As an Irish fan for more than 40 years I have seen the ebb and flow of college football. Today's game has been transformed by the explosion of tv deals, NIL, social media, spread offenses and the transfer portal. Now more than ever, talent is spread around the country so that even middle of the road to flat out bad teams (Marshall, Stanford) cannot be overlooked. While the talent for the most part is spread around, a few schools have managed to corner the market on talent and a winning formula. The current state of CFB makes it almost impossible to win a ring if you are not an SEC powerhouse, Clemson (who is clearly slipping now) or Ohio State (who I think has lost ground to the true elite this year). Basically there are 3-4 teams every year who have a legit shot at the ring and it has been this way for about a decade. Everyone else is playing for next best. The Irish have been in what I would consider a second tier - not legit natty threats but in the next best group who is miles behind the elites - during this run. To me, 2 areas have kept the Irish out of elite status even if it is just for 1 year.
In modern CFB, QB's have to possess one of these 2 traits to be great: ability to make quick, correct reads while delivering accurate throws (especially deep throws) or the pure athletic ability to make plays and hurt defenses at times on their own. Possessing both is rare but having 1 is essential. We have not found or developed this yet and it holds us back. Ian Book was a decent QB but his limitations kept the Irish from being a true threat even though the rosters were stacked while he was here. We have to figure out a way to get an elite QB here. Watching the Penix kid destroy Oregon last weekend was a case study in how great QB play affects a game.
The irish D has been phenomenal at times but it's achilles heel has always been the secondary. Why can't we cover receivers from Navy? It is an embarrassment and has been the weak link for more than a decade. Modern D requires corners who can cover and make plays. The true key to great defense is the ability to get pressure without blitzing but this requires corners who can cover. It's not complicated but there just aren't that many players who can fill both of the roles I described. I love the Irish but until those 2 issues are solved we will never be a true threat to win it all. Go Irish.
over the last 10 to 15 yrs.
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ND has areas for whatever reason they can recruit with that ELITE clientele. O-line, TEs and RBs. Every now and then they hit a home run with a WR or LB but not for other positions and not at overall quality of depth. What I have seen with Freeman recruiting so far gives promise though. QB to me is crazy, the name alone should guarantee one or two 4/5 star QB recruits each year.
The other things that may lead to this, is style of play, coaching and overall team speed. Style of play equates mainly to weather, team strengths and personal. ND needs to factor these in each year and play to their strengths, this is why ND is a run first team and in my opinion always should be because their best recruits center around it. ND will never have the speed of USC or the overall depth of Bama, UGA and Ohio State. What they have however is something in between, run first pound the ball and play action off of it. Once ND lands that 5 star QB then other things can come into play and just to be clear not just a 5 star but a legit superstar player.
Who is the last ND QB who has had even average NFL success? I’ll be waiting. Why would anyone (QB) come play for Rees and an unproven Freeman?
You make a lot of good points. Good analysis.
the fullback, QB and pitch man constantly in the triple option and it leaves the defensive backs completely on an island. Any receiver who knows where he is going will beat the defender one on one. The downside is it has to be run with perfect timing and perfection and the QB takes a beating. If you have been watching football for 40 years I cannot believe you don't know this.
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Our coaches let us down, and Navy’s outcoached ours, at least for two quarters. I’m not going to say the players lacked fire. Some did not, and even if that were so, it is on the coaches to have them mentally ready for the second half. Our staff, including Freeman, Golden and Rees, just shit the bed. Hopefully they continue to learn from it.
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Are you smoking something?