Area of concern - O-line not getting much going on rushing plays
ND's rushing attack was pretty well shut down by Indiana after Love ran for 98. It was almost non-existent against Georgia.
For some reason, as the guys at Irish Breakdown pointed out, the last 11 quarters of football have seen the ND O-line unable to create holes or get a push. If this happens again against Penn State, it could be a long night. Hopefully Denbrock can scheme around this and Rudolph can find something that will work.
Replies to: Area of concern - O-line not getting much going on rushing plays
The zone run scheme vs UGA was leaving gaping holes and the LBs with free reign
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Given blocking assignments, pass use of tight ends has withered. Flanagan out could also be an issue
I'm much more nervous about this game than Georgia. If we get down a score or two, we could have real issues.
I’m also nervous about tonight. PSU is the most complete team ND has faced.
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I think it will come down to 2-3 big plays; could go either way
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But the reverse is also true. Their playoff run has not prepared them for what ND will bring.
A ferocious pass rush and tough secondary, fast, athletic linebacker play, and a d line that can slow down a run game effectively. Neither SMU nor Boise (!) featured anything like this. Ditto on offense. True that they have a better vertical passing game than we do, but our athletic qb play combined with the rotation of talented running backs will be a new challenge for them. And I get the sense they are taking the old media line seriously - "ND is overrated! ND hasn't played anyone!" Neither of these assertions holds up to data-based analysis, but Franklin's asinine and jocular behavior makes me think that perhaps have not yet processed that this ND team is the real deal. I think they will be in for a surprise tonight.
The more I think of it, the more this PSU team reminds me so much of the 2021 ND team
Coach who can't win the big one - Check (Both teams lacked a Top 15 win regular season, although PSU now has 2 due to weak playoff field)
Elite Defense - Check (Int 15 vs 18, sacks 41 vs 39, ppg 9th at 18.3 vs 7th at 15.8)
Very similar QB who can't really run (Allar better) and won't win the game for you - Check (Coan 65.5% 3150 yds, 25/7 ratio, Allar 67.4% 3192 yds 24/7)
Excellent tight end - Check. (Warren is better, but Mayer had 70 rec for 840 yds/7TDS, Warren has 98 rec for 1158 yds / 8TDS )
Lack of elite WR production - Check. (Shockingly similar breakdown, no receivers over 900 yards or 50 receptions. Kevin Austin was best WR in production between both teams, but the splits are very close)
Strong rushing attack - Check. (PSU stats somewhat inflated with 3 extra games, but the ypc is close)
Beat every team they were supposed to - Check .
Lost to every team they were supposed to - Check. (Cincinnati made playoffs and lost 27-6 to Bama, OSU and Oregon both beat PSU)
2024 PSU > 2021 ND, but PSU has reminded me of some other team for a few weeks now and I couldn't put a finger on it. It's us in 2021. I'd take the 2024 ND team over a slightly better 2021 ND team every day of the week
Exactly…their QB actually throws down field accurately to the tune of 3200 yds
The best TE in the country and two 1000 yd rushers.
Gonna be a dogfight and RL has to show up again in a big way
Now would be the time for the offense to uncork it
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This is our biggest issue. Unless we can throw the ball down the field our offense will
Be challenged to run the ball again. Probably need to score more points this week. Turn those 3 FGs into TDs would help
I don’t see us holding PSU or whomever in finals to a very low point total.
Running the ball is the key
The PSU front is not Georgia. And we were getting around the corner on them. We need to run the ball , all over Penn State. Mix in some passing and play good defense. We got this.