..players....from lineman to WR to TE to even some RB’s. There may currently only be one former ND QB on a roster but until this season with Hurts and Tua, Bama really has had no great NFL QB’s. At ND, we’ve had some really good lines over the years. This year we have what’s considered one of the best if not the best college line. However, and we’ve all debated this, we never seem to be able to run effectively in big games against much better defenses. I’m certainly not expecting a 300 yard rush day against a top defense but still enough to keep a defense honest. If it’s 2nd and 3, we should be able to pound the defense for a first down. I’m still a believer in having a balanced offense and being able to run more effectively would help the pass game. We go into these big games and we can’t seem to do much. I go back to the one constant and it’s Kelly. If the NFL has not only former ND offensive players on rosters, but solid starters and some pro bowlers yet the success offensively at ND wasn’t the same, it has to be something with Kelly and his system in my opinion. It’s frustrating. Over the last few years where ND has been in these big games, we are averaging probably no more that about 10 points. The other teams offenses seem to be capable of getting into shootouts so something for ND isn’t working.
Merry Christmas to all!