Full conversation · 13 posts

Jury is still out on Freeman-it seemed like ND turned a corner in 2024, but the Miami and A&M games

irish93 2028 posts Joined: Nov 1, 2009

Posted10:41 am on Oct 19, 2026

Last year was a regression. I also think that with Love and Price, last year's team was better than this version. With NIL, ND seems, at least on paper, to have as much talent and depth as anyone, but the results from 2025 and so far this year suggest that may not be the case. The current DC and OC make some questionable decisions, but Freeman should not get a free pass. I hope that 2024 was not an outlier. Freeman seems to be good at turning losses into motivation, but it seems like he has to do that too often.

Level 1
LOL. Consider the alternatives... OVERALL. It's tough to imagine anyone who'd do better.

Curly191818516 posts 12:58 pm on Oct 19, 2026

AND He seems like a very decent human being with a genuine love for the University. In today's world that is priceless.

View Single #6002229
- Level 2
  Re: LOL. Consider the alternatives... OVERALL. It's tough to imagine anyone who'd do better.
  
  THEISMANCARR18208 posts 1:30 pm on Oct 19, 2026
  
  Agree wholeheartedly. We have responded to losses very well. My new thread above points out how we barely lost each of our last three losses and respond very well with great leadership and maturity that has been developed by our coaching staff. It is very easy to criticize any play call that does not work. I am totally conmfident in the coaching staff and all we have to do his respond well and we will find ourselves in a favorable playoff situation.
  
  View Single #6002248
Level 1
I just hope he doesn’t become another James Franklin or Brian Kelly…..only winning games

NEPA Irish1159 posts 11:17 am on Oct 19, 2026

that they’re suppose to win and only beating up on “tomato cans!”

View Single #6002196
- Level 2
  Tressel part deux. The revenge of the sweater vest.
  
  DiscoRick2548 posts 12:54 pm on Oct 19, 2026
  
  (no message)
  
  View Single #6002226
Level 1
Freeman needs to update his paradigm. The James Franklin model died with Franklin. NC or bust.

LanceManion10589 posts 11:16 am on Oct 19, 2026

(no message)
Dead-eye Pete with 20 pounds of swingin' meat.

View Single #6002195
- Level 2
  May I remind you in 2024 he beat Franklin and Kirby Smart and finished number 2 to a
  
  THEISMANCARR18208 posts 1:33 pm on Oct 19, 2026
  
  team with vastly superior depth, in a game that went down to the wire on a third and long conversion to Jeremiah Smith.
  
  View Single #6002251
  - Level 3
    ND crawled back in it. Much like the Miami game.
    
    DiscoRick2548 posts 2:22 pm on Oct 19, 2026
    
    But it illustrates a recurring theme. They get down early quickly then make it close when the other team is burning clock. And they never really had a chance to win. Mainly due to conservative game plans. He's very Tresselesque.
    
    View Single #6002280
Level 1
The coaching staff can't be too stupid to keep the status quo

MarkHarman8043 posts 11:02 am on Oct 19, 2026

Certainly they must see the fade routes aren't working at that zone defenses that leave receivers wide open aren't working.
The concern is the staff might be thinking the players just need to execute better when it's more prudent to ditch these.

View Single #6002189
- Level 2
  Big difference between what you can do well, easily, and consistently. And what can be done if ..
  
  DiscoRick2548 posts 12:57 pm on Oct 19, 2026
  
  executed perfectly with precise windows. They too often opt for the latter.
  
  View Single #6002228
- Level 2
  I don't know. They tried the fade multiple times, and Carr had difficulty keeping those throws in
  
  irish93OP2028 posts 11:40 am on Oct 19, 2026
  
  bounds, yet they kept calling the play.
  
  View Single #6002205
  - Level 3
    The ball sails more at altitude. It's tough to gage a fade just right.
    
    Curly191818516 posts 1:02 pm on Oct 19, 2026
    
    I grew up in Utah and my drives went a lot further off the tee than when I played in the Bay Area.
    
    View Single #6002232
    - Level 4
      God I may have to move there to get my confidence back in my golf game.
      
      THEISMANCARR18208 posts 1:35 pm on Oct 19, 2026
      
      (no message)
      
      View Single #6002253

End of conversation