Games of Interest for Irish Fans

With the season a quarter over Notre Dame heads into a bye week.  Even with the Loyal Sons taking a week off there is still plenty of action this weekend that we should pay attention to.  It is important that teams on Notre Dame's schedule do well week in and week out (except when they play the Irish of course) to support the strength of schedule and help validate the Irish as a national power.

Rice vs. Old Dominion

Michigan vs. Utah

Purdue vs. S. Illinois

Syracuse vs. Maryland

North Carolina vs. East Carolina  

Florida State vs. Clemson

Navy vs. Rutgers

Arizona State BYE

Northwestern vs. Western Illinois

Louisville vs. FIU

USC BYE

As Notre Dame has cracked the top ten (#9) it is also important to keep an eye on the teams ahead of the Irish in the rankings.  For this Talking Irish is using the AP Poll, the teams are also in the USA Today poll with some slightly different positions.

#8 LSU vs. Mississippi State

#7 Baylor BYE

#6 Texas A&M vs. SMU

#5 Auburn defeated #20 Kansas State Thursday 20-14

#4 Oklahoma vs. West Virginia

#3 Alabama vs. Florida

#2 Oregon vs. Washington State

#1 Florida State vs. #22 Clemson  

Michigan in rear view.

In the over 40 plus meetings between Notre Dame and Michigan this was the first time that the Irish shut out the Wolverines and first time since the 1920's that Big Blue was shot out by a team outside their conference.  That's pretty impressive looking at the teams that play in the Big Ten Conference over the years including a defense monster like Michigan State.

The question Irish fans have to ask was Notre Dame that good or is Michigan that bad.  After thumping Appalachian State 53-14 realistic college football fans had to keep things in perspective that there is no way that game could be a true measure of the Michigan football teams abilities.

At the end of the day, or night as the case may be take out the score, turnovers and penalties the game was a lot closer than 31-0 from a statistics standpoint.  What the Irish did well is took advantage of situational opportunities; getting first downs when needed (third down conversions 7-15 and 1-1 on fourth down), making timely stops and putting the ball in the end zone and not settling for putting it through the uprights when the offense was in the red zone (3 touchdowns and 1 field goal in four trips to the red zone).

This was a team win.  Everyone played well and no one had to play great.  To be fait the offense was defiantly lead by the passing attack; 54 yards rushing and 256 yards passing.  This win is more about the bigger picture than wining a football game on September 6, 2014.  The Irish end this current rivalry run with a win, recruits that were in South Bend had to be impressed and momentum is building as the Irish move onto Purdue in the Shamrock series then into a bye week.

 

Game Review - Rice

After letting a day go by we re-watch the game and note things with the ability to rewind if needed.

I don't know if it is the shoulder pads but Golson looks bigger / bulky up top.

Amir Carlisle looks more than comfortable running back kick offs.

Cody Riggs is a punt return god compared to years past with a 23 yard return.

Golson is extending plays at least giving the Irish a chance.

On defense when Jarron Jones gets his arms up if he is not deflecting passes he is altering their path.

30 yards for Cody Riggs on his second punt return, yeah he could work out.

Greg Bryant looks good early.  He like to run forward.

Being aggressive with the defensive backs could be dangerous when defending passes over the middle.

True freshman Andrew Trumbetti gets after it.

How was Zack Wright that open when rushing only three on Rice's first touchdown?  Answer: poor communication on the part of the Irish defense (loss of Russell, Collinsworth and Grace).

Brian VanGorder has fire in the belly.  He was not happy with his defense as they came off the field after giving up a score.

I like the big chunk play call Golson to Fuller for a 75 yard TD right after a Rice score.

Jaylon Smith gets all over the field.

Greg Bryant returns punts like re runs out of the backfield; go, go , go.

Kyle Brindza needs to make the easy field goals.

Passes over the middle seems to be a weak spot for the Irish defense.

C.J. Prosise needs to make the catch midway through the 2nd quarter for a touchdown.

Cole Like looks good for his first career start but still making mistakes because of poor communication.

It's good to score a touchdown with 3:18 left in the first half when the Irish were in the red zone instead of a field goal.

The pass defense, especially over the middle keeps looking suspect.

with 21 seconds left in the first half I love the aggressive play calling.  Fuller should have adjusted and caught that pass.

Golson bought time and made something happen.  It should have been Prosise's second TD reception of the day.

I love that Sheldon Day dropped into coverage picking up the running back.

Nice pick up by James Onwualu to stop the fake punt.

Dropped pass by Ben Koyack needs to be caught if he his going to carry on the Tight End U. tradition.

On Golson's third TD Bryant may have gone the wrong way but maybe it should go into the playbook.

The red zone scoring is MUCH better.

Not a good defense on the Rice screen at all at the start of the fourth quarter.

Greg Bryant needs to learn about the fair catch.  It may not have burned him against Rice but it will.

Folston looks good in the second half as Bryant did in the first.

As the Irish second team defense is playing ; Freshmen Daniel Cage at the Nose and Nyles Morgan at the Inside Linebacker position look promising (if not big) for the future.

Not thrilled with Nicky Baratti giving up  a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Yep Malik Zaire can run.

Not to be outdone by the running abilities of Greg Bryant.

Baratti makes up (a little) recovers a fumble for the second turnover forced by the Irish defense.

1-0 Michigan up next.

Simple Observations - Rice

Here come the Irish

With week one against Rice in the books we defiantly saw some things worth noting.  One snowflake does not make a blizzard however the Irish are off to a good start and look like they are heading in the right direction.

Golson

Golson is good to go.  Everett looked pretty good for a guy who has not taken a snap in a game in 600 days.  He looked good in the pocket, he made his read, checked off as needed and moved with a purpose as opposed to just scrambling.  Let's pump the breaks on any Heisman talk but if he keep playing this good we can have that type of discussion in six weeks.

Greg Bryant looks like the real deal and with four years of eligibility after redshirting last season Notre Dame's running game looks solid (especially with Folston) for years to come.



Bryant on the return

The kick return game has risen like the Phoenix from the ashes.  After years of a dismal punt return game the Irish looked more than good with Brant (3 returns for 31 yards and a long of 18) and Riggs ( 2 for 49 yards with a long of 25) back there.  Amir Carlisle returned two kick off for 49 yards with a long of 36.

Will Fuller

Although Will Fuller had the lion's share of receptions with four (one for 75 yards and three more for a total of 10 yards and a touchdown the lead receiver is yet to be determined with seven players catching passes.

For the first game the team looked disciplined with only two penalties (both off sides) for a total of 10 yards.



The defensive line will be rotating bodies throughout the game.  Young players including Cage, Blankenship, Trumbetti, Rochell, and Matuska will work with Jones and Day to keep the D-line fresh.



Ziare

The defensive backfield (linebackers included) needs to do a better job communicating or they will get lit up by a good passing team.

Malik Ziare will be in Golson's rearview mirror.

Michigan will be a much tougher test.



The Most Important... Freshmen

Traditionally college teams rely on the experience and proven game action of upper classmen.  Most freshmen get redshirted while serving on scout team.  This gives young players the opportunity to learn the game at eh college level while saving a year of eligibility.  This year for numerous reasons; graduations, potential team dismissals, schemes and injury Brian Kelly has made it clear that a lot of players will see the field during games this season.

This class had two early enrollees in wide receiver Justin Brent and defensive lineman Andrew Trumbetti.  Brent has the physical traits to have an impact early in his career and it will be tough to keep him off of the field this year however there is enough depth (maybe not experience) at the receiver position that Justin is not necessarily needed for the offense to be successful.

This class as most coning into South Bend is loaded with potential.  There are several freshmen who have the potential to play this year whether it be because of skill and or size, even if it is in mop up duty but are probably going to redshirt because there is more than enough talent ahead of them on the depth chart.  The following freshmen could see action but won't see action (or hopefully wont to save a year of eligibility)  this season include; Jimmy Byrne, Alex Bars, Sam Mustipher and Quenton Nelson.  It is no coincidence that these are all offensive linemen,  Kelly and Offensive Line Coach Harry  Hiestand have for the past several years have done a great job recruiting.

Just as the Irish have plenty of talent, experience and depth on the offensive line the opposite may be true for the defensive side f the ball.  Kelly and crew have talked about rotating players in and out since spring and that message has only amplified throughout camp this summer.  I expect the following players to see the field this fall and contribute at some level; Jhonny Williams, Daniel Cage, and Greer Martini.

With all of that being said the most important freshman will be Andrew Tumbetti and Nyles Morgan.  Kelly has already said that Turmbetti will be a starter.  That is a huge responsibility for any player especially for a true freshman.  Since he is a freshman many have not seen him in action.  If you have not seen his high school highlights check it out.  With so many questions at linebacker it will most likely be necessary for Morgan to play early and often.

This may not be the best freshmen class Notre Dame has ever had but it may be one of the most important and one with the highest participation.

The most important... Sophomores

With 33 sophomores on the rosters second year players are the biggest group on the team.  Many of them did not see any game action during their freshman year meaning they have saved a year of eligibility while learning the college game.  With Brian Kelly saying that a lot of players will see the field this season depth will be important and that means a considerable number of sophomores will probably see the field.

An argument and an easy one at that could be made that the best player on the this years team will come from the sophomore class.  With the proven talents of Jaylon Smith,  Tarean Folston, Steve Elmer and Corey Robinson coming into their second seasons anyone of them could continue on their upward trajectory and not only be a leader on this team but the most valuable player.  This season players with huge potential and high expectations including Greg Bryant, Max Redfield, and even Malik Zaire will have the opportunity to showcase their ability during their sophomore year.

Isaac Rochell

Because of the need for quality depth and or the need for the next man in due to injury or poor performance is will be important for some players to step up and contribute earlier than expected and at potentially critical times. 

Isaac Rochell saw some game action during his first season for the Irish and played well especially for a freshman.  It is very important that he be able to play at a higher level and for more snaps this year.  Rochell has good size, speed and technique but Defensive Coordinator Brian VanGorder will need him to go from good to great.

Durham Smythe

Durham Smythe has had the coaches raving about him since he has arrived.  It is important for Smythe to have a solid year as the number two tight end behind Ben Koyack, but in may be even more important for Durham to become the next great tight end at Notre Dame.  After this season he would be the most experienced tight end on the roster.

What this investigation really means.

Usually when you try to put things into perspective you highlight the positive or at least try to see how a situation may not be so bad.  However the recent academic and honor code issues have left Irish fans a bit unsettled to say the least.  Over the past several years the Notre Dame Football program has seen more than its fair share of improprieties as it pertains to its players.  Some people may say these issues are not a big deal in the landscape of college sports compared to other programs and players who have had matters that have arisen into criminal charges.  We know that Notre Dame is not like other programs and our student athletes are (or at least should not be) like other players.

These have been Notre Dame issues not football issues, meaning the college deals with students who happen to be on the football team.  Notre Dame has always been seen as a elite level institution of higher learning.  The Golden Dome has been tarnished in the past to be sure, maybe it is the timing but the question is being raised about the level or "type" of players the Irish are bringing to South Bend.  To recap; Everett Golson, Tommy Rees, Caro Calabrese, Davris Daniels, and now Keivarae Russell, Kendall Moore, Ishaq Williams and again Davaris Daniels.

There is little doubt that this could hurt the Irish in terms of football; possible vacating of previous wins, loss of talented players which could lead to loss of games and potential NCAA penalties.  The higher you are the greater you will fall and that is true even in South Bend.  Speaking to alumni who were not Notre Dame Football players they want the University to hold everyone accountable, to have high standards and although this may be embarrassing it must be addressed.  It is more disturbing to have the reputation of the school than to have a subpar football team.  Unfortunately at Notre Dame they have been able to have both in the past.   

What's the worst case scenario?  The internal investigation ends in the dismissal of all four students from not only the football program but from the university itself.  The 2012 undefeated season is no longer undefeated as wins from 2012 and 2013 are forfeited.  Notre Dame's reputation is permanently stained hurting future recruitment.

From a football perspective; it is The Next Man In.  Overall the Irish have as much potential and depth as they have inexperience.  It is not so much the potential loss of talent and experience here (exception of Keivarae Russell) but the thinning of the depth chart and with Kelly saying there will be a lot of players seeing the field depending on situation and scheme it is all hands on deck.  It also could be a huge distraction for the players on and off the field.

There is little doubt listening to Brian Kelly he is frustrated.  Some may point to Kelly for blame but I am not one of those people.  Kelly is accountable since these are his kids, he recruited them and it is happening under his watch.  Kelly does not hide from controversy but he does need to fix it.

I understand that we are talking about 18-21 year olds but they need to understand that they are not only under a microscope but tut they are also expected to be held to a higher level, although doing your own work is not being held to a higher level.  It is at the very least disappointing, it should be and is embarrassing and needs to be fixed not to ensure wins on the field of play but to ensure wins in life for those going to Notre Dame.