Chat Transcript: Taking a deep dive on Notre Dame's running back depth
Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat brought to you by J&R Solutions.
Some quick programming notes:
► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, I think it’ll be worth your while to play catch-up. We’ve moved into our Monday night 7 ET. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube. Tyler James and I are also doing a live postgame show of our takeaways after every game. Here’s what last week’s show looked like.
► On this week’s Inside ND Sports Podcast, we caught up with Conor O’Neill, who covers both Wake Forest at Deacons Illustrated and Duke at Devils Illustrated for Rivals. O’Neill, Tyler James and I discussed Duke's upset of Clemson on Monday night, how good Duke truly is, how Mike Elko has changed the program, what Notre Dame should expect from NC State on Saturday, how Hartman has adapted at ND, whether the ACC expansion makes sense, if Clemson's problems are fixable, how Wake Forest will do without Sam Hartman and more. The podcast can be listened to via SoundCloud or on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podbean and Pocket Casts.
► And, finally, thanks to all who have been listening during my return to WSBT radio as a co-host with Darin Pritchett on Weekday SportsBeat (960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com) on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the 2023 Notre Dame Football season. I'm also co-hosting the pregame shows with Darin and Tyler Horka (which is not a clever stage name for Tyler James). The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. This week’s pregame show starts at 9 a.m. ET. You can download episodes as podcasts.
Eric Hansen: As far as this week's chat, right here, right now …
Please remember to include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your question(s).
Here are the rules.
Eric Hansen: Off we go ...
Pat from Florida: Are five running backs getting carries sustainable? I’m worried one of the younger guys transfers out because of it (mainly Love).
Eric Hansen: Hi Pat. I'm not sure ND can be consistent with that approach as the Irish start to see above-average and even elite run defenses. The Irish face six teams that had run defense national rankings of 26th of better last season on this year's schedule, and four that finished in the top 12. One of those comes up this weekend -- NC State (10th). This is a situation, though, that demonstrates Deland McCullough's value as a running backs coach. He's fostered a close relationship among those five. He is able to achieve buy-in for the running back-by-committee approach, because he has NFL and Super Bowl cred. (my grandkids will be happy I used that word) ... He's also able to point out that there aren't a lot of teams that lean heavily on one back in college. He also can point out that less tread on the tires is something NFL teams like. Now, sharing carries and no carries are two different things. So, that may end up being a challenge.
The fact that these backs are versatile and can also line up as receivers also helps. And can you imagine if Colorado freshman Dylan Edwards hadn't decommitted? You'd be asking this question about six running backs. So there is no guarantee someone wouldn't eventually transfer, but McCullough really minimizes the risk with who he is and the approach he takes.
Jeff from Fort Wayne, Ind.: Thanks for doing these chats and keeping us well informed. My question is with Sam Hartman leaving after this year, next year as long as everyone stays and CJ comes, that means we have only 3 scholarship QBs. That seems like asking for trouble. Do they look for another transfer QB or do they try to recruit another QB somewhere? It seems if they go with another transfer this will turn into a yearly thing. At some point should they recruit 2 QBs? I know Alabama did last year and also took Buchner as a transfer.
Eric Hansen: Jeff, thank you. Given what the transfer portal has turned into at the QB position, I think it will be tough at some places to get/keep four. And if you do get a fourth, is that guy going to be much better than a walk-on, who's happy to be there? I think the bigger question re transfer portal or not involves the top of the depth chart, not the bottom or the depth itself. It's one thing if Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey or CJ Carr can play to the level that Drew Pyne/Tyler Buchner played last season. It's quite another asking/thinking they can play at or near the level ND will get from Sam Hartman this year? So, ND's got to weigh in December if there's another Sam Hartman out there who'd be interested vs. living with the growing pains of one of the other three? If they do take a portal QB, then you would like to believe one of those three home-grown QBs would be ready to start in 2025.
Going with three total isn't ideal. ND is doing it this year and got away with it in 2015 in a year when QB1 went down for the season on game 2 (Malik Zaire). But if you have a quality walk-on, I think it works.
Related content
► Film Analysis: Fixes needed in Notre Dame's pass protection, pass rush
► Press Conference transcript from Notre Dame D-coordinator Al Golden (9/5)
► Transcript: Notre Dame OC Gerad Parker ahead of NC State game
► Pat Coogan's journey to starting for Notre Dame football was worth the wait
► Notre Dame depth chart projection for NC State
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Manny from San Pedro, Calif.: Eric!!!!!!! 2-0 baby!!! We are cooking with gas. What do we have to do defensively if we want to be 3-0???? Also, will the boys be able to handle the road crowd?
Eric Hansen: Manny!!!!!!!!!!!!&*%#!! I got so excited when I saw your exclamation points I almost called you Manti. Had to fix that. ... To your question, Notre Dame needs to make NC State QB Brennan Armstrong look like the 2022 version of himself at Virginia and not the 2021 rendition at Virginia when he was second in the nation in total offense and working with OC Robert Anae, with whom he's not reunited at NC State. UConn did a good job of handling NC State's traditional running game and preventing big plays (0 of them of 20 yards or more). ND needs to do that AND mitigate Armstrong in the running game. ... I think they'll be able to handle the road environment as long as they don't bring a hurricane with them.
Joe H Williams from Bay, Wis.: Hi Eric. Thanks for all your great coverage the first two weeks. I was wondering about two players I have high hopes for Tyson Ford and Nolan Ziegler I know Nolan has had some personal problems and Tyson hasn’t cracked the two deep but do you see either of these guys contributing to the team this season.
Eric Hansen: Thanks, Joe. I think sophomore Tyson Ford's time will be 2024. I think he's following a path very similar to Jason Onye, who is coming of age as a junior. Right now, Tyson Ford is training at two positions -- DT and field end. I think once his path is clear at ONE of those positions, you'll see him start to ascend. ... With Nolan Ziegler, a sophomore linebacker, I am not optimistic you'll see him this season for ND but hope to have something more definitive soon. I do think he will remain at ND.
Bob (Oxnard CA): With Salerno injured, do you expect to see Faison and/or James elevated from the scout team? Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Hi Bob. Between the remaining six-deep wide receiver rotation (Chris Tyree, Tobias Merriweather, Jayden Thomas, Jaden Greathouse, Rico Flores, Deion Colzie) and the backs who can line up as WRs, I don't think ND needs to push that. Walk-on freshman Jordan Faison is impressive and fast, and Braylon James is talented but raw. But I think they benefit from the plentiful scout team reps they're getting now perhaps more than scant "varsity" reps. Both are progressing and ready if there's another injury.
Ryan from Mars, Pa.: Good Afternoon Eric when did Matt Salerno get Injured on Saturday i liked the way everyone played even Steve Go Irish ☘️☘️🏈🏈
Eric Hansen: Hi Ryan. It appeared to happen very, very late in the game.
Mark from Golden Valley, Minn.: Sorry for the bad IT skills. It’s probably because Brian Kelly used to hate wearing a tie to weekly ND press conferences… Do you feel Jaylen Sneed will see more action this week? And how many points does ND need this week to win against NC State on the road? As always, great weekly chats, and content at Inside ND Sports.
Eric Hansen: Mark, I love your persistence. I hope you don't mind that I corrected our brand name in your question (from our former one). I do think sophomore linebacker Jaylen Sneed AND grad senior linebacker Jack Kiser will play more this week. In his Tuesday night chat with the media, defensive coordinator Al Golden said as much. He said they were rotating JD Bertrand/Marist Liufau at the inside positions with Sneed/Kiser. But that the game got out of hand score-wise before Kiser/Sneed could get much of a chance to play, and the directive was to get the 3s and 4s in the game. ... "We don't treat guys as first-teamers and second-teamers. We need to play with a bunch of guys," Golden said Tuesday night. ... re points, I think 30 points is the magic number for the offense to get the road win. And not easily done. Only Clemson hit 30 on NC State last season, and no one scored more than 30. Sam Hartman and Wake put up 21 points.
Drue in Springfield: Really interested in what the "the one who knows all" about Notre Dame football thinks of this team. What I see is a team that is above avg. to elite in all groups on both sides of the ball. I expected them to be able to score on anyone, but the defense has surprised as well, albeit against lower level teams. What I see as the only deficiency is maybe a step slow on the defensive line...or at least not as fast as needed to bring down elusive and/or swift QBs as we witnessed four times in the first quarter of the TSU game. But that may be a nitpick. My question is, what has surprised you about this team? And do you see this team as one capable of beating anyone at the end of the year...barring a plethora of critical injuries (translated as Hartman out)?
Eric Hansen: OK, Drue, let me go ask him. ... but thank you. ... to your questions ... the surprise two games in? I think how well the defense has responded to surprises -- formations and plays that never showed up on film and they never practiced, yet were able to rely on concepts to largely be successful on those plays. to your second question, I think Sam Hartman gives ND A CHANCE in every game. I think the rest of the roster developing can make those chances more realistic.
Tony, Lake Mary, FL: Hey Eric. Thanks for the great coverage. I just finished reading Tyler's film analysis on the OL and DL. I love these analyses. With two wee ones around the house I don't really get to focus on the minutiae during the games as I am fending off the demands to watch Cocomelon. In the article, I saw that Coogan had grades in the 60s being high for the group. Is that normally a good number from PFF. That seems worrisome if it is out of 100. Also, trying to understand how much of Spindler's issues are fixable, and with so much analysis on the guards, are Zeke and the tackles grading ok? Finally, the missed lanes mentioned on the DL and pass rush. This seems somewhat fixable with a focused attention on it this week to specifically counter Armstrong. Do you agree? And finally, we never got to see Armstrong last year, how dangerous is he as a runner?
Eric Hansen: Tony, thanks and I enjoy Tyler's film analysis too. I miss a lot watching live that he's able to clean up by rewatching the games with the pause button. And, my gosh, I'm old, and my grandkids apparently are too. I didn't know what Cocomelon was until I looked it up. ... To your questions. The overall O-Line grades sagged significantly, and strangely, going from playing a difficult FBS defense that had great success against the run and in pass rush last season to an FCS defense that played more conventionally. A PFF score in the 60s is not cause for alarm on Labor Day weekend. It would be in week 5 or 6 in my opinion. NC State is going to be a real growth opportunity for this O-Line. I do think Rocco Spindler's issues are fixable. Doesn't mean they WILL get fixed. But he's been on the back burner for two years, has a ton of talent and has the maturity and the work ethic to push through the ups and downs. Plus O-line coach Joe Rudolph really believes in him. That helps.
Zeke Correll and the tackles were very good against Navy, and everyone was kind of meh against Tennessee State, but I think those three will be very good by the end of the month, and maybe all five. As far as defending Brennan Armstrong in the run game, you've got to have a deep game plan for this, not just one player (spy). I think ND has those packages. They can also come at him in waves and keep people fresh. He's a VERY good runner, not just quick, but at 6-2, 215, he's not easy to bring down. And he's not afraid of contact. He had 96 yards and 2 TDs on 19 carries in the 24-14 win at UConn.
Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week. Will you be heading to NC State for the game? A couple times this weekend it seems like ND had a little bit of trouble containing the QB, with Brennan Armstrong being such a good runner, do you think ND will spy the QB? And if they do, who would be the most likely candidate? As the competition is going to be stepping up in the next several weeks, are you concerned about some of the poor tackling? Also, I know it’s hard to evaluate the wide receivers on separation due to the competition in the first two games, but do you have any concerns that they may not be able to separate well when the competition steps up? As always, thanks for hosting the chat and the great insights.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. Great week here, ... Since you're a subscriber, you can check out the Al Golden transcript for more depth in the topic, but I will touch on it here. First, ND is going to face a bunch of these guys ... The Central Michigan QBs are good runners. Duke's Riley Leonard, Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, Phil Jurkovec of Pitt ... and on and on. I think I stressed Golden out pointing that out to him last night. ... “I’m just trying to get through a Tuesday. I mean, really," he said with a laugh. I expect ND to concoct the "spy" concept with multiple players at multiple positions filling that responsibility.
"Anytime you allocate hats to the quarterback, there's a vacancy somewhere else," Golden said. "How you mask it depends on the coverage or what you want to play behind it." ... So candidates Marist Liufau, Jaylen Sneed, Jack Kiser, Thomas Harper, Xavier Watts would be my guesses. ... I'm not concerned at this point re tackling. 1) It's being addressed in practice. 2) Playing a one-off offense in Week 0, followed by the adjustment to a conventional offense in Week 1. ... But it needs to be sharp Saturday.... and finally WR separation, not concerned unless ND does not get production out of its field receiver position (Tobias Merriweather/Rico Flores). Would be important to see progress there this week. ... thanks for the email. I will respond soon.
Doug from Sunny Florida: Eric, we've run the 2 minute offense with precision in the first two games. Is this a precursor to picking up the tempo on offense? Do you see more up-tempo in the offense in the future?
Eric Hansen: Hi Doug from sunny Florida. Eric from sunny Indiana. ... The more different tools Gerad Parker can comfortably pack in his toolkit with a sixth-year/24-year-old starting QB, the more dangerous and difficult-to-defend the Irish offense becomes on a weekly basis provided they can execute them with proficiency. Then you pull them out and match them up to your opponents' weaknesses. That will change from week to week. So it won't likely be a staple, just a very potent option. This week the Irish see an NC State 3-3-5 alignment that will have different strengths and soft spots than Ohio State's defense on Sept. 23.
Jacob from Hobart, Ind.: After seeing USC, Ohio State, and Clemson play, how would you rank the difficulty of those games and how many do you think Notre Dame will win?
Eric Hansen: Before seeing the Duke-Clemson game on Monday night and before USC played its second game and the OSU its first, my order was 1. The OSU, 2. USC, 3. Clemson ... I thought ND would beat Clemson of those three, and I said as much on our WSBT radio pregame show. My opinion now ... same order ... OSU, USC, Clemson and with the same results, although I think Clemson will be better in November than it was Monday night (but so will ND). Could the Irish win zero, win two, win three of those? All possible. But I would need to see more before I would change that prediction.
Jim from Oakwood, Ohio: Hi Eric and good day to you sir.Two quick questions for your thoughts please: 1). I understand that NC State runs a different defensive formation - a 3-3-5. Can you explain how that works, and the challenges the formation presents to Sam H, with the 5 personnel? I did not see that addressed in yesterday’s Q & A with Coach Golden. 2) Do the ND receivers have the option to break off a route and go to space or must they strictly adhere to the play in the play book? Thanks and be well.
Eric Hansen: Hey Jim. Good day to you. We had transcripts for subscribers from both Al Golden and offensive coordinator Gerad Parker. Since Parker is the one who will face it, he's the one who got the 3-3-5 questions. Here are a couple of his answers, and then I'll chime in:
Q: What is the challenge NC State’s defense presents?
“They do a helluva job. That’s a veteran staff. Gibby (defensive coordinator Tony Gibson) is a veteran football coach, has a great reputation and the statistics speak for themselves. It’s hard because it’s multiple, but also they do what they do. And what does a great defense do? They run to the football and read and react and fit. If you turn on the film and you watch them this year early and last year, and all their tape through his years, this team fits. They fit and fit fast. What better compliment to a defense than that? That’s what makes it a tough challenge for us.”
Q: Do they do a good job of making it cloudy for teams?
“They do a really good job. They can go from adding zero coverage to looking like zero and falling out and having eight pairs of eyes and playing drop eight. That’s the beauty of it. In a three-down front, it kind of affords them the ability to do those things in coverage that are very hard to prepare for. And two different ends of the spectrum. You’re talking about zero compare to drop eight at a flip of a switch. Then the run fits — you say it’s a three-down front, it’s easy to fit. Well, they do a great job muddying up the fits, muddying up the front and coming to fit you too. That’s what makes it hard.”
Eric Hansen: So there's different ways to attack it based on your play calls and formations. For example, trips (WRs), can make it easy to run against, because it pulls defenders out of the box, theoretically. From the defense's point of view, they can disguise coverages pretty easily. And they can blitz from a number of different spots effectively. What Hartman will have in this game, presumably, is a complementary running game, something he did NOT have in Wake's 30-21 loss at NC State last season.
Finally, receivers read the coverage just as the QB does and adjust their routes accordingly when it calls for that. Also, yes if the QB extends the play and is running around, they can and will break off their routes.
Jason from Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eric, thanks for the chats. Even though the opponents are different it sure feels great to be 2-0. I loved seeing so many guys get playing time. I know it isn't sexy playing an FCS team, but what do you think is the impact on overall team-building to have an opponent like this, where so many players can see game action? Does it help with confidence for this year, overall player development, recruiting, etc. Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Yes, yes and yes. ... This is not what you'd necessarily want to do every year. But given the opener was against an outlier offense in Navy on a different continent, this was the perfect game 2. And it was a meaningful game for the Notre Dame head coach and a lot of the players. I know it's hard for some people to see that, but I can appreciate after hearing them speak about it, how much it impacted them. ... Not every year will the schedule set up quite like this or even similarly. The Irish open up AT Texas A&M next season. But yes, it turned out to work this year in ND's favor. .. except in the TV ratings. Just 1.56 million watched, which was 14th (not counting yet the Monday night game), tucked between No. 13 Ga Tech-Louisville and No. 15 Texas Tech-Wyoming.
Martin from Orlando: Was I watching a tribute to Eddie George or a Notre Dame football game? Were the camera operators in love with Eddie George? Is Jason Garrett an Eddie George fanboy?
Eric Hansen: Martin, I did not watch the telecast. Probably questions better asked in the NBC chat, if there is one.
Kevin from Sleepy Eye, Minn.: Eric!!!!!!!! Let's talk targeting. The hit on Ford wasn't targeting but Carter was ejected for his hit. Do you agree with the rules? Can we even improve the rules? They seem too gray and the cost for targeting is too big I feel. Carter was clearly trying to force a fumble and not trying to target an opponents head. Go Irish!
Eric Hansen: Kevin!!!!!! ... watching those plays live in the press box, almost everyone had an opinion about were they or were they not, and it was nowhere close to unanimous. If there's going to be a targeting rule, I think this is something we're going to have to live with. I will say this. A few years ago, for our old summer magazine project I asked 12 players (one from each position group) and then-head coach Brian Kelly, if they could change anything about college football, what would it be. Anything -- players getting paid, all night games, anything. Almost every one of them said get rid of the targeting rule. Offensive and defensive players and special teamers. Now the safety aspect is meaningful, but should it be an automatic ejection?
MoxieBravo from Chicago: Eric - I haven't checked the forecast - any hurricanes expected in North Carolina this weekend?
Eric Hansen: Here you go ...
Myliah, El Cerrito, CA: Oh, I see you already answered a question about the big stable of backs. I have another! The WR room is still untested, but seems to be an improvement over last year. Are there any players with breakaway speed and/or that could be used for reverses/jet sweeps like Braden Lenzy or even Will Fuller in the past? Anyone that speedy?
Eric Hansen: Hi Myliah. Chris Tyree, Tobias Merriweather, Rico Flores Jr. Jordan Faison. Even someone like Jaden Greathouse would be good with it, because he is fast enough yet could break tackles. You could also line RB Jeremiyah Love out at WR (which ND has done) and run a jet sweep with him.
Alex from Cincinnati: Hi Eric. Appreciate these chats and your expertise. UConn had good success running the ball against NC State, and ND's running game with Estime and their cadre of other talented backs seems to be a huge advantage for ND. Is the 3-3-5 with the additional DB more susceptible to the run than the pass? I'm hoping that a solid run game will open things up for Hartman and the young receivers. Thank you.
Eric Hansen: Hi Alex. Thanks and I appreciate your questions. It's more susceptible if you can get to the perimeter and if you use the kind of personnel to give you that advantage. It's not just the 3-3-5. It's the play calls and the personnel. NC State and Iowa State have done it was well as anyone. But here's an example, you could argue that if Notre Dame goes to its two-tight end looks, it'll be harder to run, because you'll have eight men in the box. If you overload WRs to one side, you might unload the box. So, it'll make for a fun chess game. Also, I think UConn's run success was a little skewed by Victor Rosa's TD runs -- an 18-yarder on the first drive, and a 71-yarder where he just followed his blocks inside and got to the edge and took off. Those plays count, but otherwise UConn was 85 yards on 24 carries. ND's run game is much better, I'm willing to bet.
Jack Bates from Shorewood, Ill.: Many thanks for your valuable input. The game was great but the TV Announcers coverage of the game was not good. They appeared to have forgot about the game with their endless non game conversations? I guess in the future if this continues I'll rely on my radio for details.
Eric Hansen: Hi Jack, thanks for the TV review, since I didn't see it. As a rule, As a viewer, I would want less non-game banter and more insight into the deeper reserves who are rotating in and their stories. I'm glad radio is giving you what you were looking for. ... My pet peeve are in-game interviews with the coaches. This provides zero insight and is unnecessary. Case in point was the FSU-LSU game, I believe. They're interviewing the FSU coach and there was a key interception happening at the same time. Yuck.
Coach from Colorado: Eric - Loved seeing many new players playing Saturday on O & D. I am curious on #92 Aidan K. (CO kid) on the amount of limited reps he gets and the production that he does on D-Line in games, why he is still limited on snaps. Seems he does the job very well when in and still not in rotation. Do you think coach Freeman or coach Golden are not high on him? He could still play for 2 years.
Eric Hansen: Aidan Keanaaina is a curious individual on the Notre Dame roster. You're not alone in wondering about his situation, his future, his prowess. He's got traditional 3-4 nose guard size playing in a 4-3 defense, which still seems like an asset. He has been productive during his limited playing time. He has a Pro Football Focus grade of 75.1 in 11 snaps this season and 81.7 in eight snaps last season. Very good, but they came in low-leverage situations. Does he warrant snaps in more consequential points of the game? When I've watched him in practice, he plays well, but isn't as dynamic as some of the other options -- Howard Cross III, Jason Onye, Donovan Hinish. Cross and likely Rylie Mills at DT are gone after this year, so could he make an impact next season? If he's still on the roster, that'll likely be his chance.
Rich D Melbourne Fl: Eric, what’s the key to unlock Tobias M. Does he know the playbook? Can he get off the line of scrimmage and get separation?
Eric Hansen: Rich, to your questions 2 and 3 ... yes and yes. To your first question, ND's approach is giving him plenty of reps to get comfortable, get his confidence. The fact that he is excelling in other areas, namely pass blocking, is a good sign. We should know by the end of September if the approach paid off.
Ced Walker from Saginaw, Mich.: Any new names at defensive tackle and linebacker in recruiting? trust the process god bless the golden standard rally we are nd go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us.
Eric Hansen: Hi Ced. Notre Dame is finished with linebacker recruiting in 2024, and the last remaining piece of business in the cycle with the D-line is trying to flip Ohio State DT commit Justin Scott, which will be tough to do. Lots of new names and interest in the 2025 class, though.
Tim from Kansas City: Eric!!!! Love the chats. I noticed your dominance in the prop bets for Navy and hope you enjoy the free one year subscription. Your team provides excellent insight and content. I wondered about your perspective on the targeting issue displayed in the Tenn State game with a controversial non-call followed by a puzzling call. I know Coach MF took responsibility to correct the issue, but I approach it more from my team doc and safety perspective. I have always shown respect and deference to the officials but once as team doc confronted the officiating team over a similar non-call where a player was targeted and concussed and the referee responded by laughing at the injured player. Not saying this occurrence was that egregious but wonder what the current situation really says about player safety.
Eric Hansen: Tim!!!! I will match your punctuation character-for-character. And thanks for mentioning my lucky, er, knowledge streak. I think your concern with player safety is well-placed. But I did not witness the situation to which you're referring and we don't know what was said. Marcus Freeman might have said, "Oh yeah, well your mother drives a beer truck." And maybe that's why the guy was laughing. Again, head injuries are no laughing matter. I have had a concussion myself (long ago) and my oldest son did while playing football. Not fun. Not funny. So I understand your concern.
Bill from St Joe, MI: Hi Eric, just a thought concerning the very concerning conference realignment…with the seemingly likely “defections” of 2 plus teams from the ACC, and the additions of a handful of what’s left of the PAC 12. How about a new conference of what remains of the ACC into a Atlantic Coast Division and a what remains of the PAC 12 plus additions from other west of the Mississippi teams into a Pacific Coast Division, with a conference championship at the end of the regular season. It would limit quite a bit, but perhaps not all, of the long distance travel. It likely would work for football and perhaps??? other sports. Not sure what you would call the new conference but one could look into/consult with the “Magic 8 Ball” for the an appropriate moniker.
Eric Hansen: Hi Bill. Ha, I like your name suggestion for the proposed conference. I think the travel logistics for the non-revenue sports is being worked out (a lot more non-conference games for baseball, for example). Still not sure how that's going to work. IN THEORY, what you suggest is great. But unless there's scads more TV money added, the ACC isn't going to want to add teams like Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego state to make your concept work. So more money? They're listening. Splitting the pie more ways with no extra money? That's a hard pass.
Jim Tal, Valley Center CA.: Greetings Eric, always great to check in with you. It has been said that neither Rocco or Coogan played particularly well at guard this past Saturday. Can you confirm if that was the case and if so, will Billy Schrauth soon get a crack to take over as a starter if that sort of indifferent play continues? Thanks much.
Eric Hansen: Hi Jim, great to have you here. I would characterize Pat Coogan and Rocco Spindler as up and down, and probably as expected at this point. What you're trying to do, as Mike Golic Jr. likes to say, the ability to see plays through one set of eyes. In doing so, changing the lineup runs counter to that goal. Now, if things don't improve by midseason, as was the case in 2021, then you consider making a personnel change. So, let's revisit where we are with this at that point?
Patrick from Fort Wayne, Ind.: Good afternoon Eric. After watching Josh Burnham play in the opening two games, I am inclined to believe that by the end of the season he will be starting. The kid is a beast with speed and power off the edge and a motor that is non-stop. He and Jason Onye are fun to watch and a good base for the future of the DL. You could call them: The JJ Wrecking Crew.
Eric Hansen: Hi Patrick. I had a chance to speak with Josh Burnham, a sophomore Vyper end who converted from linebacker, on Tuesday night and came away even more impressed. I'm not ready to say he'll be a starter this season, because Jordan Botelho has played well, but I am kind of in that platonic/football crush territory that you are with Burnham. And if that name is used in the future, I will make sure you get the royalties.
Robb, Colorado: Hey Eric, thanks for the best part of my Wednesday. Regarding the targeting calls, or non-calls, I don’t see a sense in debating them as the officials will call it as they see it regardless of what we think. My question relates more to if there is any follow up by Jack to the league office after bad calls like we saw last week? To me an ejection seems harsh along with a half-game suspension if it occurs in the second half. Why not go to a warning, then ejection on the second offense, then a suspension, etc.
Eric Hansen: All right Robb, how can I not answer a question that starts out with such a nice precursor? Notre Dame does follow up with the ACC office with calls it thinks are blatantly incorrect. And they are addressed, though not often acknowledged publicly by either side (more by Brian Kelly than Marcus Freeman). I like your thoughts about the targeting progression. Those who are proponents of the current rules will say that's not enough of a detriment.
Tom Kennesaw, GA: Hi Eric, if you are making the trip to Raleigh be sure to check out some Carolina bbq. Don't be shocked if it comes with slaw on top of the sandwich. It looks like the combined ages of the starting QB's on Saturday should be close to 50 years of age. I can't imagine too many other games with that high of a combined age. Both have a lot of experience and know how to win late in games. What areas do you think Hartman has an advantage over Armstrong? Given two good defenses and run first offensive philosophies for both teams do you see a low scoring game?? Any other insight into what we can expect to see on Saturday?? As always, keep up the good work and thanks for the chats!! Go Irish!!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. The BEST BBQ I've ever had in a restaurant (and I've been to a lot, in a lot of different states) was this little place in that part of North Carolina 15 years ago for an ND-North Carolina game. I wonder if it's still there. ... Where I think Hartman has the advantage is ... better surrounding cast, more sustained success, better deep passing game arm talent. Armstrong has the edge in his WILLINGNESS and ability to make you pay by him running the ball. I do see a lower-scoring game, but not as low as the 2016 hurricane game (10-3). ... Additional info? I think you'll see some schematic wrinkles from both teams Saturday they haven't shown previously, and thanks for the compliments.
Jordan - South Bend: Hey Eric, Before the season started a news personality tweeded (x'ed?) a pump up speech from Freeman to his players. While the passion is admirable, I'm sure plenty in the fanbase do not approve of the salty language (even though this is commonplace on every football field in the country). My question is, as a member of the media, what is your feelings towards accessibility? The more the better, or should some of these moments be reserved for coaches and players. I suppose anything said during the media's open practice time is fair game. Thanks for your insights!
Eric Hansen: Hi Jordan. We are usually not close enough to hear the individual words, only the decibel levels, but that day we were. I mean, as a media member, I'd love more access, but I am grateful for what we get. I didn't have a problem with the sound being captured and shared, and I don't think Marcus Freeman did either. It's our job to capture what we see and hear. That was a practice that we only had partial access too, so that could have occurred after we were booted. Interesting question.
John from Scottsdale: Greetings Eric. Love the content and insights you provide weekly. Keep up the great work. I’m looking for your insight and opinion here. After watching LSU nosedive on Sunday I’m thinking it’s less the building of an architecture building and more the coaching that led to all the poor showings against top 10 competition at ND the last decade. How does Marcus Freeman differ from BK (in coaching style, personality, etc.) that gives you confidence he will have the success against top 10 programs that ND has not had in a long time?
Eric Hansen: Hi John, and thank you. Going into overtime here and will try to give these the answer they deserve, because they're not lightning-round-style questions. .... I think there are mitigating factors in BK's record vs. top 10 teams during his time at ND. Very few of them were at home. And often there actually was a talent disparity. Having said that, there's a coaching blind spot he needs to address. (This is a way too simplified answer, but for chat purposes even I am banned from manifestos,) Will Marcus be better at it? I think he's attacking it correctly, looking to upgrade the overall talent level, particularly QB talent and wide receiver speed (Clemson lacked the latter Monday, didn't they?). As far as coaching chops, it's still too early, too small of a sample size. Let's let this year play out and then revisit. Deal? Great question, BTW.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric, It has been another great week of coverage by you and the Inside ND Sports team. First question, a lot of fans including me think about the players/coaches/staff a lot especially when they are facing hard times. Has there been any information about Matt Balis of Nolan Ziegler? Not prying but hoping you could give us a simple that they are doing fine and working through their personal issues. Second question, In this week's press conference Al Golden mentioned the "factor level" in describing Josh Burnham's plays. He said it's the number of plays divided by the factor which gives you a ratio. He then said JB's is high which is good (not sure that mathematically a low number would be better based upon coaches' description of ratio) . Do you think coach Golden would qualitatively share Jack Kiser's "factor ratio" with you if you asked? Based upon eye test and PFF grades I would think it is high also.
Eric Hansen: Hi Len. Yes, is the best answer I can give you to the Balis/Ziegler question. With regards to Jack Kiser, by every metric, yes it's a high ratio, and part of that stems from Kiser knowing who he is and who he is not. Really, really valuable guy who I think will find his way into the spotlight sooner than later. The coaches do appreciate him.
Frank from Royse City, Texas: Will Ford play this Saturday? Also, can ND OL handle their DE?
Eric Hansen: We'll know more about Devyn Ford, in concussion protocol, after the Thursday Zoom with Marcus Freeman. I would not expect him to play this week. ... If ND can't manage NC State's defensive ends with two of the purported best tackles in the nation, then we need to reassess their standing. Not that it would be easy.
Eric Hansen: OK, I am out of time. Sorry, but thanks for the great questions. Thanks to J&R Solutions. Make sure you check them out. We'll be back next Wednesday at noon ET to do it all over again.
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