JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 11, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 11, 2024

Eric Hansen

3:14

OK that'll be it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We WILL do a chat next week, but I do have a conflict on Wednesday. So, it'll be either Tuesday or (more likely) Thursday at noon ET. I will let you know on our website and through social media. Thanks again.

3:12

Hey Jim, up against my next assignment so quickly ... 1) Yes, we'll talk to Marcus, players and coaches in the upcoming days... 2) It'll be Stanford or another ACC team. 3) I would lean toward lower scoring but need to study more.

Jim from Wheaton, IL

3:11

Hi Eric!!! Thanks again for these fantastic Q & A sessions- your insights and perspectives are greatly appreciated. I can’t wait to attend the first-ever home playoff game in Notre Dame history- I hope our crowd is electric! Three questions- 1) will we receive any updates on Mitch Jeter prior to the game? 2) Looking ahead to the 2025 schedule, I only count 11 games- any idea who we will add to complete the schedule? And 3) Do you foresee a high scoring game next Friday, or a low-scoring game dominated by both defenses? Thanks, Eric!!

Eric Hansen

3:11

HI Matt. What the answer is today and what it might look like in six months can be different, so let me speak in generalities. Admissions determines who can get in and who can not. The GM and Freeman decide how to manage the roster and that includes where to spend NIL money. And thanks for your score prediction. I haven't gotten to mine yet.

Matt from Austin

3:08

Hi Eric. Hope you are well as we head into the CFP! Need your help. With early signing day over and the portal open, how does Notre Dame handle the administrative side? For example, I know that the coaches recruit like crazy and comb the portal for team needs, but who signs off on the players from an academic side? Who approves or sets the NIL amounts? Does ND use the general manager approach that seems in vogue? Does Coach Freeman have a say in these matters? Sorry for the long winded question, but I thought if anyone would know the answer, it would be you. Thank you Eric. BTW Notre Dame 35-17.

Eric Hansen

3:08

Hi Andy. I'll be up all night working on coverage and happy to do it. And If ND wins, I sense you will be happy. I really don't know the particulars of the TV equipment. I would think they have their own. As far as IU's defensive line, they've held up nicely ... very good in getting sacks and tackles for loss, No. 1 run defense in the nation. Now they haven't been tested by a rush offense ranked above No. 55 and have only faced two in the top 90, but still they have taken care of business impressively in most of their games. It's a facet of the game the Irish must win.

Andy, Wilmette IL

3:04

Hello Eric, thanks for answering the bell yet again. Is there any way to get this game in before my bedtime? This game may last until midnight. At least there is no chance of the sprinklers going off. This will be the first time in a long time that ABC camera crew will come into the stadium. Will ABC crew have full access (if it's not owned by ND) to NBC equipment? Lastly, how good is IU's defensive line? Thanks again and go Irish!

Eric Hansen

3:04

Now I need a bourbon LOL.

3:03

Some people are NOT OK with ND's independence. Some people don't care. But to take every difference of opinion as a slight to ND's independence is a little too conspiracy-laden for what I think reality is. So are there times ND might take a shot, sure. Is every time things go against ND evidence of a broad conspiracy and a job at people that believe that and an insult if I don't grab a torch and a pitchfork. C'mon man.

3:01

Sean, let me address the Bob Morton ... Into The eNDzone show on YouTube specifically. The reason I didn't react is while Bob's talking I'm combing through the questions to try to include the viewers in the discussion, so I don't always hear the full context of his answers. So yes there is a limit on my multi-tasking skills. And the second part of that is, when Bob is on that show, I like people to get his perspective unfiltered anyways. If they want to hear my blather on, they can watch Football Never Sleeps. And Sean, maybe this isn't the place for it, but the sky-is-falling-tone of your questions and observations gets a bit tiresome. I don't see ND football the way you do. I don't see the world the way you do. And I'm Ok with that. If you're not, I can't help you. (more)

Sean, Schaumburg, IL

2:55

Hello, Mr. Hansen. I found Bob Morton's comment, during Into the End Zone after the USC game, about the NCAA subtly pushing ND to consider a conference, due to, at the time, ranking them 8th and having them play Alabama, as confirmation that the NCAA has a bias against ND and their independence in football. In my view, he's right. The NC State game in the remnants of a hurricane is my confirmation that the NCAA likes to stick it to ND football any chance they get. Ranking Penn State ahead of ND in the final rankings is another example. You didn't respond to the statement. I thought you kinda blew it off. What is your reluctance in acknowledging ND fans' and, now, former ND players saying outright that the NCAA doesn't care for NDs independence in football? I could provide more examples, but I'm curious as to why you don't give this viewpoint from fans and, now, alums any consideration. ND 38 Indiana 20. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

2:55

Passing game specialist and tight ends coach with the Cleveland Browns.

chris from memphis

2:55

Eric, did Tommy Rees end up on Georgia's coaching staff after Saban retired from Alabama?

Eric Hansen

2:53

Hey Ryan, I know before you moved, you and the Hinish family were from the same neck of the woods. I think Donovan did a good job, and considering the volume, better than good. Before Howard Cross got hurt, Nov. 8 against. Florida State, Hinish had never been into the 30s with his snap counts. He played almost 40 against Virginia and Army and a whopping 64 against USC. Cross is a step up, but Hinish can be very valuable in a rotation and playing a snap count in the 20s.

Ryan Frankfort illinois

2:49

Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the play of Donavan hinish he looked good when he stepped in for Cross GO IRISH 🍀🍀🍀🏈🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

2:49

Bob, there are things regarding college football I am very passionate about. This isn't one of them. I am indifferent on this issue. I would guess no they do not put them names on, but just a guess. And not saying it's not worth YOUR passion. It just isn't mine.

Bob Loganville, GA

2:48

Should we expect the names on the back of the jerseys for the playoffs? Curious if they will continue with that same tradition followed in the past for bowl games. Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

2:47

Hi Kevin. I don't think the issue is and was non-conference scheduling. I think the issue is and will be imbalance in the conference schedules in mega-conferences. That seemed to hurt teams more than anything. And let's look at Ole Miss for instance. Non-conference games were Furman, Middle Tenn, Wake Forest and Ga Southern. That's not what kept them out. I have a lot of respect for Saban and enjoy him doing TV, but this was a bad take, not even at rat poison standards. ... and thanks for being part of the chats.

Kevin from Calgary

2:43

Despite the idiocy of it, do you think Nick Saban’s rant about teams not booking non-conference tough opponents for fear it will cost you a playoff spot (Alabama lost three conference games and Clemson lost to Georgia but made it) will have an impact on teams going forward? (I’m sure ‘Bama is looking at dropping mighty Mercer as a result). It seems to me the selection committee is feeling some heat. As always, love the chats!

Eric Hansen

was vetoed. So I don't think I would be much help.

2:42

Ken, I addressed this with AD Pete Bevacqua during a three-part series in the spring. THIS is the part that pertains to your question if you want more depth: LINK ... The short answer is Indiana does receive an allotment ... will they be able to significantly increase it beyond that? It is easier to control that or at least manage it with digital ticketing. So if there's red, I doubt it would be a sea of red, but more like puddles. As far as my influence with musical acts coming to Notre Dame Stadium, I have influenced one musician to watch a game at ND Stadium this year, though it was his idea and he's the guy who wrote and sings the Football Never Sleeps theme music, Piano Man Steve Lungrin (awesome guy and awesome talent, Google him). And the only band I tried to influence was back in the 1980s, I ran into the Ramones after their concert at the Agora in Columbus as they were boarding a tour bus of sorts and asked them to come have a beer my fraternity house. And Joey Ramone seemed into it and he (more)

Ken from Steel City

Hi Eric, a follow up. Any chance you can reach out to someone at the University to see if we can get the Dropkick Murphy’s to South Bend for the game on the 20th? Maybe they play shipping up to Boston before the game or at half time with the band. I don’t have the pull to make it happen, but you just might!

2:33

Hi Eric, excitement abounds as we prepare for the first ever playoff game at Notre Dame Stadium. Generally speaking, I really dislike the matchup and am not a fan of the two in state schools playing. You might guess my question… how do we keep the red out of the house that Rockne built? I was impressed with how the staff handled the OSU game last season but I would like even more Notre Dame fans in the stadium. Will we show up and show out and impact the game? Or, will the high prices lead to 30-40% Indiana fans at the game? Thanks for all you do and hear’s hoping for 4 more wins!

Eric Hansen

2:32

Mike there were a few things at play here ... 1) Christian Gray did have a bad day. 2) USC had an excellent strategy, try to keep the ND defense on the field as much as possible -- they did 79 plays, a season-high and Gray and Leonard Moore played every one of the. 3) Throw waves of really good wide receivers at ND's DBs and try to wear them down. Checkmark. 49 passes was a season high to defend. ND was also coming off a game where they had to defend 9, yes 9 pass attempts. 4) USC protects its QBs better than most of the teams in the playoff field and Jayden Maiava upped the ante there by having better ability to extend plays that Miller Moss and by being fearless in the face of 14 pressures. All those things factored in. All are fixable, but having more CB depth would be helpful.

Mike from Rockville, MD

2:28

Hi, Eric! Thanks for these chats! Why do you think our pass defense wasn't as solid against USC? Did Christian Gray have a bad game? Were USC's receivers better than anything we've faced? Something else?

Eric Hansen

2:28

Yes I do.

Bob (Oxnard)

2:28

On the atrocious interception at USC, do you think Riley expected his receiver to stop for a back shoulder throw (despite Riley taking all the blame in the press conference)?

Eric Hansen

2:28

No way.

Madden Lee

2:27

The way CFB has played out this season, could ND have made it even if the lost to USC?

Eric Hansen

2:27

I would say if Indiana coach Curt Cignetti really wants to know what might work best against Notre Dame's offense, he should ... Google it!

2:26

That's all the French I know. Let me go to Google translator and I'll give you a real answer.

2:25

OK, James. I realize I did not specify questions needed to be in English, Gibberish or some combination thereof for me to accept them, so I will have to add that to the future rules list. So for today ... Escargot, oui oui, merci, ooh la la.

James, Placitas, New Mexico

ma question est la suivante …étant donné les commentaries de l’entraîneur de l’Indiana Cignetti lors de la conférance de presse d’hier concernant la préparation de cette semaine pour l’attaque de Notre-Dame en analysant leurs trois premiers et dix jeux préférés, les trois jeux de troisième essai les plus utilisés, etc., Notre -Dame-serait elle sage de lancer profondément sur le premier essai et de couri sur le côté large du terrain sur les troisièmes essai, ou sont-lis devenus réticents á diminuer leurs jeux de quatrième essai très acclamés et leurs faux punts par déférence envers notre service d’ urgences de l’hôpital cardiaque local qui a remarqué une légère augmentatin des visites aux urgences pendant les diusions de Notre-Dame Peacock brodcasts¿

2:23

Enl’honneur de la récouverture de la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris le 8 décembre 2014, vos règles peuvent-elles être modifiérs pour permettre de poser des questions en français ?

Eric Hansen

2:22

Hi Sue. My crystal ball functions more like the Magic 8-ball with short word-salad answers, so I will tap into my gut feel, which may be indigestion. ... Here goes. I can not remember a year when every ND assistant came back in at least the last 15 years. And across the country, when you have success, people want to hire your assistants. And I think plenty of ND's will be in demand. Mike Mickens at the top of that list as a defensive coordinator. But that doesn't mean he'll go. My best guess and my Magic 8-ball's best answer is that Marcus and the coordinators will be back and others. I think QB coach Gino Guidugli will have some tempting offers and probably LBs coach Max Bullough as well ... to be coordinators.

Sue South Florida

2:18

Hi Eric,
What does your Crystal Ball tell you about retaining our present coaching staff next year?

Eric Hansen

2:18

Scott, thanks for watching both shows. The one with Lemming is always interesting, because Tyler isn't there to help with the techie issues and well it's kind of like what happens when parent leave grocery money for their kids and then head out of town. ... To your question ... I think the most difficult aspect at the moment is all the changes and all the ones to come and not knowing exactly when and exactly what those will look like and having a plan and alternative plans that cover all of that. Along the same lines, maintaining a college football culture in an era when money and the dynamics that come with that will challenge that culture. And of course winning, winning consistently and winning big on top of all that. And thanks for that nice remark at the end of that, with the exclamation point! Manny should have trademarked that when he had the chance!!!!

Scott, Greenville, SC

2:13

Hey Eric, great FNS show on Monday and also enjoyed your chat with Lemming. Really great info for all of us. Lots going on obviously! Playoffs, recruiting class signed, portal is open, and recruiting for the coming years. I'm curious from your perspective, what you feel is the most difficult aspect coaching a program like ND must be? I can't imagine the time they spend in tge office, in the field, etc. As a boomer ( Oct 1960), I know I couldn't handle the schedule any more. I guess it's similar to a sports journalist. You are the best Eric!

Eric Hansen

2:12

Doug, your curiosity and points are well-placed and well-supported, but college football has changed a lot in the past few years. If ND were too lose in the first round, their attention would be getting the roster set for 2025 ... meaning meeting with players about 2025, setting up visit for prospective incoming transfers and allowing the outgoing ones to move forward with their plans. I don't think they'd even be allowed to practice after that, and even if they were I don't think three or four days of practice with the Xmas holiday stuck in the middle of it, would make a marked difference for any of those players. They can make those gains in other way, including the QBs throwing on their own with receivers and working with private QB coaches. Not knocking your question, just trying to answer it in the reality of today's CFB.

Doug from Sunny Florida

2:08

Eric, as a follow up to your response regarding additional practices after a team is eliminated in the playoffs, I'd like to think that additional practice time for the younger players (any non-returning players) after elimination would be very beneficial. Especially for teams such as ND who will have a new QB next season being able to have a lot of meaningful reps or for super-early enrollees getting their feet wet with their new team with coach-led practices. In ND's case, I think it would help solidify/question Angeli's status as next year's starter as well as any other position battles. Do you agree?

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