I'm not gloating or anything. Heck I'm not a coach and don't know the details of play calling etc. But a while back, I made the case that ND's offense had no identity. Even during the Kelly era, the offense always felt more like a mix and match of play calling styles. Given the QB situation and other personnel on the offense, I said, ND needs to be a power running team. Let those big fellas up front "eat". There nothing an O line likes more than pushing the defense backwards. It develops rhythm, it takes the pressure off the QB and forces the D to play more one dimensional schemes. ND absolutely has, and have for quite some time, an elite offensive line unit. They absolutely can push most, if not all defenses off the ball. Since the Clemson game, they are looking the part of an elite unit and imposing their will on defenses. Clemson has an mighty talented front four and they had no answer.
I'm thrilled to see this type of offense and I firmly believe if we do the same thing this weekend at USC, we will put this game away in the third quarter. USC does not have the personnel up front to play physical, smash mouth football. Thats always been the Achilles Heal of the Pac-12 teams. If Reese decides to turn this game into a track meet... ND is in trouble. Pound them in the face, play sound defense and ND will finish the season on a great note and be setup great for next year.
I'm thrilled to see this type of offense and I firmly believe if we do the same thing this weekend at USC, we will put this game away in the third quarter. USC does not have the personnel up front to play physical, smash mouth football. Thats always been the Achilles Heal of the Pac-12 teams. If Reese decides to turn this game into a track meet... ND is in trouble. Pound them in the face, play sound defense and ND will finish the season on a great note and be setup great for next year.