Chat Transcript: Sizing up Al Golden's future at Notre Dame — or elsewhere
Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat brought to you by J&R Solutions, from snow-covered South Bend, Ind.
Some quick programming notes:
► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, it keeps its shelf life long after the live presentation. We’ve settled into our Monday night 7 ET time slot. 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. We’re also partnering with WSBT-TV this season, including collaborating on highlights and analysis. Here’s sports director Pete Byrne and me doing a quick run-through of this week’s game.
► On this week’s Inside ND Sports Podcast, Jerry Palm of CBS Sports joined Tyler James and me to help dissect Notre Dame’s postseason possibilities. Palm, CBS Sports’ College Football Playoff expert and bracketologist, discusses the biggest debates in the first release of the College Football Playoff rankings, if Michigan should be impacted by the sign-stealing investigation, if it's feasible for Notre Dame to make the top 10 by the end of the regular season, his Pop-Tarts Bowl projection for the Irish, ND's résumé of wins and losses, what should be expected from a 12-team playoff, if Louisville or USC is more likely to finish strong 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.
► Thanks to all who have been listening to WSBT radio this season, as I have rejoined Darin Pritchett as a co-host 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 pregame show on Saturday this week runs from 9 a.m.-11:00 a.m. ET. 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.
► And finally, we will be chatting next week, during the second bye week, at the regular time (noon ET) on Wednesday.
As far as this week's chat …
Please include your name and hometown with your question. Don't make me have to use my very ineffective and unproven powers of telepathy. There is no upside to them.
Here are the rules:
Eric Hansen: We're rolling with the rescinding of the "no drinking" and "no bare feet" rule for the third straight week. But in just checking through the queue, we've got some submissions VERY heavy on manifesto qualities. ... Let's drop those and we can keep the other rules at a minimum.
OK, let's get started.
Mike from Omaha: Thanks for the awesome insight as always! Is there a realistic number that ND could throw at Golden to keep him around or is it not about the money for him? What is the approx pay difference from highly paid college coordinators and NFL coordinators?
Eric Hansen: Hi Mike. And thank you. Not saying you are a part of this group, but it's interesting how little traction there was among the fan base to want to retain Al Golden at the start of the season and how much that has changed over nine games. But that's college football. It's still a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately type of business, not a lifetime achievement award. ... If Al Golden comes back for a third year, it won't be because money was the determining factor. It's how the 54-year-old wants to channel the direction of his career. His is on a three-year deal, mind you, but that doesn't mean it will be exercised for three years.
I do think Al Golden is enjoying his re-entry into college football, and the Notre Dame experience. But he'll likely at season's end have a chance to either pursue a college head coaching job or a defensive coordinator position in the NFL. At the coordinator level, there's not a significant difference in salary between high-end Power 5 coordinators and their NFL counterparts. The college head coach route would mean recruiting and more of it. The NFL offers different time commitments, but no recruiting. If he doesn't like the offers this offseason, he could stay at ND and try to build toward more-coveted openings in the following offseason.
Bob from Oxnard, Calif.: Since the advent of concussion protocols in college football, can you recall anyone who played a game within 7 days of being concussed? (BTW, I like Shipley and hope he fully recovers in two weeks.)
Eric Hansen: Bob, it's something I haven't tracked beyond Notre Dame, and quite honestly am only going on recall here. I'd imagine your focus is Clemson running back Will Shipley, who suffered a concussion in the Tigers' loss Saturday at NC State. There's no one size fits all, but I don't remember a player coming back that quickly. I suppose even if he were cleared, he could have missed significant practice time this week. So, it's really on Clemson coach Dabo Swinney to assess if that's the best move for the young man if he is indeed cleared late this week.
Joe H from Williams Bay, Wis.: Hi Eric It was nice to finally have two consecutive games without having to go to the ER for heart palpitations.I’m wondering what you think the effects are going to be with Mitch Evans unfortunate season ending injury What adjustments do you think Gerard Parker can make to minimize it and which player is most likely to step up?
Eric Hansen: Joe, glad your stress-o-meter didn't have to be used. Mitchell Evans is a significant loss, because he's been ND's most-dependable, and most-clutch receiver. Evans leads the Irish in third-down conversions with 10. Gi'Bran Payne has 8. No one else has more than 4. ... ND has the numbers at tight end. All four of those guys -- Holden Staes, Eli Raridon, Cooper Flanagan and Davis Sherwood have played. I think Parker will try to see if he can get more receptions out of Raridon/Flanagan. But having WR Jayden Thomas get back to form would be a welcome development as well for Gerad Parker and QB Sam Hartman.
Jeff from Boston: Eric - thanks again for all the hard work and for hosting these chats. I want to preface my question this week by stating that I am a huge Marcus Freeman fan. I think he is the right guy for the job and I recognize that there are going to be learning moments along the way. That said, I'm curious as to what you were thinking as MF let the clock run down in the first half. I was dumbfounded and still can't figure out what the thought process was (especially considering that Pitt couldn't move the ball at all). Did MF get asked about this at all? Did he acknowledge it as a mistake? If so, will they change anything in terms of the in-game operation to prevent this from happening again?
Eric Hansen: Hi Jeff. Yes Marcus Freeman was asked about it Saturday after the game, and he gave a reasoned answer that would not come as comforting to anyone who was bewildered by the move. If Caleb Williams had been the opposing QB, maybe the strategy would have made a little more sense. But giving Christian Veilleux a half a minute to get down the field is a risk 99.99% of the people in the stadium that day likely would have been willing to take ... maybe even the people in his rooting section. Can it be prevented in the future? Marcus Freeman is very open-minded and has a lot of good voices around him. The hope is that someone points out the flaws in that scenario to him.
Ced Walker from Saginaw, Mich.: do u think scott rairdon will be the x factor at tight end the rest of the season looking more like the peach bowl when we win out here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd god country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us
Eric Hansen: Hi Ced. Eli Raridon certainly has the potential to be a high-impact player ... but when? He's played a total of 32 snaps in three games, and his run-blocking grade has improved dramatically in each succeeding game. But ND has really eased him back into action slowly following two ACL tears on the same knee within roughly a 10-month span. So, there's a mental hurdle there that is being addressed. ... Talked to Peach Bowl CEO and president Gary Stokan right before the chat. They'd love to get ND in their bowl for the first time ever. But they don't have control. The CFP selection committee picks both the playoff semifinalists and the at-large selections for the other New Year's Six bowls. ND realistically needs to move up five spots, from No. 15 in the first CFP rankings to be in contention.
Lorne from Reno, Nev.. QB controversy? (kidding) The announcers for Pitt, specifically Garrett, made three good points. (1) the timeout at the end of the first half took away the option to run the ball -- and the lost time took away a shot at a quick final play; (2) Mickey almost had 3 picks, though I'm so happy for him to get that pick-6; (3) WT..H was Estime doing carrying the ball in the 4th quarter (see Evans, Mitchell)? But I think they missed a point in saying ND HAD to go to Gray and Mickey at the corners: Senior Clarence Lewis is a former starter (and did play a lot as a result of the injuries). But it appears that (freshman) Gray has passed him at boundary. You show it as an "or" on the depth chart, but hasn't Gray moved ahead of Lewis (he had a 42-14 snap count advantage)?
Eric Hansen: Haha Lorne, if you could see the rest of the question queue, you would find out there is not unanimity in that QB reference being a punchline. ... Ugh. I loved it. ... Let's start with the Clarence Lewis part of this. Perhaps we should amend how we list those guys. ND, on its official depth chart, does not list a true nickel, as we do, and so I think we're influenced by their listing in that instance. However, Lewis has played 131 snaps as a nickel, the Navy game as a safety and just a handful of snaps at regular cornerback this season, so that's an astute observation on your part. Christian Gray is the better option there.
With Audric Estimé playing later in the game, I think it's a matter of ND's offense laboring for so long, Marcus Freeman and staff wanted to keep honing the running game for a very tough test vs. Clemson this weekend. Not saying anyone's wrong for wondering/questioning it ... but I believe that's the rationale.
Scubatvt56 from Jamestown, Tenn.: Do you think we still have a shot at a NY6 bowl now? Eric would you trust Tyler James to give you a haircut?
Eric Hansen: I think Notre Dame has a much better shot at getting to a NY6 bowl than my cohort, Tyler James, has of getting close to my head with scissors/clippers/machetes and me willingly going along with that. Five spots isn't a lot to make up, yet ND doesn't have a lot of schedule-strength octane in November. They're going to have to win and look good doing it. I do think it's realistic, but this version of the committee made some odd choices, in my opinion.
Manny from San Pedro: Eric!!!!! Had this game penciled as one of the biggest games. And now if the Irish win it will barely make a peep! Football is funny. What is your favorite Halloween candy to eat and what is your favorite to hand out?!
Eric Hansen: Manny!!!!!! Great to have you back. You're right, if ND beats Clemson on Saturday, the narrative figures to follow the Tigers' decline rather than a Notre Dame angle. Given how good Clemson's defense is, it will still be quite an accomplishment, and on the road. ... I handed out Snickers and Twix last night, in part because they were on sale when I was at the grocery store and I figured most kids would like them. Favorite to eat for me? I'd say a Heath Bar as a kid (not good for my teeth now). Now, I'll take a Nestle's Crunch Bar.
Jeff from Phoenix: Good morning Eric! I went AWOL from the chat for a few weeks but great to be back. It really should be an interesting Nov-Jan with decisions on which players stay and how younger players and 2024 recruits fit. So, if you could fill in this sentence with some insight, “If player X decides to forego a final year of eligibility (for any reason), it creates a great opportunity for 2024 recruit Y to play in 2024". Maybe pick one from defense and one from offense and a wild card. Sorry to introduce math with the X and Y variables but please allow this one personal foul. Cheers!
Eric Hansen: Hey Jeff! Great to have you back as well. I'm OK with the math variable as long as I don't have to do actual algebra along with that. I've got your answer. All three of the starting linebackers have COVID/sixth-year options, so let's start the conversation there. I would expect at least two of the three to move on. So, if JD Bertrand and either Jack Kiser or Marist Liufau are in their final seasons at ND, it widens the lane for linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa to have an early impact. On offense, if Chris Tyree moves on, it opens up a lane for Logan Saldate to get on the field earlier at slot receiver. I think Cam Williams is going to play on the outside no matter who is on the roster. My wild card is if Xavier Watts cashes in on his late-season rise and leaves, it opens the door for Brauntae Johnson to seize a larger role at safety.
Irish Mike, Altoona PA: Hi Eric! As always, thank you for the chats! With the probability high of Al Golden taking either a head coaching position or a DC in the NFL, did Marcus reveal his hand when he proclaimed this week that Mike Mickens is ready to be a DC somewhere? Would ND be wiser to look for an experienced defensive coordinator or would Freeman’s experience on the defensive side of the ball offset the inexperience of a first-time coordinator?
Eric Hansen: Hi Irish Mike. The reason I asked that question Monday was to kind of get ahead of that potential storyline. Al Golden also sung the praises of Mike Mickens in his meeting with the print/web media last night. I think Marcus Freeman knows he owes himself to look outside as well as considering the promotion within. In this case, both scenarios should present strong options. If Golden leaves and Marcus does go outside, he could risk losing Mickens to someone else. OR he might be able to give him a raise and a fancier title to buy him some time for at least a year. And yes, I think both Freeman's own defensive experience and Mickens' four seasons of handling the ND spotlight well offset his lack of actual coordinator experience and make him a strong candidate.
Bill from St Joe, MI: Eric, during the previous bye week, both you and Darin were off on bye week Wednesday and Thursday, should I assume the same next week?
Eric Hansen: Hi Bill and thanks for listening to us on WSBT's Weekday SportsBeat on Wednesdays and Thursdays (wsbtradio.com). Actually, we were going to do shows, but Darin Pritchett had a family emergency and was unable to be in town. So, that also knocked me out of the lineup. We plan to do shows next week during the second bye.
Doug from Sunny Florida: Eric, no question for the chat but I saw your 'snow-covered' line. Just letting you know that we're having a cold snap down here too. Was 65 this morning and a high in mid-70's the remainder of the week. Keep up the good work!
Eric Hansen: Oh, Doug. you lively minx. It reminds me of the Camping World Bowl, and Notre Dame was playing Iowa State in Orlando in late December, and it was unseasonably cold. My former colleague, Mike Vorel, was coming out of a restaurant, and it was like 58 degrees. And he heard a young woman say, "If it gets any older, I am just going to die." So, it's a good thing she wasn't trick-or-treating with my grandkids last night.
Tim from South Bend (formerly from Thailand). Eric, thank you for the great coverage! ND just had a couple of very good weeks preceded by a couple of bad weeks. Do you see more, less, or about the same number of views of your stories in the weeks following good or bad results for ND? Wondering how the fan base engagement varies in the week after a big win or loss - not just the immediate aftermath. Thanks!
Eric Hansen: Tim, interesting question. The games that are really good OR really bad draw the most engagement/views. And it can vary throughout the cycle. Let me give you an example. The Louisville loss was so disappointing to a lot of ND fans, they didn't want to read the game coverage, but by midweek, they wanted answers about Gerad Parker, about the offense, etc,, so the chat question que was WAY fuller than normal. Anytime the field gets stormed, there's big page views. So USC this year, Clemson last year. The Louisville game also took ND out of playoff contention. The Ohio State loss did not, so much bigger interest after Ohio State in the immediate aftermath than Louisville. I hope this winding answer makes sense.
Ronald Fischer from Springfield, Ill.: How will the new ACC schedule affect Notre Dame’s contract with ACC? Will the Stanford game be a conference game or a non-conference game? Any information on ND tv contract with NBC ?
Eric Hansen: The initial implications are that ND's average of five ACC opponents per season will continue, with the Stanford series remaining a standalone annual game that doesn't count as that requirement. The ACC opponents have been scheduled through 2037. Now could that be amended? Sure, but it's unlikely unless teams leave the ACC or Stanford and ND want to make some changes. ... Nothing new on the ND media rights package. Still runs with NBC thru 2025, so plenty of time for that to come together.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Eric, With Evans out and Raridon just returning, and considering the issues at wide receiver, can Notre Dame scheme a series of 2 back offensive plays that can be both surprising, and successful against a good Clemson defense? And please included your thoughts on Coach Freeman's desired to run less plays, at a 10 execution clip, then add more plays executed at a 7 clip? In lieu of maybe having to mix things up a bit due to injuries, is this the time to run some different options and challenge the team to up their execution? Of will ND's game plan be to run less, a smaller game plan, and wait for Clemson to make offensive mistakes? Especially considering our defense's recent ability to generate turnovers.
Eric Hansen: Len, you give me a lot to unpack here, and I just took a few swigs of my coffee to give your questions the caffeine boost they deserve. ND has and had the personnel to run some two-back looks and they have and likely will continue. It's more about matchups and taking advantage of an opponents' defensive flaws than anything else. So Mitchell Evans or no Evans, it's in the playbook and ready to use. ... My thoughts on Marcus Freeman's preference to running a smaller set of plays at max efficiency over a larger set at mediocre efficiency makes sense. When you're Vanderbilt or Indiana in a tough Power 5 conference you don't have the personnel to match up, so trickery needs to be a part of your team's makeup. ND doesn't have that issue. They have better talent than Louisville. And you can still be unpredictable with a simpler/smaller package of plays. I completely buy into what Freeman says about that.
Against Clemson, on defense, I would lean into stopping the run and dare Clemson to beat my corners deep if I'm the d-coordinator. I'd mix my pressures to confuse Cade Klubnik. Miami and NC State both had success with this approach with defenses that aren't as good or deep as ND's (though NC State's scheme is impressive). Offensively, I'd do what the Irish did against Pitt, be ready to open up the run game with the pass, including some deep shots. And be ready for some in-game adjustments.
Fred from Richmond: Eric, It's always a wonderful feeling after a thorough team effort in a win. I was impressed with all facets of the Irish on Saturday. I was very impressed with performance of Steve Angeli. My question to you is do the Irish really need to enter the transfer portal for a quarterback. It seems that at some point you have to trust your recruiting and development of your in-experienced players. I believe your losing players to the transfer portal if you don't give them a chance to be the quarterback at Notre Dame. I believe the young man has earned the right. You have tremendous talent coming in the next two years, so if not now than when for Angeli. Go Irish put the hammer on Clemson!!!
Eric Hansen: OK, there's a lot of variations of this question in the queue this week and, hopefully, I can touch on most of the aspects of it with this one. Fred, college football is changing and ND needs to be aware of that changing dynamic. So with the playoff expanding to 12 next year, is the goal to make that field in 2024 or write that goal off and shoot for 2025? Remember, ND opens next season AT Texas A&M. Can Steve Angeli win that game for you?
I have been impressed with how far Steve Angeli has come since he first set foot on campus as an ND freshman. Was impressed having him on the podcast as a high school senior. I wish I was that mature at his age ... or even at my age now. And he may be someone I am selling short in terms of where his ceiling is. But keep in mind, when he's come into games, he's not a part of the opposing team's scouting report and focus on what to take away. Once he is, they will try to funnel him toward his flaws and he'll have to adjust and that's the moment of evolution for a QB, going through that stage. IF you can get a QB the caliber of Sam Hartman in 2024, isn't the giving your team the best chance to win? Yes, you may pay a price with someone transferring out. Now, if you're going to bring in a middling transfer guy, then no it's not worth it.
If everybody stays and you have Angeli, Kenny Minchey, CJ Carr and Deuce Knight on the roster, then I think you can skip the portal that year ,,, and maybe get into a rhythm of not needing to take one.
Mark from Orange County, Calif.: Hi Eric, Hope you had a great Halloween and were able to enjoy your grandkids. How does ND's OL and DL match up with Clemsons? In what component of the game does Clemson present the biggest challenge to ND? Will #20 be able to play for ND as I read Clemson has had at least 1 turnover in every game this season?
Eric Hansen: Hi Mark. I had to work, so we visited post-Halloween on the phone for a little bit and I'll catch up with them on the bye week. Two of them have birthdays that week. I think each team's defensive front seven has the edge of the other team's offense line. But I think ND has the better QB, better speed on the perimeter and better running backs to deal with that. Yes, Marcus Freeman said #20 Ben Morrison, who had two picks last year vs. Clemson, is expected back in the lineup this week.
Dave Ponte Vedra, Fla.: With the season at the three quarter pole, what’s your best guess as to who might leave early for the NFL? I would love to see Xavier Watts stick around for another year.
Eric Hansen: Hi Dave. We had NFL analyst Mike Renner on our podcast during the first bye week a couple of weeks ago. For more depth, I'd consider putting that in your ears on your next jog through the neighborhood or walk on the beach. Keep in mind there are only seven players on the roster with expiring eligibility and only five of them non-kicking game specialists. So, he talked about early departures of Joe Alt, Rylie Mills, Howard Cross III, Audric Estimé and Cam Hart, most notably. If I recall correctly, he thought Watts should return to ND. Some others I think will move on are Jack Kiser, JD Bertrand, maybe Blake Fisher.
Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. Which matchups favor Notre Dame this weekend and which matchups favor Clemson? For Notre Dame to win the game and control it from start to finish what are the most important things that need to happen? changing topics entirely, what are your thoughts on the first CFP rankings? Do you feel the committee is giving too much credence to the SEC? Thanks for hosting the chat and all your great insights.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. Let's start with the CFP rankings. I don't get too wound up over the early reveals. These usually self-correct over time as games play out. HOWEVER, it seems like a very lazy set of rankings to me. Like they didn't want to have to explain why a two-loss team was ranked ahead of a one-loss team. So, basically, they ranked all the unbeaten teams, then all the one-loss teams, then all the two-loss teams, then stuck the two Group of 5 teams at the end. My 4-year-old granddaughter could have done that. That's fine if everyone played the same or similar schedules. So I am looking for some improvement next week.
When you look at the raw stat rankings of Clemson and ND, the biggest difference is turnover margin, ND is 8th. Clemson is 95th. Quarterback play is a huge difference. ND is ninth in team passing efficiency and Clemson is 71st. Red-zone offense is another big gap. And missed field goals are huge for Clemson. So, Clemson has been its own worst enemy, but its defense is good enough to keep the Tigers in every game. The Irish need to keep their edge in turnovers and QB play in Saturday's matchup.
Drue from Springfield: No flattery with this question because every one of us thinks you are the best....but we won't tell you to your face!!😉 Can the Irish continue to improve their offensive performance with Raridon stepping into the mix? Evans was really showing up and making us forget about Mayer. On the other side of the LOS, was the play of the secondary without two starters at all surprising? I will hang up and listen.
Eric Hansen: Haha, Drue, thanks. I think the Irish can and have to continue a resurgence on offense, not just for Saturday but if they're going to be able to be competitive in a New Year's Six game. Chris Tyree's surge is an important part of that. The O-line must continue to evolve. Jayden Thomas needs to be Jayden Thomas. And yeah, getting Eli Raridon going would help as well. Evans is a big loss, but there are good elements on which to build ... That Jaden Mickey and Christian Gray stepped up is NOT surprising. To the degree they did WAS, and it was impressive. And it's another reason Marcus Freeman and Al Golden are so high on Mike Mickens.
Roger from Peoria: ERIC: Love the "Live Chats". Consistent with the "No Manifesto" and "No 17-Part Question" admonitions, I ask these. Much was said about Jordan Faison "going from 'walk-on' to football scholarship" after the Louisville TD catch per NCAA rules. At the time the reporting suggested (or was misread by me), that his participation triggered the change. But other walk-ons have participated without going on football scholarship. e.g. Luke Talich, Skip Velotta, Chase Ketterer. Can you clarify the difference? I am impressed with Golden as D-Coordinator. Even in the Louisville game, the D in the last 10 minutes kept the Irish in the game (albeit remotely) giving up only 3 FGs on three drives starting inside the Irish 35. What is the likelihood he will move on after this season? How "interesting" an Irish/LSU Bowl game this year would be! Let's say that happens. Assuming no players "opt-out" of the Bowl tilt, how would you predict the outcome of that game? GO IRISH!!!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Roger and thanks for following the no-manifesto manifesto. Here's the difference. Jordan Faison came to ND on a lacrosse scholarship. To keep teams from stashing good football players on other sports' rosters and using their scholarships, the NCAA has a hierarchy. Football is at the top of the hierarchy. So the moment he played, that lacrosse scholarship had to become a football scholarship, which now gives men's lacrosse coach Kevin Corrigan another one to play with. Those other players you mentioned are not on scholarship in another sport. ... I think Al Golden will have some very attractive offers and I think the likelihood he leaves is greater than him staying. An ND-LSU bowl? Yes please, and given LSU is No. 1 nationally in total offense and No. 88 in total defense (The Irish are 41st and 11th), I would pick the Irish to win by 2 in six overtimes.
jim zephyrhills,fl: If I'm MF I'm getting Angeli meaningful playing time the rest of the season since no playoff spot is possible. Your thoughts?
Eric Hansen: If you do that at the expense of winning games, you'd be run out of town with torches and pitchforks. Now if you mean after games have been decided that's another thing. But if I'm understanding you're question, why then wouldn't the players who are going to the NFL simply opt out if you're going to bench Sam Hartman? Why would another portal QB ever come to ND if you're going to play the second- or third-best option.
DomerReef70 from Montgomery, Ala. via Dowagiac, Mich.: Eric, All Souls Day greetings from the cold South. Seems like we have a no-win situation this weekend. The airwaves down here are hot with all of Dabo's rants on criticism. Clemson is clearly not the old Clemson this year but this would be a singular redemption for them if they were to win. We win and it is, well Clemson is down-not much traction for NY 6 Bowl with a win, unless a statement blowout type win. Also, your thoughts on Coach Freeman's comments on using the portal again for the QB position. Seems like that may give Minchey or Angeli reason to consider transferring with Carr coming in. My fear is that the need for instant success will, over the long term, devalue recruiting and developing at the position; the Bryce Youngs are few and far between out there. Unless you get someone like a Bo Nix or Caleb Williams who can give you two quality years. Thanks as always for your great work and props to Tyler as well.
Eric Hansen: Thank you. ... Even with the year Clemson is having, I think that's still a quality win on the road. My thought with a portal QB in this cycle, I would not take an average one. I would not take someone with more than one year left. I think that maximizes the impact and minimizes the unwanted ripples of taking one.
Bill from St Joe, MI: Eric, back from my tour of Europe, Scandinavia and the Subcontinent (if you were wondering, a line spoken by Cab Calloway in the movie “The Blues Brothers”), do you believe that after last week’s performance in the 4th quarter, ND has next year’s QB on their current roster…and if they were to look for a QB in the portal, would it not detrimentally impact QB recruitment? And, yes, I’m better in geography than Cab Calloway and the movie’s script writers, but I love the line nonetheless!
Eric Hansen: Bill, I would be surprised if ND passed on a portal quarterback, but you need depth and injuries happen, so the eventual No. 1 QB could be on the roster of at Saline (Mich.) High School. We'll know more about that in the spring. ... But I don't think taking portal QBs is screwing up anyone's QB recruiting. And I would say Angeli and Minchey are thrilled with what Sam Hartman has done for their individual development.
Sean, Portland OR: CMF made comments recently about having open and honest dialogue with players about the transfer portal during the season. 1) Have you heard anything about potential outgoing transfers? 2) Do you think Hartman will play the bowl game if it happens to be a NY6? 3) Is he setting up Mickens to be Al Goldens successor with his recent comments?
Eric Hansen: OK, Sean, the outgoing transfers we can all guess at, but that's not something I'm investing my time in until the portal opens. Too many other more-pressing storylines to chase and tease out at the moment. That time will come soon. ... I do think Hartman would play in a New Year's 6 game. He's not a first-round draft pick. ... I don't think Marcus Freeman made the comments to set up Mike Mickens. He made them because I asked him a question in a press conference.
Jim Tal, Valley Center CA.: Eric, so appreciative of all your efforts. A most sincere thank you for the tireless work that you do. In many ways, I truly believe that this upcoming game versus Clemson might be a career-defining game for Freeman. So much is at stake in terms of a high-profile bowl game appearance and keeping the program on a definite upward plane. Lose to the Tigers and objectively, this season must be considered a disappointment with not much real headway being made. In your opinion, where does this Saturday's game rank as far as importance during Freeman's tenure?
Eric Hansen: HI Jim. and thank you! I like how you crafted that question, but I think you're putting too much weight on how defining this would be in the long play of Freeman's career. Yeah 9-3 would be disappointing, but what if that ended as 10-3 with a win over Brian Kelly and LSU in a bowl game? I do think it's an important game, just not a career-defining one.
Scubatvt56 from Jamestown, Tenn.: The time change is this weekend. I hate it. I wish they'd leave it on daylight savings time. What say you?
Eric Hansen: We used to not change in Indiana ... stayed on standard time the whole year, and it confused everyone else in my life who did not live in Indiana. I can live with the changes. Don't look forward to it, but I can adjust to it.
Newt in Midlothian, Va.: I’ve been with you since the beginning and have never, and I said NEVER, given you a manifesto but I got one today. Why were our starters in in the second half of a blowout? And now we lost our starting TE and leading receiver. Next, do you think the criticism of Dabo is warranted? I cant wrap my mind around talking bad to a coach who has made my program relevant and given me 2 national championships. Hopefully, it will be a distraction and we can get a win Saturday. Lastly, the CFP Top 25 poll dropped last night. What do you think about us being 15? And if we win out what bowl do you see us in? See ya in Death Valley Saturday! Thank you and as always, Go Irish!
Eric Hansen: HI Newt. Yes, I remember you on the chats way back when they first started. I think it was the Weis Era. I've kind of hit on the starters playing later, or at least Audric Estimé. ... Let me get to your Dabo Swinney question and CFP question. CFP first. I had Notre Dame 11th on my FWAA-CFP Super 16 ballot. I think you can make a case for ND being 15th, especially the way USC has played since losing at ND, but the committee didn't explain itself very well. They need the “no drinking” and “no bare feet” rules, I'm afraid. If ND wins out and doesn’t regress and struggle, I think they’ll end up in the Peach Bowl.
I think Dabo Swinney is an elite coach, and what he's brought to Clemson should be honored. But I also think he needs to be open to the notion that he needs to evolve with the game and not stand on his past accomplishments. Saban has. Other coaches have. Dabo has been stubborn about the portal and has missed on some of his recent hirings. So, like Brian Kelly reinvented himself after the 2016 season, Dabo has the opportunity to use this season as a catalyst for change and growth.
Matt from Kansas City: Quickfire five: 1. If you could pluck one player off any Notre Dame team in the last 20 years and put him on this team and we would be undefeated, who would it be? 2. Is there a future Heisman trophy finalist on this team right now or coming in next year as a freshman? 3. It has been awhile since I have heard anything, but is Justin Scott a foregone conclusion to OSU or are we still trying to flip him? 4. Clemson scares me, wounded animal, disrespected, at their house, they are seeking revenge, all their losses have been winnable, what can I lean on to feel confident this week that we will go in and win? 5. Xavier Watts is playing out of his mind which is awesome, but Benjamin Morrison doesn't have the stats this year that scream out hey look how amazing I am playing, is it because defenses largely are intentionally avoiding Morrison's side of the field as much as possible (the Deion Sanders treatment)?
Eric Hansen: Hey Matt. 1) Golden Tate. 2) Jeremiyah Love would be my best guess. 3) Still trying, still hitting a wall. 4) The way ND's defense is getting pressure and forcing turnovers and that the Smokin' Pig isn't open for breakfast. 5) Ben Morrison is ruining other people's stats on opposing teams. He's still elite and getting better.
Eric Hansen: Ugh. The question queue is way too full and I have to move on to my next commitment. Thanks for all the great questions. Sorry I can't type/think faster. We'll be back next week, during the bye week, to do this all over again, Wednesday at noon ET.
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