Game Plan vs OSU last year and this year
- Thread starter edub72
- Start date
Consider that Freeman is a first time head coach w/ 1 year experience - he decided to go with a OC who had very little OC experience.
Then again - ND has an entire coaching staff that could not (collectively) figure out how many players they needed on the field in the most critical part of a VERY big game (on their home turf no less). This coaching staff has a lot to prove and a VERY long way to go.
The Ohio State secondary has speed that ND has not seen all season. Our wide receivers could not get separation all game. No one on ND is able to take the top off an Ohio State defense. It’s an inconvenient truth. WR was our weak link this year. After reviewing the game I understand why we went a little more dink and dunk.
What I don’t understand is that Estime only got 14 carries in a game like this. If there is anything to gripe about it is this. Let the best RB in college take over the game, especially on that last possession. They went 98 years running the ball on the possession before And Estime had a 10 yard run before they took him out again.
Don’t get me wrong, I like having a “5 headed monster,” but at what point does it actually become a hindrance. I think that it did this past Saturday.
What I don’t understand is that Estime only got 14 carries in a game like this. If there is anything to gripe about it is this. Let the best RB in college take over the game, especially on that last possession. They went 98 years running the ball on the possession before And Estime had a 10 yard run before they took him out again.
Don’t get me wrong, I like having a “5 headed monster,” but at what point does it actually become a hindrance. I think that it did this past Saturday.
Estime looked like the least effective back against OSU. His patience didn’t bode well against their aggressive front. Love seemed to be the most impactful hitting the hole immediately. I also think Payne is the best short yardage back.
Mostly agree
You can scheme favorable matchups to get people open downfield… Tobias and tyree have the speed if given enough room can get open downfield vs any db, we just didn’t scheme it despite how much they put defenders near Los
No, way! Maybe that was said because Evans caught so many balls, but that was by progression. On 3rd and long, Buchner was running QB draws, etc. Last year Rees was playing cautious on 3rd and long with no innovation.
I agree with a lot that has been posted on this thread so far. Our outside receivers certainly struggle to get separation at times.
I do wonder why Tyree didn’t get any more targets after the 1st series? 1 catch for 25 yards and then nothing. He’s fast enough for a deep shot at some point; frustrating they didn’t try at least once or twice.
I agree with Bizzy that Estime wasn’t effective early. But, in the 2nd half, their D Line was tired, and THAT is when Estime shines. The fact that on our last drive, he went 11 yards up the gut, and then was pulled is truly maddening.
The following play was the 1st play of about 7 that began the heartbreaking sequence. Coaches and players have to take responsibility here, but I’m certainly STARTING with the coaches.
Still a tough game to think about but it’s time to move on to Duke.
I do wonder why Tyree didn’t get any more targets after the 1st series? 1 catch for 25 yards and then nothing. He’s fast enough for a deep shot at some point; frustrating they didn’t try at least once or twice.
I agree with Bizzy that Estime wasn’t effective early. But, in the 2nd half, their D Line was tired, and THAT is when Estime shines. The fact that on our last drive, he went 11 yards up the gut, and then was pulled is truly maddening.
The following play was the 1st play of about 7 that began the heartbreaking sequence. Coaches and players have to take responsibility here, but I’m certainly STARTING with the coaches.
Still a tough game to think about but it’s time to move on to Duke.
I believe Hartman is as good as it gets in regards to finding the open WR in college. That said, we don’t see Tyree the rest of the game. My money is that Tyree was unable to get open/create separation. Sometimes with TV film you don’t see what is happening all the way down field with a lot of receivers as the camera is focused on the line and QB/ball carrier. Maybe those that were at the game might have better insight.
Our wide receivers were the weak link this year. A room without a certified dude. There’s a reason that 2 freshman receivers are kind of outplaying the rest of the room. It is getting better though. This class then next class. We should start seeing a difference.
Agreed that WR is currently our weak link. I also agree Sam is great, but there were a few shots he never saw. He missed Merriweather on one go route and Rico on another. Not really blaming him because you never see every open guy every play, but there were a couple opportunities. I was at the game but you’re right about TV camera focus.
In terms of Tyree, I don’t think he played too much, so add that on top of not being able to separate if that was also the case.
Excited for the freshman and hopefully Cam Williams stays committed. He is exactly what we need.
Sam had some unreal tosses if you really go back and look. That second TD he dropped a beauty over the LB's and in front of coverage to sustain that drive. We are playing 2, true freshmen not nearly as highly ranked.
I think its more mentality with the lead in a big game. Play it close. Don't take chances. Beat them in the trenches. Control clock. They asked Sam to dink and dunk. I think he was 8-8 on that first drive.
Also averaging 5.5 yards a carry helps, we had very few, long runs to pump that up.
Honestly, if you take the 3's (and make them) you put up a solid 20 points on a team that was doing the same thing (keep it in front, take no chances).
If you switch that game, and we get the ball with 1:26 left, I like our chances with Sam, 4 downs and a gotta win mentality.
I think its more mentality with the lead in a big game. Play it close. Don't take chances. Beat them in the trenches. Control clock. They asked Sam to dink and dunk. I think he was 8-8 on that first drive.
Also averaging 5.5 yards a carry helps, we had very few, long runs to pump that up.
Honestly, if you take the 3's (and make them) you put up a solid 20 points on a team that was doing the same thing (keep it in front, take no chances).
If you switch that game, and we get the ball with 1:26 left, I like our chances with Sam, 4 downs and a gotta win mentality.
Just make the easy FG in the first half and this game is different - the kids leg is a howitzer but he really needs to throttle back when its not a 50+ yard try.
Nothing "easy..." about a 47 yard field goal in CFB.
I wouldn’t apply your precious rankings to Greathouse/Flores, take a gander at those offer lists. Two of the most ready freshman WR ND as seen in a long time.
I don’t have precious rankings, it’s just what 247 had. They are 44 and 49. OSU had 1, 2, 5 and 9. They also where not freshmen.
It’s a bit different I think. Not sure it’s massive. Any top 100 is good. But their number 1 beat us repeatedly including 3rd and 18.
It’s a bit different I think. Not sure it’s massive. Any top 100 is good. But their number 1 beat us repeatedly including 3rd and 18.
TY unfortunately from the video there is a foot in the way when the ball crosses the line.
The play call thing is going to be mostly hindsight. Beside OSU thought that first down at 2:35 was going to be a run. They have 4 down linemen and 4 lbs all of whom blitzed. The outside guy got through because he was unblocked and I think the guard from the other side tried to trap him.
But I think shortening the field was objectively wrong. Parker lined up two WRs where they couldn't do much.
It seemed the best play was a fake to Estime then a give to Payne.
It may have been an option because SH is looking at the rb that ran right by him. I think ND was trying to trap the outside LB who blew up the play.
