JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 31, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 31, 2022

Eric Hansen

3:04

OK, that seems like a good place to put a bow on this week's chat. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all again next week at noon EDT on Wednesday.

3:02

I actually took a dip in Mirror Lake in the fall of 1978 and not actually by choice.

Steve Findlay OH

3:02

Eric, Hope you have an enjoyable weekend, weather looks good, take a walk past mirror lake if you get a chance

Eric Hansen

3:01

This came up many years ago when I was covering the Notre Dame men's basketball team during the John MacLeod Era for a couple of years and adidas was the shoe partner. They had a real issue with a certain model and there was almost team-wide problems with injuries and shin splints, etc. Eventually, the team was able to find other models that did work (thought not all the same one), except for star player Pat Garrity. The problems persisted with him. So adidas allowed Garrity to wear Nikes -- except they made the ND equipment staff White-Out the trademark Swoosh logo. ... I am not attributing ND's injuries to Under Arnour's shoes, just answering your specific question.

johngipp Lititz, pa

2:54

Hey Eric, It seems that a lot of injuries are knee or below related and a number were non-contact issues. I wonder how many can be attributed to the shoes they are wearing. I know there was a concern in the past about the Under Armour shoes they wear. If this would be true, can they use a different brand without introducing contractual issues?

Eric Hansen

2:49

Ohio State was No. 1 in total defense before hiring Kerry Coombs and No. 59 each of the past two seasons before firing him. They've recruited well, so it's safe to assume it's more scheme/strategy related than a talent dearth. Ohio State certainly has the offensive personnel to effectively test how well Jim Knowles' new schemes are working. And keep in mind there are going to be some blind-date elements in this game in terms of schemes and tendencies. So in-game adjustments are going to be significant.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:44

Eric, the consensus seems to be ND D-line must dominate the OSU offense in order to slow down their offense and our Offene must move the ball against what was a suspect defense last year. Do you know if OSU's defensive problems were personnel related or scheme or execution (poor tackling, wrong assingment) related? If so how much do you think that they will have corrected those under their new DC in game one?? Thanks and as always, Go Irish!!!!

Eric Hansen

2:44

Jim, I think eventually it will because Notre Dame will have the talent to match up more favorably in those big-stage games. Now Marcus must complement that with great teachers/coaches for player development (I'll check that box), and he must have great instincts on both side of the ball to make in-game decisions (we'll see). But recruiting at a higher level gives ND a better chance to not just reach the playoff plateau, but win games there.

Jim Tal, Valley Center, CA.

2:42

Hey Eric, hope you have a great experience in Columbus. There's little doubt that when it came to producing in big games, the Irish under Brian Kelly were a huge disappointment. And until he proves otherwise, I will withhold judgement as to whether Marcus Freeman can avoid going down the same road. And regardless of what anyone says or the mitigating circumstances that existed, the fact of the matter remains that Freeman and the rest of his staff did a poor job of adjusting or changing things up in the second half against Okie State. Not exactly a good sign. Why should Irish fans have more confidence that Freeman will fare better in the marquee games than Kelly did? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:41

Hi Vince. They averaged a nation's leading 45.7 ppg last year, so your math looks right. I'm not co-signing on some of your other premises, but let me get to you questions. To the media and fans making live difficult for Freeman, let's see what happens in the game first, but there's going to be a tendency to overreact. What comes after is so important. If ND beats Ohio State, but loses to BYU and Clemson, is it better off than losing to Ohio State and the running the table? Re the wide receivers, they've been very well coached. I'm super-impressed with first-year WR coach Chansi Stuckey.

vince from Burdett NY

2:35

If the defense gives up between 30 and 34 points I would consider that a good job. Probably way under what OS will average this year. If the offense, with a totally unproven line, can score 20 - 24 points also a good day from them. OS will have a very good top 4 defense. I think OS will be ready for the offensive performance that almost beat Oklahoma? Of course Buchner could change the offensive plan a bit? but enough? As a big fan with lots of love for the game and ND I could be ok, of course with some pain, with a loss like that. Am I on the minority side here. Do you think the media and fan base will make this extremely difficult for Freeman, the staff and the team? Have our receivers been well coached, was there enough time in practice and experience that receivers can handle blocking if we can get the ball outside with speed?

Eric Hansen

2:35

You know Tom, you scared me there for a minute. Your opening sounded eerily similar to how my adult sons approach me when they're going to ask me to borrow money. Whew. There may be some nerves on display Saturday night, but the overall vibe I get from this ND team is more of determination and relishing the challenge rather than pressing and unraveling. But we shall see. There's still a sense, especially with the older guys, that when Brian Kelly left for LSU, he essentially was telling them that they weren't good enough. They've been very motivated and confident ever since.

Tom from Toronto

2:30

Hi Eric, The chats are great. You get excellent questions from very knowledgeable fans and your answers are very perceptive. Every once in a while you get a off the wall question and you deal with them gently. This may be one of those. You have seen the team at a number of practices and have spoken with most if not all of the coaches. Do you think that this team will play within themselves from the start of the game, or will it take them a quarter or two to settle down? I think back to the first play in another big game, a pass to a wide open Chase Claypool that went through his hands. ND went three and out. My sense is that it would have been a very different game if that pass had been completed. Don't mean to pick on Mr. Claypool. I think the fault lied somewhere else. Thank you.

Eric Hansen

2:30

Hey Ron. The ND offensive line controlling the line of scrimmage is one of several boxes Notre Dame must check to knock off its highest-ever ranked opponent to open a season. Yes, I believe Audric Estime figures into the mix. How much? I picked him as one of my six wild cards for the season. So my expectation is that this season, he can affect ND's bottom line. Not sure if that starts Saturday or further into the season, but I like your thought on him. I do not think the outcome of Saturday's game will affect the 2023 class. The 2024 class maybe, but it's really about the season in its entirety, not a singular game. Remember, these two teams play next year in South Bend.

Ron Dover De

2:24

Good morning Eric, I have two questions today. Coach Freeman’s comments In the press conference he shared the need to limit OSU offensive opportunities. I believe the offensive line and Audric Estime are the key to winning this game. Eric what are your thoughts? Second if this is not a close game win or lose do you think it will effect next years players commitment leading to more players de committing? Thank you

Eric Hansen

2:23

Hi Jeff. Full disclosure, I did not read the full interview -- only the Cliffs Notes. And maybe the reason he waited to give a fuller version of his ND experience so far down the road is BECAUSE Brian Kelly and Chip Long are no longer at ND. Of course, I'd be interested in interviewing him before the ND-BC game in December. I always do research before I jot down topics I want to get to in an interview (I don't think of actual questions, just topics. I want the conversation to be fluid, not stilted, and then you kind of adjust on the fly). So not sure what I'd ask him beyond if he thinks things might have been different with the current staff. My head is clouded with Ohio State/ND issues this week. I need more hard drive space in my brain.

Jeff from Phoenix

2:13

Good morning Eric. I wanted to get your take on the comments this week from ex-ND QB Phil Jurkovec. Although everyone is welcome to tell their own story, I wonder what the motivation or goal could be when the situation of his departure is 2-3 years old and many of those around him (Kelly in particular) have moved on? Would you be interested in interviewing Jurkovec ahead of the BC game and if so, what would you ask him? Thanks much-

Eric Hansen

2:13

Kevin, are you trying to trick me with two part 1s and two part 2s? Because if you are, it worked. I'm going to try to read between the lines here. It's not about having a speech ready and picking the right one from several options. Marcus Freeman is about building a program with principles, based on his vision. That's your guide, win or lose. You lean into your program's culture and philosophy. You don't spin. Not unless you're a big phony. If you're asking me what the outside narrtive will be, I guarantee it'll be overreactive regardless of outcome.

Kevin from St. Louis

2:06

(1) Eric, where's the line in this game between "Look, we're clearly building something here" and "doom and gloom that wipes all the sheen off of the Freeman era"? (2) And if you're Marcus Freeman, how do you take the results of this game and build on them for the rest of the season? (e.g. are you mentally prepping (1) a speech to prevent cascading losses after a big loss and (2) a speech after a victory to help avoid premature celebration and trap games? Do you have non-speech-related plans (affecting practice? post-game activities?) in the works?)

Eric Hansen

2:06

Len, thank you, thank you and thank you. I expect this team to go 10-2 and ND to finish with a top 5 recruiting class. The way Marcus Freeman and his staff recruit gives Notre Dame a greater margin for error on the field and in coaching that the Irish eventually won't need because of his growth. I'm not sure I answered your question in true multiple-choice fashion. I treated it as an essay test.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:02

Hi Eric and thanks for hosting. Last week I tried in the words allowed to ask some difficult questions concerning leadership and culture. Your answer hit a home run with me; “not a prerequisite, but it's not discouraged either”. These words were chosen so well. But I have come to expect that form you. Plus the articles from InsideNDSports on Bracy, and on Morrison highlighting his relationship with Mickey furthered my understanding. Top that off with the discussion on the podcast about Amber Selking. Congratulations to you, Tyler and Kyle on presenting information in so many ways. My ?; Coach Freeman took a moment to explain his and the staff’s choices on how to prepare the team; how to run practice, choices on how hard for practice to be,when to practice in the RZ etc. Saturday he said we begin to find out how successful those choices have been. When we have a chat in Dec. what will we be discussing; The floor lowering? The ceiling raising? Or both? And why?

Eric Hansen

2:02

Of course, there's concern with any coach that has a lack of experience. And yet there are plenty who jumped right into big Power 5 jobs and became stars even though there are more cautionary tales -- at least in Notre Dame's case. I wrote about this the other day, Marcus Freeman has a much better grasp of the big picture than Weis and fellow first-time head coaches at ND Bob Davie and Gerry Faust. That's going to push him through the growing pains faster and keep him on track. That's why I have confidence he's eventyally going to be a successful head coach.

Jules W

1:55

Joliet, il: In 2005 ND hired a head coach with no head coaching experience who was a very good coordinator and a top recruiter. Things didn’t work out. In 2021 ND hired a head coach with no head coaching experience who was a very good coordinator and thus far has done a very good job recruiting. What can, should, will Coach Freeman do to ensure head coaching success? Are at all concerned about the lack of experience?

Eric Hansen

1:55

There hasn't been a great deal of reporting on this, but Ohio State seems to be in overall very good healthy coming into the matchup. ND too if you are looking at Jarrett Patterson as the only player with questionable availability. OSU will issue an official availability report two hours before gametime, and we'll pass it along.

Frank from Royse City Texas

1:53

We know about ND injuries, but what OSU players will not play against ND?

Eric Hansen

1:50

With my sense of direction, I'd probably dot the H by mistake. No dotting for me on Saturday. I'll be tucked up in the pressbox doing my job.

Steve Findlay OH

1:48

Any chance as an alumnus they have you dot the I Saturday?

Eric Hansen

1:47

There was a lot of back and forth. I still think ND's best unit going in is the D-Line and its second best is the O-Line, which is light-years from where the O-line ranked last season. Jarrett Patterson would make a big difference Saturday, though Andrew Kristofic has practiced well.

Terry from Ithaca

1:45

Who won OL vs DL during camp? Is it realistic to expect ND's OL to control game?

Eric Hansen

1:45

If Marist Liufau is truly healthy and plays like I think he can play, I do not think ND's linebackers will be exposed. JD Bertrand had a very strong camp and is a better fit schemeatically and athletically at MLB. Jack Kiser and Bo Bauer also drew raves from DC Al Golden and key reserve Prince Kollie surged. If ND is going to hold OSU to field goals, that means they have been successful at holding down the Buckeye run game and that they have a strong plan for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Have fun in Columbus.

John - Palmyra, PA

1:41

Heading out to Columbus on Friday for the big game! The ONLY concern I have going in are the ND backers and the mismatches vs the spread. I really feel like, sans turnovers, the offense will move the ball with the run game. We don’t win without it. I hope we win TOP 45-15. Can the D do enough in your opinion to hold O$U to field goals? And if so, how do you see this happening without the backers being exposed? Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

1:41

I think it plays into ND's depth on defense. The Irish are like to rotate eight or more D-linemen, five linebackers, four safeties and maybe even five corners. And they can do so with confidence.

Steve, Findlay OH

1:40

Hi Eric, Lstest weather is expecting a hot day into the evening (88 for the high) Does this just add to Notre Dame s challenges with our depth?

Eric Hansen

1:39

One point I'd like to add, I think route-running had something to do with mitigating ND's deep game the past few years. In talking to the ND wide receivers, Chansi Stuckey is so much more detail-oriented in his teaching than former WR coach Del Alexander that I think you'll see that show up in ND's passing game this season eventually, even with a thinner (depth), younger group.

1:37

Dan, thank you .. .and I enjoyed your question. It's a good one. Obviously, you want a QB who can do both, right? DeShone Kizer had the home run ball working for him but he wasn't as dangerous or as accurate with the shorter routes. Maybe another year of college ball and not landing in Cleveland at the nadir of that franchise would have helped. I think Coan has the stronger arm between Book and Coan, and he certainly was more confident in his down-field throws. In the practices this fall, we didn't see a lot of deep throws from any of the QBs. We saw a ton of red zone work. I think that was by design. I did see enough of Buchner in last year's practices to know he has a stronger arm than both Book and Coan. His accuracy overall has come a long, long way since them. And the few deep passes I did see from him, hie accuracy looked good on those routes as well. (more)

Dan from Whitby, Ontario

1:26

Eric, I really enjoy your work. Although Ian Book and Jack Coan were both accurate in short and intermediate routes, neither were known to throw the deep ball particularly well, (which I believe hurt the effectiveness of guys like Braden Lenzy). I have not heard much about Tyler Buchner's arm strength and his ability to throw the long ball. This could be a welcomed addition to our offence, which we haven't enjoyed for a number of years. I believe we have a few receivers who have the ability to stretch the field (Lenzy, Styles, Merriweather.) Your thoughts?

Eric Hansen

1:26

Thanks, Tim. I do believe ND will be in the game going into the fourth quarter. The fact that ND has the nation's longest active road win streak (10) in the nation, and a lot of these players were a part of that, gives me more confidence to make the educated guess that the Irish will stick around. Not sure what Paul Finebaum said (and really don't care to know) but if you're willing to ask him to eat crow, there are a lot less-appetizing alternatives other ND fans are suggesting being on his menu.

Tim

1:20

Tim, Vancouver, WA. Thanks Eric, Tyler and everyone else, I appreciate your efforts. Do you guys believe ND will still be in this game going into the 4th? I think that scenario needs to happen on Saturday, I dread the idea of a blowout. (I want Finnebaum to eat some crow on Monday)

Eric Hansen

1:20

Hi Jay. I have Buchner for right around 300, so I'd take the under. ND is counting on Chris Tyree, Audric Estime and Logan Diggs to provide a good amount of offense in the non-QB running game. More rushing yards than passing yards for ND. More passing TDs than interceptions. More rushing TDs than passing TDs. Final score: Ohio State 38, Notre Dame 27.

Jay, Granger

1:15

17.5 underground heading into OSU Saturday night. Total offensive yards for Buchner over/under 300, more total yards running game or passing game, more interceptions or passing TD’s, more receiving or rushing TD’s? Final score?

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