Does This Short Week Hurt the Irish?

[deadirishpoet]

With the game coming up this Thurday, and the Sugar Bowl delayed by a day, and it being played in late afternoon, and the late travel does this hurt the Irish?
I was hoping the committee would switch the game days but I understand the complications to the ticket purchaser's of that.

In closing I understand the reasons for the delay and meant no disrespect to their memory

 

[echowaker]

With the game coming up this Thurday, and the Sugar Bowl delayed by a day, and it being played in late afternoon, and the late travel does this hurt the Irish?
I was hoping the committee would switch the game days but I understand the complications to the ticket purchaser's of that.

In closing I understand the reasons for the delay and meant to disrespect to their memory

I don't think so. Preparation the same. One less day to recover but these are remarkably fit young men. Unfortunate circumstances. They'll be fine in my opinion. I don't believe it gives Penn St. some unfair advantage either. At this point it won't be changed anyway. No way are they going to play both semi final games the same evening or move one to the afternoon. They won't go against the NFL playoffs on Saturday either. The fans can debate if it's an issue or not. The team doesn't have that luxury.

 

[Pennick4]

With the game coming up this Thurday, and the Sugar Bowl delayed by a day, and it being played in late afternoon, and the late travel does this hurt the Irish?
I was hoping the committee would switch the game days but I understand the complications to the ticket purchaser's of that.

In closing I understand the reasons for the delay and meant to disrespect to their memory

Yeah I thought about the possibility of swapping the games also. Probably logistically impossible.
Freeman has created the mindset that they can overcome just about everything.

 

[Patrish]

With the game coming up this Thurday, and the Sugar Bowl delayed by a day, and it being played in late afternoon, and the late travel does this hurt the Irish?
I was hoping the committee would switch the game days but I understand the complications to the ticket purchaser's of that.

In closing I understand the reasons for the delay and meant to disrespect to their memory

Yes

One less day to prepare strategically

One less day to recover from injuries

 

[deadirishpoet]

I don't think so. Preparation the same. One less day to recover but these are remarkably fit young men. Unfortunate circumstances. They'll be fine in my opinion. I don't believe it gives Penn St. some unfair advantage either. At this point it won't be changed anyway. No way are they going to play both semi final games the same evening or move one to the afternoon. They won't go against the NFL playoffs on Saturday either. The fans can debate if it's an issue or not. The team doesn't have that luxury.

You would know so thank you

 

[1Redrum]

It's a normal 7 day turnaround that happens every week during the season. The team would have arrived back in South Bend (or Miami if that's where they went) at a reasonable time Thursday night and have no school to worry about this week. Just recovery practice, film reviews etc. Would one more day have been better? Sure but the team may not have been scheduled to arrive back in South Bend until mid day Thursday anyways.

 

[echowaker]

It's a normal 7 day turnaround that happens every week during the season. The team would have arrived back in South Bend (or Miami if that's where they went) at a reasonable time Thursday night and have no school to worry about this week. Just recovery practice, film reviews etc. Would one more day have been better? Sure but the team may not have been scheduled to arrive back in South Bend until mid day Thursday anyways.

Not a lot of physical practice at this time of year anyway. I honestly believe it's a non issue.

 

[THUNDERSTRUCK111]

Not a lot of physical practice at this time of year anyway. I honestly believe it's a non issue.

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

 

[sjb75]

Not a lot of physical practice at this time of year anyway. I honestly believe it's a non issue.

X2.

 

[burmafrd1943]

Not important. They had thirteen days off. They are young and that helps a lot.

 

[IrishMike409]

Does it affect Love and Cross?

Both guys are battling through injuries.

 

[deadirishpoet]

Not important. They had thirteen days off. They are young and that helps a lot.

I think I remember those days lol

 

[Irish_inPSU]

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.

 

[echowaker]

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.

 

[savvyandsassier]

I don't know if it hurts them or not. How could you really answer that. Put it this way though, they'd rather have nine days like PSU. Just because you would, you would take those two extra days. Not even thinking about your opponent.

 

[THUNDERSTRUCK111]

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.

Good stuff echo. Thank you

 

[echowaker]

Good stuff echo. Thank you

Anytime.

 

[christophero]

I don't think so. I'd be more worried about coming out flat next week. This game was so physical; it had the feeling of a national championship game. But I think we will be ready.

 

[sjb75]

I don't think so. I'd be more worried about coming out flat next week. This game was so physical; it had the feeling of a national championship game. But I think we will be ready.

Agreed. The Georgia fronts were stout on both sides, especially on defense. The Georgia DL and front 7 was easily the best front they faced all season.

 

[burmafrd1943]

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.

I think that is not a worry. Many on this team remember how close they came to beating OSU. And that Notre Dame has lost so often to Ohio State for so long.
Freeman needs to play that up; reminding them of another chance to make Notre Dame history.

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

We see this discrepancy in rest all the time in the NFL playoffs. Nowhere do you hear, well if we had that extra day of rest, we definitely would've won. At this point, everyone is hurt and ND showed they got no problem playing through pain/injuries all year.

 

[Holycrossover3]

On the flip side, if we beat PSU we get an additional day of rest before the national title game.

 

[NCDomer1]

If anything it helps them keep with the flow of playing every seven days

 

[sjb75]

On the flip side, if we beat PSU we get an additional day of rest before the national title game.

Which at the end of the day means nothing, IMO. Just like the extra 2 days Penn State is receiving. Means 0.

 

[Holycrossover3]

Which at the end of the day means nothing, IMO. Just like the extra 2 days Penn State is receiving. Means 0.

Agreed. A week is plenty of time to recover and scheme for a game.

 

[sjb75]

We see this discrepancy in rest all the time in the NFL playoffs. Nowhere do you hear, well if we had that extra day of rest, we definitely would've won. At this point, everyone is hurt and ND showed they got no problem playing through pain/injuries all year.

Well stated.

 

[raycyrx]

If they moved the game, PSU would still have two extra days.

 

[Harpo Marxist]

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.

In other years....I would have worried about the hangover. Not this year. I think NIU provided the antidote for such an event. This team has purposed itself to the place we find ourselves. Injuries are a concern.....but not a hangover.

 

[Golson5]

Does it affect Love and Cross?

Both guys are battling through injuries.

And Spindler and Schrauth

That was a physical emotional game. I wish we had the extra day.

But we don't so we have to push through that wall

 

[mwjourney]

The SEC commisioner actually asked for the games to be switched but was turned down:

MIAMI, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- The College Football Playoff denied a request made by Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey to flip the times and dates for the Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl, a committee spokesman confirmed Friday.

Sankey said his request was "not an SEC-related issue." He cited a short turnaround time for the Fighting Irish, compared to the other three teams remaining in the field.

https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/202...-Playoff-Orange-Bowl-game-swap/7931735921971/

 

[savvyandsassier]

The SEC commisioner actually asked for the games to be switched but was turned down:

MIAMI, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- The College Football Playoff denied a request made by Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey to flip the times and dates for the Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl, a committee spokesman confirmed Friday.

Sankey said his request was "not an SEC-related issue." He cited a short turnaround time for the Fighting Irish, compared to the other three teams remaining in the field.

https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/202...-Playoff-Orange-Bowl-game-swap/7931735921971/

How gracious of him. Southern hospitality, eh?

 

[kev2225]

No. Just line up and play. No excuses.

 

[PHJIndy]

This game is for the right to play for the CFB National Championship! There will be nothing to stop the Irish from getting there. Mark my word!

 

[Patrish]

You’d have to be in total denial to think that having fewer days isn’t going to have a negative impact in terms of creating a game plan and in terms of physical recovery from the Georgia game.

Let’s ask the question another way, would you rather have seven days to prepare or eight days to prepareafter playing Georgia,

Especially whenYou have to travel back to South Bend, and then travel to Miami prior to next Thursday’s game

How can you not want an extra day?

 

[4-4-3]

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.

This is the ULTIMATE TEST of a good team -- having to play TOUGHER COMPETITION EACH WEEK and having to get up for it.

Is ND the kind of playoff team that can SOLDIER ON or, at some point, does it SIMPLY REACH ITS LIMIT?

This is RAW COMPETITION at its best.

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

Assuming ND makes it to the national championship, they'll have an extra day of rest over Texas or OSU. Will that give ND an advantage? I don't think so. Same thing happens in the NFL playoffs. I actually think being in a consistent routine is more important than rest. There's just something about routine/momentum that locks you in and keeps you focused. If rest was that paramount, we'd never see wild card teams in the NFL win the SB. How many times have we seen the team with more rest lose?

 

[Golson5]

Assuming ND makes it to the national championship, they'll have an extra day of rest over Texas or OSU. Will that give ND an advantage? I don't think so. Same thing happens in the NFL playoffs. I actually think being in a consistent routine is more important than rest. There's just something about routine/momentum that locks you in and keeps you focused. If rest was that paramount, we'd never see wild card teams in the NFL win the SB. How many times have we seen the team with more rest lose?

Yes I would rather the extra day of rest. We are a beat up team. So it will help if we could win against psu

 

[sjb75]

No. Just line up and play. No excuses.

Exactly.

“Much ado about nothing.”

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

Yes I would rather the extra day of rest. We are a beat up team. So it will help if we could win against psu

The question is not what you would rather have. The question is whether or not it's an advantage. I have seen too often in my playing/coaching days and as a fan the team with more rest lose. The advantage is in the preparation, which Freeman has shown to be a master of since the NIU loss. All the bye teams had more rest and how did that work out?

Look at what Freeman said in response to this question yesterday:

On whether playing on Dec. 20 gave Notre Dame a competitive advantage over Georgia since they had not played since Dec. 7
“No. I don’t. I think whatever circumstances you’re given, you make the most of them. If we would have had a first-round bye, I would have been the first one to say, ‘Hey, this is great for us. We didn’t. It’s great for us.

“We are always a glass-half-full group. Whatever circumstances are thrown at us, we’re going to take advantage of it and prepare and maximize the opportunity ahead of us. So, that’s what they did.

“The first game had nothing to do with this game. It was the preparation that they put into this week and this game and the performance that they put on.

“But I don’t believe in my heart the first game had anything to do with this one. It was about the preparation they did after the first game.”

 

[Golson5]

The question is not what you would rather have. The question is whether or not it's an advantage. I have seen too often in my playing/coaching days and as a fan the team with more rest lose. The advantage is in the preparation, which Freeman has shown to be a master of since the NIU loss. All the bye teams had more rest and how did that work out?

Look at what Freeman said in response to this question yesterday:

On whether playing on Dec. 20 gave Notre Dame a competitive advantage over Georgia since they had not played since Dec. 7
“No. I don’t. I think whatever circumstances you’re given, you make the most of them. If we would have had a first-round bye, I would have been the first one to say, ‘Hey, this is great for us. We didn’t. It’s great for us.

“We are always a glass-half-full group. Whatever circumstances are thrown at us, we’re going to take advantage of it and prepare and maximize the opportunity ahead of us. So, that’s what they did.

“The first game had nothing to do with this game. It was the preparation that they put into this week and this game and the performance that they put on.

“But I don’t believe in my heart the first game had anything to do with this one. It was about the preparation they did after the first game.”

Yes it's an advantage for ND to have an extra day, any extra time they have to get rest is an advantage