ND line down to -3.5

[TheDecker]

If you like to gamble....The most likely OL Texas rolls out, IMHO is as follows.

Soph. LT Connor Williams, 6-6/290...True Fresh. LG Patrick Hudson, 6-5/325...True Fresh. C Zach Shackelford, 6-3/290...Soph. RG Patrick Vahe, 6-3/320 and Senior Kent Perkins, 6-5/320.

Lots of potential along that OL, though from what I recall seeing previously, Perkins is still more of an OG than an OT.

But starting 2 True Frosh OLs (especially a Center) directly in front of a True Frosh QB, along with a new RB....all playing in a brand new offense.

That's a lot of opportunity for miscommunication and mistakes, especially early in the season.

You can bet ND will use veteran DTs and lots of blitzes to attack the young interior of that OL and try to rattle a young QB

 

[TexExSpur]

Easy money.

 

[TexExSpur]

I'm certain this will be the second time Strong has started a season with a freshman albeit EE, QB.

The last time he started a freshman, they played in 13 games, were 191/296 passing for 2129 yards, 14 TD's and 12 INT's going 7-5 and sharing Co-champs in the Big East before losing their bowl game to NC state 31-24.

 

[TexExSpur]

Charlie's confidence just increased with the addition of a proven place kicker due to LSU over signing and using his scholly! Lou G semi finalist and on this years watch list.

 

[NDAFArly]

Things looking good in South Bend too. According to ND staff writers when camp starts there are seven players competing for two Dline positions. Also four players competing for two OLine spots. So they expect the front to be deep & talented.

 

[oldhorn2]

Better be deep....the other night it was 90 degrees at 10;30 PM....and hot weather hasnt gotten here yet. As I told you, the side that can keep the offense on the field the longest will have a great advantage. Thats supposed to be you, but Ive got a feeling that it wont be.

 

[TexExSpur]

Better be deep....the other night it was 90 degrees at 10;30 PM....and hot weather hasnt gotten here yet. As I told you, the side that can keep the offense on the field the longest will have a great advantage. Thats supposed to be you, but Ive got a feeling that it wont be.

This is where the 480 pounds of smash and smash come into play. Charlie is going to try to control the clock and pound the rock.

 

[TexExSpur]

It's not about worry, the heat plus a strong ground game will exhaust the defense if Texas is succesful with their game plan. The heat will contribute if units get stuck on the field and that goes for both squads.

 

[TexExSpur]

I guess somebody deleted a post Farly

 

[NDAFArly]

This is where the 480 pounds of smash and smash come into play. Charlie is going to try to control the clock and pound the rock.

As a ND fan I hope that is what Texas tries because it is ND's strength on defense.
Running up the middle into Jones (Outland), Rochelle (Bednarik), Morgan (Butkis), Cage (FrAA) & Tillery is what would benefit ND.

Texas should work the short passing game to stop coverage sacks/hurries, to attack the new LBs in coverage & avoid the experienced players in the secondary.

If I was Texas the last thing I would do is run big backs up against even bigger, NFL caliber DTs. Especially with a Freshman center. I would try to exploit the two new LBs in coverage.

 

[TexExSpur]

Oh

As a ND fan I hope that is what Texas tries because it is ND's strength on defense.
Running up the middle into Jones (Outland), Rochelle (Bednarik), Morgan (Butkis), Cage (FrAA) & Tillery is what would benefit ND.

Texas should work the short passing game to stop coverage sacks/hurries, to attack the new LBs in coverage & avoid the experienced players in the secondary.

If I was Texas the last thing I would do is run big backs up against even bigger, NFL caliber DTs. Especially with a Freshman center. I would try to exploit the two new LBs in coverage.

oh, but that is very likely to occur. They're not dumbasses and the short game is yet another strength.

 

[NDAFArly]

Oh

oh, but that is very likely to occur. They're not dumbasses and the short game is yet another strength.

You are assuming that is a strength. You really don't know yet. That's why everybody at ND is assuming the pass rush will be better, but I'm not, because it's just an assumption at this point with no merit.
I honestly don't know what I would consider a strength of Texas on offense until I see it. If you look back at last year everybody was touting your athletic, freshman QB as a game changer with his legs & short passing game as a strength.

 

[TheDecker]

It's not about worry, the heat plus a strong ground game will exhaust the defense if Texas is succesful with their game plan. The heat will contribute if units get stuck on the field and that goes for both squads.

The main difference between the heats effect on the two teams (if there end up being any at all) is that ND is significantly deeper than Texas, especially along on the LOS...which is where Texas's roster is weakest (outside of QB)

Notre Dame would likely benefit from both teams having to dip more heavily than usual into the 2nd and 3rd strings along the LOS
(especially at DT...which the position where heat/fatigue is the most likely to cause problems)

 

[HornosaurusRex]

The main difference between the heats effect on the two teams (if there end up being any at all) is that ND is significantly deeper than Texas, especially along on the LOS...which is where Texas's roster is weakest (outside of QB)

A hurry-up offense that limits defensive substitutions mitigates some of the advantage of depth while compounding the effects of the heat. However, I expect both teams will be in fighting form and ready to go to war.

Hook 'em

 

[TheDecker]

A hurry-up offense that limits defensive substitutions mitigates some of the advantage of depth while compounding the effects of the heat. However, I expect both teams will be in fighting form and ready to go to war.

Hook 'em

It limits substitutions but actually magnifies depth, especially in the DL.

Against an effectively run hurry up offense you're not going to be able to rotate your DLs frequently, so your 2nd and 3rd string DLs need to be good enough to stay in the game for significant stretches without compromising the entire defense, because once the starter is getting a blow it won't be easy to get him right back in.

Rewatch the FSU/Auburn NCG where the go over this at length, while the FSU NT is on bent over on the sideline.

Notre Dame will likely use a pretty run-heavy hurry-up attack against Texas, since it plays to our strengths and your weaknesses.......so both teams are likely to run into this.
(Heat or no heat)

Further, if a hurry-up attack isn't run effectively, it only further tests the depth of your DL as the offense isn't on the field for very long...meaning the defense that just played aha to go right back out to the field.

Heat testing the depth of both teams, especially the DLs, likely won't be a good thing for Texas.

 

[TexExSpur]

No, I agree. It could ultimately hurt Texas more.

 

[Scholz]

...likely won't be a good thing for Texas.

Yes, you've said. Over and over again. It's your ultimate conclusion in every discussion. Thanks yet again for your objective, rational and learned opinion that always ends the exact same way.

 

[TexExSpur]

You are assuming that is a strength. You really don't know yet. That's why everybody at ND is assuming the pass rush will be better, but I'm not, because it's just an assumption at this point with no merit.
I honestly don't know what I would consider a strength of Texas on offense until I see it. If you look back at last year everybody was touting your athletic, freshman QB as a game changer with his legs & short passing game as a strength.

Heard sucked in the short game, Swoopes can complete everything in the short game to a high percentage, Buechele is better than both and has a quicker release. I'm not assuming. The quick shot/drop back and throw will be there for Texas more so this year than the last 2. It's not a hunch, it's understanding the offense Texas will be playing and the athletes we have to utilize said skill sets. I haven't come off the fact I think ND wins this game due to depth and being two years ahead of where Strong would like to be, but I think it will be an actual ball game. I still think this game could easily go 6 points in either direction.


Did ND defense face a tandem attack with 2 - 240# RB's with sub 4.6 speed at any point last season? Not mentioning the quick hitters in Porter, Johnson, etc.

Heck, Warren looks like a damn 3 tech.

 

[TheDecker]

Yes, you've said. Over and over again. It's your ultimate conclusion in every discussion. Thanks yet again for your objective, rational and learned opinion that always ends the exact same way.

There is a reason that I've said that this game will be very tough for Texas.

Youth, match ups, overall talent, timing, weather, etc.

You're surprised I'm not suddenly flip-flopping my opinion?

 

[TheDecker]

Heard sucked in the short game, Swoopes can complete everything in the short game to a high percentage, Buechele is better than both and has a quicker release. I'm not assuming. The quick shot/drop back and throw will be there for Texas more so this year than the last 2. It's not a hunch, it's understanding the offense Texas will be playing and the athletes we have to utilize said skill sets. I haven't come off the fact I think ND wins this game due to depth and being two years ahead of where Strong would like to be, but I think it will be an actual ball game. I still think this game could easily go 6 points in either direction.


Did ND defense face a tandem attack with 2 - 240# RB's with sub 4.6 speed at any point last season? Not mentioning the quick hitters in Porter, Johnson, etc.

Heck, Warren looks like a damn 3 tech.

Big and good are not the same thing at the RB position.

To that point, even strong has said that Texas's RBs are "too big" and that they need to lose weight.

But we've faced several teams with RBs as big as Texas's, and several more with RBs simply better than Texas's.

Running big RBs straight at NDs defense has historically been the worst way to attack it, under Kelly.

Spread and option attacks that utilize dual-threat QBs have been by far the most effective way to attack our defense under Kelly, especially during the tenure of our current DC (Van Gorder)

 

[Scholz]

No, just that you repeating over and over that Texas will lose is boring. You're neither objective nor interesting.

 

[TexExSpur]

Big and good are not the same thing at the RB position.

To that point, even strong has said that Texas's RBs are "too big" and that they need to lose weight.

But we've faced several teams with RBs as big as Texas's, and several more with RBs simply better than Texas's.

Running big RBs straight at NDs defense has historically been the worst way to attack it, under Kelly.

Spread and option attacks that utilize dual-threat QBs have been by far the most effective way to attack our defense under Kelly, especially during the tenure of our current DC (Van Gorder)

You guys crack me up and don't get Strong whatsoever... These backs are good and big. Heavy, he's doing what Strong does brah, bust their balls! They're fit and monsters and likely just under 240 when ND comes to town. These two cats will explode through the hole/spread attack and they're shifty! Both are extremely tough to take down on the initial contact and produce a ton of YAC.

They both can get it done, hence the award watch list for both. Shoot'em down, but these two kids are studs.

You're an idiot if you think they'll simply run it right at them. Go watch some film bro. They'll be coming from every direction with quick hitters in the passing game.

 

[TheDecker]

You guys crack me up and don't get Strong whatsoever... These backs are good and big. Heavy, he's doing what Strong does brah, bust their balls! They're fit and monsters and likely just under 240 when ND comes to town. These two cats will explode through the hole/spread attack and they're shifty! Both are extremely tough to take down on the initial contact and produce a ton of YAC.

They both can get it done, hence the award watch list for both. Shoot'em down, but these two kids are studs.

You're an idiot if you think they'll simply run it right at them. Go watch some film bro. They'll be coming from every direction with quick hitters in the passing game.

I've watched plenty of their film, unfortunately it's mostly against terrible defense

I haven't seen anything that really shows either one with much elusiveness for "wiggle".

From what I've seen their game is mainly about straightahead power and breaking tackles, and then using decent speed once they get into open space

There's nothing wrong with that, and in fact many of the top running back's in college football have that same style.

It just happens to be the style that plays best into the strengths of Notre Dame's defense

 

[TexExSpur]

How many yards do you think ND holds them to in the ground attack?

Can't even look at last years game unless you played an offense similar to Ohio State or Baylor.

This offense is going to score points, Farly is is holding the to 17.

 

[TheDecker]

Don't give me wrong, I don't think they're bad running backs.

I just don't think there anywhere close to the level of the top guys at Notre Dame has faced the last couple of years:
I just don't think there anywhere close to the level of the top guys that Notre Dame has faced the last couple of years:

1. Leonard Fournette (LSU)
2. Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State)
3. Christian McCaffrey (Stanford)
4. Leveon Bell (Michigan State)
5. Eddie Lacy (Alabama)
6. Dalvin Cook (Florida State)
7. TJ Yeldon (Alabama)
8. Wayne Gallaman (Clemson)
9. Stephan Taylor (Stanford)
10. Etc.

 

[TexExSpur]

Guess we'll find out, they're the star attractions now and frequently referred to as one of the best tandems entering 2016. The SEC media is salivating over them.

Ultimately, I think you'll be able to compare Warren to Ezekiel Elliot and Eddie Lacy when's it's all said and done.

That's 2 of your top 5.

 

[TheDecker]

How many yards do you think ND holds them to in the ground attack?

Can't even look at last years game unless you played an offense similar to Ohio State or Baylor.

This offense is going to score points, Farly is is holding the to 17.

We did play Ohio State last year.

and the offense Texas is hoping to implement isn't anything like what Ohio State Rocks, at all. And Texas isn't even near the same planet of talent that Ohio State has either.

As far as rushing yards, are excluding any garbage time crap?
(That's why I always avoid prop bets, especially in games that I think could end up with (That's why I always avoid prop bets, especially in games that I think could end up with a multiple TD margin of victory)

As far as meaningful time goes, I expect Dee to hold them below 200 yards on the ground, potential he below 150.

But it's really the yards per carry and number of first downs that I'll be interested in.
I expect these defense to do well against Texas is right game, in those areas.

 

[oldhorn2]

But we've faced several teams with RBs as big as Texas's, and several more with RBs simply better than Texas's.

hahahahahahahahahaahha...sorry Decker....thats hilarious.....we will see which team has the DT's bending over gulping for air

 

[TexExSpur]

Ok, refresh this when the season is over, it's gonna look more Urban than Briles.


Texas rushed for a whopping 60 yards last year in South Bend and you're saying they'll get around 200 on the ground? Cornfused by your erratic post.

 

[TheDecker]

Guess we'll find out, they're the star attractions now and frequently referred to as one of the best tandems entering 2016. The SEC media is salivating over them.

Outside of Texas fans, I haven't seen anyone referred to them as one of the best tandem. The most I've seen is "up and coming"

No one that knows anything about college football has placed them near LSU's, Oklahoma's, Georgia's, Florida state's, or even Notre Dame's tandems.

And that's without saying anything about the "unknown" but inevitablely going to be great tandems of Ohio State, Alabama, etc.

 

[TheDecker]

Ok, refresh this when the season is over, it's gonna look more Urban than Briles.


Texas rushed for a whopping 60 yards last year in South Bend and you're saying they'll get around 200 on the ground? Cornfused by your erratic post.

You're going to start using a dual threat quarterback to Ron option on a half your place?

If so, that freshman will be dead before the second half of the Notre Dame game.
If not, then it's nothing like urban Myers offense

As for the rushing total, Texas was blown out from the start of that game, barely used their run game, and really abandoned it all together in the second half.

If it's a football game for longer, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Texas get an extra hundred rushing yards or so. If it's a football game for longer, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Texas get an extra hundred rushing yards or so

But being as how old the below 200 yards rushing, with a hurry up I tackled like that, is not the sign I have great talent in the right game

 

[TexExSpur]

You're going to start using a dual threat quarterback to Ron option on a half your place?

If so, that freshman will be dead before the second half of the Notre Dame game.
If not, then it's nothing like urban Myers offense

As for the rushing total, Texas was blown out from the start of that game, barely used their run game, and really abandoned it all together in the second half.

If it's a football game for longer, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Texas get an extra hundred rushing yards or so. If it's a football game for longer, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Texas get an extra hundred rushing yards or so

But being as how old the below 200 yards rushing, with a hurry up I tackled like that, is not the sign I have great talent in the right game

...and yes, I know, they scored 44. tOSU that is.


Lol, Veer Option-Urban, Veer and Shoot-Briles... Chuck in between! The inside zone/gap scheme run game is the core of the Ohio State offense, if the defense cant stop the run, he'll run it until they over compensate and take advantage of the defense.

Where's Scholtz, he'll get a kick out of your post.

This is another tripped out post. If Texas goes 300/200, I love our chances!

 

[RoboCocks21]

Don't give me wrong, I don't think they're bad running backs.

I just don't think there anywhere close to the level of the top guys at Notre Dame has faced the last couple of years:
I just don't think there anywhere close to the level of the top guys that Notre Dame has faced the last couple of years:

1. Leonard Fournette (LSU)
2. Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State)
3. Christian McCaffrey (Stanford)
4. Leveon Bell (Michigan State)
5. Eddie Lacy (Alabama)
6. Dalvin Cook (Florida State)
7. TJ Yeldon (Alabama)
8. Wayne Gallaman (Clemson)
9. Stephan Taylor (Stanford)
10. Etc.

So is this in order as you ranked them? Cause from what I remember tosu ran all over you and Elliott ran for 4 td and set a new fiesta bowl record and Barrett rushed for 96 yards. And are you going to use the excuse there was no Smith?

 

[TheDecker]

Lol, Veer Option-Urban, Veer and Shoot-Briles... Chuck in between! The inside zone/gap scheme run game is the core of the Ohio State offense, if the defense cant stop the run, he'll run it until they over compensate and take advantage of the defense.

Where's Scholtz, he'll get a kick out of your post.

This is another tripped out post. If Texas goes 300/200, I love our chances!

Sooooooooo many offense are based in zone blocking and the inside zone run.

Saying your offense is similar to urban's, based just on that, is asinine to the point of complete stupidity.

Notre Dame's offense is also based on zone blocking, and the inside don't run, if Texas is offense just like ours to?

Notre Dame's offense is also based on zone blocking, and the inside don't run, is Texas is offense just like ours to?

Again, if you don't have a dual threat quarterback running option, you don't have an offense anything at all like Ohio State's

And again, you're not on the same planet of talent that they are

 

[TheDecker]

So is this in order as you ranked them? Cause from what I remember tosu ran all over you and Elliott ran for 4 td and set a new fiesta bowl record and Barrett rushed for 96 yards. And are you going to use the excuse there was no Smith?

No, that was just off the top of my head.

I'm not sure if Elliot is better than Bell/Lacey, how exactly Cook or McCaffrey compare, etc

And yes, Ohio State killed us… But Texas isn't even sort of in that same planet of talent. Texas loss more games last year then urbans lost in the last five combined
(And of course losing by far the best linebacker in the country hurt our defense in that game)

And we did very well again some of those other running back's, and not well against others
That's the nature of the beast when you're playing the elite of the elite talents

But Texas is running backs simply aren't at that level, or anywhere near it