Question #8 How will Notre Dame fare against its ACC foes in 2015?

On January 16th UND.com posted an article "20 Questions for Notre Dame Football for 2015".  This is question 8.

8. Two of the most impressive bowl victors in 2014 were #12 Georgia Tech (won 49-34 over #7 Mississippi State) and #17 Clemson (won 40-6 over Oklahoma)—and those just happen to be two of the first five Irish opponents on the 2015 schedule. The Georgia Tech game is Sept. 19 at Notre Dame Stadium—and the Clemson contest is at Clemson Oct. 3 in Notre Dame’s first visit there since 1977. The Irish also play Atlantic Coast Conference opponents Virginia, Boston College (at Fenway Park in the Shamrock Series), Wake Forest and Pittsburgh. How will Notre Dame fare against its ACC foes in 2015? 

Answer;

Before we look into the crystal ball lets address the ACC as a conference.  The decision to align itself with the ACC seems to be a good one for Notre Dame, at least for now.  Last season the ACC represented themselves pretty well on the football field; Florida State (13-1), Georgia Tech (11-3), Clemson 10-3), Duke (9-4), Louisville (9-4) even N.C. State (8-5).  Overall 8 of the 14 teams in the conference finished over 500 and 11 teams going to bowls.

Last season Notre Dame played 4 teams from the ACC; Syracuse (Won 31-15), North Carolina (Won 50-43), Florida State (Lost 31-27) and Louisville (Lost 31-28).  Irish fans most likely feel that the wins should have been better and the losses should have been or at least could have been wins.  In 2015 the Irish will play 6 teams (half of their season) from the ACC; Virginia, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest and Boston College.

Let's look ahead to 2015 ACC play.

Virginia 9/12 on the road sandwiched between home games against Texas and Georgia Tech..  In '14 the Cavaliers finished 5-7 (3-5 in the ACC) and 1-3 against top 25 teams (23-21 win over #21 Louisville).  The toughest thing for Notre Dame may be that it is on the road otherwise this is a win for the Irish.

Georgia Tech 9/19 at home.  In '14 the Yellow Jackets went 11-3 (6-2 in the ACC) and 3-1 against top 25 teams (Clemson, Georgia and Mississippi State).  This will be a tough test for the defense as Georgia Tech is a great running team (over 342 yards a game) that scores a lot of points (nearly 40 points a game).  Obviously the defense will have to play well, the offense will also have to perform well to keep up.

Clemson 10/3 at Memorial Stadium.  In 2014 Clemson's strength was its defense which held opponents to less than 17 points a game (ranked #3 in the nation).  In '14 the Tigers finished 10-3 (6-2 in the ACC) and 0-3 against the top 25 (their only loses; Georgia, Florida State and Georgia Tech).  Another tough road game for the Irish.

Pittsburgh 11/7 on the road.  The Panthers are a good running tam with a great running back in James Conner who had 1765 yards (nearly 6 yards a carry) and 26 touchdowns.  Pittsburgh went 6-7 (4-4 in the ACC) and 0-1 against the top 25 in '14.  Although this should be an "easy" win for the Irish they could defiantly trip up here.

Wake Forest 11/47 in South Bend.  The Demon Deacons were 3-9 (1-7 in the ACC) and 0-2 against top 25 teams in 2014 and struggled offensively averaging under 40 rushing yards a game while ranking 109th in passing yards a game.  Their only three wins were against Gardner-Webb (FCS), a three point win against Army and a 6-3 victory over Virginia Tech in 2OT.  This is a bad team and if the Irish lose at home to Wake Forest it would be a travesty.

Boston College 11/21 at Fenway in Boston.  The Eagles were a respectable 7-6 (3-3 in the ACC) going 1-2 against top 25 teams in 2014.  Their two top 25 losses were by a combined seven points).  They were a good rushing team (raked 15th with 254.4yards a game) and solid on defense (allowing  just over 21 points a game, ranked 21st in the nation).  This was a good team with a lot of good players coming back including Jon Hilliman who ran for 860 yards (4.1 avg.) and 13 touchdowns last season as a freshman.  It may be listed as a neutral site game but as it is at Fenway look for Boston College to be up for the challenge.  After beating up on Wake Forest and looking forward to Stanford in the season finale this game should scare Irish fans. 

Overall Notre Name should do well against ACC opponents next season.  However some of these games could be make or break ones for the Irish.

Question #7 What will be the ultimate identity of the Notre Dame offensive unit in 2015?

On January 16th UND.com posted an article "20 Questions for Notre Dame Football for 2015".  This is question 7.

7. The look and emphasis of the Notre Dame offense often have varied from week to week, depending on whether the Irish coaches believe heavier doses of throws or runs can be most effective against that week’s opponent. There’s plenty of raw material for the Irish to be more than competent in both areas by next fall. What will be the ultimate identity of the Notre Dame offensive unit in 2015? 

Answer;

The ideal identity would be a balanced one.  On paper position by position the offense has the personnel to be balanced.  The variations between run and throw should come between plays and series not game by game.  Let the defenses react to what the Irish offense is doing us not the other way around.

Mike Sanford

Ultimately it will first depend on the play of the quarterback then a very close second the play of the offensive line.  With Mike Sanford reportedly coming to South Bend from Boise State excitment should be on the menu.



For the passing game I have faith that the receiver corps will run good routes and have sure hands.  The questions will be will the line give the quarterback (notice we are not naming one) enough protection and will he then make the right choices.  As for the running game I have faith in the abilities of Brant and Folston, however if there is no passing game the running game will be easier to defend and of course the offensive line needs to be successful for the running game to be successful.



Harry Hiestand

Worst case, the offensive line can't get their act together and or the line coach Harry Hiestand can't  get the right combination along the line and a rhythm cannot get going in neither the running or passing game.

Question #6

On January 16th UND.com posted an article "20 Questions for Notre Dame Football for 2015".  This is question 6.

6. Kyle Brindza leaves as the Notre Dame career leader in field goals (57) and he was no slouch as a punter the last two seasons either. Tyler Newsome will be the lone scholarship player for those spots during spring drills. So, what’s the future of the Irish special teams when it comes to punts, field goals and PATs?

Answer;

Justin Yoon #3

After signing day the answer is much more clear; Justin Yoon.  Yoon is the #1 rated kicker coming out of high school.  There is no question about his leg strength or his accuracy, check out this video, the question will be about his mental toughness under the pressure of the college kicking game.  This sounds similar to exiting kicker Kyle Brindza. 

Tyler Newsome

As much confidence I have that Yoon is not only the future (and current answer) for kickoffs, field goals and PAT's I believe that Tyler Newsome, who is also on scholarship is the answer for punting in South Bend.  Newsome came to Notre Dame at the #4 rated punter coming out of high school.

With two young kickers with potential the future of the kicking game is bright.

Question #5

On January 16th UND.com posted an article "20 Questions for Notre Dame Football for 2015".  This is question 5.

5. Anthony Fasano, John Carlson, Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert and Troy Niklas—all those recent Irish tight ends now draw paychecks in the National Football League. Ben Koyack, who graduates this spring, should add his name to that list. That leaves a combination of Durham Smythe and Tyler Luatua, plus untested Mike Heuerman and Nic Weishar. Can a less-experienced-than-usual list of tight end candidates fill the bill for the Irish in 2015? 

Answer; For the first time in a while the Irish will not have a clear number one at tight end coming into the fall.  That’s not to say there is a lack of talent or there won’t be one when September comes it is more an issue of a lack of experience. 

Mike Heuerman

Mike Heuerman is Notre Dame’s elder statesman at tight end heading into his junior season without playing a meaningful snap after redshirting his freshman season and out with an injury during his sophomore year.  Heuerman came to South Bend at the #8 ranked tight end by Rivals.com and the #10 ranked tight end by Scout.com.  Heuerman is not the most experienced or even arguably the best of the current tight ends. 

Durham Smythe

After redshirting his freshman year sophomore Durham Smythe had 1 reception for 7 yards last season (against Arizona State) making him the only tight end with a college reception for the Irish on next year’s roster.  The Irish also had two freshmen in 2014 that gained experience in Nic Weishar and Tyler Luatua.  While both received praise from the coaching staff neither established themselves as the guaranteed starter for the future in South Bend.  Lautua seems a bit undersized at 6’ 2 ½ “ and 260lbs but did come to Notre Dame as the #38 player in the nation (regardless of position) by Tom Lemming/CBS Sports and #107 by ESPN.  At 6’ 4” and 237lbs Weishar came to the Irish at the #7 nationally ranked tight end by Rivals.com. Walk on sophomore Ben Suttman (6’ 2’, 228lbs) was also on the roster last season.

20 Questions #4

On January 16th UND.com posted an article "20 Questions for Notre Dame Football for 2015".  This is question 4.

4. It’s hard to imagine a Notre Dame position area that grew up more than the Irish receivers did in 2014. Will Fuller became a bona-fide star. Corey Robinson proved to be a matchup nightmare. Chris Brown emerged as a dependable, if under the radar, staple. C.J. Prosise showed he could both catch and run (see 50-yard touchdown on jet sweep vs. LSU, the longest run by an Irish receiver in two decades), as did Amir Carlisle. Now that Torii Hunter Jr. is healthy, expect him to be a force. And Folston has proven he can catch the ball out of the backfield. All those players return in 2015. What’s the next step for Notre Dame’s passing game?

Answer;

The next step is now.  The Irish have a full stable of talented receivers with good experience right now.  The issue may be play calling and proper distribution of the ball.  What I really like about this group is the diversity in their styles, abilities and the strengths each receiver brings to the game.

Will Fuller

At the wide receiver position Will Fuller stepped up and took over the vacant number one spot (s a sophomore) after the suspension of DaVaris Daniels and should be a leader among the receivers again this season (2 more years eligibility).  Chris Brown my only have one year of eligibility but I expect even though he has been a solid contributor  I don't think he has lived up to his full potential and I expect the best is yet to come. After being hampered by two years of injuries Torii Hunter Jr. should be an important part of the Notre Dame's passing game for the future (3 more years of eligibility).  Corey Robinson showed impressive growth from his freshman to his sophomore seasons and anticipate impressive growth over the next two years as well.

C.J. Prosise

When it comes to the slot receiver position like Chris Brown, Amir Carlisle has had some solid performances but I still think his best game are ahead of him and with only one year of eligibility left the clock is ticking. C.J. Prosise came to South Bend to play defense but after redshirting his freshman year he switched over to receiver for his sophomore season.  Prosise came into his own this past year and since he has two more years of eligibility to continue to develop and contribute.

The unknown X factor is Justin Brent a freshman who redshirted last year whole finding him in the tabloids for dating older women.  He looks like he has all the tools to be  great college player and we will get a look this fall.  The Irish also have commits who have good potential four-star prospects C.J. Sanders and Providence Catholic’s Miles Boykin (who may end up a tight end).

Miles Boykin

Overall depth, diversity and potential best define the future of the receiver position at Notre Dame.

20 Questions #3

On January 16th UND.com posted an article "20 Questions for Notre Dame Football for 2015".  This is question 3.

Jimmy Byrne

3. Even with Ronnie Stanley, Nick Martin, Steve Elmer, Mike McGlinchey and Matt Hegarty back in the fold, there are a host of young Irish offensive linemen in the mix. Consider the likes of John Montelus, Colin McGovern, Quenton Nelson, Sam Mustipher, Jimmy Byrne, Hunter Bivin and Alex Bars—most all of them highly regarded when they showed up on campus. Can any of that group develop into a major contributor by the time the 2015 campaign unfolds?

Sam Mustipher

Answer;  We addressed some of this in question #2, however this questions has us look a little more in depth into specific two deep and back up players.  Kelly believes it is always most important to have the best football players on the field, positions are secondary.  He and Offensive Line Coach Harry Hiestand want to get the right combination of men along the line the good news is that the players they have and move from position to position along the line.  I hope they can figure out that combination sooner than later this upcoming season.

The probable starting line check in at 6' 5.5" 315lbs, 6' 4.5" 295lbs, 6' 5.5 315lbs, 6' 7.5'" 315lbs and 6' 4.5 295lbs for an average of 6' 5.5" and 307lbs.  The possible two-deeps listed above come in at 6' 4" 310lbs, 6' 4.5 313lbs, 6' 4.5" 325lbs, 6' 2" 305lbs, 6' 4" 295lbs, 6' 5.5" 296lbs and 6' 6" 305lbs for an average of 6' 4.4" and 307lbs.  Physically there is not much of a drop off in size about an inch on average and 0 in pounds.  There may not be much of a drop of in ability or potential but there would be a drop of in game experience.

John Montelus

If they can stay healthy and Nick Martin and get back to form I presume the expected starting line up to start against Texas.  However if those five don't get the job done Kelly and Hienstand won't hesitate to give another guy, or five a chance.  Out of all the secondary options at offensive line I expect Montelus, Nelson and Bivin to definitely see the field next year maybe even getting considerable time.

20 Questions #2

On January 16th UND.com posted an article "20 Questions for Notre Dame Football for 2015".  This is question 2.

2. The Irish ran for 246 yards (their second-highest rushing total of 2014 and best since the season opener versus Rice) against LSU in the Music City Bowl, and that came with Mike McGlinchey making his first start at offensive tackle. Notre Dame returns a solid, proven tailback in Tarean Folston and a potential improving and talented sidekick in Greg Bryant—and the makings are there for an offensive line with productivity and experience. Can the Irish become a team in 2015 known for its smash-mouth running style? 

Answer:  I don’t know about “smash-mouth” but they should be able to be recognized and respected for their running game.  They (the running backs and the line) have shown glimpses of explosiveness but I am not sure I would categorize it as smash mouth.

Sam Mustipher, Jimmy Byrne,
Quenton Nelson and Tristen Hoge

The offensive line is going to be experienced and deep and should have no excuses for not being dominant in 2015.  Let’s first look at retuning lineman with starting experience ; Ronnie Stanley at left tackle, Nick Martin at left guard, Matt Hegarty at center, Steve Elmer at right guard and Mike McGlinchey at right tackle and several of these guys have played at multiple spots along the line.  Two deeps also have experience as many of them have been on the team for over a year now; Hunter Bivin (2 yrs exp.) at tackle, Connor Hanratty (4 yrs exp. with 4 starts) at guard, Mark Harrell (2 yrs exp.) at center, John Montelus & Colin McGovern (2 yrs exp. each) at guard.  In addition to that there were a number of freshmen this year that gained a year of experience who would be in major consideration for starting jobs next year on a lot of other teams and will be looking to see action next season sooner than later; Quenton Nelson, Jimmy Byrne, Sam Mustipher, and Alex Bars.  And not to get too ahead of ourselves Kelly and crew has another couple of All American lineman all ready enrolled in South Bend who will be a part of spring practices in center Tristen Hoge and offensive lineman Jerry Tillery.

Tarean Folston & Greg Bryant

At running back the Irish have a great one – two punch but after that is gets real thin, real fast.  Tarean Folston has proven himself on the field and will come into 2015 as the number one back.  He has a diverse skill set that makes him an all purpose back.  The only questions with Folston is how much better will he get and will he return in 2016?  As  for Greg Bryant he appears to still be learning the college game and has shown signs of greatness.  The questions I have about Bryant are around consistency and will he step up to the expectations colleges had about him coming out of high school.  I don’t think the Irish will have two one-thousand yard rushers next year but they could be a pretty impressive duo.  After that there is Josh Anderson (5’ 9”. 200lbs), don’t feel badly if you don’t know who he is, he hasn’t seen the field in three years.  And at this time there is only one running back committed to Notre Dame (signing day is Feb. 4) in Josh Adams.