JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 22, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 22, 2021

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Eric Hansen

3:32

OK, I went overtime by a half hour and still have questions in the queue. Time for me to work on my speed thinking and speed typing. Thanks for all the great questions and lack of manifestos. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon EDT.

3:31

Myliah, thank you, and you kind of answered your question. Depends on the team, the situation ... and you want to mix that up. But I do have faith that ND has a better deep passing game than what was shown Saturday, with both the overthrows and the drops.

Myliah in El Cerrito,CA

3:29

Eric, I always look forward to Wednesdays and these sessions; I work harder in the morning so I can briefly procrastinate and muse over these chats in the afternoon... I wasn't surprised to see Mayer blanketed. I was surprised to see Alt go in as a TE. I guess I never realized that was possible, as obvious as it seems now. So... would you let the WRs enjoy the benefits of single coverage (with Mayer blanketed), or would you bolster that weak side with Alt (or Berrong, etc) moving forward? I guess it depends on the team, the situation, the play, but in general... do you have faith in Coan delivering into time and WRs winning the 50-50s?

Eric Hansen

3:28

Now to Tim. I didn't hear the show, but the Notre Dame players and coaches had a meal in tents in the parking lot. They didn't sleep there. He mentioned this in the Monday press conference on Sept. 6 ... that this was part of the COVID protocols and procedures that are still a part of playing on the road.

3:26

First to Robert's question ... Everybody.

Tim - Pleasant Prairie WI

Eric, as a followup to my question, I rewatched the show and yes, he did say this and did not sound like he was joking. How in the world does an organization like ND football end up in a siuation like that? Was it some sort of warped gamesmanship on the part of the hotel owner? Hard to believe they didn't have guaranteed rooms in a nice hotel booked months, if not years, ahead of time. What do you know about the details and reasons for this crazy situation?

3:22

Hi Eric. I was watching The Brian Kelly Show or Inside ND Football - I forget which - and Brian Kelly said that for the Fl State game, the team's accommodations were tents set up in the hotel parking lot! I found this hard to believe, and it was the first I heard of it. Was this just Kelly's attempt at humor, or was there in fact a SNAFU in their housing for this road game for some reason?

Robert from Sartell, Minnesota

3:21

Great to be 3-0. Who needs to step up on the O-line to beat Wisconsin and Cinci?

Eric Hansen

3:21

Me siento bien y lleno de cafeína.

Jim Albuquerque

3:19

Buneo Dias Eric…Esta bien?

Eric Hansen

3:19

Run enough to keep the defense honest. Get Buchner involved if he's healthy enough. Get some one-on-one matchups in the passing game and win those with some big-chunk plays. The Irish have to win turnovers (as Penn State did) and maybe get a defensive/special teams TD.

Tim, Elkhart

3:17

Knowing that Wisconsin is so good against the run and ND's OL has struggled so much, what will be ND's game plan?

Eric Hansen

3:17

Yes, yes and yes.

Steve Findlay Ohio

3:17

Eric,. Do we have the better offense and Wisconsin the better defense? Will turnovers be the key to who wins?

Eric Hansen

3:16

It's 50-50. So I guess it comes down to, who can ingest more beer before noon.

Frank from Rockwall Texas

3:16

Who will have the crowd advantage in Chicago, ND or Wisconsin?

Eric Hansen

3:16

Hi Alex. I never thought the Cardinals' consecutive wins could match the number my granddaughter can comfortably count to. ... I mean, neutralizing George Karlaftis counts for something. I liked the Joe Alt package and I think Baker is going to benefit from playing. In talking to the players, they acknowledge the issues but are upbeat about what's to come. ... I don't think Spindler is next man in. I think it's Kristofic. But Spindler is going to be a star someday. And yes Notre Dame is a school where an offensive guard can be a star.

Alex from Jackson, MO

3:11

Greetings, Eric! 10 wins in a row for the Birds! Who would have thought!? To my question, what did you see on Saturday, if anything, that made you feel the play of the offensive line progressed from the first two games? And do you think Spindler is on the verge of getting more playing time anytime soon? If so, at left or right guard? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

3:11

Biggest strength is Kyle Hamilton, followed by the defensive line. Michael Mayer is a big one too. Biggest weakness is the combination of a reconfiguring offensive line with a non-mobile quarterback. Three surprises? I'll assume good surprises ... JD Bertrand, Isaiah Pryor and Joe Alt.

Lee from Lancaster, SC

3:05

Eric, based on what you've observed so far, what do you consider to be this team's biggest weakness and its greatest strength? Also, what or whom has surprised you the most in the first 3 games?

Eric Hansen

3:05

I think it explains a lot. We sometimes look at these guys at robots, and don't understand sometimes they got three hours sleep or they is trouble back home they can't help with or they're overwhelmed in a class. I love the podcast by the way. It's enlightening -- and fun.

Caleb from Charlotte

3:02

Eriic, after listening to the players involved with the "Inside the Garage" podcast discuss the challenges that they face being a student athlete at ND, I'm convinced that we fans expect too much from these students. I think sometimes we're too critical of their play in in games when instead we should be more supportive. After all, these are 18 to 21 year old college students. What is your opinion?

Eric Hansen

3:02

Hi Richard. The NCAA has vacated the wins, MUCH to Notre Dame's objection. And how silly that gets is if Notre Dame had just expelled all five immediately players instead of giving them their due process, they would have avoided the vacating of wins. Notre Dame did not vacate the wins and so they count toward records and milestones. That's it.

Richard/Warner Robins,

2:59

Greetings from the South and Thank-you for your continued professional coverage of Fighting Irish Football. My question is why, if the NCAA has vacated Notre Dame wins under Brian Kelly's watch, do these wins count toward his breaking Knute Rockne's total win record at ND? It seems like a conflict arises when comparing total ND wins (less vacated wins) to total wins for all ND coaches under this scenario. Thank-you and continued success.

Eric Hansen

2:58

Jeff, thanks for the assist on that. I was at the South Bend Tribune then, but not on ND football coverage at the time. That was my last year on the Big Ten beat (yes, we had one then, pre-Internet).

Jeff from Schererville, IN

2:55

Hi Eric. No question today but a postscript to the earlier question about morning kickoffs. The 1995 Texas game at Notre Dame Stadium started at 11:30 in the morning local time, presumably due to Ryder Cup coverage on NBC before and after. I remember that game well because it was my sophomore year at ND and ND won 55-27. If we get a couple defensive or special teams touchdowns and win by a wide margin against Wisconsin like we did on that day in 1995, maybe morning kickoffs should become a habit. :) Best wishes and gratitude to you and the SBT/ND Insider crew, and keep up your great work!

Eric Hansen

2:55

Cheers, Jeff. I think Notre Dame would try to avoid it in the future, but sometimes that's not possible. You don't want to give up the bye in October. There are years with two byes, but it is rare when the calendar falls that way. ... Yes I do expect details on the Vegas game soon.

Jeff from Phoenix

2:53

Hey Eric, a few questions about future scheduling. Given the numerous comments from Kelly about the disruptions caused by the shortened week following FSU, do you think a Sunday evening game that is not followed by a bye week is off the table for any future ND game? Also, any more news on a ND BYU game in Las Vegas next year? Cheers!

Eric Hansen

2:52

Hi Tom. I've covered some of the O-line stuff earlier, but the bottom line I feel is keep building the continuity and trust instead of wholesale changes. ... Bertrand is in demand and the hope is Prince Kollie will soon be up to speed and be able to rotate in. BK would actually like to use Bertrand occasionally on offense as a blocking back. ... as far as the cutbacks, I always feel it's my job to overcome any inconveniences or roadblocks that are put in my way. We miss Carter Karels. Does getting more nuanced in recruiting coverage give me a better understanding of the program? Given the evolution that's going on in that area, I would say it does. Yes, it was nice to see Roger Valdiserri have a nice moment this weekend.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:46

Good morning Eric. The OL is the hot topic now. Talk of inexperience, communication and chemistry are prominent. Kelly is doing his best head coach spin job in his pressers BUT my observation is that too many guys are just flat getting beat one-on-one too often. Some of that may be inexperience or lack of mature strength for the young players. Your thoughts please and do we just have to live thru this and hope they improve as the season goes on??? Secondly, BK talks of rotating players so that they are not playing too many snaps and yet some of the players he is talking about (Bertrand, etc) are on many ST. That is at least a 40-50 yard sprint each play. Wouldn't that be any area to use someone else??? Finally, with your staff cutbacks it seems you are covering a lot more topics than in the past. Do you feel that this has given you a better understanding of the Program as a whole?? Thanks for all your hard work. I'm sure glad to see Roger get some much deserved appreciation. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:45

Thanks. I want you all to know I enjoy these chats too. One of the most fun parts of the week. ...as long as everyone keeps their shoes on. ... Quinn Carroll was indeed a top 100 recruit, and Brian Kelly had high hopes for him. He suffered a knee injury in fall camp of his freshman year (2019) after an impressive spring and summer as an early enrollee. He hasn't been the same since and is now a third-string guard. We can only assume he's physically compromised.

Jbuckley

2:39

J Buckley from San Diego, Love these chats, thanks. Need your thoughts on the O-line, seems the transfer isn't as good playing with the big boys. Also, what happen to Quinn Carrol wasn't he a top 100 recruit? I know he played some last year? Also, It looks like BK share my stress in that he is substituting on the O-line? Looks like Joe Alt will lock down the RT in future and BF when healthy. Go Irish...

Eric Hansen

2:38

Hi Mark from Canada. Thanks for being here. Maybe some more rotation of Kristofic in, but otherwise, you're trying to build continuity -- so that would seem to disrupt that aim.

Mark Kincardine Ontario Canada

2:37

Eric thanks for your weekly chats, will we see any changes to the offensive line this week stay safe

Eric Hansen

2:37

Maybe bigger. And yes.

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:36

Eric, are you as surprised as I am that the right side of the O Line is as big an issue as the left side?

Eric Hansen

2:36

Thanks, Bill. I don't deal with Chryst enough to know his style. That's not terribly uncommon in the coaching business, though. It helps one appreciate Brian Kelly, at least when it comes to interviews. In general terms (not aimed at Chryst), I think there are coaches who feel being closed up with the media is part of what leads to their success. I think it hurts them more than it helps.

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:31

Eric, I really enjoyed your (and of course Tyler’s too!) podcast with Barry Alvarez…All my fellow ND alums wished he was ND’s next head coach after Lou. I also watched Paul Chryst’s weekly presser. If you also watched his press conference, do you think he’s purposely danced around virtually all the questions asked or that is who he is? I can’t imagine having to write a story based on his pressers... and yet I recognize how good a head football coach he is.

Eric Hansen

2:30

Not if you want to win this year. Tyler Buchner is an exceptional freshman from a talent and maturity standpoint. He's an anomaly from an experience standpoint. He missed his sophomore year in HS with an injury and his senior season because of COVID delays. So he has one year of starting QB experience at a school in California's smallest enrollment division. Granted he accounted for 81 (not a typo) TDs that year, but giving him the full playbook would be like drinking out of a firehose. It has to be incremental. I remember talking to former OC Mike Denbrock about how they handled DeShone Kizer in 2015 -- and Kizer had far more experience comparatively. But they gave him a little more of the playbook each week and let him get good at the parts he did know in the meantime.

John, Des Moines

2:23

Good afternoon, Eric. The numerous sacks on Jack Coan would seem to make him more vulnerable to injury than is the norm for a quarterback. With this, won't it make sense to open Buchner up to the complete playbook rather than keeping him exposed to a limited assortment?

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