JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 6, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 6, 2023

Eric Hansen

3:14

OK, I am out of time. Sorry, but thanks for the great questions. Thanks to J&R Solutions. Make sure you check them out. We'll be back next Wednesday at noon ET to do it all over again.

3:13

We'll know more about Devyn Ford, in concussion protocol, after the Thursday Zoom with Marcus Freeman. I would not expect him to play this week. ... If ND can't manage NC State's defensive ends with two of the purported best tackles in the nation, then we need to reassess their standing. Not that it would be easy.

Frank from Royse City, Texas

3:12

Will Ford play this Saturday? Also, can ND OL handle their DE’?

Eric Hansen

3:11

Hi Len. Yes, is the best answer I can give you to the Balis/Ziegler question. With regards to Jack Kiser, by every metric, yes it's a high ratio, and part of that stems from Kiser knowing who he is and who he is not. Really, really valuable guy who I think will find his way into the spotlight sooner than later. The coaches do appreciate him.

Len from the Jersey

3:08

Hello Eric, It has been another great week of coverage by you and the Inside ND Sports team. First question, a lot of fans including me think about the players/coaches/staff a lot especially when they are facing hard times. Has there been any information about Matt Balis of Nolan Ziegler? Not prying but hoping you could give us a simple that they are doing fine and working through their personal issues. Second question, In this week's press conference Al Golden mentioned the "factor level" in describing Josh Burnham's plays. He said it's the number of plays divided by the factor which gives you a ratio. He then said JB's is high which is good (not sure that mathematically a low number would be better based upon coaches' description of ratio) . Do you think coach Golden would qualitatively share Jack Kiser's "factor ratio" with you if you asked? Based upon eye test and PFF grades I would think it is high also.

Eric Hansen

3:08

Hi John, and thank you. Going into overtime here and will try to give these the answer they deserve, because they're not lightning-round-style questions. .... I think there are mitigating factors in BK's record vs. top 10 teams during his time at ND. Very few of them were at home. And often there actually was a talent disparity. Having said that, there's a coaching blind spot he needs to address. (This is a way too simplified answer, but for chat purposes even I am banned from manifestos,) Will Marcus be better at it? I think he's attacking it correctly, looking to upgrade the overall talent level, particularly QB talent and wide receiver speed (Clemson lacked the latter Monday, didn't they?). As far as coaching chops, it's still too early, too small of a sample size. Let's let this year play out and then revisit. Deal? Great question, BTW.

John from Scottsdale

3:03

Greetings Eric. Love the content and insights you provide weekly. Keep up the great work. I’m looking for your insight and opinion here. After watching LSU nosedive on Sunday I’m thinking it’s less the building of an architecture building and more the coaching that led to all the poor showings against top 10 competition at ND the last decade. How does Marcus Freeman differ from BK (in coaching style, personality, etc.) that gives you confidence he will have the success against top 10 programs that ND has not had in a long time?

Eric Hansen

3:03

Hi Jordan. We are usually not close enough to hear the individual words, only the decibel levels, but that day we were. I mean, as a media member, I'd love more access, but I am grateful for what we get. I didn't have a problem with the sound being captured and shared, and I don't think Marcus Freeman did either. It's our jobs to capture what we see and hear. That was a practice that we only had partial access too, so that could have occurred after we were booted. Interesting question.

Jordan - South Bend

2:59

Hey Eric, Before the season started a news personality tweeded (x'ed?) a pump up speech from Freeman to his players. While the passion is admirable, I'm sure plenty in the fanbase do not approve of the salty language (even though this is common place on every football field in the country). My question is, as a member of the media what is your feelings towards accessibility? The more the better, or should some of these moments be reserved for coaches and players. I suppose anything said during the media's open pratice time is fair game. Thanks for your insights!

Eric Hansen

2:59

Hi Tom. The BEST BBQ I've ever had in a restaurant (and I've been to a lot, in a lot of different states) was this little place in that part of North Carolina 15 years ago for an ND-North Carolina game. I wonder if it's still there. ... Where I think Hartman has the advantage is ... better surrounding cast, more sustained success, better deep passing game arm talent. Armstrong has the edge in his WILLINGNESS and ability to make you pay by him running the ball. I do see a lower-scoring game, but not as low as the 2016 hurricane game (10-3). ... Additional info? I think you'll see some schematic wrinkles from both teams Saturday they haven't shown previously, and thanks for the compliments.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:54

Hi Eric, if you are making the trip to Raleigh be sure to check out some Carolina bbq. Don't be shocked if it comes with slaw on top of the sandwich. It looks like the combined ages of the starting QB's on Saturday should be close to 50 years of age. I can't imagine too many other games with that high of a combined age. Both have a lot of experience and know how to win late in games. What areas do you think Hartman has an advantage over Armstrong? Given two good defenses and run first offensive philosophies for both teams do you see a low scoring game?? Any other insight into what we can expect to see on Saturday?? As always, keep up the good work and thanks for the chats!! Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:54

All right Robb, how can I not answer a question that starts out with such a nice precursor? Notre Dame does follow up with the ACC office with calls it thinks are blatantly incorrect. And they are addressed, though not often acknowledged publicly by either side (more by Kelly than Marcus). I like your thoughts about the targeting progression. Those who are proponents of the current rules will say that's not enough of a detriment.

Robb, Colorado

2:51

Hey Eric, thanks for the best part of my Wednesday. Regarding the targeting calls, or non-calls, I don’t see a sense in debating them as the officials will call it as they see it regardless of what we think. My question relates more to if there is any follow up by Jack to the league office after bad calls like we saw last week? To me an ejection seems harsh along with a half-game suspension if it occurs in the second half. Why not go to a warning, then ejection on the second offense, then a suspension, etc.

Eric Hansen

2:51

Hi Patrick. I had a chance to speak with Josh, a sophomore Vyper end who converted from linebacker, on Tuesday night and came away even more impressed. I'm not ready to say he'll be a starter this season, because Jordan Botelho has played well, but I am kind of in that platonic/football crush territory that you are with Burnham. And if that name is used in the future, I will make sure you get the royalties.

Patrick, Fort Wayne, IN

2:48

Good afternoon Eric. After watching Josh Burnham play in the opening two games, I am inclined to believe that by the end of the season he will be starting. The kid is a beast with speed and power off the edge and a motor that is non-stop. He and Jason Onye are fun to watch and a good base for the future of the DL. You could call them: The JJ Wrecking Crew.

Eric Hansen

2:48

Hi Jim, great to have you here. I would characterize Coogan and Rocco as up and down, and probably as expected at this point. What you're trying to do, as Mike Golic Jr. likes to say, the ability to see plays through one set of eyes. In doing so, changing the lineup runs counter to that goal. Now, if things don't improve by midseason, as was the case in 2021, then you consider making a personnel change. So, let's revisit where we are with this at that point?

Jim Tal, Valley Center CA.

2:46

Greetings Eric, always great to check in with you. It has been said that neither Rocco or Coogan played particularly well at guard this past Saturday. Can you confirm if that was the case and if so, will Billy Schrauth soon get a crack to take over as a starter if that sort of indifferent play continues? Thanks much.

Eric Hansen

2:45

Hi Bill. Ha, I like your name suggestion for the proposed conference. I think the travel logistics for the non-revenue sports is being worked out (a lot more non-conference games for baseball, for example). Still not sure how that's going to work. IN THEORY, what you suggest is great. But unless there's scads more TV money added, the ACC isn't going to want to add teams like Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego state to make your concept work. So more money? They're listening. Splitting the pie more ways with no extra money? That's a hard pass.

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:42

Hi Eric, just a thought concerning the very concerning conference realignment…with the seemingly likely “defections” of 2 plus teams from the ACC, and the additions of a handful of what’s left of the PAC 12. How about a new conference of what remains of the ACC into a Atlantic Coast Division and a what remains of the PAC 12 plus additions from other west of the Mississippi teams into a Pacific Coast Division, with a conference championship at the end of the regular season. It would limit quite a bit, but perhaps not all, of the long distance travel. It likely would work for football and perhaps??? other sports. Not sure what you would call the new conference but one could look into/consult with the “Magic 8 Ball” for the an appropriate moniker.

Eric Hansen

2:41

Tim!!!! I will match your punctuation character-for-character. And thanks for mentioning my lucky, er, knowledge streak. I think your concern with player safety is well-placed. But I did not witness the situation to which you're referring and we don't know what was said. Marcus might have said, "Oh yeah, well your mother drives a beer truck." And maybe that's why the guy was laughing. Again, head injuries are no laughing matter. I have had a concussion myself (long ago) and my oldest son did playing football. Not fun. Not funny. So I understand your concern.

Tim from Kansas City

2:37

Eric!!!! Love the chats. I noticed your dominance in the prop bets for Navy and hope you enjoy the free one year subscription. Your team provides excellent insight and content. I wondered about your perspective on the targeting issue displayed in the Tenn State game with a controversial non-call followed by a puzzling call. I know Coach MF took responsibility to correct the issue, but I approach it more from my team doc and safety perspective. I have always shown respect and deference to the officials but once as team doc confronted the officiating team over a similar non-call where a player was targeted and concussed and the referee responded by laughing at the injured player. Not saying this occurrence was that egregious but wonder what the current situation really says about player safety.

Eric Hansen

2:37

Hi Ced. Notre Dame is finished with linebacker recruiting in 2024, and the last remaining piece of business in the cycle with the D-line is trying to flip Ohio State DT commit Justin Scott, which will be tough to do. Lots of new names and interest in the 2025 class, though.

ced walker

2:35

ced walker saginaw michigan any new names at defensive tackle and linebacker in recruiting trust the process god bless the golden standard rally we are nd go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

Eric Hansen

2:35

Rich, to your questions 2 and 3 ... yes and yes. To your first question, ND's approach is giving him plenty of reps to get comfortable, get his confidence. The fact that he is excelling in other areas, namely pass blocking, is a good sign. We should know by the end of September if the approach paid off.

Rich D Melbourne Fl

2:33

Eric, what’s the key to unlock Tobias M. Does he know the playbook? Can he get off the line of scrimmage and get separation

Eric Hansen

2:33

Aidan Keanaaina is a curious individual on the Notre Dame roster. You're not alone in wondering about his situation, his future, his prowess. He's got traditional 3-4 nose guard size playing in a 4-3 defense, which still seems like an asset. He has been productive during his limited playing time. He has a Pro Football focus grade of 75.1 in 11 snaps this season and 81.7 in eight snaps last season. Very good, but they came in low-leverage situations. Does he warrant snaps in more consequential points of the game? When I've watched him in practice, he plays well, but isn't as dynamic as some of the other options -- Cross, Onye, Hinish. Cross and likely Mills at DT are gone after this year, so could he make an impact next season? If he's still on the roster, that'll likely be his chance.

Coach Colorado

2:25

Eric - Loved seeing many new players playing Saturday on O & D. I am curious on #92 Aidan K. (CO kid) on the amount of limited reps he gets and the production that he does on D-Line in games, why he is still limited on snaps. Seems he does the job very well when in and still not in rotation. Do you think coach Freeman or coach Golden are not high on him? He could still play for 2 years.

Eric Hansen

2:25

Hi Jack, thanks for the TV review, since I didn't see it. As a rule, As a viewer, I would want less non-game banter and more insight into the deeper reserves who are rotating in and their stories. I'm glad radio is giving you what you were looking for. ... My pet peeve are in-game interviews with the coaches. This provides zero insight and is unnecessary. Case in point was the FSU-LSU game, I believe. They're interviewing the FSU coach and there was a key interception happening at the same time. Yuck.

Jack Bates 715 Glory Drive, Shorewood, Il. 60404

2:22

Many thanks for your valuable input. The game was great but the TV Announcers coverage of the game was not good. They appeared to have forgot about the game with their endless non game conversations? I guess in the future if this continues I'll rely on my radio for details. Jack Bates Shorewood, Illinois 60404

Eric Hansen

2:21

Hi Alex. Thanks and I appreciate your questions. It's more susceptible if you can get to the perimeter and if you use the kind of personnel to give you that advantage. It's not just the 3-3-5. It's the play calls and the personnel. NC State and Iowa State have done it was well as anyone. But here's an example, you could argue that if Notre Dame goes to its two-tight end looks, it'll be harder to run, because you'll have eight men in the box. If you overload WRs to one side, you might unload the box. So, it'll make for a fun chess game. Also, I think UConn's run success was a little skewed by Victor Rosa's TD runs -- an 18-yarder on the first drive, and a 71-yarder where he just followed his blocks inside and got to the edge and took off. Those plays count, but otherwise UConn was 85 yards on 24 carries. ND's run game is much better, I'm willing to bet.

Alex from Cincinnati

2:14

Hi Eric. Appreciate these chats and your expertise. UConn had good success running the ball against NC State, and ND's running game with Estime and their cadre of other talented backs seems to be a huge advantage for ND. Is the 3-3-5 with the additional DB more susceptible to the run than the pass? I'm hoping that a solid run game will open things up for Hartman and the young receivers. Thank you.

Eric Hansen

2:13

Hi Myliah. Chris Tyree, Tobias Merriweather, Rico Flores Jr. Jordan Faison. Even someone like Jordan Greathouse would be good with it, because he is fast enough yet could break tackles. You could also line RB Jeremiyah Love out at WR (which ND has done) and run a jet sweep with him.

Myliah, El Cerrito, CA

2:11

Oh, I see you already answered a question about the big stable of backs. I have another! The WR room is still untested, but seems to be an improvement over last year. Are there any players with breakaway speed and/or that could be used for reverses/jet sweeps like Braden Lenzy or even Will Fuller in the past? Anyone that speedy?

Eric Hansen

2:11

MoxieBravo from Chicago

2:11

Eric - I haven't checked the forecast - any hurricanes expected in North Carolina this weekend?

Eric Hansen

2:06

Kevin!!!!!! ... watching those plays live in the press box, almost everyone had an opinion about were they or were they not, and it was nowhere close to unanimous. If there's going to be a targeting rule, I think this is something we're going to have to live with. I will say this. A few years ago, for our old summer magazine project I asked 12 players (one from each position group) and then-head coach Brian Kelly, if they could change anything about college football, what would it be. Anything -- players getting paid, all night games, anything. Almost every one of them said get rid of the targeting rule. Offensive and defensive players and special teamers. Now the safety aspect is meaningful, but should it be an automatic ejection?

Kevin-Sleepy Eye,MN

2:02

Eric!!!!!!!! Let's talk targeting. The hit on Ford wasn't targeting but Carter was ejected for his hit. Do you agree with the rules? Can we even improve the rules? They seem too gray and the cost for targeting is too big I feel. Carter was clearly trying to force a fumble and not trying to target an opponents head. Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

2:01

Martin, I did not watch the telecast. Probably questions better asked in the NBC chat, if there is one.

martin from orlando

2:00

Was I watching a tribute to Eddie George or a Notre Dame football game? Were the camera operators in love with Eddie George? Is Jason Garrett an Eddie George fanboy?

Eric Hansen

2:00

Yes, yes and yes. ... This is not what you'd necessarily want to do every year. But given the opener was against an outlier offense in Navy on a different continent, this was the perfect game 2. And it was a meaningful game for the Notre Dame head coach and a lot of the players. I know it's hard for some people to see that, but I can appreciate after hearing them speak about it how much it impacted them. ... Not every year will the schedule set up quite like this or even similarly. The Irish open up AT Texas A&M next season. But yes, it turned out to work this year in ND's favor. .. except in the TV ratings. Just 1.56 million watched, which was 14th (not counting yet the Monday night game), tucked between No. 13 Ga Tech-Louisville and No. 15 Texas Tech-Wyoming.

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