Here comes USC

This year’s rivalry match up may not be the clash of titans we normally expect from these two storied programs but is should be a good game between two 4-2 squads looking to continue to right their ships for the second half of their seasons.  Both are coming off a good rest with Notre Dame having a bye week and the Trojans playing last Thursday.  Both team are coming off wins; the Irish a 37-34 victory over Arizona State and USC over Arizona 38-31.  The Irish have not beaten the Trojans in South Bend since 2001 that was also the last time Notre Dame has beaten USC on back to back years.  If that does not feel like a long time ago Bob Davie was our head coach.

With head coach Lane Kiffen being let go after the loss to Arizona State, right after he was literally asked to get off the bus after the game and fired, Ed Orgeron has been moved into the interim head coach position.  His claim to fame so far out of the Southern California media as head coach is that he is providing ice cream and cookies to the payers making football more fun…seriously.  Ask Coach Boone from Remember The Titans if football is fun.  If the Irish faithful think that Notre Dame has been inconsistent USC fans would say their team has been more sporadic and confusing.  Even before the season started Kiffen waited until the last moment to name a starting quarterback picking Cody Kessler over Max Wittek who stepped in to play the Irish at the end of the season last year when Matt Barkley went down. 

The Trojans scoring offense looks like an EKG machine.  Here is how USC has scored through six games this season 30 v 7 ^ 35 v 17 ^ 41 v 38 (average of 28 points a game).  Kessler has been a good passer throwing for 1129 yards, 8 touchdowns on 81 completions (60.4 completion percentage) with 4 interceptions.  His number one target Marquis Lee who is arguably the nation best wide receiver was out last week with a knee injury but is planning on being back for this weekend.  Former Irish recruiting target sophomore Nelson Agholor has contributed as well in the passing averaging 19.6 yards a catch along with 6’5” 250lb Xavier Grimble at tight end.  The Trojans overall passing game averages 207.7 yards a game ranking 87^th nationally.  The USC rushing game has been led by Sophomore Tre Madden who has 611 yards on 115 carries (5.3 yards per rush) with 3 touchdowns.  Madden also has 13 catches for 198 yards and 4 scores.  Madden has been supported by freshman Justin Davis who has chipped in with 51 carries for 349 yards (6.8 yards per carry) and 6 touchdowns. Former Penn State senior running back Silas Redd was supposed to be the workhorse for the Trojan rushing attack but a knee injury forced him to miss the first five games before playing last week where he racked up 82 yards on 19 carries.  The USC rushing game balances the offense pretty evenly averaging 200.3 yards per game good for 39^th nationally.  Combine that with the passing game the Trojans throw out 408 yards of offense a game.

Defensively USC looked very strong in its first four games giving up and average of just over ten points a game.  However the past two weeks have seen a big slide giving up a total of 72 points (36 point average) in a win and a loss.  More than half of the 2,042 yards given up by USC through six games this year came in the last two games.  Against Arizona and Arizona State Trojan defense gave up 1,120 yards alone.  The USC pass defense has been very suspect in the past two games giving 351 yards in the air to Arizona State and 363 yards passing against Arizona along with touchdowns 7 via the pass in those two match ups.  To their credit the Trojan secondary does have seven interceptions on the season.

Halftime Review

At 4-2 just outside the top 25 rankings receiving votes with two loses in the first half of the season has been disappointing but still holds promise.  It could be worse but of course it should have been better.  Opening with a 28-6 win over Temple 2013 at least started with a victory but the Irish did not look like the team from last year.  The next four games showed Notre Dame being outplayed and our classed by Michigan and Oklahoma and basically doing what they needed to do to get by Purdue and Michigan State.  The Irish may have begun to hit their stride and turn the corner with its victory over Arizona State heading into the bye week and the second half of the season.

What we’ve learned; The Irish are out rushing their opponents (total yards 818 – 734, 4.3 – 3-8 yards per carry).  The defensive secondary is a weakness, giving up a total of 1513 total passing yards, over 252 yards per game, and 13 touchdowns through the air.  The punt return game has improved (there was no way it could have gotten worse) to 10.1 yards per return.  Backs are holding onto the ball as they only have one fumble on the year.  Mental mistakes are hurting the team with 41 for a total of 346 yards (57.7 a game).

Things that are still in question; is Tommy Rees (51.7 completion percentage averaging 249 yards a game, 13 touchdowns with 6 interceptions) be the quarterback to lead the Irish to a BCS Bowl?  Is the defense coming back to be a dominate force (10 sacks, 5 interceptions, 7 forced fumbles)?  Who is/will be number one at running back (Atkinson 56 carries – 345 yards, McDaniel 63 carries – 380 yards, Carlisle 38 carries – 184 yards and Folston 11 carries – 70 yards)?

First Half Awards

Team MVP – Kyle Brindza.  He could have made a few more field goals but he has hit some big ones.  Brindza has also been solid on kickoffs with 20 touchbacks on 34 kickoffs.  All while averaging  41.5 yards per punt.  Overall is has been the most constant and reliable on a team that has not.

Offense MVP – T.J. Jones.  Jones has become the go to guy for both Tommy Rees and Brian Kelly this season on the offensive side of the ball.  Solid route running and sure hands have gotten him 481 yards on 33 receptions (14.6 yards per catch) and 4 touchdowns.  (Honorable Mention - DaVaris Daniels)

Defense MVP – Louis Nix.  Nix may not be leading the team in tackles, sacks or fumble recovers but he is drawing double and triple team blocks and eating up space on every play opening up opportunities for others on the defense.   (Honorable Mention – Carlo Calabrese)

Rookie MVP – Jaylon Smith (Honorable Mention – Tarean Folston and Corey Robinson)

Biggest Surprise – Punt returns.  10.1 yards per return 2013 vs. 2.19 yards per return in 2012.

Biggest Disappointment – Defense.  Based on points scored should be enough said.

Slump busting in the Big D

 

The win over Arizona State was the best and most balanced game Notre Dame has played this season.  ASU iss a talented team as well as a ranked team that the Irish should feel proud about beating.  The Irish needed to get out of a funk, and that process has started in Dallas against Arizona State.

No, the defense did not return to the greatness of 2012, but it was as close as we have seen this year, having held the Sun Devils to 65 yards rushing.  The pass rush was back, resulting in six sacks on mobile quarterback Taylor Kelly.  At the end of the day, the defense was good enough to win on Saturday night.  Stephon Tuitt may be getting over the hump with his closing attack.  Prince Shembo showed how good he can be putting his hand on the ground coming off the edge.  Jaylon Smith did a great job and much needed one on containment.  The defensive backs are still getting beat on man to man.

The win, however, did come at a price with season ending injuries to redshirt junior inside linebacker Jarrett Grace and senior wide receiver Dan Smith, which will end up being a career ending injury as he will be out of eligibility.  Grace’s loss can be covered by Dan Fox as well as backups Kendall Moore, Joe Schmidt and even freshman Michael Deeb. 

The offensive line played well and it was nice to see Steve Elmer rotate in with Christian Lombard at right guard and not only play well but hold his own against 310 lb. ASU defensive tackle Will Sutton.  Hard-nosed running back Cam McDaniel gelled well with the line to grind out tough yards in his home state on Saturday.  This line showed it can get the job done not allowing a single sack against the Sun Devil defense, allowing Rees to be successful including tossing junior tight end Ben Koyack his first career touchdown.  However, the mistakes by center Nick Martin need to be fixed immediately if not sooner.

Take away Kyle Brindza’s first field goal attempt that looked like he was kicking it with his opposite foot, and the Irish special teams actually looked special.  Brindza redeemed himself by hitting a career long field goal, and the Irish had a punt that was downed at the one yard line late in the contest.  The Irish even had a non-terrible return game.

 

Overall, this was a solid showing for the Irish with great effort and contributions from veterans likeT.J. Jones, Dan Fox and Bennett Jackson, as well as newer on field supporters such as Ben Koyack and Romeo Okwara.

By the numbers ASU

We have two weeks with a bye coming up before USC to breakdown this matchup.  Let’s take a quick look at the game from the stats line.

37-34; the score are the only numbers that really count at the end of the day.

3.9; average yards per rush for the Irish, good enough this week but needs to get better.

2.6; Yards per carry ASU’s rushing game was held to (they had been averaging 4).  Improving defense.

9; Penalties giving up 64 yards.  Unforced errors on mental mistakes.

4; Punts (out of 5) placed inside the 20 yard line for the Irish.

7; Touchbacks (out of 8) on kick offs for Kyle Brindza.  That is exactly what he needs to do.

4 of 15; Third down conversions for the Irish offense, The Irish need to improve this number and be able to extend drives.

4 for 13; 30.8% third down completion rate for ASU who had entered the game with a 43% conversion rate.  This is how the Notre Defense must stop opposition momentum.

4-4; Scoring on Red Zone chances, 2 touchdowns and 2 field goals.  It could have been better but it could have been worse.

3-3; Scoring in the Red Zone by the Irish defense, one touchdown and 2 field goals,  It’s usually a good night when  your opponents score more field goals than touchdowns.

6; Sacks for 45 yards.  That’s the defense we remember.

0; Sacks given up by the Notre Dame offensive line.

3; different Irish receivers who caught touchdowns (Jones, Niklas, & Koyack).

53; Yards for Bindza’s career long field goal (3-4 on the night).  We know he had the leg.

2; Leg fractures (D. Smith and J. Grace). Long term losses.

2; Interceptions (Farley and Fox).  These are huge momentum swingers.

9; Tackles for true freshman Jaylon Smith.  He is improving every week.

3/3; Three tackles for a loss and three sacks for Prince Shembo.  He could be totally unstoppable.

13; Points from the leg of Kyle Brindza (9 via field goals and 4 via PAT’s).  He may end up as team MVP.

47; Career touchdown pass thrown by Rees.  He will still probably will not be remembered as an all-time ND great at quarterback.

33; Consecutive games that T.J. Jones has had at least one reception.

82; Career best in yards for Cam McDaniel.

18; Career high carries in a game for George Atkinson III.

 

ASU in the Big D

At the beginning of the season this Saturday’s matchup with Arizona State looked to be a solid test or even referred to as a “trap game” to a good but lesser team.  However, after five weeks of college football, the Irish are just one win above .500 and are sitting outside the polls looking in while the Sun Devils are sitting at 3-1 and # 22 and #24 in the AP and Coaches Polls, respectively.  In addition to all of that, since this game is being played in Texas, it is a huge recruiting opportunity for Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame program.  For the ASU program, this is still an important game but now the question is, is it more important for the Sun Devils to beat the Irish or is it more important for them not to lose to the Irish?

When it comes down to it, it is really quite simple for the Irish on Saturday - win and keep your BCS hopes alive; or lose and slip to .500 and start…well, you can fill in the rest.  And as simple as that sounds, winning on Saturday may even be simpler - stop Arizona State’s quarterback Taylor Kelly.  Kelly is a true dual threat quarterback who had four carries for 79 yards last week against USC, and who has also passed for at least 300 yards in their first four contests.

The Sun Devils may not be the Oregon Ducks, but you had better believe they have a lot of firepower on the offensive side of the ball, ranking 11^th in scoring (44.3 points per game), 15^th in total offense (505 yards per game) and 7^th in passing offense (358.8 yards per game).  ASU’s hurry up offense can score fast and early, which does not play well for the Irish who have shown they have trouble playing from behind.  Arizona State can score; 55 pts., 42 pts., 62 pts., even 32 pts. against #20 Wisconsin who is only giving up 14.6 per game this year.   Coach Todd Graham’s offense will challenge the Irish defense on the perimeter where they have shown to be vulnerable. 

Defensively, the Sun Devils are not has potent at their offense; they’re not terrible but solid.  The bread and butter of their defense had been the defensive tackle Will Sutton and outside linebacker Carl Bradford who combined 24½ sacks last season but only have three so far this year.  This year, outside linebacker Chris Young leads the Sun Devils with 29 tackles.

If the Irish are to win Saturday night, their rushing game will most likely be a big reason.  ASU’s rush defense is ranked 92^nd, giving up 192.3 yards per game.  The run game is also very important because it will eat up clock and most importantly keep Taylor Kelly and the Sun Devils’ offense off the field.  For the run game to be successful for the Irish it would will be important for George Atkinson to continue his good play from last week by making improved decision making on his cuts and not going down on first contact.  We know he’s a speedster and can be long gone if he gets to the outside or to the second level, he just needs to get there.

So this weekend, it’s either back to winning or back to basics.

State of the Union; Sooners.

At this point is the season 3-2 should be considered a step back, especially comparing it to the 12- season of last year.  Most realists had to concede that another undefeated season may have been a bit much to ask but it is not only the record that seems to be downgraded from last year but the overall play on the field as well.  The coaching staff also has seemed to be in a funk as well, I have always been perplexed by some of the decisions made on the sidelines but if it was putting a check in the win column it was hard to argue. 



Irish fans don not want to go back to this.

We all have to agree that last year produced a magical season that fans should be thankful for and aren’t blessed to be a part of often.  Manti was a once in a generation player for the Irish and he had a lot of support around him but talent was I could not say that it was a once in a lifetime team.  Although there have been some sizable losses from last year’s team outside of Manti (Kapron Lewis-Moore, Golson, Motta, Cave and Spond) the majority of the team remained intact.

With starting expectations high at 12-0 and an undefeated season gone by week two and Michigan Irish fans had to adjust to the hopes of 11-1 and a chance of squeezing into the BCS Title Game.  Now after week four the hopes of a return trip to the National Championship Game are gone after Oklahoma dropped the Irish to 3-2.  Refocusing again Her Loyal Sons will most likely have to run the table to get into a BCS game at all.  With upcoming games against the likes of #22 Arizona State and #5 Stanford the reality of an 8-4 regular season and an appearance in the BBVA COMPASS BOWL is something most Irish faithful do not want to think about.  Kelly “I don’t really care about that stuff, that’s for you guys to talk about.”  That is the right answer for a coach, however he knows better.

Let’s start on offense.  Tommy Rees has been a loyal and valuable quarterback for the Irish and has contributed as a starter and as a backup in some big wins.  I am reminded of the seen from Risky Business when Joel is being interviewed for possible admission to Princeton “Well, Joel, this is very respectable.  You've done some very solid work her...but it isn't quite lvy League, is it?”  I feel the conversation with Rees should / should sound very similar “Tommy you’ve got some respectable numbers here in South Bend, but it’s not quite BSC level, is it?”  Frankly speaking Rees has hit his peak and does not have room or time to improve.

 

Hendrix is in his fourth year in South Bend and has tallied 24 completions on 50 attempts.  Not a lot of important game experience if he is needed to step in and start.  Andrew’s inexperience in games and his obvious use in the run game not only made him ineffective but a liability.  Could he work himself into a productive duel threat quarterback?  Maybe.  But for when?  He has one year of eligibility left, Golson is scheduled to be back on campus in January, Malik Zaire is in the bullpen and DeShone Kiezer will be here for 2014.

For an Offensive line that seem to have a great mix of experience and potential they have in my opinion underachieved.  Overall they have done an effective and adequate job but that won’t get you to the Promised Land.  And hey I could be wrong, at eh end of Risky Business; “Princeton could use a guy like Joel”.

A one-two punch at running back is nice, but a four-five swat shows that less is more.  The Irish are still trying out running backs and it appears it is causing more harm than good.  No back has been able to get into a rhythm getting a handful of carries sprinkled throughout the game waiting anywhere from 6-24 plays between touches.  By the way Lou Holts agrees with me; "I think it's a motivational ploy. I don't like what they've been doing so far. Each player gets in the game and thinks he needs to make a huge play on each snap and isn't getting into the flow of the offense and executing properly."   Saturday Atkinson got 14 carries (the second most by an Irish Rusher this season) that turned into 148 yards for an average of 10.6 yards per carry (highest game average of any running back in a game with more than two carries this season) on the day.  I saw a headline that said George Atkinson IS electrifying I would say George Atkinson COULBE BE electrifying.

It is easy to second guess coaches however I do feel comfortable saying Kelly’s decision to start Rees this season may have been the wrong one.  Chuck Martin’s Offense has been called predictable, to that Kelly said referring to the insertion of Andrew Hendrix at the quarterback position “We’re just trying to diversify the offense a little bit, trying g to add more looks.”   Really who doesn’t know when Hendrix is in he’s going to run?  Against Oklahoma Hendrix took six snaps where he had one incomplete pass and five rushes for a total 10 yards.  With Kelly’s commitment to Redshirting Malik Zaire Kelly and Martin’s conservative and cautious play calling may continue for the rest of 2013 which will make it tough to play from behind if the Irish fall behind early as they did against the Sooners.

I hear “the defense is making strides”.  Strides?  How has the Irish defense gone from being ranked seventh in total defense last season to 46^th after five games this year?  Anything to the outside is potential a dangerous play for the Irish defense.  And a mobile quarterback who can break containment is a serious threat to extend plays and drives.  There has been pressure to be sure however running backs are either breaking containment or getting to the outside and or quarterbacks are scurrying around just long enough to get passes off.  Offenses are having big success with short dump passes for little to moderate gains turning potential three and outs into eighty yard scoring drives.  Bell only averaged 7.7 yards per attempt but those short passes added up.

I am “Calling Out” several players specifically by name.  Traditionally I have not used players as fodder for my articles however I believe these are based on performance and are not personal and most importantly can be addressed and rectified.  Bennett Jackson; your coverage is not close enough and you need to contain better.  Ronnie Stanley; I know this is your first year playing but you are starting for the Fighting Irish and need to improve sooner than later.  Tommy Rees; stop the turnovers and complete passes, simple.  Team captains and seniors; where is the leadership?

Turnovers and penalties are mental mistakes that cannot continue.  Saturday the Irish saw the yellow flag eight times costing them 77 yards.  Add in three turnovers leading to 21 points it’s not helping the cause.  Tie in poor times that’s three strikes and you’re out.  Several Irish penalties came on Oklahoma third downs extending their series.

I know there is a lot of chatter about how the Irish have fought till the end in every game this season

and how they fought back against Oklahoma but that and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee.  It’s also easy to say if it were not for the two early and quick turnovers leading to touchdowns it would have been a tie at the end of regulations.   There are two flaws to that line of thinking.  One; if you only count the second half scoring against Alabama in January it was a tied contest yet Nick Saban was the coach holding the crystal football at the end of the night.  Two; if I was 6’8”, 275LBS and ran a 4.3 forty I would be in the NFL.  Could have, should have does not cut it.

 

 

On a brighter/lighter side Carlo Calabrese is racking up tackles and showing he is the hardnosed (headed) run stopper he should be and although Louis Nix is not filling the stat sheet he is filling the middle by taking double and triple teams and forcing teams to go outside where the Irish containment has repeatedly failed.   George Atkinson did show more than just glimpses of his ability and world class speed.

To salvage this season, whatever you may determine that to mean, the Irish need to fix things and do it soon.  The good news things are fixable, the bad news, time is not on their side.

 

Game Note Highlights

Each week The University of Notre Dame’s Media Relations Department puts out its weekly game notes.  Talking Irish went through all 64 pages this week and pulled out timely and relevant information so you don’t have to.

Notre Dame has nine victories in 10 games against Oklahoma. No school that has played the Sooners more than twice has a better win percentage than the .900 percentage posted by the Irish.

Notre Dame ranks second all-time in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision winning percentage at .733 (868-302-42) and Oklahoma ranks fourth at .719 (834-310-53).

Oklahoma (101) and Notre Dame (98) rank first and second all-time in NCAA FBS history in No. 1 rankings.

Notre Dame has totaled just 13 losing seasons in 125 seasons, while Oklahoma has just 12 in 199 (ranking first and second in all of FBS football).

No Irish player has ever had more than one interception in a game against Oklahoma.

Notre Dame's all-time varsity football roster includes nearly 2,800 players who have appeared in at least one career game, with 29 from the state of Oklahoma.

Notre Dame’s roster does not feature a player from the state of Oklahoma. The Sooners' roster does not feature a player from the state of Indiana.

Six of Notre Dame’s twelve opponents this season are currently either ranked or receiving votes in either the USA Today Coaches Poll or the Associated Press Poll, including Oklahoma (12/14).

Notre Dame has played 11 previous games in its history on Sept. 28. The Irish are 5-5-1 (.500) all-time on this date.

Stephon Tuitt is 0.5 sacks to move into tie for 9th all-time, 1.0 sacks to move into tie for 8th all-time, 2.0 sacks to move into tie for 7th all-time.

Notre Dame has played opponants with a combined record of 8-7 (.533 winning percentage), Oklahoma has played opponants with a combined record of 5-7 (.417 winning percentage).

Average weight of the offensive and defensive lines:

Notre Dame OL 311.4 lbs. vs. Oklahoma DL 280.5 lbs.

Notre Dame DL 317.0 lbs. vs. Oklahoma OL 313.8 lbs.

Notable Head to Head Statistical Comparisons

Notre Dame                                       Oklahoma

26.5 77th Scoring Offense vs. Scoring Defense 5th 9.0

133.66 69th Passing Efficiency Off. vs. Passing Efficiency Def. 9th 88.54

0.75 114th Sacks vs. Sacks Allowed 46th 1.33

64.3 112th Red-Zone Offense vs. Red-Zone Defense 15th 66.7