Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, Navy Week.
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 remain in our normal Monday at 7 ET time slot. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube. We’ll also be back on our YouTube channel with two postgame shows — Into The eNDzone with former Irish O-lineman Bob Morton shortly after the ND-Navy game, and our Postgame Takeaways show late Saturday night.
Related Content
►Notre Dame football depth chart projection for Top 25 matchup with Navy
► Notebook: Updating the obsolete templates living in Notre Dame's world
► The greatest hits of quotes from Tuesday Notre Dame Football interviews (Navy week)
► Transcripts: Marcus Freeman | DC Al Golden | OC Mike Denbrock
► Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame DE Aiden Gobaira plans to transfer
► The Inside ND Sports Podcast will drop Thursday. On the most recent Inside ND Sports Podcast, Tyler James and I reached out to ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Mike Monaco, a 2015 Notre Dame graduate. Monaco discussed what he learned about Georgia Tech from calling its 31-19 loss to Louisville earlier this season, how he keeps track of ND, his impressions of Louisville and Virginia, how ND guided his journey into broadcasting, the best college football stadium atmosphere he's experienced, 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.
► Finally, we’re focusing on Notre Dame’s October run at WSBT Sports Radio 96.1. Darin Pritchett and I are together this week, as we are every week this season, on Wednesday and Thursday on Weekday SportsBeat (96.1 FM, 960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com). The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. I’m also part of the Gameday SportsBeat crew, and the pregame show that runs on Saturdays before every game. This week’s show kicks off at 9 a.m. ET. You can download all episodes, including the pregame shows, as podcasts.
As far as this week's chat …
PLEASE remember to include your NAME and HOMETOWN with your question. Telepathy doesn't count.
Here are the rules:
Eric Hansen: We're going to give rescinding the "no drinking rule" another try, as it hasn't come back to bite me yet.
Just for clarification, it does apply to me, just not the chatters.
OK, off we go ...
Scott from Greenville, S.C.: Happy belated birthday Eric!!! Hope you celebrated in style, with the family! Hey, i think we've all seen improvements throughout the team as the season has progressed, but i am still concerned about the left side of the offensive line. Do you think we are too far into the season to make changes? I don't think either tackle or guard will produce the results necessary if we get into the playoffs. Once Schrauth is healthy, he takes his right guard spot. Can Rocco move to left guard and move Absher or Lambert to left tackle? That's a lot of moves but I think that puts our best 5 out there. Crazy talk?
Eric Hansen: Hi Scott. I think it's a fair question, though I think the overall progress of the O-Line has been maybe better than meets the eye, given the circumstances of replacing one starter in season another during fall camp and missing a third for a large chunk of the season. That third one, is — in my opinion — ND's best offensive lineman in offensive guard Billy Schrauth. Billy is on the cusp of returning to the lineup. It'll be either this week in some measure or full time after the next bye week that follows the Navy game. Schrauth's return gives ND some options. Do you plug him back in on the right side and let Rocco Spindler and Sam Pendleton battle it out at left guard? OR do you plug him in at left guard and keep Rocco in the lineup?
Wherever you put him, he makes ND's O-Line better. I think if there was a better left tackle option, ND would have plugged that in during the first bye week. They can revisit that in the second bye week, but I do think the coaches see the investment in Anthonie Knapp is paying some dividends.
Joe H from Williams Bay, Wis.: Hi Eric Thanks for another great chat I was wondering with Navy this week and Army coming up is there any chance we could see some players we haven’t seen a lot maybe get some time Im thinking in particular of Armel Mukam and Sean Sevillano to help clog up the middle and Kennedy Urlacher because he seems like such a sure tackler Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Hi Joe, it's a question I've been giving a lot of thought to myself, and not one ND would be eager to provide an answer to for Navy's benefit. I think it's a little more likely for Army that you'd see different personnel than Navy, just because Navy's offense has become such a hybrid that you almost need conventional cornerbacks for instance to prevent explosive plays in the passing game. Maybe a safety drops down and plays linebacker. Maybe a linebacker drops down and plays defensive end. There are always players who have some savvy against triple-option (remember Greer Martini before he became an every-down/every-week play). So, Kennedy Urlacher is an intriguing name. But does he have the recognition skills? That's kind of the unknown.
Some players I think you can count on playing a lot and playing well are Mills, Cross, Kiser and Watts. I think they'll be problem-solvers on the field and help to get the team adjusted and also will make plays.
Charlie from Palm Springs: It seems like at least half the questions asked at MF pressers are ones that everyone knows the answers to ("How important is it to the young LBs to have a 6 year guy in the room...?" "How much has Riley's confidence improved in the passing game since week 1...?"--blah, blah). Do the reporters do this because they have a pre-conceived storyline in mind and need a quote as a hook?
Eric Hansen: Hi Charlie. If you know half of the answers, please give me your number, so we can ask additional questions. I kid. I actually think this is an interesting question other chatters might have curiosity about ... in other words, how the press conferences work. And there is strategy, at least on my part. I can't speak for everyone else. But here's the framework. We get roughly 30 minutes with Marcus Freeman on Mondays. They will not extend that. Each reporter called on gets one question and one follow-up, so basically two questions. If you ask an injury question, under the new policy, it may or may not be answered, so you might be wasting one of your two questions.
So, what's my objective? Provide the reader with as much information as we collectively can squeeze out of that opportunity. So, before it starts, I make up a list of topics I think it's important for us to collectively get to. As those come up in the press conference, I check them off. I try to anticipate questions that will be asked by others, so I can use mine for stories I know I need to write or info I'd like to share on Football Never Sleeps or this chat, for instance. And believe me, you all inspire me with some of your questions. Besides the exclamation points, it's one of the coolest parts of this chat.
If there's a sensitive question that I want to phrase a certain way in hopes of avoiding a word salad response, I'll ask it, even if I think it's going to be asked by someone else. I rarely go first anymore, because then a question that needs to get asked in my opinion may not get asked. But you don't want to wait too long or you may not get the mic. So why do people ask questions that you think you know the answer to? You'd have to ask them specifically, but here's what I can tell you. Not everybody has the same agenda. Not everybody attends every press conference, so the answer may be new to them. Yes, they may need a quote for a story. Or a soundbite with Marcus Freeman looking directly into their camera. All those things come into play. Hope that wasn't a predictable answer.
Jack from Strongsville,Ohio: Hi Eric. You mentioned in your column Sunday about the 5 metrics that good teams all have. Notre Dame is 74th in pass efficiency. In your opinion, how does the team improve this metric and subsequently its performance in the remaining games? Thanks for all your great work across all the platforms.
Eric Hansen: Hi Jack. Thank you ... and a really good question. One caveat -- one thing that's going to maybe skew ND's lower is how good they are at getting the ball in the end zone in the run game. Passing TDs play into the pass-efficiency number, maybe disproportionately so. Even then, that number needs to continue to rise (and it has been). But you're balancing that each week between long-term team goals and the short-term goal of taking what the defense gives you and winning the game in front of you. Against Virginia, Army and USC, that's an easier task, because all three of those are worse at defending the pass than the run. Florida State is bad at both. But Navy is much better against the pass than the run.
That doesn't mean you can't be efficient in your pass game when you lean into the run game more, but you won't be evolving it as quickly for the long term, perhaps. What it will look like when it is getting better. A high completion rate, no interceptions, a higher yards-per-attempt rate and TD passes. What that will look like at game speed is an offense that converts its third downs, gets touchdowns over field goals and has several ways to defeat teams that want to load the box.
MikeD from Rochester, N.Y.: Hi, Eric!!!! Hope you had a great birthday heavily attended by grandkids!! Why is Mitch Evans, who never played TE until he got to ND, so much better at blocking than the others in the TE room? They’re all big guys, so it’s not a size issue. Is it an effort and desire issue? My prediction for this weekend: ND 38 Navy 20
Eric Hansen: MikeD!!!!!! Thank you. My 12-hour work day foiled the grandkids part. I lucked out last year, because it fell on a bye week. Still lucky, I get to visit a little with them on Friday... To your question, so I'm going to take that your question is about both run blocking and pass blocking. And Mitchell Evans actually hasn't graded out well in either this season, but he's decidedly better since the bye week. Why? He was really good about how this was playing out in an interview Tuesday night. He is still not at the one-year anniversary of his ACL tear, and there was some hesitancy pre-bye week with his knee about hurting it blocking that is not longer there. So I put that in there for context.
That's not what you asked exactly. Playing tight end in college is a lot different than playing it in high school, sometimes dramatically so. So there's more learning, starting from square 1 than you think. Cooper Flanagan, among the three tight ends who play a lot, had the most traditional TE setting in high school and he was game-ready as a true freshman. His blocking prowess this year has been mitigated by an ankle injury that he's coming back from. Eli Raridon was flexed out like a wide receiver often in high school, not doing the traditional tight end blocking stuff. He also had to overcome the mental block and physical challenge of two ACL tears to the same knee in less than a year's time between them. So there is upside there for all three of them as blockers, and I think you'll see that down the stretch.
Dave from Ponte Vedra, Fla.: I’ve really been impressed with Bryce Young in recent weeks. It seems like he’s already a superior choice over Oben, who’s been a disappointment. I’d like see a lot more of him. Your thoughts? Just an aside, please put the white pants somewhere where we can’t find them. Blue and Gold only, please.
Eric Hansen: Dave, do you really think Notre Dame is consulting ME for fashion advice? ME? ... As far as who should be playing field end, I do have an opinion there. And while RJ Oben is still starting, Bryce Young has been playing more than him the past three games. And that's the way it should be. Ideally, Josh Burnham would also be in that rotation, but with the injuries, the Irish need him at vyoer more. Look for Bryce to continue to be on the field in more high-leverage situations. His star is rising.
Don from Scottsdale, Ariz.: Eric, Happy Birthday. You mentioned you were as old as a Beatles song. I have 8 years on you and remember the first time I heard it and thought how old! It amazes me how aging isn't what it used to be! Is it too early to ask what the heck happened with NIU? I understand RL did not have a feel for the passing game; he seems to have it now. If they don't run the table who's going to spoil it?
Eric Hansen: Thanks Don. I'm proud to be old enough to have several Beatles albums on vinyl, and within an arm's reach of my computer. NIU is 4-3 and has been their own worst enemy since beating ND. They've also had some bad luck with injuries, including not having starting QB Ethan Hampton in their 13-6 loss to Toledo last Saturday. They are 92nd in turnover margin and it's factored into their other losses. Against Toledo, they went for it on fourth down EIGHT times and failed on six of them. In that game they outgained Toledo by more than 100 yards, had 10 more first downs and held Toledo to 2-of-17 on third and four down and LOST. But their defense continues to be very good. They 1st nationally in third-down defense, third in total defense and 13th in rushing defense. (more)Eric Hansen: I did predict ND will go 11-1 and will stick with that. I think the toughest games (not necessarily the best teams), but toughest in terms of sequencing, venue. matchups, etc. are Navy this week and USC on Nov. 30. Not discounting Army, but those are the two scariest games, I think.
Jeff from Canton, Mich.: Hi Eric! In observing how little ND has risen in polls even with teams losing ahead of them makes me think going 11-1 may not be enough to get in the playoffs. Each week any of the remaining undefeated power 4 teams are jumping the Irish. ISU two weeks back, BYU this past week. And IU will too this week if they beat Washington. I’m beginning to think all B1G and SEC teams with one loss will be ranked higher than ND by the end of the year. And A&M winning against LSU likely puts them above ND too. no love for the Irish this year with the pollsters?
Eric Hansen: Jeff, I could use the rest of the chat to go into great detail here, and then no one would need a sleep aid. So let me try to be succinct and not make anyone drowsy. If ND is 11-1, they're in. If they show significant improvement over the last five games, they'll hot a playoff game. If they are 10-2, they're out. ... Some things to keep in mind. The College Football Playoff selection committee and not the polls will make the selections. Yes, there is some jumping going on, and that's to be expected. But Notre Dame does have two ranked opponents, even if they're not name brands. ND's perception and that of Texas A&M is also tethered somewhat. The better each one does, the better it is for the other. If the Aggies beat LSU on Saturday, they will be the only SEC team without a conference loss.
An A&M rise in the polls pushes ND up. I had a guy come up to me last night and ask me why I had ND ahead of Tennessee in my poll this week (and I've had the Vols ahead for most of the season). And he cited UT's win over Alabama. But ND has a better win that UT does. A&M is ranked AHEAD of Alabama. And actually A&M has a better resume than UT. The Aggies beat Arkansas with their backup QB to boot. UT lost to Arkansas. A&M drilled Florida on the road with the backup. UT won in overtime at home. Those data points aren't everything, but they matter. The committee will drill down on things like that.
Tom F from Kennesaw, Ga.: Hi Eric, glad you had a good birthday. The GT game experience was unbelievable with seats right behind the bench. I got to see so much of what goes on along the sideline as the game proceeds. We were behind the defensive coaches and they were working non-stop during the game. Saw Bertrand talk with some of the LB's. My question is do you think that the Irish offense is starting to be more consistent?? I think there is still a lot of improving to do but it seems like we are moving the ball both on the ground and in the air better these past couple of games. Your thoughts and where do we go from here??? Please tell us that Mitch Evans is close to being the Mitch Evans we are used to seeing!! Go Irish!!!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom and thank you. And I won't bury the lead here ... Mitchell Evans is making real progress toward being that guy. HE finally feels like he is. He played a season-high 51 snaps Saturday against Georgia Tech and had a season-high four catches. His blocking is improving dramatically. Here's a quote from his interview with the print/internet media last night that should give you some perspective:
“Obviously, coming back initially, I maybe just felt a little hesitant in terms of my knee stability in the sense of being in there. Not like me stepping and it giving out or whatever. More just me blocking and somebody else coming again. Because that’s [how] I got hit when it happened. It was more that aspect. Just kind of practicing, kind of getting back into the flow of things, I feel like I’ve lost that worry and I’ve grown out of it. The last couple weeks I feel like I’ve had zero worry about anything. I feel like my game has been physical. I’ve kind of stopped thinking and more just playing football. I feel like my game’s kind of taking off a little bit. Obviously, I’ve been thinking about what I’m supposed to do, but in terms of on the ball snap time, I’ve just been letting it loose now and quit being hesitant. I feel like you can kind of see that on the film. I’m a little more explosive in the sense of off the ball. I feel a little more comfortable.”
Eric Hansen: Now my two cents ... Remember, because of his recovery timeline and that of Riley Leonard, they're just now really getting in sync with each other. I think the best is yet to come from those two.
Sean from Portland, Ore.: Hi Eric, thanks for your chats. Our o-line... oof. I know Knapp gets some bad publicity, but he was decent vs. GT. Obviously another high profile holding call, but in general, he was decent. It was actually the interior 3 that got blown up constantly vs. GT. Hopefully they can get right and find some confidence vs. Navy. 1) If these guys are still performing at this level next year, Is Rudolph on the hot seat? 2) How does Golden typically scheme Navy? 2 years ago, the 2nd half was a disaster. But last year, it was smooth sailing start to finish. Biggest defensive concern? Young LBs staying disciplined? 3) How can ND avoid having a dead period on offense where they forget how to score for a quarter and a half?
Eric Hansen: Hi Sean, and thank you for your questions. To question 1, I don't think Marcus Freeman and Mike Denbrock see this situation the same way you do, going into the season with six collective college starts, losing a starting left tackle in training camp for the season, losing the starting center in game 3 and losing your best lineman for almost half a season. If everyone is healthy next fall (and Ashton Craig's recovery could linger), who are the starting five when you add back in Charles Jagusah and Craig and Schrauth and consider the strides made by Guerby Lambert and Sullivan Absher. Now if we're bellyaching about THAT line, then yeah let's have the hot seat discussion.
2) This is a multi-part question, I'll deconstruct and answer in parts. How does he scheme? It's been different each year. Year 1 he got Ken Niumatalolo's flurry of in-game adjustments. Last year it was a blind date in which the pregame plan was almost useless. This year, the offense and philosophy behind it is very different. Navy doesn't default to sitting on the ball. But they can. To me, the starting point in prep is recognition and discipline ... not overpursuing, etc. Because Navy can and will THROW it over your heads.
The biggest concern is losing the chess battle. Navy bases its plays on the QB reading your defense. Can you disguise your defense enough to make him make some bad reads? Can you recognize what he wants to do with the ball without the formation or personnel group tipping you off? Can you get them in third and longs? 3) If you're waiting for this offense to turn into 2023 LSU, you're going to be sadly disappointed. But two steps forward with a half step back each week through October and November is what offensive progress looks like.
Steve from Toledo, Ohio: Hi Eric, I noticed you have Texas AM higher than LSU and playing them at home this week. How big of a victory do you see them winning by?
Eric Hansen: I think Vegas has A&M favored by 3 and I have to make picks for a contest we had with our subscribers, and I picked the Aggies to win and cover. I am not a gambler, so there's not financial payoff for me, or an emotional one for that matter. I don't think there's a huge difference between teams 7-18 in the polls. There is so much parity this year. It comes down splitting hairs in a lot of these games.
Mike from Phoenix: Happy Birthday!! Hope you had a great day with family! Cheers!
Eric Hansen: Thank you, Mike. Family time will come soon. I hope. If not this week, then the bye week.
Ryan from Frankfort, Ill.: Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the play of Drayk Bowen he has looked good so far i think we win 38-14 this weekend or something like That GO IRISH 🍀🍀🏈🏈
Eric Hansen: Ryan, he has caught my attention the past few games. He's playing faster and more physical. I'm not sure what that will look like against Navy's unconventional offense, but for the bigger picture of ND's season, this is a significant development with him playing at this level.
Mark Czar from Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eric, thank you for the outstanding coverage. The greatest hits of quotes articles is a new favorite for me — really good stuff! Only 4 healthy CBs are listed in the 2 deep. Who would be emergency #5 & 6? Who are your breakout picks for the second half - one on each side of the ball that emerge and separate themselves from the crowd? I’m going with Jaden Greathouse and Jaiden Ausberry.
Eric Hansen: Hi Mark. Thank you for the compliment and for reading the greatest hits feature. it's fun putting that together and provides some cool info that we don't have time to craft into individual stories in a busy week. So thanks for the feedback on that. I think the deeper we get into the season, the more Karson Hobbs really is the next man in for a short-term stretch for an injury or just to rotate in to keep people fresh. And Navy week may scramble this for a week. But if there were a longer term injury, I think the move would be to have Jordan Clark play outside cornerback and Rod Heard II become the nickel as in the Louisville game. I know Max Hurleman is getting some game reps too. He's the walk-on transfer from Colgate who was a four-year running back there. You've got some good, young safeties who could fill in for Heard playing nickel or corner. ... To your other prediction question, I like your picks. I'm going to go with Evans re-emerging and maybe Faison if his ankle cooperates. On defense, I'll go with Josh Burnham.
Manny from San Pedro: Eric!!!! It’s my favorite time of year. With Halloween coming up. What’s your favorite Halloween movie and favorite Halloween candy!!!! I love Reese pumpkins!
Eric Hansen: Manny!!!!!!! Thank you for the easy questions!!!!! Favorite Halloween movie is cheesing. It's the Peanuts movie with the Great Pumpkin. Favorite Halloween candy? I think you nailed it with anything Reese's puts their name on.
Ty from Godfrey, Ill.: Good morning, Eric. I am a frequent visitor and an infrequent poster. I love your thoroughness and logical responses to the questions you field each week. I am interested in your thoughts regarding the following. While losing to NIU has been a continuous yet valueless discussion point among pundits this late in the season (the Irish team is much different at 6-1), I thought the loss might be considered a quality loss IF NIU played in the MAC Championship game. That doesn't appear to be an option for them, given their three losses. Might you agree? Go IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Ty and thanks for visiting ... and finally posting!!! The committee has changed members over the years and its philosophy has evolved somewhat and may even further change with the 12-team format, but the committee has always been more about who you beat than who you lost to. I think ND has done a good job of continuing to distance itself from the NIU game and must continue to do so. In other words, the committee would think in a rematch ND would win that game easily, because of the team the Irish have become. As I mentioned earlier, NIU's defense is real. I think pundits focus way more on NIU than the committee will if the Irish go 11-1. Again, what Texas A&M does is huge, because if they're in the SEC title game, that's a big data point in Notre Dame's favor.
Cowboy Mike from Jefferson, Ga.: Long time follower of your work for many moons. My question is will we see more of Jaylen Sneed on D given Navy's run option. Jaylen doesn't seem to get many snaps these past games.
Eric Hansen: Hi Cowboy Mike. Thanks for following. I am pretty confident Jaylen Sneed would have a bigger role vs. Army, which is more traditional triple-option in its formation and approach. I could see him playing some end against Navy. Physically, he's a tremendous asset in a matchup like this. What's hard for me to assess is will he read the keys well? Like better than KVA or Bowen of Ausberry (Because Kiser's going to play)? And my instincts tell me Ausberry might be the best at this.
Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great birthday week. We missed you in Atlanta and hope to see you there next time. Which position group/players on defense are you most concerned about against Navy this weekend? Although we have a lot of talented defenders, many are young and have never played against the option, do you think more experienced players and good tacklers like Jordan Clark and Rod Heard may get extra snaps at positions where they don’t commonly play to help ameliorate the situation? for example, possibly helping out at cornerback? There’s a lot of talk about how difficult it is to adjust to the speed of Navy’s offense, but Navy has not played a defense anywhere near as good as Notre Dame is this year, won’t their offense have to adjust to the talent level of Notre Dame’s dense as well? As always, thanks for hosting the chat and the great insights.
Eric Hansen: Marie, thank you and I will take you and your family out for ribs the next time I am in town. ... I am most concerned about the cornerbacks. And how often have I typed that without a sarcasm font this year. I think this is a very tough offense to read for them. Having a guy like Watts in the defensive backfield and another safety in Shuler who played against triple-option concepts in high school is a big plus. But I think this is really a difficult assignment for two really talented young players. Could Clark and/or Heard play more? Possibly Clark, because I'm not sure how the nickel fits in. So he might have a different role.
The five best tackles on the team, per Pro Football Focus, among players with more than 30 snaps this season are in order: Bowen, Kiser, Heard, Mills, Cross ... so you might be on to something with Heard ... maybe even playing in the box? You are absolutely on top of it with Navy having to adjust to ND's talent. The highest-ranked team nationally out of 133 FBS teams Navy has faced is No. 84 team. And aside from Memphis' No. 40 ranking in run defense, all the others rank 110th or worse, except for Bucknell, which is 107th in the FCS rankings. You do have a future in sports media!!!
Cederickwalker from Saginaw, Michigan aka sagnasty: will Marcus freeman and coaching staff go after another running back in recruiting god bless this football team 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. That's not off the table, but not a given either. The Irish are kicking the tires on at least one RB committed in another class, maybe more.
Larry from Topton, Pa.: Of all the media outlets for ND info, when I want the straight scope, I know to turn to you and Tyler. Thanks for what you do, and please keep it up! I have questions: I know Army is Navy’s blood rival, but is this Saturday their Super Bowl? Is this week Blake Horvath’s Heisman game? I see that Navy’s top two receivers are running backs, and together they average over 20 yards per catch. Being that kind of receiving production is so unusual, can you tell me how do they generate so many yards through the air to their backs? Is it mostly screen passes? A lot of circle patterns? Option routes? Something else? I heard you and Tyler on FNS, and understand this is not your father’s Navy offense. You said there is still a good deal of option mixed with pro concepts, with a modified wing-T alignment thrown in. I am worried ND’s lack of experience could lead to quick Navy scores. And if Navy gets a lead they could go into traditional ball control gear. How worried should we be about that?
Eric Hansen: Hi Larry. Thanks for acting as my agent this week! So Navy's two leading receivers have kind of a hybrid name Snipe Back. They do run the ball, but both catch way more passes than their traditional WR Nathan Kent. Navy does use Eli Heidenreich and Brandon Chatman in kind of traditional slotback plays -- screens, swing passes. But where they can hurt you is when they're in the shotgun and they try to get a defense in a mismatch or they try to lull you to sleep with a look you've seen earlier than indicates run and they throw it over your head. That's why I spoke of the cornerbacks' challenge in Marie's question.
They can do it out of their more traditional triple-option sets too. Explosive plays are where those guys can hurt you. If ND can limit those, I do feel good about the Irish wrapping their heads around what they're seeing and eventually getting control of the game.
Sean from Schaumburg, Ill.: One of the best FNS I've ever heard. Great point on Navy/Army "Brand" vs USC "Brand". Referring to TAMU-LSU and how it affects ND(I think NIU loss is a huge detriment). I think it's more 7-18 than top 22. Bama is done w/3 losses. "No shoes" ref to weekly Wed chat. Saban tutorial. Is Golden/ND D ready for Navy option 3.0? Navy is a huge threat. You guys acknowledged it with a great statistical/opinion breakdown. Covered the gamut. Spectacular. It's moments like these where I wish Lou Somogyi was around to provide some crazy ND-Navy stat to enhance the chat. Does running 40+ times and controlling clock --similar to "old" Navy become the path to victory on Saturday? Slow start on D has me nervous. Great professional nod, as well, to the guys at Irish Illustrated. Hansen/James are top notch. Prister/O'Malley/Brice are top notch as well. Spectacular FNS in my view. I'll be more concise next week. 40-30 Irish. Go Irish!!
Eric Hansen: Sean, I appreciate your points, and if you're going to lay on the love like that, go as un-concise as you want! I think your question in there was about the path to victory? For ND, I think both its traditional running game and Riley Leonard running the ball is the leverage point for the Irish in this game and everything kind of flows around that.
Roger from Peoria: Hello Eric: I will leave others with the multiple exclamation points but sorta seek an alternative with 17???? . . . Stop, I don't want to violate the "No 17 Questions" rule. I have two. What do you think triggers the opening defensive series malaise? I understand CJ Carr is not running the scout team. Is he injured and, if so, how seriously? Thank you for being the best covering the Irish and similar kudos to Tyler James for his particular expertise on recruiting. GO IRISH!
Eric Hansen: Hi Roger. I think the biggest thing ND faces, especially against teams that don't think they match up well vs. the defense, is a scripted opening that looks little or nothing like they've put on film. Then, like a good boxer, ND kind of sorts through the inventory, throws a few jabs to see what might work, and then tightens everything up. I don't feel it's a matter of not being mentally ready to go.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As short as I can be today. I felt ND would struggle to beat Georgia Tech. I was a little surprised about the outcome. What did the Georgia Tech game tell us about ND's ability to stop a diversified running attack mixed in with timely passes? How is Navy different than Tech, how are they similar? Now that Navy passes as well as run the option, doe we see more safeties or linebackers on the base ND defense this week?
Eric Hansen: Len!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are on top of your game in all phases. Len, for the long term, what ND did defensively vs. Ge tech bodes very well. For the short term, it doesn't necessarily carry over well, but it still is subtly a positive for this week. Navy is a more difficult offense to deal with because of how it's structured. It's just more multiple or more explosive potentially. And no longer is Navy dead in the water (pun intended, sorry) if it has to play from behind.
Michael from Elkview, W.Va.: Hi Eric, I know it’s hard to compare teams but when we played Navy last year it was 42-0 before Navy scored. Have they really improved that much since last year? Do you feel our defense can replicate that type of performance on Saturday? Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Here's how much Navy has improved. Red zone offense, 127th to 1st nationally, scoring offense 122nd to 4th, pass efficiency 112th to 2nd, rushing offense 17th to 4th. Now Marie makes a good point about the defenses they faced, but still ....
Eric Hansen: Ugh, there are some great questions still in the queue and I have a hard out at 3. So my apologies for those I didn't get to. And thanks for the ones I did get to. We'll be back during the second bye week next Wednesday at noon ET to do it all over again!
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