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I was 10 years old in 1988 when ND went 12-0. ND could easily be 14-0, however...

All in all, the NIU loss turned out to be that classic blessing in disguise. Wake up call for MF. I'm obviously not privy to team chatter and coaching...but my sense was he chewed out many asses. Not losing the nice guy and friend part, but showing some teeth.

They sure seemed to play with deserved humility and raw grit. Eking out wins. In a way lacking vs NIU.

Ironically, same with Ohio State vs MI. The Buckeyes also seem to be peaking at the right time. But...ND 1st needs to get past what is proving to be a good Penn State team.

As usual, it takes a season, to the very end, to find who is who.

ND rushing attack

My only nit is going up the gut too much. It took a while for Denbrock to go to the edges and to use QB designed runs. But as usual this season, Denbrock just in time made adjustments...wearing down and killing clock, especially on that textbook last drive.

I criticized Denbrock during the game. But temper this with the fact that although not spectacular, the O wore down Georgia, didn't make mistakes, and complemented a dominant D and special teams that won the game. Georgia is still formidable, SEC champion...hard for me to argue with success, having slept on it now, watching the game again at midnight with my remote for analysis too!

;)

Price and even an injury prone Love did their jobs enough. The whole ND game, all units, was > sum of the parts. Anchored in toughness and grit, thanks to MF x-factor.

This is what it sometimes takes. An x-factor ND hasn't had in decades. Again, hard to argue with success against the 2nd or 3rd best team in the country that is GA.

PS: I'll bring up a tangential devil's advocate opinion...all season I said MI is better than the record suggests. I think I am correct. And that MI offers a blueprint how to perhaps beat Ohio State. Stay tuned.

;)

In summary, sure, the running game probably needs to be better. But it's been good enough in the context of overall game plan. Withstanding it needs improving. Again, cannot say it enough: huge compliment to coach Freeman, staff, and these players for grinding a win...classic ND football.
It's one of the best running games in the country. It's the playoff you're not gonna see the same big numbers in these games. Most teams not likely to even hit their averages. The defenses are too good. It's how it should be in a playoff format.

ND rushing attack

My only nit is going up the gut too much. It took a while for Denbrock to go to the edges and to use QB designed runs. But as usual this season, Denbrock just in time made adjustments...wearing down and killing clock, especially on that textbook last drive.

I criticized Denbrock during the game. But temper this with the fact that although not spectacular, the O wore down Georgia, didn't make mistakes, and complemented a dominant D and special teams that won the game. Georgia is still formidable, SEC champion...hard for me to argue with success, having slept on it now, watching the game again at midnight with my remote for analysis too!

;)

Price and even an injury prone Love did their jobs enough. The whole ND game, all units, was > sum of the parts. Anchored in toughness and grit, thanks to MF x-factor.

This is what it sometimes takes. An x-factor ND hasn't had in decades. Again, hard to argue with success against the 2nd or 3rd best team in the country that is GA.

PS: I'll bring up a tangential devil's advocate opinion...all season I said MI is better than the record suggests. I think I am correct. And that MI offers a blueprint how to perhaps beat Ohio State. Stay tuned.

;)

In summary, sure, the running game probably needs to be better. But it's been good enough in the context of overall game plan. Withstanding it needs improving. Again, cannot say it enough: huge compliment to coach Freeman, staff, and these players for grinding a win...classic ND football.

How many more times...

You would like the offense to set defenses up with our short passing game by calling some stop & go routes but Riley hasnt been consistant enough throwing that type of deep ball. My biggest gripe about Denbrock is the inability to design plays to get Love & Price on outside. I get keeping the d honest running between the tackles but my lord he kept slamming it up the middle way too often. Protecting the lead is fine but I felt he went way too conservative.
Correct and we've been hearing that refrain here all season long. I think Denbrock has been fantastic. His utilization of motion , formation and personnel groupings has been excellent in my opinion. He understands their strengths and weaknesses. In this day and age with so much athleticism and speed on the defensive side of the ball that few if any teams run outside anymore. The " student body sweeps" that USC made famous are a thing of the past. Love and Price especially have great vision and an innate ability to bounce plays outside. Of course the defensive look predicates the call. Most of ND running plays are zone reads. I thought against Indiana there was at least 3 or 4 plays where Leonard should have kept the ball. The o line does a great job at combo blocks and getting to the second level resulting in a lot of the long runs this year.

Officially Official Sugar Bowl ND v. UGA Game Thread

Size is one factor. So is speed, agility, sports IQ, and, in the case of linemen, leverage. I recall a Stanford U paper on linemen. The strongest and biggest were inferior to better athletes applying leverage, putting a premium on athleticism. It said gym rats lifting the most weren't always the best linemen.

I posted during the game that this was what I was sensing. I mentioned some elite Alabama defenses that were smaller but better. Obviously all things being near equal, size, weight, and strength matter...but evidently these things weren't between the ND D line and GA O line.

The Hinish sack summed it up. He used agility, speed, and leverage to get around under a bigger and heavier OL-man to end the game with a sack on Stockton. With the loss of Mills, I for one thought ND might struggle on the DL, but the depth showed itself...pleasantly surprising me.

What a great treat and outcome.

For those who know the rules

There was nothing subjective about that hit, it was an open and shut case as clearly defined in the rules.

Any official who declared the no call, as a good call, should never be allowed to officiate again.

That was a no call for one reason and one reason only, it was going to impact the outcome of the game.

Defenseless player, hit to the head, that’s all you need to know

You are 100% correct about running backs lowering their heads, but they’re not targeting the heads of the defender
Despite your bold font many people believe it was and is like most penalties subject to interpretation of the rule as written and agreed to. The folks doing the review and the officials on the field are the very best of their conference as are all the officials in the CFP. To declare that is was so definitive is just an opinion shared by many . The " professionals" employed to make that decision thought otherwise. I'm on the fence as I can honestly see the logic both ways. I still maintain the rule needs to be addressed and the parameters of it reviewed and hopefully streamlined to limit the possibilities of subjectiveness.

Love and Cross Injuries

TBH, Love doesn't bother me since we have a very good Price as his backup. Cross we can't afford to lose.
I totally agree on Cross. PSU has a dynamic offense and Allar is very accurate. We will need to put pressure on him and slow down their run game as well. The PSU offense has been clicking lately so Cross is a must. If Love can play between 15-25 snaps that would be amazing given his condition.

Defense

This defense astounds me. I try to be realistic and curb my enthusiasm, but I can not help but be blown away with how well they play despite the injuries, etc. Next man up really means something here.

That first quarter last night... and seeing how fast we are to the ball and swarming the ball carrier was telling. UGA might not be the same UGA this year, but they're still SEC champs, and still Georgia. They have athletes and SEC size. Our defense played and looked like a dominant SEC defense. Good stuff!

How many more times...

I wonder if the talk about our passing game is in part worrying about a scenario where our defense doesn’t hold up to the level at which it has all season. I for one did not expect the defense to play so stout yesterday.

In particular I was worried about the DL with Mills out and Cross being banged up. Man was I pleasantly surprised by the play of that group! On Oben’s strip sack I yelled out, “RJ! Where have you been buddy!?!” Such a great play.

If the defense keeps playing with this intensity, I could care less if we win games
3-0. That said, if the team ever does go down multiple scores, we may need our passing game to flourish to a level which we haven’t seen much this season.

Does This Short Week Hurt the Irish?

Good info echo.
Some things I’m interested in learning if you don’t mind answering.
1. For say a 330 game what time do the players eat their last meal before game time ?
2. After the game do they have a team meal somewhere ? Kelly mentioned paper bag meals?
3. When we host a team do we provide meals to the opposing team ? Do both teams eat together after the games ?
4. At halftime is there any snacks, energy drinks and bars. I remember the halftime delay at nc state the announcers said ND staff had gotten a bunch of food from the concession stands during the lightning delay.
just wondering how things on gameday are structured etc since I never played college ball. Appreciate any feedback
Thanks. @echowaker
I know on the road you generally leave after the game and get something to basically eat on the bus. Home teams don't provide meals. Teams are responsible for their own . Now in the CFP I can't say for certain what the committee provides for. Pre game meals do vary by start times. For a 3 30 we would eat at say 10 am. Nutrition available at halftime, IVs too. Uncrustables are very popular I understand at every level. Hydration is paramount especially in warm weather.

Does This Short Week Hurt the Irish?

I believe it will be something to keep an eye on. Hopefully Cross and Love in particular, their injuries aren't bad and they can heal up for the game.

I'm just as worried about a "hangover" after this game with UGA. We put our heart and soul into this one as it was a big one for the season and this program. We've all seen those next game hangovers from teams (aka NIU!!!!). But, this coaching staff is a different beast compared to prior staff's that ND went through. They'll have to boys ready to go.

How many more times...

do we have to hear or read about "Notre Dame is going to have to take some shots down the field " ? Talking heads and many here having been claiming that for 14 games. ND hater Trevor Matich was bemoaning that again this morning. I swear many don't even watch the games. They just look at the numbers and draw conclusions. They've played the same all season. Protect the football, move the sticks and grind it out. The short passing game is effective when needed. Great defense and amazing the difference a healthy quality kicker makes.
You would like the offense to set defenses up with our short passing game by calling some stop & go routes but Riley hasnt been consistant enough throwing that type of deep ball. My biggest gripe about Denbrock is the inability to design plays to get Love & Price on outside. I get keeping the d honest running between the tackles but my lord he kept slamming it up the middle way too often. Protecting the lead is fine but I felt he went way too conservative.
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Al Golden

Golden is one of many who are great coordinators but not cut out for head coaching. I hope he stays at ND to build something special. MF, Golden, and, assuming he gets better, Denbrock might build a dynasty...be ambitious.

And yes, pay them well. That is what it takes. ND can afford it. And still be student-athletes while embracing professionalism.
100%. I wish some guys would realize this sooner. I feel like Al Golden at this stage of his like understands he is not meant to be a head coach. In saying that, you pay this man whatever he wants.
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