Notre Dame

Maybe this is a bit early but I am watching the ND vs Navy game and Notre Dame's defense is horrible. BYU is going to shred it.

frdbtr wrote:
Maybe this is a bit early but I am watching the ND vs Navy game and Notre Dame's defense is horrible. BYU is going to shred it.

They've played well in other games. You never know what ND will show up on Saturday, and they have 2 weeks to prepare for us. Other than USC and Utah, ND is the only other that I want to see lose no matter who they're playing.

I watched this game as well. I won't go so far to say Notre Dame's defense is bad. I will say that they played bad and very undiciplined. They basically played the same type of offense last week vs Airforce and they let the triple option do them in.

They have the athletes to give Byu's offensive line some trouble. Byu will actually drop back to pass(something navy never does)

Maybe we'll bring the option back for that game. Navy was finding holes.

frdbtr wrote:

Maybe this is a bit early but I am watching .... ND ....... BYU is going to shred it.

Bingo. Watched Notre Dame today with a critical eye. I am feeling pretty confident the Cougs leave South Bend with a "W". It's going to be a hard fought game. Notre Dame is dangerous. Notre Dame is loaded with speed and talent. Notre Dame is vulnerable. BYU beats Notre Dame this year.



The real tough game is going to be Wisconsin this week.

My quick, dirty and overly simplified view of this game:



ND barely beat us last year. They're worse this year and we're better.

tmoney35 wrote:
My quick, dirty and overly simplified view of this game:



ND barely beat us last year. They're worse this year and we're better.

I second that.



This year BYU brings a true, multple threat QB. There's no insult intended; a healthy Riley beats ND last year. But having said that, this year we've got another Steve Young. Assuming we get by Wisconsin, I think we go 10-2. I am really very impressed with BYU's offensive prowess now. There's balance, and power on O, there's world class speed and athleticism in the right places, including special teams, and the defense was always there (will still be, provided Bills and D Sorenson both good to go). Last, but equally important, is momentum. BYU has it: the confidence, the swagger/moxie, the will to win.



Overall balance makes BYU one of the most dangerous teams in the Nation right now, especially since most of the Nation does not know this yet. Although Wisc should make the greatest challenge, I suspect that they will not respect/fear BYU as much as ND will. ND knows, from last season, not to overlook BYU. Here's to no key player injuries!

Love the fan mania. It's cool. And may prove accurate. Don't forget that NDs strongest unit matches up against BYUs weakest--Oline. Their Dline has at least two and maybe three NFL picks. But, overall, as I predicted this summer, ND D is down from last year. Their O is same. And we didnt stop their run very well. If our Oline holds up at least modestly well, BYU wins. I'm going to ND stadium for the first time and i think i picked a good year to go and get the W. I cant wait.

Did not see Navy game, but I think I read that Rees threw a couple of picks. If BYU can pressure Rees, BYU can win this game.....wait.



Gotta worry about Bucky 1st.



Bucky is beatable, but they are good. I still do not see BYU pulling off that upset.



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Cougarbib wrote:
Did not see Navy game, but I think I read that Rees threw a couple of picks. If BYU can pressure Rees, BYU can win this game.....wait.



Gotta worry about Bucky 1st.



Bucky is beatable, but they are good. I still do not see BYU pulling off that upset.



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Reese is a below average QB. If BYU can get pressure on him, he will make terrible decisions. Their defense is average at best, BYU shredded a better defense when we beat Boise State.

I'm in agreement with several here. Notre Dame looked altogether unimpressive against Navy. They will likely get up for our game in a few weeks, but I just don't see our offense having too hard a time putting up points, and I just don't see their offense doing much against our defense. Tommy Rees is just ok, not great. Feeling good about this matchup.



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Cougs_Rule wrote:
Love the fan mania. It's cool. And may prove accurate. Don't forget that NDs strongest unit matches up against BYUs weakest--Oline. Their Dline has at least two and maybe three NFL picks. But, overall, as I predicted this summer, ND D is down from last year. Their O is same. And we didnt stop their run very well. If our Oline holds up at least modestly well, BYU wins. I'm going to ND stadium for the first time and i think i picked a good year to go and get the W. I cant wait.

You DID pick a great one! :bug: ENVY!!



What I saw of ND's defense is that they rely on their athleticism--a big mistake against a disciplined team, or a superior athlete. Navy almost beat them. If Hill is healthy, he alone will be unbeatable.

And ND has had injuries. From Wrubells tweet.

Let's hope some of their injuries don't get better.



http://www.csnchicago.com/notre-dame/injuries-piling-notre-dame?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cougs_Rule wrote:
And ND has had injuries. From Wrubells tweet.

Let's hope some of their injuries don't get better.



http://www.csnchicago.com/notre-dame/injuries-piling-notre-dame?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A quick read would answer that. Only 1 sounded permanent. Several are expected back vs Pitt. ND gets a bye after Pitt. So this helps Pitt for sure. BYU not so much.



One of the guys out is Kona Schwenke. He was a last minute BYU defection 3 or 4 years ago. La'ie Hawaii iirc. He is expected back.



Hopefully Pitt will play them physical. AFA and Navy took a toll on them with option attack and cut blocks.



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I'm thinking we need to throw the option against them.

scott715 wrote:
I'm thinking we need to throw the option against them.

Ha! I was thinking the exact same thing while watching that game! They were undisciplined and not effective defending Navy's option.

runbyu1 wrote:

I'm thinking we need to throw the option against them.

Ha! I was thinking the exact same thing while watching that game! They were undisciplined and not effective defending Navy's option.

As long as it isn't that horrible stretch play after a handoff to Lasike.

Wow, what timing. I check CC for the first time in a while and I see ND talk. Happy to answer, what I hope is, unbiased opinions. I love BYU and ND.



Do I think BYU will beat ND, honestly I am not sure, but if there is a year to beat ND this is it.....without a doubt. ND is way down this year, no question and will be back-up over the next few years. I will give a more educated guess on the outcome of the game next week after we see how BYU plays again stiff competition. I think Taysom looks fantastic, but we will see how he holds up against WI defense.



Defense:



I for one do not see BYU slashing ND. ND's line is stacked and keep in mind ND sat (aka had several injuries) prior to the Navy game. ND's defense, outside of the line, is young and has had many season ending injuries. They have not played with passion, Te'o was great for ND but he was the heart and emotional leader.....no one has stepped up yet. The secondary is young and has been burned. The LB's are average, the exception is Jaylon Smith (remember that name he is a true freshman and if he continues to improve will be one of the best in college football).



ND is good against traditional offenses. If the QB is accurate and mobile it will be a long day. ND will come to hit and if Taysom is off they will stack the line hammer the BYU backs. Keep in mind ND had two likely/possible 1st round lineman, Tuitt (had offseason surgery and is barely getting in shape) and Nix (has not played for a few weeks). If BYU does not block Taysom could end up on his back a lot.



ND had many DL injuiries the past two weeks, as well as LB's. There are major holes and if Anae can focus there are opportunities to exploit. If I were BYU I would run Taysom early and often, with a ton of play action to try to get the LB's to bite. The LB's are slow and bit often and Hoffman/Apo etc can take advantage of the middle of the field. Our safeties play deep and are expected to be fast, the expectation is for the LB's to cover the middle of the field and they can't. BYU should take advantage.



Offense:



On offense ND is finally finding the right RB's, it happens to be a true freshman (ND lost its best RB's last year). WR's are improving, but young. Line was turning the corner but had several season ending injuries. TE's are improving but young. QB production is good, but the production has peaked (and the peak is not high).



If you think BYU had QB issues, ND's is 10x worse......let me explain. Rees is not a good QB, he is a smart kid but he does not have the physical tools to be a top QB at a top tier school and the job fell in his lap.



Issue 1: Golson (who did not play vs BYU last year either due to a concussion) was a RS Freshman and was suspended/kicked out for the year for cheating on test. He will be great and will start next year, he has spent the year with George Whitfield; but that does not help this year.



Issue 2: Gunner Kiel the number 1 drop back rated QB in his class (would be a RS freshman this year) left after it was clear Golson was the man, this happened pre-suspension/



Issue 3: True Freshman Malik Zaire got mono at the beginning of the year. He was Elite 11 QB in HS, offers from Ohio State, Bama, Wisconsin, Michigan etc etc. He could play, but there is zero chance Kelly plays him because he knows if Zaire plays this year he will transfer as that would only leave one year of eligibility between him and Golson.



Result: Rees, a good MWC or MAC QB, is your starter. Good kid, has a high football IQ (father is an NFL executive) but tries to make throws and plays that other QBs could make but does not have the arm strength.



BYU should: blitz all day, need to be disguised. ND WR's will be beat BYU's secondary all day if Rees has time and WR's are 1x1, but if you can get pressure on Rees or hide the coverage he will loft it up. BYU should take away the run, if they can and make Rees one dimensional ND won't move the ball.



Given BYU's stingy front 7 I could see BYU dominating the LOS and giving ND fits. Kelly wants to throw the ball even if it makes zero sense, and BYU can force ND to make mistakes. On the other hand, ND has young and VERY talented WR's but they are barely coming into their own right now and I could see them dominating.



Other:



I feel bad saying this on a BYU board, but BYU is not a big game for ND.....the fans still cheer and love to watch but it is different. There has been ample opportunity for tickets, alumni boards are giving tickets away to the game (even starting preseason). Even Navy and Temple tickets were more in demand, the same was for last years BYU game. BYU is not a natural rivalry to ND or a big game for the fan base, it is tough to be up every week (keep in mind ND already had: Michigan, Michigan St, USC, OU, Arizona State prior to the BYU game). Out of any game in 2013 the stadium the will be the most DEAD. The point is BYU will come into a very tame environment.



Last year BYU had the perfect shot to win. ND had just beat Stanford in triple overtime, they were beat to a pulp, the QB who was playing well was knocked out for the week and the game of the year vs Oklahoma (top 10 match-up likely Game Day game) coming up the next week. I was at the Michigan, BYU, Stanford games at ND, the BYU game was grave yard. BYU is in a similar spot this year, ND should win this week and has a ton of injuries.....the next week will be vs Stanford for potentially a BCS spot (if ND wins out they are 10-2 and likely in the top 14, that is all that is needed). ND will respect BYU, but ND has problems staying focused by many young players. BYU timing wise is in a good spot.



ND plays bad at home. No ifs ands or buts about it. Last year we nearly lose to Pitt and BYU (games surrounding Oklahoma), but pummel OU on the road. There is too much going on game days at ND: pep rallies, "the walk" etc. Kelly needs to correct it quickly and change something. Teams coming to ND look at this as a huge game.



Lastly, ND is beat up (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-notre-dame-football-defense-injuries-20131103,0,1952233.story" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).



Too early to call, but this is the year for BYU to beat ND. No reason not to, this is a must year for Bronco to deliver the win. This will be an easier win than at WI. I want to see what happens Saturday but if BYU looks good, even in a loss, I lean for a BYU win....that being said I could even see a big ND win, but lean BYU with the win.

Cougarbib wrote:

And ND has had injuries. From Wrubells tweet.

Let's hope some of their injuries don't get better.



http://www.csnchicago.com/notre-dame/injuries-piling-notre-dame?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A quick read would answer that. Only 1 sounded permanent. Several are expected back vs Pitt. ND gets a bye after Pitt. So this helps Pitt for sure. BYU not so much.



One of the guys out is Kona Schwenke. He was a last minute BYU defection 3 or 4 years ago. La'ie Hawaii iirc. He is expected back.



Hopefully Pitt will play them physical. AFA and Navy took a toll on them with option attack and cut blocks.







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Here is 1 permanent injury

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9922059/notre-dame-fighting-irish-lose-linebacker-ben-councell-season

stgeorgefan wrote:

Cougs_Rule wrote:
And ND has had injuries. From Wrubells tweet.

Let's hope some of their injuries don't get better.



http://www.csnchicago.com/notre-dame/injuries-piling-notre-dame?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A quick read would answer that. Only 1 sounded permanent. Several are expected back vs Pitt. ND gets a bye after Pitt. So this helps Pitt for sure. BYU not so much.



One of the guys out is Kona Schwenke. He was a last minute BYU defection 3 or 4 years ago. La'ie Hawaii iirc. He is expected back.



Hopefully Pitt will play them physical. AFA and Navy took a toll on them with option attack and cut blocks.







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Here is 1 permanent injury

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9922059/notre-dame-fighting-irish-lose-linebacker-ben-councell-season

This is a better overview. Since the article, Councell is out for year, Ishaq will be not be close to normal, Day has been hurt for weeks and will not be normal all year, Nix is struggling with injuries. That is only the defense.



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1835041-defensive-injuries-mount-for-notre-dame-but-irish-still-find-a-way-vs-navy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;