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stuffed at the line of scrimmage. For all the ND offensive lineman currently in the NFL starting, you would think ND could run at will against teams or get a solid 4-5 yards per run play. That said, we really haven’t had a true down the field passing threat and I wonder if that contributed to defenses being able to stack the box against ND which has impacted the run game. Think back to the late 90’s Nebraska teams. You knew they were going to run it yet you couldn’t stop it. For all of the great ND offensive lineman in recent years, just don’t understand how we can’t pound it down other teams throats. I know the talent is there so it must be a scheme thing or a lack of commitment to it. It also seems like the running plays take too long to develop.

Running from shotgun when you need 1 yard against Army or Navy and have ND's oline is insanity, yet that's what Denbrock does. Very BK-esque and he's not changing. That's why BK's teams, with the exception of Chip Lomg's offenses, were always bad in the red zone. They averaged 88th (had a couple teams in the 100's) in red zone offense when they ran BK's offense BK's way. Which is tragically bad given the talent that came thru South Bend but not surprising given the scheme and mindset.

The commitment has to come from HCMF and so far it hasn't. I get letting your OC be your OC, but when it clearly hurts the team and goes against who you repeatedly say you want to be, then it's time for the boss to become the boss and tell your OC to run the damned ball and run it downhill. Or just admit that you're a team that allows the defense to dictate what you do on offense. So far that's ND's offensive identity under Denbrock.

By the lack off execution in Miami, and eager to erase that stain.

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I may be a little biased, but the Packers had to rely on their run game for a good portion of the last year. Their passing game fell off in the 2nd half of the year and teams would just load up on the run game. Needless to say their offense stumbled. Fast forward to this year and they are doing a better job in move the ball through the air. Teams are still keying on the run but they are not as effective in stopping the Pack’s offense so far. Looking back at OSU, we didn’t have an effective downfield passing game and we waited too long to take some shots down the field. Same thing happened against Miami. We need to get J.Love involved early in often.

I agree. And I think GB is a complete team now. They’ll be tough to beat.

harder to have success against.

Price and Love averaged 6.2 & 6.9 yds a carry on the season, I think they did really well all things considered.

You have to perform well against “better” teams to be great. You can’t just shine against the academies and Virginia’s, etc, but then play mediocre against the “better” teams bc then those YPC become empty calories and the O line gets unrealistic expectations put on them. That’s all I’m saying. I think the verdict is still out on this o line as it sits right now especially with Riley Leonard not being there to save the day.

I’m hoping Carr’s ability as a passer off-sets Leonard’s running ability.

I also wonder if that’s the real reason why Denbrock called the Miami game plan like he did bc he didn’t trust the o line. Idk

inexperienced group last year, but, in my opinion, they played about as well as one could hope (except NIU, of course) given that youth and inexperience. Knapp was physically over matched at times and he and Wagner were/are both undersized, but their toughness and effort shouldn't be in question.

They're definitely going to feel the effect of not having a running threat at QB. Just can't replicate the stress that puts on a defense, not even with an excellent passing game.

Verdict is definitely still out on them, for sure, but the Miami game isn't a good measuring stick. Most position groups played poorly that night. Tomorrow should tell us a lot.

Go Irish!!!

Likely the best team we play all season (we hope). Is Navy our best measuring stick?

The data suggest we had some good efforts, apart from the great run against the Hoosiers

And ND no longer has the leading rusher from that game and btw he wasn’t a RB. Idk just how much Leonard’s better than average running ability masked perhaps some offensive line weaknesses.

I guess what I’m saying is could the offensive line be weaker than we think they are? It’s not a knock on them, but could they just not be as strong as everyone’s projection? With that said, I do think Jagusah is a beast. His absence is 100% a gaping hole.

I think I’d take him and a back up OL over two starters right now. That’s how valuable I think he is.

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but I am hoping that if what the coaches say about letting Carr open the playbook is for real. If it is, I expect it to open up more opportunity for Price and Love, and produce a solid rushing effort. We’ll see.

that I have seen a Notre Dame team play without dominating any specific area. The passion and performance was there by every single player. Georgia may have flipped the outcome if Beck had played...or not...we will never know. But the Irish just kept making plays and the second half kickoff return silenced the Georgia crowd for good. The leadership and passion from X, Kiser, and RL was evident throughout and was blatantly missing at Hard Rock. This team has the same talent but the leadership roles have to be filled in order to raise the passion and energy for the season to be successful. You can put that on the coaches if you want to...I don't...it has to come from the players on the field. Maybe that is just me....but as an athlete, the actions are what always mattered...not the words.

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