Had this conversation with an 18 Stripes writer, I think starting Wimbush was the way to go
Against Clemson that is. I had this thought going into the game, even contemplated writing a piece about it, but I wimped out.
Basically the same elements that were present against Michigan were present against Clemson. Athletic defensive line that can limit the run game and get pressure on the quarterback consistently, the need for big plays on offense because of the difficulty sustaining drives.
WImbush is a high variance player, and it could have been Miami just as easily as Michigan, but he was the only person to see a defense similar to Clemson's this year and he won. He makes more sense when ND is a big underdog because of that variance, hence why he was a good choice against Michigan. Book was better with Notre Dame is the favorite because he gave them the best chance to play well week to week. Brandon couldn't sustain quality play week to week, again because of his variance, and would have cost them a game eventually. Hence going to Book who was more consistent, but not quite the same upside as Wimbush.
Maybe Brandon gets loose for some big runs, opens up a little more for Dexter, as he did against Florida State, and makes plays outside the pocket that aren't really there for Book. That was how Texas A&M kept is close against Clemson in week 2.
Obviously, the ship has sailed on this as the game has been played, but it does reinforce my article from the other day about the need for a QB competition because Jurkovec provides the same elements as Wimbush and if he can be more consistent is probably the better option if he can reach Books level of play.
Replies to: Had this conversation with an 18 Stripes writer, I think starting Wimbush was the way to go
Book deserved a shot. But Kelly should have started Brandon in the 2d half.
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I was hoping the staff would start Brandon for these very reasons. He slows down aggressive
defenses, and if they over pursue, he burns them. (Yes, Michigan and Florida State)
He definitely opens up things for Dex.
I was worried, when, during one of the press conferences, Kelly utter the same line he did in 2012.
Playing Book in this game was a big mistake.
And if Wimbush wins it, Alabama is scrambling to come up with a defense to stop him
THEN, we hit them with Book.
Aaaaahhh...the old 18 Stripe Beer buzz
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Totally unfair and disrespectful to the kid especially after benching him, praising the
crap out of Book and Wimbush stating he’s going to transfer after graduating.
What?
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LOL - can you imagine the sh*tstorm if Kelly had done that and they still lost?
That would have been career lunacy. No freaking way it would ever happen.
Agreed, that be like the Eagles starting Carson Wentz vs the Bears,
after St Nick came to the rescue...Never happen..and Doug Pederson be booed out of town if it did...
It is no way like that
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It's a shit storm for him most weeks with some folks, might as well give the team the best chance
But, I agree, the backlash if it doesn't work is large.
Given the LOS situation, I doubt it would have made any noticeable difference
Clemson controlled the line of scrimmage against us, without having to commit anyone to the blitz. There were even times that 2 or 3 of their linemen would drop back in coverage, and they'd still get significant pressure.
It wouldn't have mattered if Tommie Frazier were in the backfield. They were getting pressure, sealing off the running lanes, and would have stopped Wimbush in his tracks.
There are three factors here:
1) Coach Venables called a damn fine game against us.
2) No question, Clemson's front seven have the superior talent and development. Having two sophomores on our offensive line, with one of them being hobbled, probably didn't help us, either.
3) Clemson's defensive line was playing razor sharp, while our offensive line was in a daze.
At this point? All we can do is simply tip the cap to Clemson for being the superior team, and focus on fixing what was a weak point all of this year for us (the offensive line).
There are 4 starters returning, and with another year of S&C, along with experience under their belts, there should be significant improvement.
Perhaps not, but that LOS disadvantage was there against Michigan too
Whether it matters is unknown, and it likely doesn't given losing Love and what that meant. I mean going in if we knew we'd be without him for a significant period, it'd have been a big cause for concern.
And not just that, but Notre Dame needed some breaks to go their way in this game. The opposite happened. Alas.
He read my post. I had this debate with Digger Phelps at the Bookstore at UM game......
....I argued for Wimbush for his bigger arm and his scrambling ability which can’t be game planned for. I said that it is much easier for a great D to bottle up Book with no deep threat and minimal scramble threat.
Digger said “Book is the guy”.
Link: https://forum.uhnd.com/forum/index.php?action=display&forumid=6&msgid=394523
I was surprised that they didn’t put Wimbush in for the 2nd half
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If Jurkovec is a sure thing why didn't he start, Dabo started Sunshine, Saban put in an untested
freshman to start the second half of the freeking National Championship game. So one has to ask, is the so-called savior at ND always the guy on the bench who proves to be over-rated, or is Kelly blind and can't coach him up to play. Why does ND always play against untested QB's in their first game, Frohm, and make them look like world beaters, but Kelly needs his future stars to sit and learn and wait their turn. Something is rotten on that team. If I had a son that was destined to be a great QB I wouldn't let him get within 100 miles of Kelly.
That's a no brainer
There hasn't been a true NFL caliber QB to come out of ND since????
Several came out looking promising but the small handful that fall in that category cratered in the NFL.
Re: That's a no brainer
Kelly's job is to win games at ND, not develop NFL QBs. If he does develop QBs for the NFL that is an added benefit.
Always nice to say I told you so without posting the so. Regardless, Wimbush
would have been running for his life, because ND never developed a quality inside zone read game. That is the strength of Wimbush, but, as we saw in his first three games, that really doesn't exist in the Kelly/Long playbook.
It's not I told you so it's just fodder, which is why I'm posting it the board and not as an article
And everything you said doesn't exist, existed against Michigan, who is similar to Clemson. And better for Wimbush to run for his life than Book, you see? I don't know if it would have worked, and it's a hell of a gamble for Kelly, but I think it was the better choice. And yes it's in hindsight, but I made that clear.
Well shit man I suggested that Kelly/Long put WB in the backfield next to Book 3 weeks ago, where
were you then to defend my post as I was told repeatedly that the team was fine the way they were and just needed to brush up on a few items. A little confusion might have made a difference since every coach has Kelly's playbook by now.