I am not sure a decisive loss to OSU would damage Freeman's stock much. OSU is the huge favorite in the game and we are playing without MANY key players. I guess we will see what the injury report is this week, but even if Knapp and Spindler can go, they will probably have limitations. Beaux Collins suffered some kind of calf injury against PSU and didn't play much. Who knows what his status will be for January 20th. Howard Cross hasn't looked himself for weeks and probably will still be limited vs. OSU. KVA is still limited. Jeremiyah Love gutted it out against PSU, but he is clearly not his usual dynamic self. And of course, Mills, Morrison, Botelho, Traore, Craig and Flanagan are all out for the year. While Jagusah is back, he has basically missed the whole season and cannot reasonably be expected to step in and mesh right away with the other OL members, because that requires reps he hasn't been able to get in. He did look pretty good against PSU, however.
Given the decimated state of our roster, it is miraculous that ND has been able to accomplish what it has. After the additional OL injuries vs. PSU, you have to wonder whether we have reached a bridge too far. This season has taught us not to ever count the Irish out, but going up against a stacked opponent like OSU with one hand tied behind your back is a tall task. I haven't studied OSU's injury report, but I think they are relatively healthy.
I guess that is a long way of saying that I don't think Freeman's stock will take much of a hit with a tough loss to OSU. If anything, I hope what Freeman has accomplished this season will reap future benefits on the recruiting trail. Kids that perceived ND as a second tier team may now give us a more serious look because they see ND as an ascendant team, and Marcus Freeman as a coach you want to play for. If you are a really good HS cornerback or safety, watching Golden's defense and all the man coverage they play would have to draw your interest. And I think ND's success will also help us in the portal, which Freeman has used very wisely to date.
ALL TRUE.
But if the final score is OSU 42 and ND 14, people will forget about the injuries or regard them as fine-print/excuses and only remember that ND failed ONCE AGAIN to win the BIG ONE. That's just how a lot of people REACT. And that includes both the LOW INFORMATION CROWD and those who are NEGATIVELY BIASED. And of course it would also mean the 7th straight loss to OSU since ND last won an NC.
I'm not saying it would hurt Freeman either APPRECIABLY or PERMANENTLY but merely that it would it would bring his rep BACK DOWN TO EARTH A BIT given ND's undefeated record since NIU. And in that sense, it might even be -- from a REALISTIC VIEWPOINT -- a GOOD THING. But it will in no way determine Freeman's or ND's future. THAT will depend on how things PLAY OUT.
I agree that ND looks pretty GROUND DOWN at this point, and I thought PSU was the better team the other night in terms of who was on the field and in good health for both teams. Franklin was too conservative at the beginning of the game and too undisciplined at the end. HE CHOKES. And Allar played perhaps his worse game of the season. As I saw it, PSU should have won that game, and only ND's determination and focus PREVENTED IT.
I don't see ND beating OSU on paper. But maybe on the field it can if Freeman can somehow get them UP again. A win would be absolutely HISTORIC under the circumstances. And a hearbreaking loss would work ALMOST AS WELL. But to get routed and/or embarrassed would merely rearm the DOUBTERS and NAY-SAYERS, while putting IMMENSE PRESSURE on Freeman and the team to make it this far NEXT TIME. Kelly was at this EXACT SAME POINT 12 years ago. And he never got any closer.
Which means that Freeman will HAVE TO MAKE HISTORY either in NINE DAYS or in the future to take ND to the next level, bearing in mind that each loss will be assigned the SAME VALUE as, say, any SIX WINS.
Freeman's done EXTREMELY WELL to date, but, as I see it, he's still in an UNENVIABLE POSITION given what's expected of him. But then, maybe he's something special, beats OSU and then only has to worry about what Holtz defined as the WORST PRESSURE for an ND coach -- winning a SECOND NC or a THIRD. Once you start feeding the beast . . . .
In fact, the opportunity comes around only SO OFTEN, and if you DON'T hit the jackpot, THAT's what they remember you for.
