Bryan Harsin of Boise... Eh?

Login to view embedded media

I think Kelly's tenure has by and large proven that Notre Dame can live in that top 5-10 program range, year after year. The struggle at this point isn't the same as it was in 2012. We walked away from the last Bama meeting thinking that we need to develop our lines to be ass-kickers in the trenches. Kelly went on making the necessary changes and Notre Dame has churned out big time offensive lineman as well as some good pros on the defensive line.

The problem is that while we were focusing on developing our physicality in the trenches, the top teams have changed the way they play. Now, the top teams have made the transition to an explosive passing game, that routinely scores 45+ points a game. Bama won't be handing the ball off to Eddie Lacy 35 times in our next meeting. They will be looking to turn the game into a track meet via the passing game.

The next evolution for Notre Dame will be into a team that plays the same physical defense, boasts a bullying run offense, but adds a dynamic passing game that can put points on the board quickly. My criticism of the coaching staff isn't that they can't recruit the top players. They have, including at receiver. My criticism is that other top programs find ways to get those kids on the field earlier than Notre Dame. Jordan Johnson and Kevin Austin are as naturally gifted as most receivers at those other big time programs. Yet Notre Dame prefers big-bodied upper-class men who seem to always garner the same commentary, "Irish receivers unable to get separation."

With prospects for a playoff win looking slim, I hope that Notre Dame walks away from this season with a resolution moving forward to get their most dynamic players on the field.

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams has been voted the 2020 Atlantic Coast Conference Football Rookie of the Year by the league’s 15 head coaches and a 49-member select media panel.

Clemson tackle Bryan Bresee received the nod as the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

A five-time weekly award winner in 2020, Williams has totaled six 100-yard rushing performances while helping the No. 4 Fighting Irish to a 10-1 record and a berth in the College Football Playoff. The St. Louis native leads all FBS freshmen in rushing yards (1,061), rushing touchdowns (12) and total touchdowns (13). He also has 27 receptions on the season for 282 yards.

A second-team All-ACC selection, Williams’ efforts are a huge reason Notre Dame (10-1) will compete in the CFP for the second time in three seasons. The redshirt freshman is one of just four ACC players to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark, and his 27 receptions rank third among Notre Dame players. The complete voting for ACC Rookie of the Year honors was as follows:

ACC Rookie of the Year
Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame, 37
Jordan Addison, WR, Pitt, 10
Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson, 7
Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson, 6
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB/KR Georgia Tech, 3
Lavel Davis, Jr., WR, Virginia, 1

Offensive Rookie of the Year
Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame, 42
Jordan Addison, WR, Pitt, 15
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB/KR, Georgia Tech, 4
Lavel Davis, Jr., WR, Virginia, 1
Donavon Greene, WR/KR, Wake Forest, 1
Sean Tucker, RB, Syracuse, 1

Defensive Rookie of the Year
Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson, 36
Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson, 18
Garrett Williams, DB, Syracuse, 6
Nick Andersen, S, Wake Forest, 2
Tony Grimes, DB, North Carolina, 1
Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame, 1

1 year probation


LSU 2 coaches "retire" and will become analyst

Larry Fedora canned at Baylor as OC

I'm not in the building for this one, and it's not on TV, so this will be pretty light in updates, but I'll chime in every now and again.

Would be a big time transfer and is exactly the person ND needs to get out of the rut they are currently in.

Does the 'potential' of the Alabama game 'heal all wounds?'

I read an article on The Athletic today where they discussed the fact that the cancellation of some of the minor bowls this year will cost ESPN an estimated $21 million in ad revenue. However that $21 million is a drop in the bucket compared to the $792 million in ad revenue that ESPN/ABC collects per year from College Football according to the Sportico website.

But the real money according to The Athletic for ESPN:

Bowls are a nice payday under normal circumstances for ESPN, but they’re far from the network’s primary revenue driver.

Bowl money is dwarfed by the $9 monthly affiliate fees that ESPN collects from every household that subscribes to the network via cable and satellite providers......ESPN is generating approximately $8.4 billion annually before they sell a single ad.

No wonder that ESPN can afford to hand out the big contracts to sports leagues.

Everyone gets it - Bama is the Death Star and the odds are long.

But channeling Rod Stewart here - Still I look to find a reason to believe.

I'll go with September 21, 2019 - I know Irish fans aren't big on moral victories, but the Irish, led by Ian Book, 15.5 point dogs, went into one of the most hostile of road environments at Sanford Stadium (record crowd) and had a chance on the last possession of the fourth quarter to win the game. I know 2020 Bama > 2019 Georgia, but damnit, 2020 Irish > 2019 Irish and 2020 Book, at his best > 2019 Book.

Also, Ian Book has never lost back to back games - just sayin'.

What do got, what's your reason to believe???

There were some who believed that we should take other backs. Opinions vary, but take a look at these field level senior year highlights. The guy is a stud.

Login to view embedded media

Our offensive line played its worst game of the year against Clemson; to be competitive, it needs to play much better. How do you think that we stack-up against Alabama's front seven?

The preview for tomorrow:

I saw six state championship games in Florida last week and many big names were on the biggest stage. Top 2021 signees and elite underclassmen were in action and you can get the latest here.

Mike and I dish on the signing day additions and what's left on the latest Pod Like A Champion.

Rewatched the first Clemson game. They are missing several key players. And it showed.

But, considering this from a slightly different point of view? We are a talented team, and are only a few players away from being an elite team. Maybe we are never going to turn the corner in the new “elite athlete” world, maybe we will. I’m just enjoying the ride.

Brian Kelly is a great coach. And, he always has been. He didn't have many subpar seasons before coming to Notre Dame. In fact, his resume depicts the opposite.
The problem with the Notre Dame program is the lack of quality talent across the board. Is this Kelly's fault? Yes, it is to a limited degree. But, I challenge anyone who disagrees that Kelly would not win just as many championships as Saban has won if given the same talent. But, will Notre Dame ever reach that talent gap threshold? What would Notre Dame be willing to do to break through? Will she lower her academic standards (eliminate core class requirements)? Will she enlists upon the services of a bag man (money)? Will she use questionable recruiting tactics to lure blue chip recruits (women). I suspect not. But, I bet that the other top programs are engaged in these recruiting shenanigans. So, give Brian Kelly a break! What more can he do to even the playing field? We are asking him to win a fight against an armed opponent(top recruiting programs) with just his bare hands. And, what are the changes of that? And, in parting, is this the real reason why Notre Dame can lure the so called top coaches to South Bend? Would Saban coach at South Bend if he was paid 1 million dollars more than his current salary at Alabama? No!!!

Clemson junior quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been voted the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year after leading the Tigers to their sixth consecutive league title and sixth straight College Football Playoff selection.

Notre Dame senior linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors after keying the Fighting Irish to an unbeaten regular season and a CFP berth.

The ACC’s 2020 season award winners were chosen by a vote of a select 49-member media panel and the league’s 15 head coaches.

Named the MVP of the ACC Football Championship Game following Clemson’s 34-10 win over Notre Dame last Saturday, Lawrence has thrown for 2,753 yards and 22 touchdowns in nine games. He leads the ACC in total offense (329.3 yards per game), passing yards per game (305.9) and pass completion percentage (.692).


The ACC Defensive Player of the Year recognition is the second major honor of the week for Owusu-Koramoah, who on Monday became the second consecutive ACC linebacker to be named winner of the Butkus Award. Owusu-Koramoah has registered 56 tackles in 11 games, tying for the team lead on a unit that ranks second in the ACC in yards allowed (335.5 per game) and scoring defense (18.6 ppg).

A native of Hampton, Virginia, Owusu-Koramoah has made 11 tackles for loss, including 1.5 quarterback sacks. He has forced three fumbles, recovered two (returning one for a touchdown) and has one interception this season. Owusu-Koramoah’s efforts have helped Notre Dame rank third among ACC teams in rushing yards allowed per game (110.9) and passing yards allowed (224.5).

ACC Player of the Year voting:
Player of the Year
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson, 44
Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson, 7
Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame, 5
Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina, 3
Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina, 3
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame, 1
D'Eriq King, Miami, 1

Offensive Player of the Year
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson, 45
Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson, 7
Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame, 5
Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina, 3
Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina, 3
D'Eriq King, QB, Miami, 1

Defensive Player of the Year
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame, 29
Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami, 8
Rashad Weaver, DE, Pitt, 7
Patrick Jones II, DE, Pitt, 6
Payton Wilson, LB, NC State, 6
Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina, 5
Nolan Turner, S, Clemson, 1
Max Richardson, LB, Boston College, 1
Carlos Basham Jr., DE, Wake Forest, 1

Lou would serve ND well to gain extra focus for Bama! They would be flying out of the tunnel.

Like it or not, I think this is a fair, smart and fairly thorough analysis.

Login to view embedded media

Per CBSsports, this year, without the cupcakes like usual, Bama scored a TD every 10.5 plays.

My research shows LSU last year, with their amazing offense and with a few cupcakes, scored a TD every 11.4 plays

Which poison to you pick, go nickel to stop the pass but watch Harris run all day long or watch the WRs run wild?

Ark ran a 3-3-5 to stop the pass. Held Jones to few passing yards. They still scored upper 40s. Obviously ND’s D is better than Ark but if ND holds Bama to mid 30s or lower, it will be a success imo.

And score touchdowns. That’s how ND wins against Alabama and Clemson. We can again but it’s like when Navy plays us. They have a chance when they stay on schedule and score touchdowns. Just saying in a non COVID coping thread.

Login to view embedded media
Elko deserves this.

• All thoughts on COVID, statistics, speculation, updates, etc. should be posted in the daily thread.

• COVID threads that pop up separately on the board will be merged into our daily thread — with the exception of sports news items that are related to COVID (school testing updates, announcements, etc.). These can have their own threads but our staff has final discretion.

• As always, political posts – whether in the COVID thread or not – will be deleted.

In the latest batch of testing released Monday, none of the 189 tests administered had a positive for the coronavirus.

Login to view embedded media
Would be interesting if that became a distraction.

I will suck.....I mean, I would love to go