Anything surprise you about this team since the beginning of the year?
1. Books ability to make big plays. His scrambles against Clemson were huge. That crazy escape against North Carolina when he found Williams for the TD was all playground. So was the little flip pass on 3rd down when they needed to move the chains.
2. The speed and playmakers on the Front Seven. Not only fast but physical. Foskey & Liufau are legit and have trouble getting on the field.
Replies to: Anything surprise you about this team since the beginning of the year?
Spirit and teamwork.and leadership.
Talent will only take a team so far.
Rees has been a HUGE surprise for me
Rees, Quinn and Taylor must be working together really well to have the running game turned around so fast. The knock on this team was that the OL couldn't run block but it looks like the real issue was the offensive scheme all along.
From the stories about Chip Long after he was fired, it sounded like the players and coaches all hated him. He rode in on his single successful season at Memphis and thought he was going to blow people out. Well he certainly did blow against any team with a pulse.
Good luck Chippy boy, hopefully ND can face your special offensive genius at some point.
Physicality. Off the charts. Ain't seen this since the Zorich days. Please stay Clark Lea.
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The undefeated record and #2 ranking.
Not going to lie. I thought the team could be pretty good, but I am honestly surprised they are this good. Rees and Lea are earning their paychecks . . . whatever they are.
The level of defensive adjustments, inspired play and resilience due to excellent coaching
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The run game - Pass blocking by RB -
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This season will at least silence the criticisms of RBs having to block.
For a short while.
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Correct. I'm still surprised by it.
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+1
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Scrambling and being out of the pocket has always been Book's strength we held it in check for too
long.
I fully agree with this. He's effective and creative when running around.
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Offensive line play. It's been great.
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Good call. I admit I was one who worried about the OL fulfilling potential.
They've done a great job, and it is nice to see a Notre Dame team that seems able to run when it wants to and needs to. Kudos to Quinn and Rees and Balis.