What sort of chance does Texas have vs. Notre Dame

[TheDecker]

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.

Kai Locksley seems like a talented player to me.

But a new QB, running a brand-new offense, taking his first ever college football snap, and a game of this magnitude…
(Not to mention relatively new WRs, RBs, and TEs)

That's a hell of a trial by fire

 

[CoachEmUp64]

Sink or swim baby

 

[FlourBluffHorn]

Swoops and Heard will start the ND game...because of EXP



Hook'em

 

[Son of Wasatch]

(Not to mention relatively new WRs, RBs, and TEs)

How the hell does Texas have new WR RB and TE?

All are coming back with lots and lots of experience, big game experience against TCU Oklahoma, and Baylor. And all teams in between.

Our QB might be inexperienced (unless it's Heard) but he will have very experienced guys around him.

Texas administered a beat down to Ole Miss three years ago, and they came back and beat us the following year.

I remember when Texas dropped over 70 against Stanford and the following year they kicked our ass.

It's a big game, it's the first game of the year, and both teams will be healthy. I fully expect a dog fight, but I won't just count out Texas, they are young and extremely talented if we have a QB to step up, this is going to be one tough team to beat.

 

[TheDecker]

How the hell does Texas have new WR RB and TE?

All are coming back with lots and lots of experience, big game experience against TCU Oklahoma, and Baylor. And all teams in between.

Our QB might be inexperienced (unless it's Heard) but he will have very experienced guys around him.

Texas administered a beat down to Ole Miss three years ago, and they came back and beat us the following year.

I remember when Texas dropped over 70 against Stanford and the following year they kicked our ass.

It's a big game, it's the first game of the year, and both teams will be healthy. I fully expect a dog fight, but I won't just count out Texas, they are young and extremely talented if we have a QB to step up, this is going to be one tough team to beat.

Well Texas loses their leader in both rushing attempts and receptions from 2015, for starters. Beyond that, if Bluiett moves back to DE, then Texas will be breaking in a "new starter" at TE as well.



Beyond that, the starters at the WR, RB, and TE positions just aren't very experienced
WR - All 3 2016 Starters (Burt + Foreman + ??) will combine for ~50 career receptions coming into the ND game
RB - Both RB "Starters" (Foreman + Warren) will combine for ~175 career rushing attempts coming into the ND game
TE - Starting TE (Beck) will have ~10 receptions coming into the ND game

For comparison...
Notre Dame lost is 2015 RB Starter and all 3 2015 WR Starters. Despite those losses, Notre Dame's skill position experience coming into the game:
WR - All 3 2016 Starters (Hunter + Robinson + St. Brown) will combine for ~100 career receptions coming into the Texas game
RB - Both RB "Starters" (Folston + Adams) will combine for ~400 career rushing attempts coming into the Texas game
TE - All 3 2016 "Starters" (Jones + Smythe + Weishar) will combine for ~20 career receptions coming into the Texas game




When literally every single skill position unit is going to have less experience entering the game than the same unit on a team that lost EVERY SINGLE 2015 starter............it seems pretty fair to call them "relatively new"

It seems even more fair to call them "relatively new" when you consider that the follow positions will technically have new starters:
RB
WR (x1)
Slot
TE

Lastly, it even seems more fair to call them "relatively new" considering that the little experience they do have is with a different OC, and in a different scheme

 

[TheDecker]

.

It's a big game, it's the first game of the year, and both teams will be healthy. I fully expect a dog fight, but I won't just count out Texas, they are young and extremely talented if we have a QB to step up, this is going to be one tough team to beat.

I'm not counting Texas out at all

I would have this as about the 5th hardest game on the ND schedule heading into the 2016 season.

That's is impressive, because the teams ahead of Texas are programs like Stanford, Michigan State, and USC.....all of whom are also loaded with talent and have had a lot of 'on-field success' recently

I'm definitely not counting this game as an "easy win" for Notre Dame at all

 

[Metcalf #2]

Too much over analyzing. It all comes down to competent QB play. If we get that, we'll be fine. We have playmakers everywhere for them to get the ball to. Both RBs are better than the senior we lost, period. Idc how many attempts they have. Burt is a playmaker, and wait till you get a load of Collin Johnson. Just say wow. Number of receptions tells you exactly jack sh*t about our WRs when you consider they haven't had competent QB play to get them the ball. That's why it all comes down to the QB, and the OL of course, which should be pretty solid.

 

[12375CAT]

GO BIG 12!!!

 

[TheDecker]

Too much over analyzing. It all comes down to competent QB play. If we get that, we'll be fine. We have playmakers everywhere for them to get the ball to. Both RBs are better than the senior we lost, period. Idc how many attempts they have. Burt is a playmaker, and wait till you get a load of Collin Johnson. Just say wow. Number of receptions tells you exactly jack sh*t about our WRs when you consider they haven't had competent QB play to get them the ball. That's why it all comes down to the QB, and the OL of course, which should be pretty solid.

I'm sure they're quite talented

The state of Texas is loaded with football talent and I believe Strong is quality evaluate of talent.

My comment on the skill position players wasn't focused on their talent, but rather on the challenge of having a brand new QB playing with relatively inexperienced players at nearly every single skill position, in a brand new offense.....especially early in the year

Basically, that's a lot of moving parts for you guys to get right, coming out of the gate.

 

[Scholz]

I'm sure they're quite talented

The state of Texas is loaded with football talent and I believe Strong is quality evaluate of talent.

My comment on the skill position players wasn't focused on their talent, but rather on the challenge of having a brand new QB playing with relatively inexperienced players at nearly every single skill position, in a brand new offense.....especially early in the year

Basically, that's a lot of moving parts for you guys to get right, coming out of the gate.

Without a doubt. Our Spring season will be watched closely in terms of who's getting the reps at QB and how that progresses. We'll have 5 guys vying for starting QB. The starter could be any one of them and that's not an exaggeration. All depends on who can pick up the new offense between the ears. Very well might be the true freshman coming in Buechele.

 

[Longyac]

Well Texas loses their leader in both rushing attempts and receptions from 2015, for starters. Beyond that, if Bluiett moves back to DE, then Texas will be breaking in a "new starter" at TE as well.

Gray was not the most talented RB. He played most snaps, for the first half of the season, because as a Senior with a Freshman QB he was the one lining up the offense for what he saw on the defense. The Briles' offense doesn't read the defense beyond counting how many guys are in the box and where the safety is if there are 6 or more in the box.

As for leading receiver; most of Daje's 'receptions' were a 1 yard shovel to him on the 2-3 jet sweeps a game he ran. I'd put 25-30 of Daje's 'receptions' as shovel passes. Texas isn't going to run the ball 70% of the time like last year so WR is going to be interesting to watch.

Bluiett is staying at TE. In Strong's preferred D the DE is an extra DL and attacking the QB comes off the edges by the Fox and outside LBs.

 

[UTGrad87]

Guys, I fully expect us to lose this game by 14 . . . and that's because of the talent difference between their QB's and our QB's. What I want to see is a UT offense that can move the ball on the ground and be efficient through the air and then a defense that makes some big plays. I'm thinking something along the lines of 35 - 21 ND.

I'd say there's a 15% chance we win this game but we would need to jump out to a big lead, make some big special teams plays and then let the defense control the game in the 2nd half. Yeah, long shot.

 

[FlourBluffHorn]

Guys, I fully expect us to lose this game by 14 . . . and that's because of the talent difference between their QB's and our QB's. What I want to see is a UT offense that can move the ball on the ground and be efficient through the air and then a defense that makes some big plays. I'm thinking something along the lines of 35 - 21 ND.

I'd say there's a 15% chance we win this game but we would need to jump out to a big lead, make some big special teams plays and then let the defense control the game in the 2nd half. Yeah, long shot.

I would reconsider my opinion if I was you...I look for Texas to win every game every year, it may not happen but any game is winnable at any time , maybe the clover leaf will fall off their fing helmets or get the shits from the food at the Hotel and or just maybe our young men will be tired of shit being thrown in their faces like last yr, I'll be here after Texas beats their ass and we can finish this conversation..LOL!





Hook'em

 

[CoachEmUp64]

Kai Locksley seems like a talented player to me.

But a new QB, running a brand-new offense, taking his first ever college football snap, and a game of this magnitude…
(Not to mention relatively new WRs, RBs, and TEs)

That's a hell of a trial by fire

Decker, bc I value your input and you seem to be not a total sunshine pumper like most of us fans. What are your thoughts on the tweet above?

 

[oldhorn2]

I think Metcalf summed it up on target. If we get good QB play, we have an excellent chance of winning.

 

[UTGrad87]

I would reconsider my opinion if I was you...I look for Texas to win every game every year, it may not happen but any game is winnable at any time , maybe the clover leaf will fall off their fing helmets or get the shits from the food at the Hotel and or just maybe our young men will be tired of shit being thrown in their faces like last yr, I'll be here after Texas beats their ass and we can finish this conversation..LOL!

View embedded media

Hook'em

FlourBluff . . . I'll buy you a growler, of any beer you want, if you're right. If we can pull out a W over the Golden Domers I'll be the happiest guy in Arizona!

 

[clob94]

I took a growler once.

 

[oldhorn2]

beer growlers at that I bet Clob.....so which kind would you want?

 

[clob94]

What kind of growler does Clob like??????




Well, I'm quite certain it doesn't come in a growler, but if it did, you've GOT to go with Deus. Latin for God, Deus is HANDS down the BEST beer you will ever drink. I have a case of 2006 Deus at the back of my fridge that I'm saving for if I ever get married, have a kid, or get to have sex with Kate Beckinsdale or Margot Robbie- or both at the same time.

For those of you that have never had it, go to Spec's or whip in and order a bottle. Then compose a really nice email to clob, thanking him for showing you what vagina in a bottle tastes like.

 

[GuaranteedFresh!]

If you nail those two at the same time, I'LL have one in your honor as I'm telling my kids about the legendary day Clob hit the lotto.....twice.

 

[swVAHorn]

What kind of growler does Clob like??????




Well, I'm quite certain it doesn't come in a growler, but if it did, you've GOT to go with Deus. Latin for God, Deus is HANDS down the BEST beer you will ever drink. I have a case of 2006 Deus at the back of my fridge that I'm saving for if I ever get married, have a kid, or get to have sex with Kate Beckinsdale or Margot Robbie- or both at the same time.

For those of you that have never had it, go to Spec's or whip in and order a bottle. Then compose a really nice email to clob, thanking him for showing you what vagina in a bottle tastes like.

Now that is a beer I have got to try! By the way Kate Beckinsale is the most underrated hottie in Hollywood. Margot gets the credit she deserves.

 

[TheDecker]

View embedded media

Decker, bc I value your input and you seem to be not a total sunshine pumper like most of us fans. What are your thoughts on the tweet above?

I don't disagree with him at all. We lost an absolute mountain of talent. We lost 2 All-Americans on defense (Jaylon and Day), one of whom was considered by many to be the best overall prospect in the draft before an injury (Jaylon), plus 2 more NFL Draft Picks (Russell and Shumate)...plus 2 more senior captains (Farley and Schmidt)

That's just a pile of talent and leadership to replace on defense

That being said, we also return an exceedingly talented defense, that will have 5*/4* players 2-Deep and nearly every position. I still very much like the talent we have on defense.

What we'll need to see is if they young talent can congeal into a consistent unit and if our coaches can put a much simpler scheme onto the field that's allow their talent to shine more.

I'm very cautiously optimistic about this ND team, but literally every single position group have major questions to answer this off season
(DT may be literally the only exception)

 

[TheDecker]

It's going to be interesting to see how the positional questions get answered for ND during the spring camp (and eventually summer/fall camps)

The key questions for each position are:

QB

1. Who is going to start?

a. Is this determined by 1 player absolutely seizing the role through great play or through neither player seizing it?​

2. Is there going to be a multiple/situation QB role?
3. Is our QB position able to effectively grab the leadership role in the offense?
4. How much trust/timing can these QBs build with their receivers?​

RB

1. How well does Folston recover from his ACL surgery (tore in ND/UT game in 2015)
2. How much do the young RBs improve (Adams/Williams)​

WR

1. Who takes over the "stretch the field" role, vacated by Fuller?
2. Which underclassman are able to step up well enough to demand PT?
3. How much rotation and position mobility can the coaches get out of the players that step up?​

TE

1. Will one player step up enough to force a "primary starter" (ala Eifert, Rudolph, Niklas, etc.)?
2. Will 2 TE's step up enough to make the 2-TE formation our primary formation again?
3. Will there be a heavy usage of situational TEs (receiving TE flexed out, bigger TE kept inline, etc.)​

OL

1. Who will win the battle at Center?
2. Who will win the Tackle position opposite McGlinchey?
3. How health can Alex Bars get?
4. Will any of the younger OLs force their way into the rotation, or will it be more senior players?
5. How quickly can we find the lineup for this unit?
6. How well can this unit congeal before the Texas game?
​

And that's just the "high level" questions on offense......

​

 

[Son of Wasatch]

I don't disagree with him at all. We lost an absolute mountain of talent. We lost 2 All-Americans on defense (Jaylon and Day), one of whom was considered by many to be the best overall prospect in the draft before an injury (Jaylon), plus 2 more NFL Draft Picks (Russell and Shumate)...plus 2 more senior captains (Farley and Schmidt)

That's just a pile of talent and leadership to replace on defense

That being said, we also return an exceedingly talented defense, that will have 5*/4* players 2-Deep and nearly every position. I still very much like the talent we have on defense.

What we'll need to see is if they young talent can congeal into a consistent unit and if our coaches can put a much simpler scheme onto the field that's allow their talent to shine more.

I'm very cautiously optimistic about this ND team, but literally every single position group have major questions to answer this off season
(DT may be literally the only exception)

You absolutely sound like we did going into last year. Most of us were convinced we were just going to reload after losing 4 NFL draft picks on defense Not to mention another guy that was all conference that didn't even get drafted.

Your questions on defense look a lot like ours did last year.

I'm sure Notre Dame as a lot more talent than Texas did, so I don't expect to see the drop that we made however in the first game I also don't expect to see a defense anywhere as close as what Texas played against last year.

Looking at the Texas offense, it all starts with an Oline that returns 3 starters including two freshmen All-Americans. Williams is already being penciled in as a 1st round pick by NFL scouts. Perkins and Vahe are also NFL grade players. We have lots of talented guys to fill in around the 3 returning starters, I would say we are about 9 deep on the oline right now.

You are going to see two of the biggest most punishing backs you will face all year in Forman and Warren, without too much hyperbole they both remind me of Ricky Williams with their size and speed. I think we will be able to run on your defense with enough success to suck in the safety to drop a big pass play to any one of our several big time playmaker WRs.

Honestly the only weakness this team has is QB, if one gives us just average play this should be a 10 win team.

It's going to be interesting to see how the positional questions get answered for ND during the spring camp (and eventually summer/fall camps)

The key questions for each position are:

QB

1. Who is going to start?

a. Is this determined by 1 player absolutely seizing the role through great play or through neither player seizing it?​

2. Is there going to be a multiple/situation QB role?
3. Is our QB position able to effectively grab the leadership role in the offense?
4. How much trust/timing can these QBs build with their receivers?​

RB

1. How well does Folston recover from his ACL surgery (tore in ND/UT game in 2015)
2. How much do the young RBs improve (Adams/Williams)​

WR

1. Who takes over the "stretch the field" role, vacated by Fuller?
2. Which underclassman are able to step up well enough to demand PT?
3. How much rotation and position mobility can the coaches get out of the players that step up?​

TE

1. Will one player step up enough to force a "primary starter" (ala Eifert, Rudolph, Niklas, etc.)?
2. Will 2 TE's step up enough to make the 2-TE formation our primary formation again?
3. Will there be a heavy usage of situational TEs (receiving TE flexed out, bigger TE kept inline, etc.)​

OL

1. Who will win the battle at Center?
2. Who will win the Tackle position opposite McGlinchey?
3. How health can Alex Bars get?
4. Will any of the younger OLs force their way into the rotation, or will it be more senior players?
5. How quickly can we find the lineup for this unit?
6. How well can this unit congeal before the Texas game?
​

And that's just the "high level" questions on offense......

​

As a long time Spurs fan, how is little Robinson doing? I was pissed when I heard Texas didn't offer him. The young man is cut from the same cloth as his father.

The strength of the Texas defense is their back 7 where Texas will be scary good, I'm convinced we have at lease 5 DBs with NFL ability Texas also has at lease 2 linebacker that also make the NFL grade. The concern at Texas is our DTs, we are so paper thin that we need at least two of our incoming freshmen to make significant contribution. Because of this I expect to see Texas run a lot of 3-4 or 3-3-5 defense in order to hide our deficiencies at that position. This is great against pass teams but leaves us questionable in stopping the run.

 

[TheDecker]

You absolutely sound like we did going into last year. Most of us were convinced we were just going to reload after losing 4 NFL draft picks on defense Not to mention another guy that was all conference that didn't even get drafted.

Your questions on defense look a lot like ours did last year.

I'm sure Notre Dame as a lot more talent than Texas did, so I don't expect to see the drop that we made however in the first game I also don't expect to see a defense anywhere as close as what Texas played against last year.

Looking at the Texas offense, it all starts with an Oline that returns 3 starters including two freshmen All-Americans. Williams is already being penciled in as a 1st round pick by NFL scouts. Perkins and Vahe are also NFL grade players. We have lots of talented guys to fill in around the 3 returning starters, I would say we are about 9 deep on the oline right now.

You are going to see two of the biggest most punishing backs you will face all year in Forman and Warren, without too much hyperbole they both remind me of Ricky Williams with their size and speed. I think we will be able to run on your defense with enough success to suck in the safety to drop a big pass play to any one of our several big time playmaker WRs.

Honestly the only weakness this team has is QB, if one gives us just average play this should be a 10 win team.

That's somewhat fair

However, it's not as accurate, because we also get several starters who were out for all of 2015 back
NT - Jarron Jones (1st/2nd NFL Draft Round potential)
SS - Drue Tranquil (Hybrid SS/LB)
MLB - Nyles Morgan (Frosh All-American)
NB - Shaun Crawford (Would have started for us as a True Frosh)

We definitely have some holes to fill, but we're not going be as young as it may seem

WDE - Trumbetti (3 Starts) / D.Hayes (5* True Frosh EE)
NT - Jones (15 Starts) / Cage (6 Starts)
DT - Tillery (7 Starts) / J. Hayes (RS Soph)
SDE - Rochell (25 Starts) / Blankenship (RS Soph)
WLB - Coney (Sophomore) / Barajas (RS Frosh)
MLB - Morgan (5 Starts, Frosh AA) / Martini (3 Starts)
SLB - Onwaulu (20 Starts) / Bilal (RS Frosh)
CB - Luke (25 Starts)
CB - Watkins (1 Start)
NB - Crawford (Named Starter, Redshirted after injury)
FS - Redfield (15 Starts)
SS - Tranquil (5 Starts)

We have a lot to replace on defense, and need a lot of players to step up

But we have pretty good experience and strong talent accross the starters and 2-Deep of the defense
(Though if the injury bug bites....AGAIN...we could start to get into real trouble)

 

[TheDecker]

Personally, I would expect the defense Texas faces from ND to be similar in quality to the one it faced in 2015

• Better at DT
• Similar at DE
• Worse at LB
• Better at CB
• Similar at S

Schematically and Stylistically though, I think this will be a pretty challenging defense for Texas to run the ball against

Really the only teams that had success running the ball against ND in 2015 were option teams (Triple Option and/or Read Option). Beyond that, they had to be option teams that were very good at running the option to have success. (Ohio State, Navy, Georgia Tech)

I'm not saying Texas won't be able to run the ball at all.....but I'd be surprised if Texas is above 200 Yards Rushing

 

[TheDecker]

As a long time Spurs fan, how is little Robinson doing? I was pissed when I heard Texas didn't offer him. The young man is cut from the same cloth as his father.

The strength of the Texas defense is their back 7 where Texas will be scary good, I'm convinced we have at lease 5 DBs with NFL ability Texas also has at lease 2 linebacker that also make the NFL grade. The concern at Texas is our DTs, we are so paper thin that we need at least two of our incoming freshmen to make significant contribution. Because of this I expect to see Texas run a lot of 3-4 or 3-3-5 defense in order to hide our deficiencies at that position. This is great against pass teams but leaves us questionable in stopping the run.

He had a very challenging Junior season. His stats for each year:
Frosh - 9 Rec, 157 Yard, 1 TD
Soph - 40 Rec, 539 Yards, 5 TD
Junior - 16 Rec, 200 Yards, 1 TD
Part of that was some injuries he battled, and part of it was likely that he just has other interests (he was just elected Student Body President)
He's a fantastic person and representative of the school. We're all rooting for him and are hoping for a bounce back campaign as a Senior.

But he's going to have to battle like hell just to hold onto a starting spot, because he has some exceedinly talented young guys behind him gunning for his spot
Myles Boykin - 6'3" 225lbs, RS Frosh (4* Top250)
Chase Claypool - 6'5" 220lbs True Frosh (4* Top100)




As far as running a "lighter" defense against Notre Dame.....I'd be very surprised to see Texas choose to defend us like that

Notre Dame's strength is definitely going to be the run game, and we should be very strong running between the tackles

In 2015, ND averaged ~210 Yard Rushing (despite having a very viable passing attack), which was our most in 10+ years. And honestly, with what we have returning on the OL, RB, TE, and QB.....we're may well be a better rushing team in 2016. And with a young WR core....we're probably going to run the ball A LOT.

If anything, I would expect teams to want to put more DL's on the field and players into the box, in order to force ND to move away from the run game.

 

[Metcalf #2]

Not over 200 yards? Not really going out on a limb there. While I think we should run the ball well, 200 is a lot. Not expecting that much, but I wouldn't be shocked by it, either. If we get those two wildebeests we have at RB on the edge, it could be a long day for your DBs.

 

[TheDecker]

Basic background on ND's run game personnel for 2016

Projected OL (this is very fluid)
LT - McGlinchey (6'7", 320lbs) - Potential All-American, Returning Starter
LG - Nelson (6'5", 330lbs) - Potential All-American, Returning Starter
C - Hoge (6'4", 300lbs) - New Starter, RS Frosh, Former 4* Top100 Recruit
RG - Mustipher (6'3", 310lbs) - New Starter, RS Soph, Former 4* Top250 Recruit
RT - Bars (6'6", 325lbs) - 2 Previous Stars, RS Soph, Former 4* Top100 Recruit

Projected RB
RB 1a - Folston (5'9", 215lbs) - 1,350 Yards, 10 TD, 5.1 YPC (career) - Missed 2015 with an ACL
RB 1b - Adams (6'2", 225lbs) - 850 Yards, 5 TD, 7.25 YPC - Set True Frosh Rushing Record at ND
RB 3 - D. Williams (6'0", 210lbs) - Mop up duty in 2015 - Former 4* Top250 RB

Projected QB
QB 1a - Kizer (6'4", 240lbs) - 520 Yards Rushing, 10 TDs (11 Games)
QB 1b - Zaire (6'0", 225lbs) - 300 Yards Rushing, 3 TDs (3 Games)

Projected TE
TE 1a - Smythe (6'5" 250lbs) - Balanced run/pass TE (missed 2015 with injury)
TE 1b - A. Jones (6'5", 250lbs) - Most talented TE, slanted to passing, but growing in the run game (True Soph)
TE 3 - Matsuka (6'5", 275lbs) - Former DL, move to in-line TE, heavily slanted to the run game

We should be getting better at nearly every "run game position" from 2015 to 2016.....really the only question is how well we can replace the OL starters that are leaving
(but we have recruited the absolute balls off the the OL the last 3-4 years....so we're all pretty optimistic there)

We're expecting to have a very dangerous run game

 

[Son of Wasatch]

I'm not saying Texas won't load the box, I'm just saying we are paper thin at DT with only 4 upper-classmen available and 2 of them will likely be passed by true freshmen. We are exceedingly deep at DE so it seems likely we will use more DE and less DTs on the field in order to maximize the talent that is there. I am confident in our DBs, they are as talented as any backfield Texas has had since 2005. Our linebackers might be the most talented I have ever seen them. 2004 and 1983 are the benchmark for Texas linebackers and this group is right up there as far as talent goes. If Notre Dame is going to have success running the ball I think it will be up the middle. This defense is going to be fast so going outside likely won't yield a lot of success.

If Texas gets an early lead it can force the Irish to have to air it out, that is when Texas will be in it's comfort zone as we have great pass rushers and excellent coverage guys.

 

[TheDecker]

Not over 200 yards? Not really going out on a limb there. While I think we should run the ball well, 200 is a lot. Not expecting that much, but I wouldn't be shocked by it, either. If we get those two wildebeests we have at RB on the edge, it could be a long day for your DBs.

I consider 200 yards rushing to be the line to cross for a "very good run game", for most offenses at least
(It's a little different if you run an option or some other kind of niche scheme)

I'm not belittling Foreman/Warren, but ND has faced some FANTASTIC RBs in the last couple years
Fournette (LSU)
Cook (Florida State)
McCaffery (Stanford)
Elliott (Ohio State)
Gallaman (Clemson)
etc.
I don't think we're going to be caught off-guard by the Texas RBs

Unless Texas gets a completely different kind of QB play from the recent past, I think Texas will need 200+ yards rushing to win this game

 

[TheDecker]

I'm not saying Texas won't load the box, I'm just saying we are paper thin at DT with only 4 upper-classmen available and 2 of them will likely be passed by true freshmen. We are exceedingly deep at DE so it seems likely we will use more DE and less DTs on the field in order to maximize the talent that is there. I am confident in our DBs, they are as talented as any backfield Texas has had since 2005. Our linebackers might be the most talented I have ever seen them. 2004 and 1983 are the benchmark for Texas linebackers and this group is right up there as far as talent goes. If Notre Dame is going to have success running the ball I think it will be up the middle. This defense is going to be fast so going outside likely won't yield a lot of success.

If Texas gets an early lead it can force the Irish to have to air it out, that is when Texas will be in it's comfort zone as we have great pass rushers and excellent coverage guys.

One thing that may be very important here will be the return of Tarean Folston

Folston is our top RB in terms of career rushing yards, carries, and TDs.
He tore his ACL on the 3rd carry of the ND/Texas game in 2015.

Folston is especially strong between the tackles, where he is just insanely efficient. He's not huge nor is he a burner, but we sorely missed his ability to turn a 1-2 yard play in a 6-7 yard play over and over again last year.

With Folston health again (cross fingers), I would imagine that we would use a him, a mobile QB, and massive OL to test the middle of you defenses early and often

 

[oldhorn2]

Seems strange, but I will be surprised if we ONLY get 200 yds rushing...I expect more Facing a 235lb running back and a 255 lb running back is a challenge....but facing guys that big that are fast is a whole other thing. Plus our O line will be greatly improved over what yall saw last year.

I am concerned about our DLine and that pesky QB situation, otherwise, I would expect an easy win. However, since we do have those issues I expect a close game

 

[TheDecker]

The style of offense that I would expect from Notre Dame against Texas would be "run oriented, power spread"

If you look at our play breakdown from last year, we ran about 67 play/game (37 runs, 30 passes)
In 2016, I would expect a slightly more uptempo offense (returning QB), giving us around 70-75 plays/game (40-45 run, 30-35 passes)

In our 2015 game against Texas, the play breakdown for Notre Dame was 52 runs, 23 passes (75 plays)
In 2016, I expect something in the ball park of 50 runs/25 passes again

I would think our "base personnel" would consist of the starting QB & OL plus:
RB - Tarean Folston (5'9" 215lbs)
TE - Durham Smythe (6'5", 250lbs)
TE/WR - Alize Jones (6'5", 250lbs)
WR - Equmanious St. Brown (6'4" 210lbs)
WR - Myles Boykin (6'3", 225lbs)

I'm sure we'll rotate in at each of those positions as normal.

But that "base lineup" should allow us to run the ball between the tackles with consistency/efficiency (using either the RB or the QB) and the ability to use the "dual threat TEs" and larger receivers should help up attack the edges in the run game and steer away from the strength of Texas's defense (traditional down field passing or air-raid defense)

Plus this gets our best talent onto the field
(though it's very debateable if Torii Hunter should be in our "best talent" group over someone where)

 

[RoboCocks21]

What kind of growler does Clob like??????




Well, I'm quite certain it doesn't come in a growler, but if it did, you've GOT to go with Deus. Latin for God, Deus is HANDS down the BEST beer you will ever drink. I have a case of 2006 Deus at the back of my fridge that I'm saving for if I ever get married, have a kid, or get to have sex with Kate Beckinsdale or Margot Robbie- or both at the same time.

For those of you that have never had it, go to Spec's or whip in and order a bottle. Then compose a really nice email to clob, thanking him for showing you what vagina in a bottle tastes like.

Is this it?