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Regarding plays is a good mix of pass and run with deception in the backfield instead of deep hand-offs almost always. Then, if Rees is hot and mixing things up, it all comes down to execution and focus. Trick plays are for underdogs and that is not the case here. I liked the dump pass to the hidden back for the short yardage TD earlier in the year, but everyone will now look for the formation. If Davis is in at crunch time, the whole defense will know he is a pass threat. As for the punter, if ND is down...see above. A tackle eligible alignment might be a surprise and seems to work often in the NFL. Who knows....we will soon but hope not.

Of paramount importance to me is that the Irish MUST throw to the guys in the gold helmets and NEVER try to dribble the pointed ball. If penalties are kept without PFs and under 30 yds for the game then the Irish are 98% probability to win in my book. If they have a total of 5 TOs and major penalties combined, it will likely be a loss, or at best a pull it out at the buzzer win. Anything higher gives me no hope. After last week, eliminating sloppy play must be paramount in every player's head. Turnovers and blunders cause nightmares and destroy dreams.