Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Live Chat.
Some quick programming notes:
► The chat is back in weekly mode, and we’re in our regular Wednesday at noon ET time slot until further notice.
► 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 are back in our normal Monday at 7 ET time slot. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube.
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► Watch List Watch: Notre Dame's Evans, Mitchell gain Biletnikoff mentions
► Notebook: Why Tosh Baker is next up at left tackle for Notre Dame football
► Notre Dame ranked No. 7 in preseason Coaches Poll
► Notre Dame football depth chart projection early in preseason camp
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► The Inside ND Sports Podcast is finally back. This week’s podcast will drop on Thursday afternoon. On the most recent Inside ND Sports Podcast, Tyler James and I shared what we saw in portions of Notre Dame football's first three practices of preseason camp. We shared their top three takeaways from the first three practices, the most interesting things they heard from offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and defensive coordinator Al Golden and played a game of "Hot or Not" with predictions for the 2024 season. The podcast can be listened to via SoundCloud or on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podbean and Pocket Casts.
► Finally, we’re all in on Notre Dame football preseason camp. And Darin Pritchett and I are together each week on Wednesday and Thursday on Weekday SportsBeat (96.1 FM, 960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com). The re-emergence of the show on 96.1 FM is relatively new. The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. You can download episodes as podcasts.
As far as this week's chat …
Please include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your question(s).
Here are the rules:
Eric Hansen: If you promise to keep the whining to a minimum, I will rescind both the "no drinking" and "no bare feet" rule for this week.
Off we go …
There are SCADS of offensive line questions. I'll get to as many as I can that have different angles to them. But we'll mix it up for some variety as well.
Manny from San Pedro: Eric!!!!! So pumped for football but heartbroken over the injuries. What position group can we least afford an injury if we want to make the playoffs?!?
Eric Hansen: Manny!!!!!! Great to hear from you. I got asked that question BEFORE the Charles Jagusah injury, and I did include offensive tackle. WITH the Charles Jagusah injury, it's even more critical there is not a long-term injury at offensive tackle. The other ones I'd put on the list are nickel, cornerback, Jack Kiser specifically in the linebacker group, center and punter. That speaks to the depth at the other positions, including quarterback ... though I think Riley Leonard has started to put some space between himself and the rest in the QB stable.
Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. I know we were all disappointed to hear the news about Charles Jagusah yesterday, how badly do you think this will affect the offensive line? Does this change your prediction for the A&M game. Do you think that Denbrock has enough talent to be able to scheme around it? Besides the offensive line, what other position groups are you the most worried about for the A&M game? Of the position groups you are worried about is more because of lack of talent or lack of experience? Thanks for hosting that chat and all the great insights.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. Thanks for being a part of the chats and keeping me on my toes. Let's take these one at a time. How it changes the O-line? Not much in terms of approach. There's a trust factor Baker will have a chance to build during the balance of camp. I'm curious to see how he handles this opportunity. ... It does not change my prediction for the Texas A&M game. I still believe the Irish will prevail in a close, low-scoring game. ... I think Denbrock has enough talent to mitigate it enough to get through the Texas A&M game, then build cohesion and confidence in the next few games before having to deal with Louisville's front at the end of September.
I think worry is not the word I'd use for me personally. I think the area that's going to be tested the most beyond the O-line is the Irish passing game. So wide receivers and Riley Leonard's ability to be on target and produce explosive plays in the passing game are the points that have to be proven. I feel pretty good about the other position groups and how they'll hold up. ... Lack of experience and new system, new chemistry, higher bar.
IrishRob from Scranton, Pa.: The most frustrating part of camp, for me, is seeing guys the team planned on counting on go down to injuries. I was looking over the early depth chart projections and I noticed a mountain of a player in Sullivan Absher in the guard rotation. I have to admit that I only follow recruiting at a cursory level, so I don't know guys from each other until I start to see them on the field. I wondered, given his size, if there was a reason that he is a guard and not a tackle? Is he under any consideration to move, given his size or does his future seem to be at guard? I know there is a talented frosh coming in at OT in Lambert, but I have to admit, I don't recognize the names behind Baker and Wagner. Are there any potential gems in there, should God forbid someone else go down at that position? Thanks for the work, Eric!!!
Eric Hansen: Hey Rob. Thanks for the questions. Good ones, here. Let me start with 6-7, 321-pound Sullivan Absher's move to guard this fall after playing tackle last season as a freshman and being No. 2 there in the spring. I asked O-Line coach Joe Rudolph the very same question yesterday. Here is our exchange:
Q: What was the thinking of kicking Sullivan Absher inside, and how has he done at guard?
I think he's done really well. The idea was to put pressure at the left guard position and keep developing him and see if he could push. He pushes at times. There's times where he does things probably as good as they could be done, and then there's times where you realize he's not quite closed the gap on being a consistent player. So, he's working through that journey. And then really [Anthonie] Knapp’s development has been pretty remarkable outside. And he's really a consistent football player. And, ideally, as we move along, I think we find a home for him [Knapp] inside. But not many freshmen come in and can play like that, especially against this defense and this volume and stuff.”
Eric Hansen: Ok now to the O-Line rankings ... here are the current Irish offensive linemen who were Rivals 250 players in their respective classes and where they ranked in order:
37 Guerby Lambert
68 Rocco Spindler
87 Billy Schrauth
126 Aamil Wagner
137 Tosh Baker
167 Charles Jagusah
221 Ty Chan
227 Peter Jones
230 Chris Terek
There are several others still player college football who transferred:
68 Quinn Carroll (Minn.)
14 Zeke Correll (NC State)
118 John Olmstead (Maine)
178 Joey Tanona (Purdue)
231 Michael Carmody (UCLA)
Everyone else -- including starting center Ashton Craig and potential starting guard Pat Coogan were NOT Rivals250 prospects coming out of high school. So, sometimes the start align and sometimes they don't. Looking at some of ND's recent first-round NFL draft picks at O-Line, Quenton Nelson was a five-star prospect, but Zack Martin, Mike McGlinchey and Joe Alt were all left out of the Rivals250, and Ronnie Stanley was in the 250, but at 176 was ranked lower than Baker and Wagner were in their classes. So to answer your question, without leaning into the stars too much, ND does not have a talent deficit. But with two true juniors leaving for the NFL after last season -- the first time an ND O-lineman has ever done that — there is an experience deficit.
Doug from Sunny Florida: Eric, what is the latest word on getting down to 85 scholarships by the start of classes?
Eric Hansen: Doug. All I can tell you is Notre Dame is confident that they'll hit that number and also that the coaching staff isn't sharing the plan for public consumption. I do believe they're in a good place with it... and it is sunny and NOT humid for a change here today.
Bob from Oxnard, Calif.: After praising Anthone Knapp’s work at tackle, Rudolph said he may play guard next year. Do you think his physical attributes lend themselves better to tackle or guard? Would moving Knapp to guard reflect ND feeling good about what it has at tackle long term? Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Bob, I think you tried to revise your question, so I posted both of them. Anthonie Knapp -- not a Rivals250 prospect -- has been the surprise, no shock from the outside looking in at how he's moved up the depth chart. And I think the answer to your question is both. At 6-4 and pushing 300, Knapp profiles as a better fit inside, even though he's athletic and skilled enough to play outside. And the path to playing time may be quicker inside. Outside, there are some really good prospects coming up ... Jagusah will only have sophomore eligibility next year, as he'll get a medical redshirt year, so he has eligibility through 2027. Guerby Lambert is a stud and is a freshman. There are three really good tackle prospects in the 2025 class. Even Wagner has a lot of eligibility remaining at tackle.
Bob from Oxnard, Calif.: Advance warning, Eric and Tyler: I am coming out for FSU. Can we have an InsideNDsports get-together during the week for some beer and wings?
Eric Hansen: The answer is hell yes. We'll make time for you.
Dave from DC: Hey Eric, thanks as always for doing the chat. Will media have access to a full practice and/or scrimmage during camp? Or anything more than the first five periods of practice?
Eric Hansen: Dave, the actual practice access is more limited this year. We had a full practice on the opening day of camp. There will not be another one. We've had three partials since then and have two more and those end pretty soon. Now we do have lots of player/coach interview access, and between those and sources, we'll have to cobble together a picture for you instead of seeing it and relaying it. The no-whining guidelines apply to me too!
Dave Childers: D-Omer from Jax - I continue to live for these chats. Thank you. What game scares you the most? Big game? or Trap game. Take care from post- Debby Florida
Eric Hansen: D-omer/Dave/Debby? Welcome and thank you. I'm a bit confused by the change of identity here within your question, but I did get your email and enjoyed it. Let me answer the questions for all of you ... I think Florida State is the best team ND will face, but the Irish will be a better version of themselves at that point. Still it's the scariest. Big Game ... A&M in the opener, but USC at the end of the season may have a playoff spot on the line there. .. Trap Game Georgia Tech in October.
Ced Walker from Saginaw, Mich. aka sagnasty Saginaw pride: great move with Joe Rudolph putting tosh baker at left tackle I really believe it was good move with his experience than starting anthonie Knapp 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: Ced, I agree that was the best option and what I would have done in the same circumstance.
Rick Dierolf from Reading, Pa.: Hey Eric and happy football season! Debating between which game I want to attend, Texas A&M or Florida State. Do you think we will be undefeated when the Seminoles come to town?
Eric Hansen: It depends on whether you want to sweat or want to freeze. You can't go wrong with that pick from an entertainment standpoint. And since I am predicting ND to win the opener, I do think they will be unbeaten going into the Florida State game on Nov. 9 in Notre Dame Stadium.
Skip from Houston: Now that the dust has settled, what all went wrong for us to have only ten players on the field for the last two plays of the Ohio State game? Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Fair enough, Skip. I feel confident in this explanation that there were two different defensive looks that were VERY similar in how they sound being called on the sideline and yet have very different personnel and concepts when employed in a game. And even in a quiet stadium, it would be easy to mishear and think you heard the other defense being called. Which was changed the next day so that there was no longer that similarity. It does not explain why the ways that could have been quickly remedied failed, but at least we know what caused the problem in the first place.
Dave from Ponte Vedra, Fla.: Good afternoon. How confident are you in our new LT? He lost the starting RT job and now moves to the most important position on the O line. What would you say his strengths might be vs. his weaknesses?
Eric Hansen: Dave, I guess I'm like you, I need to see it work in order to breed confidence. But here's what I like about Tosh Baker at left tackle. He has the size and length to play the position. He's 6-8 and 320. He is athletic, enough to be the starting center on two Arizona Class 6A state championship teams and be recruited by DI basketball programs before his football career took off. I also like that when the coaching staff sat him down at the end of spring and told him that Aamil Wagner had pulled ahead of him at right tackle, he stayed and fought instead of hitting the transfer portal. What scares me not that he didn't overtake Joe Alt or Blake Fisher at some point in his career, but in the games in which he did see significant action, he didn't grade all that well. But sometimes the light switch comes on later in someone's career and they grab the opportunity and run with it. I am open to that happening with Tosh. We'll see.
Ryan from Mars Pa.: Good afternoon Eric How Has Copper Flanagan Looked at practice same with Jordan Clark what part in PA were you in GO IRISH 🏈🏈☘️☘️👍👍 when you were by Mars
Eric Hansen: Hi Ryan. I was all over the place ... Venango County, Butler, Erie ... enjoyed it. My grandparents settled in Butler when they came over from Italy, so I wanted to see that town when I was in the area. ... To your question, Jordan Clark has looked sharp. We didn't see a lot of him in the spring, as he was held back a bit with an injury, but he shows up now and is healthy. I'm impressed. Flanagan showed up more in the spring, because there were fewer healthy tight end options then. He still looks good, but now there is a lot more competition.
Jonathan from Addison, Texas: Eric! The dog days of summer are nearly behind us! Fall and football just around the corner! My question this week is about the flock of new Notre Dame specialists. An All-American kick returner. A kicker who has connected on 23 of 25 field goals for his career. A grown-ass man at punter, capable of kicking the ball clear outta the Outback. Even a long-snapper named after an odd-toed ungulate. All you could ever want and more. Am I right to think the transfer rules have been a boon to Irish special teams? Are you as high on the new crop of specialists as I (obviously) am? Do you have a sense whether other teams are having comparable success with specialists in the portal era? Thanks for bringing kind-hearted professionalism and good sense to Notre Dame fandom.
Eric Hansen: OK Jonathan, you had me scrambling for the online dictionary to look up ungulate. I knew what grown-ass means, think goodness. James Rendell isn't technically a transfer but he kind of is. But yes, special teams coach Marty Biagi has said it takes a lot of the guesswork and projection out of scouting kickers and punters. And the allure of playing on a team with playoff potential and having a chance to get a master's degree from ND are pretty strong selling points. I am high on the specialists too. I haven't done a good scan of what other teams are doing, but anecdotally, yes, you do see it. And thank you for the compliment.
Paddy from Chicago: Eric -- fantastic chats, keep up the good work! Given our offensive tackle inexperience, especially in light of Jagusah's injury, in what ways do you think offensive scheme emphasis may change, and how different do you think Denbrock's run game will look for the A&M game. Bonus question, what is your favorite Irish pub outside of South Bend and why. Thanks Eric.
Eric Hansen: Paddy thanks. I can tell you that the running backs are up to the task and Riley Leonard being able to run as well as he does will make loading the box against the ND offense not quite the weapon it was last season. I don't think Denbrock's scheme will change all that much, because even with Jagusah, the objective was to be so balanced, it kept defenses on their toes. If ND gets behind in the A&M game or has a lot of third-and-longs, that's problematic. So maybe the Irish offense is more methodical in that game than explosive, then moved down that road in subsequent games .. but that's how I see it at this point. ... To your pub question, I'm going to blow it, because I'm not enough of a regular at any of them to remember the names. My favorite place to have a dark beer, to be honest, is on my back deck.
Ron from Dover, Del.: Hi Eric I have been quiet for a while but have been following the chats and weekly conversations with Tyler. A couple of questions with the injury to C. Jagusah’s do you think the coaching staff should be trying to bring more big body offensive linemen ? It seems that they fit better at tackle. Secondly, Tyler spoke Monday night about the Deuce Kinght situation and seemed to think that NIL may not be the reason for his possible change of heart if so. Do you think not landing a couple of those highly regarded receivers, despite his efforts , that he is questioning his decision. It seems getting commitments in Junior year with today’s players you are more exposed to change of heart as signing is so far out.
Eric Hansen: Hi Ron and thanks for breaking your silence. Good to have your questions. ... I think Joe Rudolph does blend the bigger bodies who can play inside or out with true interior guys. I do think I'd lean toward more outside guys perhaps, and he really has in the 2025 class with Will Black (6-7, 295), Owen Strebig (6-8, 295) and Matty Augustine (6-7, 285) all the bigger-body types. ... In terms of getting QB commitments early, that's the way the game is played. They tend to commit very early and there is a domino effect with them. So if you want to wait late in the cycle, you're typically going to have to flip a player out of someone else's class as ND did with Kenny Minchey (and Ian Book, Brendan Clark, Brandon Wimbush, Everett Golson, etc.). I didn't get the sense Deuce's angst over his ND commitment centered on receiver recruiting. Maybe a tiny bit, but geography seemed to play a big part. As Tyler mentioned, it's not just one single factor driving this possible change of heart.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hi Eric!1 Second question since I am not sure the first one went thru. Didn't Trevor Ruhland and Jarrett Patterson also have Pec injuries. Is this a common O line thing?
Eric Hansen: Hi Len, this is the only question from you that I can see in the queue, so I don't think question No. 1 made it. Yes Jarrett Patterson missed a spring with a torn pec ... and he also had a foot injury. Ruhland tore both pecs, had three surgeries on his left knee, broken his elbow, ankle and nose and tore a labrum in his shoulder. Not sure how common it is, as those are the only two I can recall off the top of my head. Jagusah was a wrestler in high school, so he would seem pretty durable. ... I found a study online from the National Library of Medicine looking at the NFL. Between 2000 and 2010, those pec tears were extremely rare, only 10 reported total. But they increased significantly after 2010 both in the NFL and by the public in general. The position group most likely to suffer them, the study said, was linebackers.
Sean from Schaumburg, Ill.: Eric, tough blow to the O line. Is it possible to see another O lineman lined up to whoever wins the LT spot? Similar to the Ohio State game last year? Do you think we'll see more designed run plays for Leonard? More two RB sets with both backs in the backfield? A wee bit discouraging before the season starts. How do you think the coaches will attempt to overcome this with the players from a moral standpoint?
Eric Hansen: HI Sean. I think I'm probably too dense to understand the first part of your question. I think what you're asking me is whether they'll roll someone else out at left tackle for the A&M game other than Tosh Baker? I don't think so. Joe Rudolph is not treating this as an audition. Now maybe down the road if things don't work out over the first few weeks? Possibly, but that's not Plan A. ... I think we'll see the elements you cited, but not in greater number because Jagusah is out, but because those are good things to have in the offense, especially being able to look over a defense and then split Love out wide to get a mismatch. I don't think there's a morale problem. Baker is very respected and loved by his teammates. They have more confidence in him that people on the outside do.
Sean from Schaumburg, Ill.: Did you get a chance to read up on the ESPN piece I sent you about D2 school Seton Hill and their "flex" defense? The concepts are quite radical. I know most D coaches are risk averse. Is it something Golden and other coaches could learn about in the offseason? Incorporate some of the concepts? I like some of the concepts-2 D lineman with their hand in the ground and the other DL/LBs standing/moving at the snap.
Eric Hansen: Sean, I did not. I'm into the time of year where outside reading is very difficult to squeeze in unless it's right in my wheelhouse for prep I need to do an interview or write a story. I will try to get to it as soon as I can, and it sounds interesting and I VERY MUCH appreciate you sending it. However, Al Golden last season put together the best defense statistically Notre Dame had since 1980 and is evolving his NFL-based scheme. I think he's found something that works for the Irish on the field and on the recruiting trail ... but good info and ideas are never a bad thing.
Ken Perkins: Eric - just a what if, would it have been good to keep Aiden K. NT with Rubio out a few games? His production was good when playing. Howard spoke highly of him. 2 seasons left, just a what if? Guess will see what he does at Cal. Totally understand moving on but been long time since ND had that kind of stout. Saw it on goal line vs Western Michigan. … And a friendly reminder to include your hometown next time.
Eric Hansen: Ken, I think it's a fair question to wonder about. But I don't think Aidan Keeanaina would be any higher than third team on this year's squad even with Rubio sidelined. Jason Onye and Donovan Hinish would play ahead of him. The ascender at that position group is sophomore Armel Mukam, a huge surprise and pushing 300. The Irish do have a player of Aidan's size in its freshman class in Sean Sevillano Jr. I was kind of a Keeanaina fan, but post knee-injury perhaps he wasn't the same player. I'm rooting for him at Cal. Hope he does well.
John from Phoenix, Ariz.: Good morning Eric from the scorching desert. On a scale of 0 to 10 what is your confidence level that the O line will be able to create running lanes and provide a good pocket for the A&M game. And what is your confidence level (0 to 10) that they will be improved by the USC game.
Eric Hansen: Hi John. I'm going to give two scores to your first question ... 7 on the running lands, 4 on the pocket. Leonard is mobile, which is a good thing. My confidence that they will be improved by the time they face USC, a 10. Now how much improved, not a 10, but I do think the whole offense will be at its best in November.
Bob from Loganvile, Ga.: Eric, Hope all is going well! Can you share the total number of practices in fall camp and game prep prior to A&M? Do you expect any changes (barring injury) with the current OL prior to A&M?
Eric Hansen: Hi Bob. Notre Dame has asked us not to be too specific about when practices are, etc., so I will share what they've shared publicly. I think Marcus said 19 training camp practices heading into game week ... then a typical game week of practices in actual game week heading to A&M.
Patrick from Boulder, Colo.: Hi Eric - I think my first question may not have made it. Thanks for these chats! They are a highlight of my week. Wondering if you have seen or heard of any WRs separating themselves from the pack at this point. Excited to see what that group can do this year!
Eric Hansen: Hi Patrick. Getting separation against the No. 1 pass-efficiency defense from 2023 nationally is a good litmus test. I think ND has receivers who have the speed to do that (Kris Mitchell at the top of that list, with Jordan Faison and Jayden Harrison among them). Consistency in performance with that speed needs to show itself in games. There are good route runners, who get open because of that ... and physicality, like Jayden Thomas and Jaden Greathouse. Then there's Beaux Collins and Deion Colzie who can catch balls in traffic, Colzie a former standout high jumper and Collins with a 41 1/2-inch vertical leap. A big difference, though, is scheme. Mike Denbrock can scheme receivers open. That's an upgrade in and of itself.
Dave from DC: Does the program have any tricks to mimic the level of noise that they'll have to deal with at Kyle Field in week 1? It will be unlike anything Freeman has had to deal with, including the horseshoe in 2022.
Eric Hansen: Dave, yes they will mimic it. And even when they're not, they're working on non-verbal communication. I saw the offensive linemen doing it in drills on Tuesday. And it's not a silly question, given how thrown ND seemed to be last year with the noise at DUKE! But Mike Denbrock has coached at Kyle Field, and I believe he'll help with a good gameplan on how to deal with the noise there.
Joe from Baltimore: Recruiting is wild. I have two questions: what is the draw of playing in the SEC? Does ND playing SEC teams nearly every year (with Bama coming soon) lessen the need to play in the SEC? I feel like ND has a slightly easier path to the playoffs each year. Thanks again!
Eric Hansen: OK Joe, thank you … You threw me with the first part of the question prefacing it with recruiting is wild. So I'm going to answer it in a couple of ways. The draw for recruits is pretty obvious ... national titles, NFL Draft picks, rabid fan bases, warmer weather. Lots of reasons. What would be the allure for Notre Dame? ... there isn't unless their media rights deal puts them in a spot to have to join the SEC or Big Ten. And right now that isn't the case. I do like ND's path to the playoff, even if the Irish can only top out as a 5 seed.
Fighting Irish from Tampa, Fla.: My question is where do we stand with WR's in the next cycle and who are our biggest targets? Do we have any shot with guys like Devin Carter, Aaron Gregory, Corey Sadler, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Daniel Owen, Naeem Burroughs, Madden Williams, Brody Keefe, Payton Cook, or other kids ranked in the top 250 at WR?Also, worst-case scenario and we lose Knight and don't add another QB this cycle, do we take another one besides Grubbs and if so, who would be the targets?
Eric Hansen: F.I., this is a lot more in Tyler James' wheelhouse than mine, but I'll try to give you a big-picture answer without getting too far into the weeds. Notre Dame's best potential selling point to rebounding and finishing the 2025 WR cycle strong and making inroads with the 2026s is performance on the field in the passing game/offense with Mike Denbrock and Mike Brown. They have a track record elsewhere. They need to show it at ND in 2024. The Irish have 20 offers out to the 2026 class and most of those prospects are showing mutual interest, One, Dylan Faison, has committed. ...As to your QB question, I don't think ND would take a second 2026 QB but try to flip a 2025 committed QB, and Bear Bachmeier (Stanford) would be among those who would be a fit.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hi Eric Question 1 was comparing the 2018 opener when ND, with Brandon Wimbush starting and beating Michigan who had very good D. Wimbush ran for many key first downs. And he threw one of my favorite passes ever to a relative unknown, Chris Finke, who made a phenomenal grab. Coaches were hesitant to have Ian Book begin his career against Michigan although they could see the change in QB's coming. his year we have a QB who is maybe 70% the runner of BW but a much better passer. And ND is playing a very good Texas A&M D on the road. 2018 had a more experienced O line. 2024 a better defense. Both had good tight ends and unknown wide receivers. And of course 2018 had the advantage of being at home. 2018 had a great offensive and defensive game plans. I am hoping 2024 will also. I am expecting a similar nail biting type of exciting game where every play seems to matter. What is your take on the Texas A & M game? Do you see the similarity in the opening games. Lastly, in 2018 ND made the CFP
Eric Hansen: Hi Len, thanks for resubmitting your question. Yes, I think there are some parallels, although I think the 2018 Michigan team will prove to be better than the 2024 Texas A&M team. I also think this 2024 Irish team has a chance to be better than the 2018 version, and I am not obviously anticipating a QB swap in season. ... That game was a 24-17 game that ND played with the lead in. I see this game finishing with a very similar score and similar stats, especially if ND can play with the lead most of the game.
Sean from Schaumburg, Ill.: Eric, completely agree Golden and the D have been top notch. Wasn't intended as a slight on Golden/defense/players. Although, that 3rd and 15 blitz in Columbus still eats at me. New concepts/ideas are, usually, given the side eye until proof of concept. Think Don Coryell and the Air Raid. Mike Leach/Hal Mumme tinkered with it and made it their own. Now, all levels of football utilize Air Raid concepts.
Eric Hansen: All good, thanks.
Eric Hansen: OK, that's going to do it for this week. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET.
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