JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 6, 2024 | 11/6/2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 6, 2024

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Eric Hansen

OK, I have a commitment coming up at 3, so I'll end it there. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET.

2:48

Hi Matt. They're both a lot of fun for different reasons, but college football has always been my No. 1 passion. Both have some great stories, great people.

Guest

2:46

Hey Eric. Hope you are well. A little bit of a different question. Which is more fun for you, covering the ND football team or covering the women's basketball team? And why? Thank you and best wishes. Matt

Eric Hansen

2:46

Kagan, I'd love to get into more specifics if I had a little more time to study how those teams matched up, but I'm telling you Riley Leonard's running ability -- paired with improved passing -- is a headache for any defensive coordinator. I'd like that skillset if I'm an OC.

Kagan From Angola

2:44

Hi Eric, as i look at the top teams in the CFB Playoff specifically Ohio State Georgia with the way they struggled with Gabriel and Milroe tucking and running and also the designed qb run; do you see this as an equalizer for the Irish if we were to play these two teams? Or even others and do you expect Denbrock to lean into it a little more once the playoffs start?

Eric Hansen

2:44

Thank you. I have to cram in my shopping on Friday.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:44

Enjoy those grandkids birthdays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

2:44

Hi Sean, thanks for the compliments, the autocorrect story, the prediction and the question. Al's comfort level and compensation at ND makes the bar pretty high for someone to make a better offer. Not impossible, but really limits what would be an attractive option.

Sean, Schaumburg, IL

2:41

"While I nod like I know what I'm doing." Too funny, Eric. FNS has been top notch. Great point by you on Al Golden being selective IF he's offered an HC gig at the college level. How much does his salary and comfort at ND play a role in staying/leaving? The D has been great since his arrival. Is going back to the NFL a goal of his? I, also, liked how you put into perspective the coaching goals of Golden/Denbrock and how they've evolved. My angst level is near zero now with FSU. They look to have packed it in. Also, it's Damocles and spector from my questions/observations from last week. Autocorrect got it wrong last week. I'll be in South Bend for the game. ND 37 FSU 0. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

2:41

Tom, here are the national rush offense rankings of the 12 teams in the playoff field. So above ND's No 13 ranking in rush offense are Boise State 4th and Tennessee 7th. Below the Irish are Oregon 61st, Ohio State 34, Georgia 97, Miami 35, Texas 65, Penn State 33, BYU 59 and Alabama 47. As far as injuries on defense, ND is fragile at a couple of position, given the numbers. But so far the players who have filled those roles have stepped in big time.

Tom in Evanston, IL

2:33

Hi Eric. I watched some of tOSU/PSU and have seen a few other marquee games this season. I haven't seen a team that could establish a running attack with any consistency against a good opponent. ND actually seems like the most run-oriented team in the top 10. Am I getting the eye test right? As Leonard improves, ND could be quite formidable on offense. Oddly, the defense worries me more with the injuries.

Eric Hansen

2:32

Patrick !!!!!!!! You win the exclamation point prize this week, which means you get to ignore all the rules next week except "no spitting." To your question. ... I did a big story earlier in the week on Tae Johnson, so perhaps what I don't include in my answer, you can find there? Tae Johnson doesn't have much experience at corner or even safety, but he is at an elite level when it comes to speed and athleticism. And he's a quick learner, so the coaches are excited to see what he can contribute down the stretch. As far as how this team gets better in its last third of the season, better O-line play, a passing game that is starting to move from liability to adequate to perhaps somewhat dynamic. More Mitch Evans. On defense, the run defense has got to continue to take strides and the pass rush needs to keep coming. And no injuries in the secondary. Special teams, they need Jeter back for Army and USC at least.

Patrick from Boulder

2:23

Eric!!!!!!!!! Thanks as always for hosting these chats. Two questions today for you today - what can you tell us about Tae Johnson and his being listed on the 2-deep for CB (have you seen/heard anything that you can share beyond what Freeman said in the press conference that we should know about his ability to contribute now after his injury)? Also, what are you looking for in terms of development of individuals or the team in the last 4 regular season games? Thanks and GO IRISH!

Eric Hansen

2:23

Hi Roger. You and Tom were on the same wavelength, but I can answer your other question. I do think it's a realistic possibility to host --- not a given, but realistic.

Roger from Peoria

2:22

Eric: While it may be fun (or perhaps overly frustrating) to speculate where an 8-0 Irish team would have been ranked in the first Football Playoff Rankings, that reality does not exist. So, it is a 7-1 record with the loss to the Huskies being the albatross. My take is getting to #8 and hosting a first-round game will be a challenge as it will require (a) the Irish to win out and (b) for at least two teams ahead of the Irish to fall and none behind the Irish to pass us. Assuming (a) occurs, do you see (b) being a realistic possibility? As to the speculation in the absence of the loss to the Huskies, a #5 or #6 initial ranking might have occurred, but . . . . ! Argh!! Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:21

Hi Tom. Usually, I can skip through commercials, because I DVR anything I watch on TV except for live sports. So I am happy to watch even TP commercials now. I don't think the messaging about valuing each opportunity left is new for Marcus Freeman. That's one of his season-long talking points. I don't think Evans will have the numbers to get into the serious mix to win the Mackey. He just didn't have a long enough runway to be fully healthy for an entire season, but he gets big points in my book for what he's done ... I think there's a difference in where I might rank ND had they just eked by Northern Illinois on a 61-yard field goal or if they handled Northern Illinois like they handled Navy. With a blowout, I'd probably have them 2. In a close NIU game, maybe 4 at the lowest, maybe 3 if everything else stayed the same.

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

2:17

Hi Eric, Happy Day After Election!! Don't know how it was in SB but ATL was loaded with awful political ads that are now over!!! In MF's efforts to get the team focused on the rest of the season, do you think he will stress there are only 4-5 games left? You may only get to wear an ND uniform a few more times to get the most out of the Seniors?? Glad to see Mitchell Evans is a semi-finalist for the Mackey. What does he need to do in the next 4 games to have a shot? Yards, TD's??? My guess is Taylor from LSU as the winner. Finally, where would you rank ND if they had held on and beat NIU??? Thanks for everything and Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:16

I didn't get that sense from committee chair Warde Manuel. He did call the loss "troubling", but here's the context:

WARDE MANUEL: Well, the logic was they opened the season with a great win at Texas A&M, also against No. 22 Louisville. Their performance against a Navy team that was ranked at the time -- didn't have a loss and going to Navy and winning in a dominant fashion we felt overcame what was a troubling loss to Northern Illinois.

But they've won six straight games since that loss, and Riley Leonard is really coming on into this offense, not only passing but actually running. A very good runner.

Their defense is in the top 10. They're a very solid team.

I'd say troubling because we all thought it was not the Notre Dame team that we've seen when we looked at what happened against Northern Illinois.

Shane from White Deer, Texas

2:11

Hey Eric. If the season ends the way we all hope it does, is there any scenario where a loss to NIU penalizes ND more than two losses experienced by any other team in consideration for the 12 team playoff? (Excluding any conf champion that may have 2 losses). As always thanks for chats. Go Irish.

Eric Hansen

2:11

Denny. thanks for the compliment in that last line. And yes, I am lucky, very lucky, to do something I love for a living. One thing that's very different from Ara's era and even as recently as the Weis Era is how much more nutrition and training table and sports science and body recovery are leaned into. As far as what the next four weeks will look like, I can certainly ask for specifics, but I know they look at the players' GPS tracking devices and other data and determine whether there needs to be an adjustment in the length or the physicality of practice sessions.

Denny from Beaverton

2:07

Hi Eric; Hope you and the team are rested and ready for the final push. Having watched ND football since the days of Ara, I remember on more than a few occasions that the team seemed to have run out of gas as the season wound down. This year the two bye weeks seem to have been well placed to rest the team. I would imagine that Coach Freeman and Loren Landow, being so involved in analytics, have taken precautions to guard against a late season decline. Are you aware of anything special that is done differently as the season draws to a close? Does the grind of the season ever get to you and how do you cope if it does? You seem to work very hard but I know you really have a passion for what you do.

Eric Hansen

2:07

Hi Jim, the body types and skill sets of linebackers have changed so much in the past 10-15 years because of how spread out the offenses are. So 6-1 224 for Sneed and 8-2 216 for Ausberry are right in line for being right-sized for an outside linebacker. Even inside at the weakside spot. ND's heaviest safety is 211. But Luke Talich has that on a 6-4 frame. Watts is 203. The other thing there is, coverage is where Sneed would have to make the biggest gains, especially with matchup he might get at safety. So, I would leave him at linebacker, especially with Kiser leaving after the season. I like the question, though.

Jim from Wheaton, IL

2:01

Hi Eric! I am hoping that the Irish come out of this bye hitting on all cylinders, and put FSU away early, removing any drama, and giving some freshmen who haven’t seen any action yet a chance to get some experience. My question is about Jaylen Sneed- I know that he had his best game in three years against Navy, however, he strikes me as not having a true linebacker physique, and he doesn’t appear to welcome taking on blockers, especially when rushing the quarterback. He is a dynamic player, but is being surpassed by the other linebackers in that rotation. Would the coaching staff consider shifting him to safety in 2025, to take advantage of his athleticism, especially with the pending departure of Xavier Watts? I wonder if that’s where any future at the next level would be. Thoughts?

Eric Hansen

2:01

Hi Tim, way to butter me up for the white pants question LOL. It didn't work. I figure if the team won and looked good doing it on the scoreboard, then the threads are acceptable. Again, it's a low bar for me, if there's not a spaghetti sauce stain on it, that's dressing for success -- before, after or during Labor Day.

Tim - STL

1:56

Happy Wednesday. Have seen you on TV your keen fashion sense.. Know this question may have already been asked but have not seen an answer ! What was the deal with ND wearing its home Blue jersey for the Georgia Tech game ? And have fans seen the last of the white pants this year ? It is past labor day you know.

Eric Hansen

1:56

Ryan, I should just let you pick my scores. You do a pretty good job of it. I haven't formulated my pick yet, but I'll publish it on Friday morning. Yes, Adon Shuler looked very good back in his home state of New Jersey. He was a summer surger who never faded in the fall, or at least not yet.

Ryan Frankfort illinois

1:54

Good Afternoon Eric what do you think about the play of Adon Shuler he looked Good against Navy i think we win like 49-3 or something like that or we score some more points what do you think GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

1:54

Kevin !! If they're on campus with a month to go, ND has a realistic shot at them. And that would include Meadows. Not a slam dunk by any means, but getting him to visit is huge.

Kevin-Sleepy Eye, Mn

1:53

Eric:):):):) Simple question: Can we strike gold with any major WR recruits this weekend? Meadows is my hope.

Eric Hansen

1:53

Hi Mike. Here you go. The five metrics are rush offense, pass efficiency, rush defense, total defense and turnover margin. ND is 13-71-44-8-7. That's not a bad place to be eight weeks in having just played Navy and with the pass efficiency number ascending weekly it seems. If there were no such things as the transfer portal, Cross would be the harder replacement. I think Watts is the more consistent player, but we're splitting hairs between two really good players. With the transfer portal, ND can get a starter or someone to rotate in at the interior line spots with them hopeful both Gabe Rubio and Jason Onye return. There's some really good young safeties on the roster and some good freshmen coming in. Cheers!

Mike, Phoenix

1:48

Eric, Happy chat day!! Can you give us an update on where ND stands on the 5 important metrics after 8 games? Regarding next year, who is going to be harder to replace, Watts or Cross? Thank you. Cheers!

Eric Hansen

1:48

Hi Phillip. Blessings to you too. That process is sort of ongoing. If there are specific players you're wondering about the chances of them coming back or having the chance to come back, I can weigh in on those. Wish I had a better answer for you.

Phillip Bonita Springs, FL

1:46

Long time reader, first time write. Blessings Eric!!!! Do you know anyone else that was offered back over the bye besides Jordan B?

Eric Hansen

1:46

The one thing I know that really impressed offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Mike Denbrock about Cooper Flanagan when they first had a chance to work together was how hard Cooper hit the playbook in trying to learn it quickly and thoroughly. I do think blocking is his stronger suit both now and in the future. He's an able pass-catcher, but not a mismatch waiting to happen, in my opinion. Having Evans, Raridon and Flanagan all 100 percent at the same time gives Mike Denbrock more options with them. As I look at the last four regular-season opponents, it feels like Army and USC set up more for the tight ends to be more involved in the pass game than FSU and Virginia, but we'll see.

Sorry, forgot to publish the answer for Len ... now to Ed's question ....

1:41

Hi Len! You forgot your exclamation point his week. The committee says it does not take into account conference strength overall or even consider conferences. They look at each team individually. And that should be how they do it, because in the era of megaconferences, even two teams from the same league may play league schedules that have very little resemblance to each other. So why you build a great case for conferences' relative strength with some good research, the committee says it's not using that as a criterion.

Ed, Sayville NY

1:40

Hello on this important day to you Eric. It’s nice to see the compliments coming to Cooper Flanagan for how his blocking skills help the offense. Do you have a sense for how he’s viewed as a receiver? How do you see the utilization of Evans, Raridon and Flanagan playing out as the season continues, and perhaps the weather becomes more of a factor?

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:37

Hello Eric. Thanks for hosting. Finally this season the SEC went on the road to play power 4 schools. Texas went to Michigan and Alabama went to Wisconsin and won convincingly. The conference went 8 - 5 against the power 4 & ND. That conference earned the nod they got from the CFP committee. The BIG 10 did not. They are 6 - 8 against the power 4 conferences with no signature wins. 3-1 against the Big 12, 2 - 3 against the ACC, 1 - 3 against the SEC and 0 - 1 against ND. Conference best win was USC over LSU. Indiana's best win is against a 5-4 (4-4 in conference) Washington team. The 3 non power 5 teams they have played are all 3 - 6. Penn St. best win is against a middling Illinois. How are these teams ahead of ND? The NIU game is far back in the mirror. Is the CFP committee biased towards majors conferences?

Eric Hansen

1:36

Florida State still can rush the passer well, so they'll challenge ND's offensive line and take some chances there. They are very very good at one thing -- punting, though they've had a lot of practice. But they are the No. 1 team in the nation in net punting.

1:35

I did hear Warde Manuel talk about Penn State's resume, and this version of the committee seems more intent to weight in "good losses" than some of the previous ones. But I have Penn State lower than ND in my rankings, and I could be wrong about them. The USC game will be a point of comparison at season's end. Unless Penn State gets into the Big Ten title game, all they have left are Washington, Purdue, Minnesota and Maryland, so unless Illinois re-enters the Top 25, they may not have a ranked win. Purdue is another common opponent with ND. (more)

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