JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 23, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 23, 2020

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Sean, Portland, OR

12:39

I know COVID is the big issue right now, but i have COVID fatigue. I don't want to criticize too much for a team that is 2-0 and only really had one bad quarter of football (the very first quarter of a weird season). Is it too early to criticize Book at all? He just doesn't look good. In years past, Boykin, Claypool, and Kmet bailed him out a lot. While he may have more speed at the skill positions now, he definitely has less big bodies to bail him out. Is it too early to assume that he has not taken any *major* steps forward?

Eric Hansen

12:38

With four ACC teams now playing on Dec. 12, it pretty much has to default to Dec. 19. I don't think you could play it any later than that. The CFP semifinals are Jan. 1. Moving it to Dec. 26 would give teams less than a week to prepare for a playoff game.

Bill from St Joe, MI

12:36

Eric, is it now safe to assume that the ACC playoff game will soon be rescheduled to Dec 19 or perhaps a bit later?

Eric Hansen

12:32

If you're talking about Notre Dame only, the Irish do have an open date on Nov. 21 that could come into play. There's nowhere else to stack games at the end of the season, with the ACC championship game now defaulting to Dec. 19 from its either/or original designation of Dec. 12 or 19.

Roger from DHS

12:30

Will any future problems (missed games) because of coronavirus cause the number of games played to be reduced or will they just keep adding games to the end of the season?

Eric Hansen

12:30

The ACC doesn't have set rules about how many players ... or players missing from a certain position group are needed as some of the other conferences have drawn up. But there's no way they're going to push a team to play if it can't safety field a team or certain position groups. Therefore, there is a chance teams could play an uneven number of games.

Derek, Chicago IL

12:28

Hi Eric - What happens in Nov if a similar COVID situation arises with no open dates? Is ND forced to play with a limited roster or does the ACC potentially finish with uneven # games played between all the teams?

Eric Hansen

12:28

Hi Tom. I think yards after contact is something that comes up in the recruiting process. Yet ND needed to upgrade its speed, which is why Chris Tyree was such a priority and why he's been afforded some early opportunities. Ideally, you'd like players who can give you both, and Tyree and Kyren have shown signs of that. C'Bo is a nice complement the way he kind of storms ahead for yardage. So far that position group has outperformed its offseason expectations. C'Bo has won me over, too.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

12:25

Hi Eric, I have really been impressed with how hard all of our RB's run, especially after contact. Is this a "trait" that the coaches look for when evaluating recruits or is it driven home once they get to ND? I have been impressed with C'bo since he has arrived and although he doesn't have breakaway speed he is still fun to watch hit the hole. Thanks and stay stafe and well.. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

12:24

If Kevin Austin were healthy and playing up to expectations (and Ben Skowronek too), Javon McKinley would be a rotation player instead of a starter. That said, he's earned the starting status for now with ND not at full strength. His blocking is an asset for a team under OC Tommy Rees that wants to flex its physicality.

Clancy from Sheboygan

12:22

Hi Eric, thanks again for being so helpful in keeping the ND fanbase together through your articles and chats. Here's my annual question about Javon McKinley. Is he getting PT solely because of injuries/attrition or because Kelly/Rees know he has a rare combination of great downfield blocking and smooth hands? Do you see an increased or reduced role for JM going forward?

Eric Hansen

12:19

John, the Irish coaches like Xavier a lot. The wide receiver position is very deep, and it's going to get deep when Kevin Austin and Ben Skowronek come back. Now, we know injuries and COVID can change things in a hurry. Right now, bright future, but caught in a numbers game.

John from Elkhorn, Ne.

12:16

Hi Eric - appreciate you doing the chat, especially this week.  What do you hear about Xavier Watts? Is he in the mix for playing time this season? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

12:16

The ACC this year has some impressive individual talent at quarterback and defensive line especially. When you look at some of the NFL Draft analysis website, there's been quite a surge this year in draftable talent in the league. Where ND has an advantage over the middling ACC teams is their deeper and more complete throughout the roster. As far as Pitt, that's another team with a good quarterback and defensive line. It would have been even more formidable had Jaylen Twyman not opted out. The Panthers are No. 1 in rush defense and No. 3 in total defense nationally against admittedly two overmatched opponents (Austin Peay and Syracuse). If Pitt is going to give ND problems on Oct. 24, they're going to have to become a better running team, foremost.

Jumbo, Vero Beach, FL

12:10

Eric, thanks as always for doing this. How would you characterize the talent differential between ND and the middling teams in the ACC - Duke, Wake Forest, etc.? And how do you handicap the game against Pitt, which has experienced leadership at QB in Kenny Pickett?

Eric Hansen

12:08

Matt, that is normally the case, but 2020 isn't normal and Notre Dame has altered those rules because of COVID-19. Even freshmen can live off campus, and many of the freshmen and sophomores took advantage of the new rule.

Matt of Bridgman, MI

12:06

From my recollection, I thought that Notre Dame athletes have to stay in the dorms with other students (for at least the first two or three years) and don't have an athlete-dedicated dorm like many other universities have. Is this still the case and have any changes been made or considered during this COVID-19 season? Asking in light of the seven confirmed positive COVID-19 cases this week and no Wake Forest game. Please explain.

Eric Hansen

12:06

Let's get right to it.

PLEASE remember to include your name and hometown with your question.

12:05

Usually whining is banned as well, but a minimal amount will be tolerated today.

Here are the rules.