JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 13, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 13, 2023

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Eric Hansen

2:06

Thanks Michael for the CAPS and the exclamation point! I'm not sure the rationale from going from grass to turf has expired, so no I don't think that's in the plans. I'm guessing Eli Raridon won't play against Ohio State, but I do think he'll be back at some point this year. We do ask about him regularly. ... With Charles Jagusah maybe late in the season. They were trying to go easy on him coming off knee surgery. He's very talented and had a promising future, but not much of a present. ND likes to keep the units together, so the 2s -- Wagner, Kristofic, Craig, Schrauth and Baker -- come in as one unit. Those guys have played in every game but a total of only 21 snaps. If the O-line 3s don't play this week, I'm not sure there's an obvious situation/game to fit them in.

Michael .Costa Mesa CA

1:57

Luv your CHATS !. What are the chance of ND going back to a Grass Field ?. Do you think ELI RAIRDON will play against Ohio st ? What are the chances of C. Jagusaugh playing this yr. Thank You

Eric Hansen

1:54

Hi Bob. I think that's position-specific. It's hard to justify not getting reps for the QBs in the second half if the lead is 35 points or more. Not predicting it will be, just giving you a for instance. But some groups, like wide receivers and linebackers have deep rotations, so you may be playing 2s and 3s rather than 3s and 4s for a while. And I think the No. 1 offensive line needs reps together, so I'd likely keep them in together longer than Hartman, for instance, before bringing the whole next wave of them in.

Bob (Oxnard, CA)

1:50

How much of a lead would we need to have at halftime against Central to play the 3rd and 4th quarters almost entirely with back-ups if you guys were the coaches?

Eric Hansen

1:48

Charley, you may be right, or they could be completely different situations. But if he's torn and Bear is not and ready to commit, then it won't matter. Ole Miss is in Deuce's final four, but so are Tennessee and Auburn, as you probably already know.

Charley, Jackson Metro

1:46

Deuce didn't last 6 weeks in Nashville before moving back to George County. Doesn't augur well for a move to Indiana.

Eric Hansen

1:46

Hi Don, and thank you. In spite of a really icky exit and his persistent narrative of why he left ND, I do think he was the right man at the right time. But I really like how Marcus is evolving as head coach. I thought very highly of him before he was on ND's radar as Clark Lea's successor at defensive coordinator. He continues to impress. What we see away from the cameras and the mikes is a guy who's every bit as authentic when nobody's watching.

Don in Scottsdale

1:42

Eric the season is definitely going in the right direction. CMF appears to comfortably taken over is role. He is impressive in all he does. You see him far more than we do. Is there anything you see that's different than the interviews and sound bits. I was a Kelly fan but Freeman seems like the right guy at the right time, Your thoughts. The Inside ND Sports team is doing a great job. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:42

I agree largely with Marcus here. That was not a word salad. ... Now do you want guys who know can get open and catch the ball on critical third downs? Yep. And at this point, the guys trending in that direction, I believe, are Jayden Thomas, Holden Staes and Jaden Greathouse.

1:40

MF: “I love what we're doing, the ability to spread the ball out. You know, last year if you look at it, it was almost the Michael Mayer effect. It was if Michael Mayer’s in single coverage, you’re going to Michael Mayer. I think the ability for us to really go through a progression, it really puts the defense at a disadvantage, because you can't just double-cover one guy. And that's the great thing about the weapons we have at tight end, at wide receiver, in the backfield. We throw to our backs too in the pass game.
“We're able to go through a progression and not just say, ‘This is the go-to guy.’ And I think that's a reflection of how you see the ball being spread around. And so, you're going to be the guy when the ball comes your way. But you always have to anticipate the ball’s coming your way. And I think that's the beautiful part about how we're playing offensively right now, is that everybody and anybody on any play has a chance to have the ball going their way.”

1:38

Patrick. Marcus Freeman was asked this Monday, so I'll give you his answer first and then chime in. For the record, 16 different players have caught at least one pass and eight have scored receiving touchdowns. (more)

Patrick from Boulder

1:37

Hi Eric!!! Thanks for these great chats - I love reading them. Based on what you've seen through 3 games, do you believe we will have a legitimate WR No. 1 by end of season, or do you think that the WR targets will continue to be spread over a committee?

Eric Hansen

1:34

The arrow is pointing up.

Curt Warsaw In

1:34

Eric, what is your opinion of Holden Staes?

Eric Hansen

1:31

Bob, speaking of hurricanes, I hope you're not in the path of Lee. ... You are talking about Carter Nelson from Ainsworth, Neb., in the 2024 class who Notre Dame would like to flip and with whom the coaches are still communicating. He would be a second tight end in the class to go along with four-star prospect Jack Larsen from Charlotte, N.C. So yes, there's interest on ND's part, but that will still be a tough flip no matter how Nebraska performs this year. Coach Matt Rhule is selling the future, not necessarily the present.

Bob in Bermuda

1:26

With Nebraska starting off poorly, do you think that we should go after the TE that committed to them vs us?

Eric Hansen

1:25

Hi Newt, we're going to have a beverage one of these days when we're in the same spot. ... Yeah some of the national weather sources were WAY off on the timing of the storms. And it sounded like NC State bungled some things as well in stories from our subscribers that they shared. Hopefully, you were able to share a lightning-delay hot dog with your son?

Newt in Midlothian, Va

6'0" 400 pounds...10 flat 40. lol

1:23

Pressed enter...my bad. I was at the NC State game. No question, just wanted to publicly gripe about weather.com. The weather was suppose to hold up till 4 pm. At kick off it was beautiful...until it wasnt. My son and I left during the lightening delay to come back to Virginia because I didnt think it was going to get better...but indeed it did. Watched the rest of the game on the road. As usual, thank you for your continued work and ND coverage! Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

1:22

Hi Lorne. Thank YOU. And thanks for keeping the math within my capabilities. NO TRIGONOMETRY QUESTIONS! ... Here's what I can share with regards to yards after the catch. I 2022, ND average 7.0 yards-after-catch per reception and 112.9 per game. So far in 2023, it's 9.1 per reception and 176.3 per game, so good eye. As far as where that ranks nationally, I think I have that info that I can access but not quickly enough to make it work in this chat today. However, as we get deeper into this season and the numbers become more and more relevant and less distorted, I will get you the national standing.

Lorne

1:17

Lorne from Reno. As always, thanks for the best ND football column of the week. Winning by an average of 47-10, Estime running away from DB's, Morrison with a textbook pick (blocking memories of screaming at the TV when DB's didn't look back for the ball), but what I want to ask about is YAC. Hartman has done a great job of softly leading receivers (think Estime's first-game flair on 3rd and long and countless blitz-beaters to TE's and RB's), allowing them to catch the ball in stride and pile on yards after the catch. Do our stats this year reflect a large increase over prior years? How about national rankings -- if you've shown that stat I apologize for missing it. It seems that this is a big part of our offense that has been missing in the past.

Eric Hansen

1:14

I have spoken to Bear, because both of those guys were on vacation when he got his offer. Impressive young man on the phone and his tape is impressive. So is Deuce's. My educated guess is that if Bear is ready to make a commitment after visiting this weekend and Deuce is still torn, ND would go ahead and take Bear. How that works into percentages? Long ago I had two teenagers living in my house and they constantly confounded the percentages of what I thought they'd do.

1:11

Hi Pat. I was trying to share their Rivals profiles, but I don't think I can do that until this turns into a transcript ... So both Deuce Knight and Bear Bachmeier are four-star prospects, with Knight being ranked a bit higher within that four-star category. Knight is a lefty and more of a dual threat. Bachmeier is a righty with a thicker build, but who also runs well. I would say both of them have ND as their No. 1 lean right now. Bachmeier is visiting this weekend. Charleston Bowles and Tyler James from our staff are WAY more plugged into the percentages. (more)

Pat from St. Paul

1:01

Thanks for the chats Eric!!! It seems like 2025 QB recruiting is heating up, have a percent chance on either Deuce or Bear pledging to ND? It seems like Bear has some momentum. Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:01

Hi Tony. Thanks for the compliments. With a full-time job, a wife and four kids, I don't know how much time Bob Morton would have to do analyst work, but man, he's good at it. I think there can be huge advantages to having the QBs coach and the offensive coordinator be the same person, but you just laid out HOW the opposite can be true. And it's the way that coaching staff is working together. Gerad Parker is OPEN to suggestions from two former OCs (Gino Guidugli and Joe Rudolph) and he's not a bit territorial, and it just works well. Not every non-QB coach has a willing ego to do that, but Parker does.

Tony, Lake Mary, FL

12:57

Hey Eric. Excellent coverage continues. Bob Morton with the A+ again. I think I mentioned how much he would be a great color guy in this chat before, and glad to told him the same on the podcast. When chatting Gerad Parker and his in game adjustments, I feel like having Gino and Joe Rudolph on the field has been a tremendous advantage for him (and having an experienced QB). There were several times where the camera would show the sidelines after the first few drives and both Gino and Joe were over with Sam and the OL. Do you have a sense that allowing Gerad to focus on setting up the next drive without having to spend as much time coaching a QB in game and I sight from the other coaches has been a huge factor. Any experience with separation if QB coach from OC being an advantage?

Eric Hansen

12:56

Team A is Notre Dame and Team B is Ohio State. As you can see, pass rush, coverage skills and turnover margin are going to greatly affect the formula that you laid out. ND has played Navy, Tenn St and NC State. OSU has played Indiana and Youngstown State. NC State would wax all those other teams. Tenn. State would likely lose to all, so fairly even competition. So I think ND has a fighting chance in this game.

12:53

Rush defense: Team A 41/Team B 30
Pass-eff. defense: 4/13
Total defense: 7/4
Scoring defense: 14/2
Sacks: 103/84
TFL: 114/100
Red-zone defense: 9/93
Turnovers gained: 14/110 (more)

12:51

Rush Offense: Team A 39th/Team B 87th
Pass Offense: 35/30
Total Offense: 20/52
Scoring Offense: 12/70
Pass Efficiency: 2/60
Sacks Allowed: 54/26
Third-down efficiency: 7/113
Red-zone: 41/64
Turnovers lost: 36/10 (more)

12:47

Hi Tom, thanks, and thanks for being a part of the chats. 1) I don't think he processed the game that way. He's a very mature, even-keel kind of guy who's come through a lot of adversity in his life and probably doesn't get hung up on those kind of details. 2) I know who Team A and Team B are, so I'll give you the take of the tape and late you pick ... then I'll weigh in ... (more)

Tom Kennesaw, GA

12:43

Eric, a couple of questions for you: 1) with the win at NCST, did Sam Hartman feel like a monkey had been lifted off his back? 2) I need your valued insight on this one: Team A has a very good experienced QB and a talented but very inexperienced WR corps versus Team B who has a great WR corps but an unproven, but talented, QB...who has the advantage and wins the game and why??? Both teams have similar running games so the difference in the game will probably come down to the passing offense. Thanks for the Wednesday Chats. They are very insightful and also signal game day is only 3 days away. Go Irish!!!!!

Eric Hansen

12:43

Hi Patrick. I'm not sure I'd call a schedule with two teams in the top 6, and Clemson and Duke on the road weak. But I'll answer you're second question. If ND goes 12-0 against it, they're in the playoff. If they go 11-1 against it they're very likely in the playoff. If they go 10-2 against it, they'd likely be in a New Year's 6 game.

Patrick Dallas Hamilton,Ohio

12:38

Why is the schedule so weak this year? Do you think this will hurt Notre Dame at the end of the year?

Eric Hansen

12:37

Hi Scott. Appreciate that, and go right ahead and kick your shoes off. As long as ND is unbeaten, we'll suspend the "no bare feet" rule. Marcus Freeman and the staff have done a good job with two overmatched opponents of messaging "play to a standard." And I think, despite the final margin, there were enough flaws in the NC State game to get their attention, that this needs to be a week of improvement. I also think QB Sam Hartman's demeanor helps. And also, that they play so many guys on both offense and defense helps. Lots of hungry rotational players and reserves want to play well. Are the Irish immune to overconfidence/complacency? No, but I think these factors will help guard against that.

Guest

12:33

Scott, Augusta GA. Eric, it's great reading every week, all the insights you provide on the team. Class, dignity (even though I'm a bare feet kind of guy), and humor intertwined in your columns. You are a great read!!! Big question; when ND plays their first real test the preceding week - NC State - and plays possibly their game of the year in two weeks, how do the coaches get the players up and fully prepared for a game that they are favored by multiple TDs? I think this tests a coach as much as tOSU game. Well, maybe not.

Eric Hansen

12:32

Notre Dame has a lot of dual-threat QBs on the schedule. Ohio State's Kyle McCord isn't one of them. That game the pass rush will have to show up in sacks as well as the other areas. But when they play Duke and Riley Leonard and USC and Caleb Williams, the strategy may be different. Because those QBs are in different offenses with different strengths around them, you can't just cut and paste the NC State template into those other game plans without adjusting it. Bottom line is, the defense has done its job to this point, but the pass rush, in terms of sacks, will have to show up in certain games ahead.

“Yeah, I'm excited about our pass rush. I mean, there was no pass rush against Navy. Again, most of our starters are out by halftime. And our play count wasn't very high against Tennessee State. And then last week, it was really gameplan-oriented. So, I thought our guys executed the gameplan really, really well. Somebody said his [Brennan Armstrong’s] yards per attempt before that last drive were like 4.7 or something on 40-something throws. That's collective defense, and that's what we're preaching. The only thing that matters is the score. So, we're better at situational football. The sudden-change stop was awesome. We have a good mentality with that. We’ve got to keep improving in the red [zone]. Two more stops on third down, and it's a good day, that kind of thing. But I think we're playing fast. We're tackling. We're attacking the ball. So that's where we’re at.”

12:29

You played a triple-option team that threw six passes. You had a game that was out of hand by halftime and you had a unique quarterback with his running ability last week. So, do you really have a sense of what your pass rush can do in a game?

12:28

Marty, really good question and one I asked both Marcus Freeman at the Monday press conference and defensive coordinator Al Golden at his Tuesday night meeting with the media. I wrote about this in my Sunday analysis as well. Notre Dame is 103rd out of 132 FBS teams in sacks. But their pressures are showing up in the fact that they're fourth nationally in pass-efficiency defense and 14th in takeaways, both marked improvements over last season. I'll share with you what Golden told me last night, then finish my thoughts.

Guest

12:20

Marty, San Antonio TX. Hi Eric. The pass rush this year seems to be lacking. The injury to Rubio notwithstanding, it seems we do not have a dominant/great/good pass rush, which normally is needed to win a national championship. Why isn’t Freeman concerned more?

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