Realistically we’re about a 10-15 ranked team. Pretty good not elite
(no message)
Replies to: Realistically we’re about a 10-15 ranked team. Pretty good not elite
15-20, Louisville like.
(no message)
Except for USC (maybe), ND has no signature games on the schedule. ND now viewed as a pretender...
by default until it clearly demonstrates otherwise.
The flabby schedule precludes that this year.
Our schedule hurts us this year.
(no message)
On this matter, I do agree
We have a very good defense, but an offense that's mediocre at best. That's good enough for a top 25 ranking, but it sets us up for a downfall against a team that has both a good offense and defense.
The offensive line is a weakness right now. Had the line stayed healthy, they could probably have solidified into a decent unit by now, but the injuries to Craig and Schrauth (arguably two of our best linemen) threw monkey wrenches into the machinery.
Riley Leonard lost his efficacy once he took that hard hit, and couldn't really run very well. Towards the end, the QB runs where he'd normally pick up 5-6 yards, he was getting 2 yards at the most on each carry, which led to three and outs.
I'll admit, that when Riley Leonard is healthy and strong, the offense can get moving to the point where it's serviceable, but it seems like when he takes one hard hit, he's all but gimped for the rest of the game (NIU, Louisville).
Leonard's passing really didn't scare the defense, except on one play where he just lobbed it towards Greathouse for that TD. There was no deep safety help, since they weren't expecting the downfield pass.
On the screen pass to Love, they were stacking the box, aggressively trying to play run stuff, and knew that there was no downfield passing threat.
We were fortunate that we could make them pay for being overly aggressive with the 9 man front on those plays.
But, against a top notch team, you can't count on your opponents getting too comfortable in their defensive schemes. They're not going to make those mistakes.
Unless the offensive line finally solidifies, and we also play a legitimate throwing threat at the QB position, we'd most likely get beaten by any playoff team, barring it being some extremely weak entry.
won’t be elite until both lines are better and deeper and there is a QB who can throw the ball 20
yards accurately.
One thing that has always jumped out at me over the years is how the elite teams have incredibly
athletic, talented, and well coached defenses yet give up a decent amount of points due to the elite offenses are just so very productive. Even last night with Bama and GA, both teams very deep on both sides of the ball but lots of points scored on offense. ND in big games (i.e. playoffs when the stakes are raised) even with Book or anyone at QB has struggled to score 20 points against such elite teams. Common theme has been the QB position and WR. ND for whatever reason hasn’t landed the game changers. For as good as Book was, and he had a great ND career, he struggled throwing an accurate deep ball. I agree that ND has to be able to throw down field. While I know he says it’s been a work in progress, Denbrock’s offense in general hasn’t been what I think we were all hoping it would be. It’s predictable. Rarely any deep shots. Slow developing run handoffs. Riley constantly rolling to his right, which I’m not a fan of because you take away half the field on such plays. While ND brought in some portal WR’s that are supposed to be fast, but we never see a jet sweep or reverse or anything to mix it up or to create confusion and keep defenses honest. Good coached offensive teams will put their WR’s in motion a lot. This helps to negate double teams and also can confuse defenses in terms of the coverage. I guess my biggest frustration as a fan is that we all see the same things in terms of the eye test. But it’s like the coaches don’t as we keep seeing the same things every week. I still think that if Carr is the real deal, it would tremendously help ND for the next couple seasons to be playing him and developing him now. There’s a few schools playing freshman QB’s. Nebraska and K State come to mind. Those QB’s are good now and they will be so much better because of it. With stud experienced QB play, those teams will be difficult to beat next year and the year after.
Defense is secondary in the modern age. It must be good, but you must be able to score 40+ at will,
if needed. Or, you can't compete with the top 3 to 5.
Defense wins against weaker teams but a potent offense is needed against the elite ,
(no message)