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Chat Transcript: Best fit for Tyree? Clemson strategy? LSU-ND in a bowl?

Is Chris Tyree better off at running back or slot receiver for Notre Dame?
Is Chris Tyree better off at running back or slot receiver for Notre Dame? (Jeff Douglas, Inside ND Sports)

Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, Clemson Week edition.

Some quick programming notes:

► If you haven’t already, check out this week’s Inside ND Sports podcast presented by Dead Soxy with our special guest Jerome Bettis. Lots of great insight from the former Notre Dame All-American and Pro Football Hall of Famer. Among the topics discussed are his thoughts on coach Marcus Freeman’s bumps in the road and long-term viability as a college head coach, how coming back to ND to get his degree last spring has changed his life, and his breakdown of the Irish-Clemson matchup. Also, he weighs in on current Irish RB Audric Estimé, and going through the recruiting process with son Jerome Bettis Jr., a 2025 WR prospect.

Tyler James and I were back with our YouTube show, Monday Night Live, this week with the week’s headlines, a full review of the Syracuse win, viewer questions and a Clemson preview — all with minimal glitches. The show will run every Monday night at 7 ET the rest of the football season. If you can’t catch us live, you can watch anytime during the week, as the show keeps its shelf life going through the entire week leading up to the next game.

SUBSCRIBE TO INSIDE ND SPORTS TO STAY IN THE KNOW ON NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON THE INSIDER LOUNGE MESSAGE BOARD

► Finally, recruiting writer Kyle Kelly will host a subscribers-only recruiting chat in the Insider Lounge on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT.

As for the chat, PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question. Here are the rules:


Let's get started.

Rick (not Ricky) Martin from La Grange, Ill.: Eric! I hope the week is going smoothly for you, sir. Love your work and appreciate you doing these weekly Q&A's, they're great. My question relates to the ND RB room. My impression is that Diggs and Estime have firmly established themselves as extremely talented, young 1 and 2 backs (no particular order) for the Irish offense. With that being the case, do you feel there are any rumblings that Tyree could transition to the slot, where I think he may be better-suited in terms of his skill set and perhaps projects better as a slot guy at the next level? Anything to get more speed and talent on the field to supplement the challenged passing game. Curious to see whether you agree and can see that happening or if I'm simply livin' la vida loca over here.

Eric Hansen: Rick, thanks for the compliments and the exclamation point. Yours in one of many questions asking about, hinting at or outright demanding a position change/transition for junior RB Chris Tyree to slot receiver. But no one else included the concept of "la vida loca" so we'll go with yours. ... Tyree has dabbled in the slot already this year. And that versatility gives offensive coordinator Tommy Rees formational and play-calling flexibility this season. Tyree is ND's third-leading rusher and third-leading receiver. Can he make the move to slot receiver full time?

I think that can and probably should be a consideration in the offseason. I can see why it wasn't a stronger consideration this season, because Logan Diggs wasn't fully healthy at the start of the season and Jadarian Price was out for the season. Freshman Gi'Bran Payne has not taken an offensive snap. Next year, Price and three newcomers will add speed to the mix — Jayden Limar, Jeremiyah Love and Dylan Edwards. AND ND will likely still be light on WR numbers. So I will agree with you and say you are livin' the vida inteligente.

Jimmy from Boston, Mass.: Hi Eric. I hope your week is going smoothly. Should be an interesting one on Saturday night! My question is one that may be too early for you to have an answer for, but is there any idea currently regarding who among the current commits may enroll early? Hoping all the WRs do, haha! I'm assuming we won't know more until they are officially signed but figured I would ask to see whether you have a sense of any developments on that front. Thanks and enjoy the game on Saturday!

Eric Hansen: Hi Jimmy. It's a big recruiting weekend on a lot of levels. Kyle Kelly has a visitors preview. As far as who's enrolling early and who's not this is the way they're trending, barring any 11th-hour changes:

JANUARY ENROLLMENT

LB Jaiden Ausberry

LB Drayk Bowen

S Peyton Bowen

RB Dylan Edwards

WR Rico Flores Jr.

CB Christian Gray

WR Jaden Greathouse

WR Braylon James

RB Jayden Limar

OL Sam Pendleton

DT Devan Houstan

DB Ben Minich

S Adon Shuler

LB Preston Zinter

JUNE ENROLLMENT

OT Sullivan Absher

CB Micah Bell

TE Cooper Flanagan

OT Charles Jagusah

RB Jeremiyah Love

DE Armel Mukam

OG Joe Otting

DE Boubacar Traore

DE Brenan Vernon

Phil from Litchfield, Conn.: Hi Eric. Thanks for all your great coverage of ND football. FYI ~ I'm NOT planning to renew my subscription to ND Insider at the SBT. I'd rather follow the great coverage provided by you, Tyler, and the rest. Two questions this week: Can you send a note to each ND coach and player and tell them this game is @ at ranked Clemson team's stadium. Not sure we can handle the home-field advantage pressure (sheesh!). That's not really my first question, but do you see this game perhaps being like the notable visit to Oklahoma in 2012 that makes a serious mark on this team's résumé? Second question is not related to the game or the season but more of a behind-the-scenes question. I have not seen or heard much from Jack Swarbrick this year. In comparison, he seemed to be tied to Brian Kelly's hip during his first years, in good times, and especially when things weren't going well on the field, or when there were significant controversies (academic impropriety) or the tragedy of Declan Sullivan. Only me??

Eric Hansen: Thanks for joining us, Phil. Much appreciated. I hear you on the home-field issues. ... In comparing big games on big stages, to me what comes after is every bit as important as what happens in the big game. For instance, ND's win at Oklahoma in 2012 eventually led to a No. 1 ranking, a win at USC and a berth in the national championship game. It is perhaps the MOST significant game of the post-Lou Holtz Era. Compare it to the Bush Push game in 2005. Most people in the press box that day felt like it was the best college game they had ever seen. And it felt like it was going to change the program forever. And it didn't. Over time, it's become a cool Notre Dame moment, but not a program building block.

The next stage in the evolution of the program is winning some of these games against top 5 teams. Lou Holtz started out 0-4, then won 13 of the next 17 to finish out his regime. ND was 1-18 against the Top 5 in the 19 such games that preceded 2020 Clemson at Notre Dame Stadium and is 0-3 since. So, if Notre Dame wins this Saturday night, it's meaningful. But if they win and don't go into the USC game at 8-3, then the Irish are still in that growing-pains stage. As far as Jack Swarbrick, the last time I asked for and got an interview was last spring. It took four months to make it happen. It was worth it. My plan is to try to connect after the season. I can't speak to what others have tried or are trying to do.

Tim Thompson from Nantucket: Wondering if anybody else noticed a couple of oddities. On the now-popular tight-end sneak, when first utilized in the UNLV game, Clarence Lewis was on the right side. In the game at Syracuse, Xavier Watts appeared on one offensive play running the route of an end-around/jet sweep. How did we feel about the officiating last week … a mythical call on JD Bertrand and a missed taunting call on Syracuse receiver, plus the Irish D-line was held on every play, especially when moving laterally.

Eric Hansen: Hi Tim from Massachusetts. In the first instance, that was actually Deion Colzie and not Clarence Lewis. Colzie wore No. 6 instead of 16 that game, because he and Brandon Joseph (also 16) were going to be on the field at the same time for some special teams plays. On the Syrcause game, I'll have to go back and watch that play, but Pro Football Focus film reviews every game and charts snaps, and Xavier Watts didn't appear on offense, according to them. Maybe it was Chris Tyree (25) that you saw and not No. 26. ... As far as officiating goes, I don't notice a lot of the bad calls, because I don't generally rewatch the games in their entirety and I'm focused on other aspects as I'm watching live. Yes, I do notice blatant bad calls or missed calls on a sort of isolated-instance basis. And, yes, I have heard from fans and fellow media members that the Syracuse game officiating was pretty bad overall.

Mike from Costa Mesa, Calif.: Can you please tell me if Bill Rees was retained by Freeman? If he wasn't, who took his place? Does ND have a shot with VIZZINA or the Oklahoma recruit QB? Thank You.

Eric Hansen: Hi Mike. Yes, Bill Rees is still at ND, as the director of scouting. I think if ND had a shot at Clemson QB commit Christopher Vizzina and/or Oklahoma recruit Jackson Arnold, they would have been headed to campus this weekend. That's not happening, so no.

Jay from Granger, Ind.: Do you think Buchner or Pyne will ever be a starting QB for ND in the 2023 season or beyond?

Eric Hansen: Hi Jay. When Tyler Buchner first got hurt, I thought he'd still be the starter when the 2023 season opened Aug. 26 in Dublin, Ireland, against Navy. My thinking has shifted somewhat. I now believe ND should and will pursue a grad transfer quarterback to COMPETE for the starting job. Not be guaranteed it. So, if Buchner wins that competition, it should tell us three things: 1) He's still a better option than a now-experienced Drew Pyne. 2) He's 100 percent healthy. 3) He has overcome missing all the game experience he could have gained this season.

Bill from St Joe. Mich.: Eric, as always, thanks much for hosting these excellent chats. I noticed that at about the 5 1/2-minute mark of the fourth quarter, Andrew Kristofic replaced Jarrett Patterson, but none of the other O-linemen were replaced. Was that precautionary, or does Patterson still have lingering issues? Mayer was also replaced on the same drive.

Eric Hansen: Replacing Jarrett Patterson was just to give him some relief as ND took control of the game. Yes, he can play as much as his pain threshold will allow. He won't really have a chance to rest the foot (from an August foot sprain) until December. We had a chance to chat with him Tuesday night, and here's what he said about managing the condition on a day-to-day basis:

“It kind of goes with working with training staff, and then (O-line) coach (Harry) Hiestand does a good job just rep practice management. Sometimes a walking boot is necessary just to ease that soreness of walking to class during the day, so I get to practice with as much juice as I have.”

Tugg from Los Angeles, Calif.: Hi Eric. Happy Clemson week to you sir, and shouts to the most confusing ND team in recent memory. My question is one of QB recruitment. One of the recent kids on the board who I am more excited about than any other prospect in recent memory is none other than Brandyn Hillman, as he can only be described as a weapon. A kid who, judging by his film, can just as easily throw a 50-yard TD as he can come downfield in a bad mood as a safety and decapitate a skilled ball carrier. Just a football player's football player, who can seemingly make any program better. Firstly, what do you think are the odds are that he commits to the Irish in December? And, secondly, if he does find his way to South Bend, do you think we give him a look at QB? Personally, I would love to see it. The man is a peacock, and ya gotta let him fly! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts as always. Tugger out!

Eric Hansen: Happy Clemson week to you. Brandyn Hillman is a three-star prospect from Portsmouth, Va., who had one FCS offer and 0 FBS offers heading into his senior season. The 6-1, 200-pounder is a multiple-position athlete, whose recruiting has blown up since late September. For ND, he could play running back, wide receiver or safety full time. He does fit the profile was a Wildcat quarterback, but not a full-time one. If he has to pick a school today, I think ND would be the favorite. But he's still taking visits ahead of his Dec. 7 announcement date.

Tom from Sister Lakes, Mich.: Hi Eric. Tommy Rees has caught a lot of flak lately for the lackluster quality of the quarterback room. Refresh my memory, but wouldn’t Phil Jurkovec still be the QB if he had not transferred to BC? ND wouldn’t be in a situation where a JV quarterback is starting on the varsity. And based on the vitriol PJ recently spewed at Brian Kelly, it didn’t sound like it was Rees' fault PJ left. What’s your take on this?

Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. I didn't get the sense Phil Jurkovec had issues with Rees, but he sure had them with former OC Chip Long and apparently Brian Kelly as well. Had he elected to stay and come back for a fifth year, yes he'd likely be the starter. ... But as I pointed out in my Sunday analysis, he's struggling at BC, While Drew Pyne has slipped from No. 7 nationally in completion percentage after ND’s Oct. 8 win over BYU in Las Vegas to No. 72. And in passing efficiency, the slide’s been a little less dramatic — from 17th to 52nd (143.7).

But Jurkovec, playing with one of the nation’s worst offensive lines and paired with the FBS’s worst rushing attack, ranks 40 spots below in pass efficiency, at No. 92 (125.9).

Darwin Dunlap from Columbus, Ohio: Hi Eric. I'll come right down the barrel with it and ask how good is Steve Angeli and what do you envision his potential to be? I am intrigued by the kid, gotta say. Maybe it comes from my dissatisfaction with the current QB play, but Angeli seems to bring a hop in his step and a spark/confidence that leads me to think that perhaps he is being overlooked in favor of guys like 2024 commit CJ Carr. He has yet to even see a year in the Balis strength program and feel he could develop into a specimen as well. Just curious to get your insider take on where Angeli is at in terms of his development, grasp of the offense, and growth potential moving forward. I'm rootin' for the kid! Rooting for Pyne as well but......... will leave it at that.

Eric Hansen: I saw so little of Steve Angeli in truly competitive situations in spring practice and fall camp, it's hard to gauge with the eye test. We actually had Steve on our podcast back when Tyler James and I were still at the South Bend Tribune. There's a lot to like but more unknowns. He's intelligent, a decent athlete, smart, played against very good high school competition and mature. He also knows very limited parts of the playbook, would need help in recognizing fronts and sliding protections at the line of scrimmage, things like that. I could see him looking good coming into a game and finishing. I think he would struggle at this stage of his career to be a starter. He might have a higher ceiling than Drew Pyne but I don't believe it's higher than Tyler Buchner's.

Franklin Bash from Medford, Mass.: Hi Eric, hope all is well with you. I am confused about the absence of Joe Wilkins in the WR rotation. We have seen the kid is talented and can make plays and help the offense in seasons past. What's the story at this point, still hampered by his injury? Surely he can help in the pass game, no?

Eric Hansen: Hi Franklin. I asked about Joe Wilkins Jr. a couple of weeks ago or so, because I wondered the same thing. He's played in five games -- 27 offensive snaps with no catches and 18 plays on kickoff returns. He's competing for playing time with two surging players -- Deion Colzie and Tobias Merriweather. Marcus Freeman tells me he's not still hurt, so his lack of playing time seems perplexing to me as well.

Joe H Williams from Bay, Wis. Hi Eric. Nice victory by the Irish Saturday, but once again unsatisfying due to a very subpar quarterbacking performance. I don’t blame Drew Pyne as much as I blame Notre Dame coaching staff for their mismanagement of the quarterback position How in the world could they have gone into this season with no backup plan in case of an injury (which was highly likely) to Tyler Buchner? I was told that JT Daniels would have jumped at the chance to play at ND, and I'm sure there were others as well. I wonder if, first, do you think my Daniels statement is true? And secondly, do you think there was any reason other than fear of a Buchner transfer why they did not act?

Eric Hansen: Hi Joe. I've posted the quote from Marcus Freeman a couple of times in the chat, so I will hold back today, but essentially OC Tommy Rees told him Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne were both capable of playing championship football, so the transfer portal interest ended there. And keep in mind, if JT Daniels walked in the door, another QB may have walked out. Two things that did not weigh in JT's favor. He was not available until AFTER spring practice and spring semester. And, I heard he was looking for a school where he would be guaranteed to be the starter. ... And taking a glance at how he's doing? Not good. He's 87th in pass efficiency at West Virginia this season (128.1). The Mountaineers (3-5, 1-4) and in ninth place in the Big 12.

Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric. I hope you’re having a great week. What three things do you think have to happen this weekend for Notre Dame to win the game? Do you think we will see more use of the running backs in the passing game this weekend, as we will not be able to run the ball as easily against Clemson? It seems like they have been forgotten about in the passing game recently. Is this by design or do you think Pyne is just not seeing the read/checkdown? Also, I know Pyne is not the runner Buchner is or even Book was, but on the few plays where he has taken off he has been pretty decent. Would you consider a few designed QB runs just to keep Clemson on their toes? Thanks for hosting the chat and for all your great insights.

Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. Thank you. I think the three most important elements for a possible ND upset of Clemson are: 1) Be at least +2 in turnovers. 2) Win both lines of scrimmage. 3) Drew Pyne needs to be around 70 percent of so in his passing accuracy. ... I don't know whether Clemson will show the drop-8, rush-3 looks that have bothered Pyne the past three weeks. But if the Tigers do, you should see more checkdowns to the backs and Pyne taking off and getting 6-8 yards running the ball. I think that's the best way to attack that.

Drew Pyne may be forced into using his legs to beat Clemson when the Irish face the No. 4 Tigers on Saturday night.
Drew Pyne may be forced into using his legs to beat Clemson when the Irish face the No. 4 Tigers on Saturday night. (Jeff Douglas, Inside ND Sports)

Len from the Jersey Shore: Eric, Thanks for hosting. How many things have gone wrong with the passing game? Exclude the O-line development for now. QB accuracy, QB can't run designed run plays, not finding receivers at all, or finding too late. Injuries part- or full-time to four tight ends and three receivers. Running backs not picking up blitzes, like Kyren W did. Wrong patterns being run. Dropped balls. What can we expect from the passing game this week to complement the running game as part of a plan to win this week's game?

Eric Hansen: Clemson had trouble against Wake Forest's wide receivers, but ND's haven't proven to be at their level. And Clemson has been an improved defense. Given Drew Pyne's strengths and limitations, I'd try to get the ball out quick to the backs and Michael Mayer and methodically drive down the field, blending in the run and taking some occasional deep shots. The challenge with my strategy is that it would require a very high completion percentage to make it work, something Pyne has struggled with the past three games.

Rich from Key West: It appears to me like the time has come for Tommy Rees to prove that he deserves the offensive coordinator and, more so, quarterback coach positions. Pyne is struggling horribly, and with Clemson and Southern Cal coming up, we need a quarterback with some confidence and ability to compete. He obviously can play much better but needs someone to lift his performance up to the level expected of him. That has to be Rees with some help from his boss. They evidently have not prepared Angeli to step in or he surely would have done so. This is what the coaches are paid to do, so its time for them to do their job.

Eric Hansen: Rich it appears that you have submitted a rhetorical statement. I will let it stand on its own. Talk amongst yourselves.

Kevin from Sleepy Eye, Minn.: ERIC!!!! I could have missed it, but did anyone question Marcus on red-zone defense on Monday? I would think it would be emphasized heavily this week. Is our red-zone defense the biggest weakness our defense has?

Eric Hansen: Kevin, you did miss it. Over and over LOL. Marcus Freeman has answered it. Al Golden has answered it. What feeds a good red-zone defense are three things: Turnovers, missed field goals and teams going for it on fourth down and failing. That's the remedy. Notre Dame has surged dramatically in recent weeks in many defensive categories -- most significantly run defense, third-down defense and total defense. In fact, at No. 28 in total D, ND is now one spot behind Clemson (27). The Irish D has finally started to generate some turnovers. If they can get those in the red zone, that area will improve quickly.

Tom from Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eric, welcome to November and 70-degree temperatures. I shouldn’t be shocked with the way this season is going. Was it just me or did No. 52 have a really tough time with an undersized nose, who just out-toughed him? It was nice to see Colzie active and involved. Might his big body be another weapon down near the goal line to take an extra body away from No. 87? What are your thoughts of moving Tyree to slot, and for now, rotating just two tailbacks? Tyree needs space to be most effective, and right now he’s not seeing it in the backfield. I like his chances against linebackers in space with some play action mixed in to help……as always Go IRISH ☘️

Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. I answered the Chris Tyree question already, but let me get to the other parts. Syracuse nose guard Kevon Darton and his quickness has been a problem for just about everyone he's faced. He's third on the team in tackles (36), which is very unusual for a nose guard. Tommy Rees was singing his praises Tuesday night with what he can accomplish with his quickness. Yes, it would be nice to see Deion Colzie replicate the success he had against Syracuse, and do it on all parts of the field, including the red zone.

Michael from Atlanta: Hi Eric. Thanks for the chats. Any idea how involved Freeman is with the offense — both game-planning, personnel, during the game, etc.?

Eric Hansen: His understanding and involvement is growing by the week.

Mike from Gilbert, Ariz.: Eric, I’m in disbelief that it takes a player until game 7 to get on the field. Golden said Botelho was learning the D. How about putting him in on third down and saying go get the QB? I always thought guys who could sack the QB were quite valuable. Total misuse of a player. What do you think? Thanks for the chats. Go IRISH!

Eric Hansen: Hi Mike. There's a few Jordan Botelho questions and you sound the angriest about it. Full disclosure, Botelho has fascinated me since he signed with the Irish because of his mix of extreme volatility and extreme talent walking in the door. The EASIEST path for Botelho once he got sent home the summer of his freshman year for violating COVID protocols repeatedly and once he sat more than played because he couldn't channel his aggression into production was to run away and transfer. He did not. He stayed, grew up and got better. I admire that. So why hasn't there been a bigger payoff this year?

No. 1, I think the three coordinators and three schemes in three years hurt Botelho more than any other Irish defensive player. No. 2, he was playing behind a future first-round draft choice (Isaiah Foskey) AND one of the most productive defensive players this season (Justin Ademilola). Foskey now is playing an even higher number of snaps than he was earlier in the season. Botelho's opening came because of a surge in practice AND Al Golden playing Foskey and Justin together against Syracuse at the same time. Still, it means taking one of those guys off the field if you're going to play Botelho. Here's the good news. He has a chance to be a starter next year. AND, if he can be a surer tackler and play the run better, it'll open up more opportunities for him. I would not give up on that happening.

Irish defensive end Jordan Botelho sacks Syracuse QB Carlos Del Rio-Wilson in a 41-24 ND win on Saturday.
Irish defensive end Jordan Botelho sacks Syracuse QB Carlos Del Rio-Wilson in a 41-24 ND win on Saturday. (Mark Konezny. USA TODAY Sports Network)

Tom from Kennesaw, Ga.: Hi Eric. Let's say ND finishes 8-4 and LSU loses to Alabama and finishes 9-3. Are there any possibilities where ND and LSU could meet in a bowl game? I'm sure the media would have a field day with that one!! Thanks for taking all the time you do to answer all of questions. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen: You're welcome, and plan to get to your email tonight. Yes, there are two possibilities: the Gator Bowl and the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Jeff from Phoenix: Hey Eric, I’d appreciate your thoughts on Jordan Botelho and his much improved visibility and impact vs. Syracuse. Golden said a good week of practice translated to more opportunity. But is there any reason that only now, in his third year, we have seen him step up and to believe his impact will be sustained? Does he now connect with one of the new coaches or is there another player that is pushing and mentoring him? Will you have a chance to talk with him in the near future? Thanks as always-

Eric Hansen: In following up on Jordan Botelho, ND does have a grad assistant that helps with the defensive line (Michael Moon). The team LOVES Botelho. He has a lot of support and a lot of people rooting for him. I believe Mike Elston leaving was very hard on him. Will I have a chance to talk to him soon? I hope so. ND has been great at getting us a pretty wide vareity of players we didn't often get in the Brian Kelly regime. We have never gotten a chance to interview Jordan ... yet.

Tom from Toronto: Hi Eric. I really enjoy the chats. You get interesting questions and you provide knowledgeable and insightful answers. Thank you. I have a minor rant and a play. I think that it is time for all of us to cut Drew Pyne some slack. He is doing his best and has performed adequately. He is due for a breakout game and it may come this weekend. As to the play, on ND's first possession, first play, three-man backfield, Michael Mayer left, two wide outs. Fake handoff to the first back, keep the second back in to pick up the blitz, and fire the ball to the right wideout for a long-completion/touchdown. What do you think? Am I being delusional or can this work? Thank you.

Eric Hansen: Tom, thanks. I hope the critique of Drew Pyne doesn't come off as a personal attack. It is not meant to be. I try to be analytical, and support that analysis with facts and reasonable projections. I think most of the chat-heads here are trying to do the same — asking how can this situation get better? To your play, you do realize if this is a really good idea, that you're submitting it to the wrong person? I assume you are including the QB in the three-many backfield. Otherwise, you'd have 12 men on the field which would work, but is cheating. I wouldn't mind seeing your play. I would not use it against Clemson, however. Maybe Navy.

Jerry from Dallas, Texas: Eric, I don't understand the non-stop vitriol against Drew Pyne. Pyne must read this and it can't help his confidence. Yes, he hasn't played well, but he's all we've got. It's not like Freeman can bring in a CJ Stroud, and, as I understand it, things won't improve with Steve Angeli, at least at this point. Would using the Wildcat with Evans more help?

Eric Hansen: Since we just addressed the Drew Pyne critiques, let me focus on your Mitchell Evans question. I think it's possible — since Evans was a high school quarterback -- to throw out of the sneak play they've run with him four times. As a true Wildcat package, no. Because he's not an elite runner, but expanding the Mitch-a-palooza package, yeah, I think there are some interesting possibilities there.

John from Palmyra, Pa.: What is going on with Keon Keeley? I have a feeling he’s not completely done with Notre Dame. He seems very much like a Notre Dame man and has to be aware of what is brewing in South Bend. No? In the event that he does not return to the class, any chance that Deland McCullough’s son/sons gain admission through the portal? The young baseball player's film looks great. Give me a percentage that he actually walks on the practice field at Notre Dame. Lastly, what is Christopher Vizzina thinking? Is it the warm weather, the southern girls, or does he really think he has a chance of playing before Klubnik? Thanks.

Eric Hansen: John, elite defensive end prospect Keon Keeley is still playing out the process with Notre Dame really no longer on his radar. The recruitment changed when an uncle got involved. ... As far as Deland's sons, one medically retired from football (Deland II). The one in high school (Daeh) is a cornerback and is headed to Cincinnati. ND is signing two elite CB prospects in this class in Christian Gray and Micah Bell. ... The one who could possibly help is Dasan, a freshman edge player at Indiana who has 36 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 4 sacks. I'm not sure that he would want to leave IU. ... The baseball player that I assume you're talking about is Ryan Mooney. The WR is up to 12 scholarship offers for football, including two from Power 5 schools, so I don't think the percentage is high he'd want to walk on at ND. ... As far as Vizzina, elite QBs many times believe they're better than the people they'll be competing against.

Skip from Houston: I think you have properly shied away from grading ND coaches. Perhaps after eight games it is fair to pose this question. How would you rate the effectiveness of each ND coach (other than the special teams coach who must get an A) and coaching staff as a whole? Thank you.

Eric Hansen: Skip. I'll wait until after the season for grade, detentions and extra recess.

Matthew from St. Louis: Hi Eric! Thank you for doing this every week. One of your articles after the Syracuse game sounded like you are pretty optimistic that ND has rounded the corner. I’m still not sure I’m ready to believe. Since you are such a grounded reporter, what has convinced you that this wasn’t just a decent showing against a team still recovering from playing Clemson? Thank you!

Eric Hansen: Hi Matt. I hope I pointed out those things in my article, but I wouldn't go as far to say ND has turned the corner forever. The next stage for the Irish is getting those performances consistently, and the QB play is worrisome, because even if it improves and stabilizes, it's only going to do so marginally. But when you look at the key metrics beyond pass efficiency, the arrow is pointing up, which usually indicates sustainable success.

Billy from Natick Mass.: As a first-time caller but regular reader, just wanted to say I continue to respect your level-headed perspective and hope you continue to cement what seems to be a unique niche as the pre-eminent, reasonable observer/commentator re: Dome football. Thanks for being that guy. That said, an unreasonable question: with seemingly most everyone outside the program down on Drew Pyne, bless him, am wondering if you might have gleaned any feel for whether teammates believe he can make enough plays to win? Doubt we'll be pushing Clemson's pro D-line around or be doing it with Mayer and Tommy-mirrors against smart coaches with speed and talent everywhere else. The quarterback's gonna have to use the field, keep it from shrinking, no? Hard to go into a game against confident, good guys if, in your heart of hearts, you feel sorta handicapped. Basically, do you think the players have enough faith in Drew so that, if they play a reasonably clean game and do their part, they will win this game?

Eric Hansen: Hi Billy, thanks for the nice long intro. I'm going to cut and paste it and have Tyler James use that on our podcasts (I kid, I kid). I think the ND players have seen Drew at his best, so they know there's another level than what he's shown the past three games. Now it's not a Joe Montana level, but given how well some of the other elements of the team have come along, I do think there's a general confidence Pyne CAN play well enough to help ND be in every game remaining on its schedule. Now WILL he?

Jordan from South Bend: Eric, They say if it's stupid and it works, then it's not stupid. I suppose since we scored before the half that it technically "worked". My question is, doesn't it seem inefficient to run a "look to me offense" with less than a minute on a running clock? Seems like a two-minute package of plays that Pyne (or whomever is under center) can run without having to check with the sideline would make more sense. I don't think we can reasonably rely on Drew to complete long balls to get in scoring position, as he has shown it is not his forte.

Eric Hansen: Jordan, I think the "scan offense" is universally despised by ND fans. I'll admit the optics are, well, annoying. And when it doesn't produce, it's more than annoying, I would imagine, for the fan base. But let me give you Tommy Rees' own words for why it's used. This is from media interviews Tuesday night:

“We are using it more. Definitely. Definitely using it more. A lot of it was dictated by personnel. “You go into a year with a fifth-year like (Jack) Coan, there’s a certain amount of reps that he’s had where you know he’s going to see things a certain way. You go into a season like this season, you have two quarterbacks that have never started a game between the two of them. How can you help them? How can you take some of that off of them and put it on us?

“That’s where it derived from. Trying to give our guys a great opportunity to have success and try to get their eyes in the right spot and try to get them in the right call as consistently as we can, so it takes some of the experience out of it. As they build experience, you start peeling it back. Well, you start the season and your quarterback gets hurt. You’re a couple more games in with another quarterback who’s inexperienced, how can you continue to help him? It was really derived by trying to help.

“The other thing is it shrinks what we ask him to know and do. So if we’re scanning stuff, there’s a truncated menu of things that we’re going to get to. It allows our players to say, ‘We’re in this formation. These are the four calls that I can get to.’ Drew, if I call this, this is what we’re seeing. If I call this, this is what we’re seeing. It allows us to help some of those decisions happen.

"Now, pictures change. You have to react. You have to be a player. But we’re trying to give our guys a great opportunity to be successful.”

John from Palmyra, Pa.: Yes, Dasan. Any word on if ND would take him to replace Keeley? The QB I was referring to is Roch Cholowsky.

Eric Hansen: I'll check in with our recruiting writer, Kyle Kelly, who's a lot more involved in those types of discussions and get you and answer next week, but I hadn't heard that Dasan was unhappy at IU. ... as far as the UCLA commit for baseball, Cholowsky, I think that's remote, but we'll see.

Jonathan from Addison, Texas: Eric, hi! Am I too late to get into the queue? Love the snap-count info you all publish each week on the previous game. Was pleasantly surprised to see Watts, Colzie, and Botelho with season highs (if memory serves) in participation as well as production. Correspondingly, I saw what I assume were lows from Lenzy and Griffith. But I’m not sure which defender may have lost time to make room for Botelho. Do you know? Do you expect the trend toward these three (and away from the others) to continue? Or do you see it as matchup-induced only? Appreciate any insight you can offer on the reasons for it as well.

Eric Hansen: Hi Jonathan ... just made it. Glad you like those. ND shuffled guys around on the D-line, so there was a lot more Justin Ademilola at Rylie MIlls' end spot, and Mills played a lot inside. The reps went down for Chris Smith and Gabe Rubio. I think if Botelho continues to practice well and Mills continues to play well inside, that could be a pattern. We'll see. Rees said last night that both Colzie and Merriweather have really picked it up in practice, so they should play more. Watts has been surging as well.

Adam from Dayton, Ohio: Eric, you the man! Excellent "measure-up" game for the Irish. Read a stat from Jamie Uyeyama), believe it was "opportunity rate". The percentage of times an offense rushed for four yards when at least four yards were available. It was from a defensive point of view, though, so basically Clemson's defense is ranked in the 100s in this measure. They can give up rushing yards. Yet, I know they have "dudes" on the D-line. Can the Irish offensive line match up and will they be able to run the ball? I imagine Clemson will load the box and bracket Mayer. Do you concur? Can Pyne make plays to the receivers on the outside, and will he have to for ND to have a chance? Is this a tougher or easier matchup than Ohio State?

Eric Hansen: Adam there's a lot to unpack there for the chat format. Syracuse ran on Clemson, but Garrett Shrader (QB) did most of the running. Wake's running game worked, because they could get the ball downfield, which kept Clemson from loading the box. I'm not sure how ND's O-line will do, because Drew Pyne's performance plays into it indirectly. But what I will say is ND will not win the game if it doesn't win the battle of the lines of scrimmage on both sides.

Eric Hansen: Ugh, I've got too many questions in the queue and no time left. Thanks to everyone who submitted one (or more). If you want to try to submit questions live on our Monday night YouTube show, your odds increase significantly of them being answered. Of course you'll have to put up with us mispronouncing your name and having Tyler's opinions sprinkled in there. As for the chat, we'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon EST.

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