Looking forward to an exciting match-up against a top 10 game. Will be exciting but a big challenge also.
QB tandem for N.D., two of the best in the country with what they can do. Both guys can run and throw.
OL is physical, always well coached. ND WRs are young but talented.
Defensively, front four for ND will probably be the most physical they'll face all year long. Still have key players at LB and in the secondary. Kicking game is very solid.
Texas has to play physical, has to win at the LOS. Weren't able to stop the run last year, have to do that. Have to run the ball on offense. Have to simplify the game plan and execute, play with energy and relax. Also have to finish. Weren't able to get off the field last year on third down.
Have to follow the plan - play great defense, not turn the ball over on offense, force turnovers on D, score in the red zone and win the kicking game.
The ND front four on defense won't factor into the QB decision. Have to be able to block them regardless of who is in at QB.
Strong knows who will start at QB, but will have to wait until Sunday to see who runs out there.
Both QBs are competing. Team will know who the starting QB is.
So much is played into the QB position, but there are other positions. Have to play well on defense, play well with the OL. Whoever gets the nod, have to be prepared to play. There's enough talent around the QB that they can lean on those guys.
All the injured players will be back and ready to play.
Team is young but very talented. Seniors have been there, but have worked hard. Whole team has great work ethic. Really likes this football team, likes the overall attitude. When guys have a bad attitude, guys are in the training room and aren't working to get back on the field. This year, guys are working to get back on the field because each position is so competitive.
Have to play better up front with DL, get off blocks and make plays. Can't afford to let ND's run game get established.
Both QBs are going to play. Whoever starts will start.
The team has an idea of who the staring QB is going to be. They'll have that conversation with the team at some point this week.
Have to have a QB who can win the team over, players have to feel comfortable with QB. Has to be a guy who can manage the offense and execute the offense.
On difference in Swoopes this year and last year .... Different scheme from last year. More players around the QBs. Had 1 or 2 players around him last year, now they have a bunch of playmakers at every position. They have confidence that whoever runs out there will have the confidence and support of the guys around them.
What they have to do with ND, get the work in and build up from Tuesday until the game (players are off today). Have to make sure the team is aware of everything happening around them - have to prepare for two QBs, etc. Make sure they focus on ND and their scheme. The players feel it, they know how big the game is. He doesn't have to say anything to them.
When they name the QB, he is the starter, and he will be the starter unless he gets beat out or something happens to him.
Both QBs deserve to play because of the work they've put in. May package it where whoever doesn't start goes in third or fourth series, but they'll both play because of the work they've put in.
Starter is going to be the starting quarterback. You have two good players at quarterback. Won't be a situation if one goes in and something bad happens, he'll get pulled. Still has to get into the flow of the game, has to execute. Other QB will get some time, but once they name a starter, that's who is going to get most of the work.
They're simplifying the game plan to make it easier for the QB and he doesn't have to go through as many reads.
Told players, there are enough players rotating at positions, they'll be ready when game time comes, they'll be fresh and ready to go.
Of the freshmen who will play - Buechele, Shackelford, Collin Johnson, Duvernay, LJ Humphrey, Kyle Porter. At OL, it will depend on how things work out. On defense, they'll have limited roles but quite a few of them will play.
The overall attitude and how team goes about things is better than last year. There's a lot of confidence, guys believe in one another. They do have size, have speed, have athletic guys who can make plays.
Have to tackle better. Didn't tackle well on third down last year. Had times when guys were there but didn't make plays. Have to get off the field, force turnovers, get the ball back to the offense.
When they get to Saturday, injured OL guys should be ready to go. Vahe will be able to practice tomorrow. Tristan Nickelson has been practicing. Shackelford will be worked in this week.
This team is different than his third year at Louisville. QB position is different ... totally different football team than the third season at Louisville.
On keeping QB a mystery (both teams), it doesn't really affect defensive preparation. They're preparing for both QBs, and both will play. It's a matter of them making sure whoever is in the game, they handle their business.
No depth chart - still have some positions that aren't clear, guys are still competing. Depth chart will probably come out later in the week.
Antwuan Davis has had an outstanding camp. He's big, strong, physical, can play a lot of positions in the secondary and is really valuable in special teams.
On Sunday, should see a football team that is excited and plays with a lot of passion. They're going to compete and play hard.
Malik Jefferson is a special player, can provide leadership they're looking for. He is doing that, is doing a better job as a leader than last year.
On Saturday, they have some things planned where they're not just sitting around watching other teams play all day, don't want to get too wrapped up in all the other games.
Tells players, let's not get caught up in all the noise. They need to stay focused, study, make sure their preparation is on point. Know everything they need to know about Notre Dame, and everything else will take care of itself.
They'll get to see Bevo, but they'll be so locked into the game, it won't be much of a factor.
Last year's ND game, it's been used as a motivational tool. They've put some highlights up, but it's more just quick stuff to show them that they're not that team any more, they've taken steps and they're a better team. Every once in a while he'll use that game to get the guys going, get them fired up a little.
ND defensive coordinator loves to bring pressure.
Jerrod Heard came to him and said he wants to help the team at WR. Told him he's more than welcome, but if something happens at QB with an injury, they may have to move Heard back to QB. Locksley came to him the other day and said the same things, that he thinks he can help the team at WR.
They haven't made a big deal of the QB situation at practice. Not much is said. Just go out to practice and go about their business. Both QBs have a lot of respect for each other.
The offensive coaches game plan. Gilbert will always ask what Strong is thinking, but nothing has been an issue with Strong overriding play calls, etc. "He (Gilbert) has total control."
Kicking game, Dickson has been amazing, leg gets stronger and stronger. Getting Domingue was really big for them. He has done a really good job in practice, hardly ever misses.
On returners, they have so much skill and speed. Jacorey Warrick has had an unbelievable camp. Strong didn't realize how fast he was until he ran by some DBs on vertical routes. Duvernay is quick enough that he can return. They have so much skill at returners that they'll find a guy.
Had a meeting with the seniors on Saturday. Told them the amazing thing, some of the freshmen haven't been in the spotlight before. Seniors have to talk to them because they'll be all over the place when they run out of the tunnel. Freshmen say they'll be fine, but they won't be fine. Have to stay on top of them. Once they get out there and get a play or two, they'll be fine. But they have no idea what they're stepping into, especially in an opener like Notre Dame. Going to be a special moment but they have to manage their younger players.
A guy who doesn't say much on OL is Kent Perkins. In a team meeting, he stood up, like EF Hutton, when he speaks, everybody listens. Told the guys they have to play physical as an OL. Doesn't matter who is at QB, have to protect, open holes for the two big RBs.
Told McMillon last year he may be a center, McMillon fought him on it for three or four months. Now McMillon is glad he moved over from DL. They have to protect whoever is at quarterback and OL is going to be key.
QB tandem for N.D., two of the best in the country with what they can do. Both guys can run and throw.
OL is physical, always well coached. ND WRs are young but talented.
Defensively, front four for ND will probably be the most physical they'll face all year long. Still have key players at LB and in the secondary. Kicking game is very solid.
Texas has to play physical, has to win at the LOS. Weren't able to stop the run last year, have to do that. Have to run the ball on offense. Have to simplify the game plan and execute, play with energy and relax. Also have to finish. Weren't able to get off the field last year on third down.
Have to follow the plan - play great defense, not turn the ball over on offense, force turnovers on D, score in the red zone and win the kicking game.
The ND front four on defense won't factor into the QB decision. Have to be able to block them regardless of who is in at QB.
Strong knows who will start at QB, but will have to wait until Sunday to see who runs out there.
Both QBs are competing. Team will know who the starting QB is.
So much is played into the QB position, but there are other positions. Have to play well on defense, play well with the OL. Whoever gets the nod, have to be prepared to play. There's enough talent around the QB that they can lean on those guys.
All the injured players will be back and ready to play.
Team is young but very talented. Seniors have been there, but have worked hard. Whole team has great work ethic. Really likes this football team, likes the overall attitude. When guys have a bad attitude, guys are in the training room and aren't working to get back on the field. This year, guys are working to get back on the field because each position is so competitive.
Have to play better up front with DL, get off blocks and make plays. Can't afford to let ND's run game get established.
Both QBs are going to play. Whoever starts will start.
The team has an idea of who the staring QB is going to be. They'll have that conversation with the team at some point this week.
Have to have a QB who can win the team over, players have to feel comfortable with QB. Has to be a guy who can manage the offense and execute the offense.
On difference in Swoopes this year and last year .... Different scheme from last year. More players around the QBs. Had 1 or 2 players around him last year, now they have a bunch of playmakers at every position. They have confidence that whoever runs out there will have the confidence and support of the guys around them.
What they have to do with ND, get the work in and build up from Tuesday until the game (players are off today). Have to make sure the team is aware of everything happening around them - have to prepare for two QBs, etc. Make sure they focus on ND and their scheme. The players feel it, they know how big the game is. He doesn't have to say anything to them.
When they name the QB, he is the starter, and he will be the starter unless he gets beat out or something happens to him.
Both QBs deserve to play because of the work they've put in. May package it where whoever doesn't start goes in third or fourth series, but they'll both play because of the work they've put in.
Starter is going to be the starting quarterback. You have two good players at quarterback. Won't be a situation if one goes in and something bad happens, he'll get pulled. Still has to get into the flow of the game, has to execute. Other QB will get some time, but once they name a starter, that's who is going to get most of the work.
They're simplifying the game plan to make it easier for the QB and he doesn't have to go through as many reads.
Told players, there are enough players rotating at positions, they'll be ready when game time comes, they'll be fresh and ready to go.
Of the freshmen who will play - Buechele, Shackelford, Collin Johnson, Duvernay, LJ Humphrey, Kyle Porter. At OL, it will depend on how things work out. On defense, they'll have limited roles but quite a few of them will play.
The overall attitude and how team goes about things is better than last year. There's a lot of confidence, guys believe in one another. They do have size, have speed, have athletic guys who can make plays.
Have to tackle better. Didn't tackle well on third down last year. Had times when guys were there but didn't make plays. Have to get off the field, force turnovers, get the ball back to the offense.
When they get to Saturday, injured OL guys should be ready to go. Vahe will be able to practice tomorrow. Tristan Nickelson has been practicing. Shackelford will be worked in this week.
This team is different than his third year at Louisville. QB position is different ... totally different football team than the third season at Louisville.
On keeping QB a mystery (both teams), it doesn't really affect defensive preparation. They're preparing for both QBs, and both will play. It's a matter of them making sure whoever is in the game, they handle their business.
No depth chart - still have some positions that aren't clear, guys are still competing. Depth chart will probably come out later in the week.
Antwuan Davis has had an outstanding camp. He's big, strong, physical, can play a lot of positions in the secondary and is really valuable in special teams.
On Sunday, should see a football team that is excited and plays with a lot of passion. They're going to compete and play hard.
Malik Jefferson is a special player, can provide leadership they're looking for. He is doing that, is doing a better job as a leader than last year.
On Saturday, they have some things planned where they're not just sitting around watching other teams play all day, don't want to get too wrapped up in all the other games.
Tells players, let's not get caught up in all the noise. They need to stay focused, study, make sure their preparation is on point. Know everything they need to know about Notre Dame, and everything else will take care of itself.
They'll get to see Bevo, but they'll be so locked into the game, it won't be much of a factor.
Last year's ND game, it's been used as a motivational tool. They've put some highlights up, but it's more just quick stuff to show them that they're not that team any more, they've taken steps and they're a better team. Every once in a while he'll use that game to get the guys going, get them fired up a little.
ND defensive coordinator loves to bring pressure.
Jerrod Heard came to him and said he wants to help the team at WR. Told him he's more than welcome, but if something happens at QB with an injury, they may have to move Heard back to QB. Locksley came to him the other day and said the same things, that he thinks he can help the team at WR.
They haven't made a big deal of the QB situation at practice. Not much is said. Just go out to practice and go about their business. Both QBs have a lot of respect for each other.
The offensive coaches game plan. Gilbert will always ask what Strong is thinking, but nothing has been an issue with Strong overriding play calls, etc. "He (Gilbert) has total control."
Kicking game, Dickson has been amazing, leg gets stronger and stronger. Getting Domingue was really big for them. He has done a really good job in practice, hardly ever misses.
On returners, they have so much skill and speed. Jacorey Warrick has had an unbelievable camp. Strong didn't realize how fast he was until he ran by some DBs on vertical routes. Duvernay is quick enough that he can return. They have so much skill at returners that they'll find a guy.
Had a meeting with the seniors on Saturday. Told them the amazing thing, some of the freshmen haven't been in the spotlight before. Seniors have to talk to them because they'll be all over the place when they run out of the tunnel. Freshmen say they'll be fine, but they won't be fine. Have to stay on top of them. Once they get out there and get a play or two, they'll be fine. But they have no idea what they're stepping into, especially in an opener like Notre Dame. Going to be a special moment but they have to manage their younger players.
A guy who doesn't say much on OL is Kent Perkins. In a team meeting, he stood up, like EF Hutton, when he speaks, everybody listens. Told the guys they have to play physical as an OL. Doesn't matter who is at QB, have to protect, open holes for the two big RBs.
Told McMillon last year he may be a center, McMillon fought him on it for three or four months. Now McMillon is glad he moved over from DL. They have to protect whoever is at quarterback and OL is going to be key.
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