What sort of chance does Texas have vs. Notre Dame
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Just depends on qb play. Texas qb play balls out, Texas win. Qb plays terrible, Texas lose. Period
Gonna beat and kick their asses out the South side of DKR!
Hook'em
Hook'em
There are a few answers from the spring/summer/fall that will be key to having any kind of decent guess at this
1. Texas QB (by far the most important)
Who is the Texas QB going to be for the ND game? How good has he looked during the off-season? What kind of offense suites his skills best?
If the QB is Swoopes again, there will be obvious concern...but if the narrative over the off-season is that he's completely different player and the offense is shifting to a run based power-spread....it could end up being a good thing. He would have experience, which is a huge plus when the season opener is a big game.
If the QB is Locksley or a frosh, there will still be concern....but for different reasons. Having to play your first CFB snaps in a game this major would be tough. But if the word on him over the summer is that he's having a Winston-esque off-season....maybe that ends up being okay too.
We'll just have to see what the decision and scouting report is on the Texas QB situation as we move close to kickoff
2. Texas DL
This is probably the next more important thing to answer.
Notre Dame is losing a lot at WR and with the type of OL and RB we'll return.....we'll favor running the ball (at least early in the season).
Does the Texas DL have the size/strength to hold up against the run effectively? Do they have the depth necessary to do it for 4 quarters?
The scouting reports on the new DLs will be very interesting to see coming out of Spring Camp and Fall Camp
3. Notre Dame's DL & LB
Notre Dame loses multiple AP All-American's up front defensively (Jaylon Smith and Sheldon Day). How much will that damage thier defensive front? How much will the return of other starters from injury (Jarron Jones) off-set the losses?
If ND can't replace it's DL and LB cores effectively, Texas could find a lot of success running the football......which would be huge for their offense.
There are other questions, but those are the biggest 3 to watch during the off-season (imo)
1. Texas QB (by far the most important)
Who is the Texas QB going to be for the ND game? How good has he looked during the off-season? What kind of offense suites his skills best?
If the QB is Swoopes again, there will be obvious concern...but if the narrative over the off-season is that he's completely different player and the offense is shifting to a run based power-spread....it could end up being a good thing. He would have experience, which is a huge plus when the season opener is a big game.
If the QB is Locksley or a frosh, there will still be concern....but for different reasons. Having to play your first CFB snaps in a game this major would be tough. But if the word on him over the summer is that he's having a Winston-esque off-season....maybe that ends up being okay too.
We'll just have to see what the decision and scouting report is on the Texas QB situation as we move close to kickoff
2. Texas DL
This is probably the next more important thing to answer.
Notre Dame is losing a lot at WR and with the type of OL and RB we'll return.....we'll favor running the ball (at least early in the season).
Does the Texas DL have the size/strength to hold up against the run effectively? Do they have the depth necessary to do it for 4 quarters?
The scouting reports on the new DLs will be very interesting to see coming out of Spring Camp and Fall Camp
3. Notre Dame's DL & LB
Notre Dame loses multiple AP All-American's up front defensively (Jaylon Smith and Sheldon Day). How much will that damage thier defensive front? How much will the return of other starters from injury (Jarron Jones) off-set the losses?
If ND can't replace it's DL and LB cores effectively, Texas could find a lot of success running the football......which would be huge for their offense.
There are other questions, but those are the biggest 3 to watch during the off-season (imo)
I'll tell you how I feel after spring ball is concluded. Anything before that is pure conjecture and a waste of time and typing.
Oh wait, it's the offseason, we have nothing BUT time and typing......
Oh wait, it's the offseason, we have nothing BUT time and typing......
I'll give you a preview of every team in the countries spring ball workouts. Young guys looking really good, competition is pushing returning starters, seeing a ton of leadership from the seniors, coaching staff has really come together.
Just giving you a hard time, but spring time is normally pretty full of sunshine.
Sadly, I'll be ready to believe it by then. Rinse and repeat for me.
Yeah but clob has the opportunity to go watch closed practices and since he is a former player he offers up some pretty good insight as how things are shaping up.
True. He is a knowledgeable guy. He knows a lot more than I do about college ball. I was making fun of spring practice reports, not Clob.
Hey man, I came in here last year and no sh!t, I was a little nervous about telling you guys what I'd seen (or more like what I hadn't seen). I put a lot of "tough to gauge" and " it's still early" and "hard to tell" comments so as not to come off sounding totally distraught about what we looked like. It sucks having to be the bearer of bad news and that subjects you to everyone's disdain.
I'm hoping for VAST improvement this year otherwise I'm just going to keep my yap shut.
I'm hoping for VAST improvement this year otherwise I'm just going to keep my yap shut.
Re: "Notre Dame is losing a lot at WR and with the type of OL and RB we'll return.....we'll favor running the ball (at least early in the season)."
"we'll favor running the ball"
Hummm, guess anything is possible but that would require a whole new mind set by ND head coach and offensive coordinator Brian Kelly, a pass first, run second kind of coach. Especially because he will have the task of choosing a starting QB from 2 players; one, Malik Zaire that started last year but was injured early on for the rest of the year and the back up, Deshawn Kizer that filled in nicely and did a good job. Although Kizer can run occasionally Zaire is smaller and more of a threat to run. Texas will have to key on the QB. Either way if the ND QB is not accounted for on every play (especially 3rd downs) Texas will be in for a long day.
Keep us posted and let us know if any of the Texas QB's are looking "Winston-esque".
"we'll favor running the ball"
Hummm, guess anything is possible but that would require a whole new mind set by ND head coach and offensive coordinator Brian Kelly, a pass first, run second kind of coach. Especially because he will have the task of choosing a starting QB from 2 players; one, Malik Zaire that started last year but was injured early on for the rest of the year and the back up, Deshawn Kizer that filled in nicely and did a good job. Although Kizer can run occasionally Zaire is smaller and more of a threat to run. Texas will have to key on the QB. Either way if the ND QB is not accounted for on every play (especially 3rd downs) Texas will be in for a long day.
Keep us posted and let us know if any of the Texas QB's are looking "Winston-esque".
Please don't keep quite because of my comments. I was 100% not saying you are full of it, I was saying what would come out the different teams camps would be spin. I would actually like to hear what you think. I think most would agree.
1. Texas QB (by far the most important)
My money is on Heard to come out, but I would not be surprised to see Kai Locksley winning the job.
Either one would present a lot of tough matchups for the Notre Dame defense. One thing for sure is that the Texas offensive line will be much improved and that will help out the Texas QB tremendously as will the Texas running game.
This time around Notre Dame is going to actually have to show up to win, unlike last year.
2. Texas DL
Texas will have strong DE play as we have a lot of talent returning. Our DTs are the major concern I like Paul Boyette and Poona Ford as the starters, they are solid. The backups are the concern with Chris Nelson and Alex Nelson being on campus but very underwhelming. That leaves the freshmen class, and we have 5 guys to choose from so hopefully 2 of the 5 will show enough to step in and make an impact.
Back to the DE spot, we have 6 guys that will play and bring solid contribution to the defense. Naashon Hughes, Charles Omenihu, Quincy Vasser, and Derek Roberson will fight for the starting spots and Bryce Cottrell and Dalton Santos would provide some depth and situational play. Freshmen Malcolm Roach, Andrew Fitzgerald, and Erick Fowler could be impact players.
3. Notre Dame's DL & LB
I don't know anything about what ND is bringing to the table but I like the Texas oline this year. Texas has 3 returning starters coming back and as of right now it is looking like our oline will be some combination of LT - Connor Williams, LG Kent Perkins, C ????, RG Patrick Vahe, and RT Tristian Nicholson.
I feel really good about this line especially of a guy like Brandon Hodges or Terrell Cuney can step into the center spot and give us excellent leadership. This is a line that will open up some holes and we have two big workhorse runningbacks that we can lean on.
Notre Dame didn't get to see the Texas runningback talent last year because they were young and our oline was overwhelmed. This year should be different.
D'Onta Foreman and Chris Warren III are going to be a badass one two punch for Texas. Both are really big fast guys in the mold of Ricky Williams. Doesn't matter which one is carrying the ball, both will punish the defense and can break off the long run if given a crease.
The threat of what these guys can do should suck up the defense into about 8 or 9 men in the box, this will give the Texas passing game an opportunity to hit some deep passes especially off of play action.
All Texas needs is a QB that can make the throw, there seems to be enough WR talent to make the play.
My money is on Heard to come out, but I would not be surprised to see Kai Locksley winning the job.
Either one would present a lot of tough matchups for the Notre Dame defense. One thing for sure is that the Texas offensive line will be much improved and that will help out the Texas QB tremendously as will the Texas running game.
This time around Notre Dame is going to actually have to show up to win, unlike last year.
2. Texas DL
Texas will have strong DE play as we have a lot of talent returning. Our DTs are the major concern I like Paul Boyette and Poona Ford as the starters, they are solid. The backups are the concern with Chris Nelson and Alex Nelson being on campus but very underwhelming. That leaves the freshmen class, and we have 5 guys to choose from so hopefully 2 of the 5 will show enough to step in and make an impact.
Back to the DE spot, we have 6 guys that will play and bring solid contribution to the defense. Naashon Hughes, Charles Omenihu, Quincy Vasser, and Derek Roberson will fight for the starting spots and Bryce Cottrell and Dalton Santos would provide some depth and situational play. Freshmen Malcolm Roach, Andrew Fitzgerald, and Erick Fowler could be impact players.
3. Notre Dame's DL & LB
I don't know anything about what ND is bringing to the table but I like the Texas oline this year. Texas has 3 returning starters coming back and as of right now it is looking like our oline will be some combination of LT - Connor Williams, LG Kent Perkins, C ????, RG Patrick Vahe, and RT Tristian Nicholson.
I feel really good about this line especially of a guy like Brandon Hodges or Terrell Cuney can step into the center spot and give us excellent leadership. This is a line that will open up some holes and we have two big workhorse runningbacks that we can lean on.
Notre Dame didn't get to see the Texas runningback talent last year because they were young and our oline was overwhelmed. This year should be different.
D'Onta Foreman and Chris Warren III are going to be a badass one two punch for Texas. Both are really big fast guys in the mold of Ricky Williams. Doesn't matter which one is carrying the ball, both will punish the defense and can break off the long run if given a crease.
The threat of what these guys can do should suck up the defense into about 8 or 9 men in the box, this will give the Texas passing game an opportunity to hit some deep passes especially off of play action.
All Texas needs is a QB that can make the throw, there seems to be enough WR talent to make the play.
Re: "Notre Dame is losing a lot at WR and with the type of OL and RB we'll return.....we'll favor running the ball (at least early in the season)."
"we'll favor running the ball"
Hummm, guess anything is possible but that would require a whole new mind set by ND head coach and offensive coordinator Brian Kelly, a pass first, run second kind of coach. Especially because he will have the task of choosing a starting QB from 2 players; one, Malik Zaire that started last year but was injured early on for the rest of the year and the back up, Deshawn Kizer that filled in nicely and did a good job. Although Kizer can run occasionally Zaire is smaller and more of a threat to run. Texas will have to key on the QB. Either way if the ND QB is not accounted for on every play (especially 3rd downs) Texas will be in for a long day.
Keep us posted and let us know if any of the Texas QB's are looking "Winston-esque".
This really isn't very accurate.
The reality is, you have to go back all the way to 2011 to find a Brian Kelly coached Notre Dame team that passed the more often than it rushed.
Beyond that, the trend is even more towards running the ball, with the 2015 team having the largest gap between rushing attempts and passing attempts since 2012.
When the personnel appropriately facilitates it, Brian Kelly is already shown he's more than willing to run the ball more often then he passes it… Sometimes much more often
If the Notre Dame roster turns out how it's projected to right now, the 2016 personnel appears to be as slanted towards the run as any Notre Dame team he's ever coached.
Personally, I'm looking for around a 60/40 run/pass split (up from the 55/45 split we had this year)
1. If either of those guys can be legitimate, consistent passing threats, then they would present a lot of very challenging matchups to Notre Dame.
If they remain "Run only" quarterbacks, (As heard it was in 2015) then they're not nearly as challenging to defend.
How these players develop will really tell the story of the Texas season, in my opinion.
2. That DT position will end up being critical. Notre Dame is going to want to bring a lot of the newer offense of players along slowly, and the experience and best talent is going to be in the run game, especially between the tackles.
My guess would be that Notre Dame plans to try to run the ball 25 to 30 times, just between the tackles. Then mix in outside runs beyond that.
3. Notre Dame loses are most disruptive defensive lineman(Sheldon Day) but we get back from most powerful (and potentially best) interior defense of lineman from injury (Jarron Jones).
I expect the strength of our defense of front to be in the run game, where we should be better than we have been in recent years. The biggest concern, at least for me, is in rushing the passer. Especially from the edges.
I think the best way to attack the Notre Dame defense in 2016, will be to go after the safeties and linebackers in the passing game. Which should be pretty doable, since you should be able to block the Notre Dame defensive and's, if your offense of tackles are any good.
The key for Texas in doing this will be having a quarterback that allows them to do so…
Sadly, this record has been stuck on replay ever since Colt McCoy went down in the championship game verses bama. I truly believe the answer is now on campus but will this be the year?
TheDecker,
Although I don't post very often, I've been here a good long while and am always reading what's being posted. Your posts have been very refreshing by being based in fact from an almost neutral perspective. You come across as optimistically confident without being arrogant or boastful.
Thank you for good football talk.
Right now it's too early to even say it's too early BUT, this game is too early in the season for us to hang on with you guys. I fully expect a loss but not a complete blowout. Our younger RBs were a late season surprise that should carry over but our qb will still be the anchor holding us back early on.
Although I don't post very often, I've been here a good long while and am always reading what's being posted. Your posts have been very refreshing by being based in fact from an almost neutral perspective. You come across as optimistically confident without being arrogant or boastful.
Thank you for good football talk.
Right now it's too early to even say it's too early BUT, this game is too early in the season for us to hang on with you guys. I fully expect a loss but not a complete blowout. Our younger RBs were a late season surprise that should carry over but our qb will still be the anchor holding us back early on.
I think the way we can win is if the new offense is successful early, we get a lead, have the defense play good and hold on for a win.
The other side of that is if the new offense struggles, turns the ball over and gives up a couple of easy scores, we're looking at a repeat of last year.
I guess you could say that for any game, but with ND not having film on Texas new O, we have a pretty good chance to score early and build a lead before ND settles in.
The other side of that is if the new offense struggles, turns the ball over and gives up a couple of easy scores, we're looking at a repeat of last year.
I guess you could say that for any game, but with ND not having film on Texas new O, we have a pretty good chance to score early and build a lead before ND settles in.
I asked you to tone it down and you obviously didn't get the message. Take some time off.
you mean took a dive to preserve his NFL career futures...what a Glorious NFL career he has had, what are the odds of that happening to a player during a Natl Champ game?
TY! for the correction, I guess I under-counted CA!...LOL!
Hook'em
MM- "Do you want to go sit in the corner?"
Belldozer- "No......"
MM- "then you better slow it down young man..."
(MM turns to walk back to the chalkboard)
(Belldozer sticks his thumbs in both ears and makes the "nanny nanny boo boo" face)
(MM turns and rifles an eraser right into belldozer's nose)
POOF! White cloud of chalk.....
MM- "Now put that dunce hat on and don't come out of the corner until 6th period!"
We talked about this last year, and I really think this is a misunderstood concept.
Notre Dame not having film on a new Texas offense isn't an advantage for Texas.
The same concept came up last year, we spent quite a bit of time discussing how running a new offense is a disadvantage for the team running it, especially early on. It takes a long time for a new offense to gel.
It's not some kind of sneak attack, that's going to sucker punch the opponent
If Texas is going to have success on offense, which is very possible, they're going to have to do it through quality execution, not trying to sneak something new in.
Only problem is Watson didn't run the new offense in the ND game. Everything they did in the spring and fall was tossed out the window and Watson wen't back to the old stuff. Watson and Wickline lost their game planning and play calling responsibilites and Norvell and Traylor were given the keys to the offense right after that game.
Because you discussed it doesn't make it right.
I qualified it by saying it could go either way. If you don't know what I am going to do and I execute properly, I'll take that advantage.
Right now neither of us knows how we will play, my point is that if we execute and play sound ball we have the initial advantage and a way to win the game.
I remember you got blasted pretty good for what you said about the team Clob. You were dead on the money though. Any of those guys apologize to you? Some guys on here are very good about saying "hey dude you was right" but others would die before they said they were wrong. I hope I am the guy who can admit when I am wrong.
Are you going to several practices? I HOPE you are. Please keep us informed.
I can't see any way Texas keeps this game close. Not early on in the season. Especially not if Texas is starting a brand new true freshman (although, if he's better than the other QBs on campus, I say play him and let him develop).
Them guys haven't forgotten how they was beat and made front of last yr on TV I guarantee ya on that, we gonna put them to sleep by the 3rd quarter and then send their young asses back to South Bend in the 4th...just can't wait to see what they do to OU this yr..
Hook'em
Psychological advantage after a beat down usually goes to the ones administering said beatdown. Not always, and since you brought up OU, OU beatdown Texas in 2011 and 2012, but Texas was able to turn the table in 2013. But I'm not seeing anything that warrants me to believe Texas will improve significantly from last year. And I believe most people outside of Texas would conclude Texas' win over OU last year was the anomaly. The Notre Dame game was not.
As for the aforementioned RRS (since you brought it up), I still feel like I did last year at this time. OU should beat Texas. Of course, you can see how my prediction last year turned out. That's why they play the game.
I'd say there's about zero chance we're starting a true freshman. I think he'll redshirt. Decent chance we end up with a RS freshman starting, though. If Heard keeps his job, he will have gotten better. My money is on Locksley though. Spring ball should be fun to watch.
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