

12:42

Hi Randy, my colleague, Tyler James, will appreciate the "blah, blah, blah" line. He thinks you all are WAY too nice to me. ND does have a loose goal for numbers at each position, which can vary with how much experience and how healthy that particular position group has coming back. Also, if there's a five-star prospect who wants in at the end of a recruiting cycle, you make room for him -- even if you're full at that position. We asked wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey during fall camp what would be his ideal number at the position group. His answer was 10. And had Avery Davis stayed healthy and ND not lost two vaunted WR prospects at the 11th hour in the last recruiting cycle when Brian Kelly bolted for LSU, the Irish would be at 10 this year. (more)

Randy W from Jonesborough TN

12:35

Hi Eric. Something I read in another of your articles caught my attention: “The Irish have only seven scholarship wide receivers on the roster, …” Only 7? So how many scholarship athletes are optimum for other positions? The limit is 85 scholarships per team per year, I thought. So there must be some weighting scheme that ND uses and tweaks as needed??? I realize that I am probably missing something fairly basic here, but how does ND distribute scholarships to the offense and/or defense positions? (I know you’ll be kind to this old newbie because your the greater most kind … blah, blah, - just kidding you really do deserve the kudos you get)

Eric Hansen

12:33

Hi Norris, chemistry and communication are important in every position group. I think offensive line is in a unique spot in that regard. As far as subbing out DBs, there are some coaches who will do less of that. But think about it, the DBs are doing a lot more running play after play than the offensive linemen are. It makes sense to keep them (the DBs) fresh. There are also players involved in specific defensive packages. Kyle Hamilton, for instance, was outstanding as a true freshman in ND's dime package. If Brian Kelly had only played the starters, the Irish would have missed out on Hamilton's significant contributions. Why cross train? It's to build depth. It can be overdone, but it has paid off for ND in the past.

Norris from Singer Island Fl

12:28

Hi Eric and thanks for all your inside reporting. I understand the importance of identifying your five best offensive linemen, considering the skill set of each, then teaching each their own position, and playing them together as a unit which will provide better communication, anticipation and cohesion for the end product.Why wouldn’t the same principle apply to the four defensive backs and rover/nickel, instead of all the cross training and frequent substitutions?

Eric Hansen

12:27

Frank, after talking to Marcus Freeman Monday, I would have said minimally. After talking to Tommy Rees Tuesday night, I'm slightly more optimistic.

Frank from Royse City, Texas

12:26

Eric, do you think ND will get Colzie and Tobias more involved in this week's game?

Eric Hansen

12:26

Manny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think if Notre Dame ends up 9-3, and won three out of four against the ranked teams on its schedule (BYU, Syracuse, Clemson and USC), it most likely would end up in the New Year's Six. I wrote about this Sunday (Analysis: Breaking down the post-bye week road ahead for Notre Dame). If they fall short of the New Year's Six, the ACC has restructured its bowl pecking order, so that there are nine bowls that compete as "Tier One" games that Notre Dame could end up in. Those are (in no particular order) the Cheez-It, Sun, Duke's Mayo, Fenway, Pinstripe, Military, ReliaQuest, Holiday or Gator bowls.

Manny from San Pedro

12:15

Eric!!!!!!!!! Feels like the bye week and a dominating performance against NC has recharged fan interest in this season!!! If the Irish run the table it assures a NY6 bowl. If they drop one and end up 9-3.. where is the likely landing spot for this team

Eric Hansen

12:15

I'll save my response to Tobias Merriweather for a question that specifically asks about him. As far as linebackers, Prince Kollie has made headway after an injury (concussion) held him back at the start of the season. Junior Tuihalamaka is a regular on special teams and has seen some spot duty on defense. Who did you have in mind who's not among those two and the four veterans who would put ND in a better position to win games?

12:12

John, the no-waiting asepct of the transfer portal does force college coaches to at least consider your premise. When asked about it, Marcus Freeman admitted it's part of the calculus he uses in determining playing time. But it's certainly not the driving force. It can't be. It's one thing to give opportunities to young players to get on the field and live with some growing pains. It's quite another to put them on the field when everyone, including their teammates, know they haven't earned it. Bad, bad, bad for team chemistry and team goals. I actually addressed this concept with D-line coach Al Washington last night and his position group and thought he had a solid approach and response. (more)

John - Palmyra, PA

12:05

With the xfer options, why risk losing the young WR’s/LB’s by not giving PT in spot situations? Yes, I understand these kids are thought to be “ND Men,” but if they are “adjusted off the field and not playing behind an All-American (which is not the case currently at ND), why not spot duty? As the season goes on teams are going to isolate our LB’s and throw on us. Mark my words. Might we’ll see it Sat. Fingers crossed.

Eric Hansen

12:05

Off we go ...

Also, PLEASE remember to include your name and hometown along with your question(s).

12:04

Here are the rules.

Now moving on to today's live chat ...

If you can’t catch us live, you can watch anytime during the week, as the show keeps its shelf life going through the entire week leading up to the next game.

12:03

Some quick programming notes:
If you haven’t already, check out this week’s Inside ND Sports podcast with our special guest Eric Mac Lain. Lots of great insight from the former Clemson offensive lineman and current college football analyst for the ACC Network and ESPN. He sizes up ND’s upcoming ACC opponents — Syracuse, Clemson and BC — and puts into perspective the Irish win over North Carolina. Also some interesting thoughts on conference realignment and Notre Dame’s place in that.

Inside ND Sports’ recruiting writer Kyle Kelly will be holding a members-only recruiting chat Friday on the Insider Lounge Message Board from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT.

Not a member yet? There’s no better time to try. Through Saturday you can sign up for an Inside ND Sports subscription and try us free until the end of Notre Dame football’s regular season. Just click here and use promo code SHAMROCK22.

Finally, after observing the bye week, Tyler James and I will be back on our YouTube show, Monday Night Live, at 7 p.m. EDT.

12:01

Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, Vegas/BYU edition.

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