Lets talk PSU
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ND has to make Allar uncomfortable.....and keep him there. ND gave up long passes against GA...some caught, some not. PSU will try to duplicate that. The penalty on Kiser concerned me because he was isolated on a receiver who got past the secondary. I don't want ND to get into a pick you poison scenario...where our defense gives up the middle to Warren in order to defend against their wideouts getting past the secondary. Getting pressure on Allar is key on several levels.
Agree, Kiser was on their te.. Kiser has to play over the top or watts can’t leave the middle. I gotta believe they’ll have safety giving special attention to Warren over top then man up on wrs. Evans is a fast psu wr but he isn’t a good route runner, just can’t let him beat you deep.
No doubt. 44 is an absolute player. 11 on defense is as well. It’s gonna be a dog fight. Turnovers will be huge if there are any. For all the “ can’t win the big game talk’” both teams are on the doorstep of history
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I need to study this thread and PSU more. I watched several Lion games. Typical BIG type football, textbook, not too much derivation, hard nosed, and usually plays their A game.
Their 2 playoff games convince me they are a legit top 10. I think a healthy ND is a legit top 5 now. But Irish injuries worry me.
For me, a lot will depend on Denbrock and RL. Some play action to open up the run game. I don't know enough to say run game focused down center or edges or option.
I guess this also depends on what works and how to adjust in the game itself?
Their 2 playoff games convince me they are a legit top 10. I think a healthy ND is a legit top 5 now. But Irish injuries worry me.
For me, a lot will depend on Denbrock and RL. Some play action to open up the run game. I don't know enough to say run game focused down center or edges or option.
I guess this also depends on what works and how to adjust in the game itself?
Schematically for sure with all the window dressing.
I think Penn state will try to score more than control and be much more aggressive. We need to stop run, not get fooled by window dressing, and not let jump ball throws be completed (gray) or PIs.
Toss up game. If they played 10 times they probably split 5 apiece.
That would be sweet if we opened up and started passing more aggressively, just to catch them off guard. PSU sold out so blatantly to stop Ashton Jeanty, they didn't try to disguise at all. RL's not a great passer, but he can certainly make throws. He's got a good enough arm.
That would be an awesome way to beat PSU and advance to the final. He doesn't have to pass for 400 yards, but if we could hit a few deep strikes and get a nice 1st half lead, it could go down in Irish lore. Like the chicken soup game or whatnot.
If you are asking everyone, based on what I watched from both teams, I say Georgia. 7 out of 10 times.
Call me overconfident if you want, but I expect ND to win by two possessions. I do not think PSU is capable of doing what ND did to Georgia. And what's scary is that it was probably ND's worst game from a penalty standpoint. I am not impressed by PSU 2 playoff wins. SMU at home in cold December and a G5 school at a neutral site. Jeanty was limited yes, but still got over 100 yards from scrimmage, so it's not like he was completely shut down. Their best defensive player is hurt and will likely play but not be as effective. Georgia's two pass rushers are predicted to go in the first round and I never would have known that from the game I saw. Warren is a beast and he will likely make a play or two, but I don't anticipate him dominating against ND's defense. PSU defense has a tendency to miss tackles, which does not bode well for them with ND's rushing attack. Allar is a good QB, but ND has consisntely been able to blitz and play man all year and I don't see that changing. And even when ND allows a big gain what impresses me the most is they usually stop the offense from advancing any farther after that, sans SC game. Leonard may have to pass more, but the best part about the offense is that they don't turnover the ball. This is why ND is so hard to beat. Finally, here's what I consider to be the x-factor: Freeman v. Franklin. Freeman ever since his win over Clemson in year 1 has proven to get his guys ready for the big game. He's now won 8-9 in a row over AP ranked teams? Franklin is something like 1-12 against top 10 teams? I know some here are all worried about players being hurt and having a hangover from the UGA win, but at this point everyone is hurting, not just ND. And in all my years in football I have never bought the "hangover" excuse. Success is hard to sustain yes, but nowhere do you hear players/coaches saying well we lost this game cause we beat a tough team last week. I've won and lost many games in football and never attributed my wins and losses based on who we played the week prior. We've seen plenty of upsets happen after a team has an easy win the week prior. As long as ND shows up and is efficient in their approach, I can't see them losing.
I say 27-13 ND win.
I say 27-13 ND win.
Call me nervous as all get out if YOU want... lol.. but I don't expect ND to run through PSU. I don't know, I get this way about any big game and I am full aware a lot of this is the PTSD I've aquired watching this team get dismanted in past years.
I feel like this game will be quite a bit like the USC game. ND struggled in that game defensively because of their ability to spread us out and having multiple weapons to go to. Their offense is significantly more dynamic that UGA was. The TE obviously, but also decent recievers and running backs that can run/catch.
Offensively for us, well... it depends on what offense shows up and if Denbrock has a good game plan there. But we'll need to score TD's, not just a couple of field goals.
Pressure pressure pressure. I think its going to be paramount that we set that tone very early and send a message to Allar that we will not let you stand back there. Just like with Stockton in the first half, he got a bit comfortable and was able to throw some nice balls. It wasn't until the second half and that big strip sack did we start imposing our will on that o line and got him off schedule and rattled. That needs to happen in the first quarter this time.
I really don't care about them playing SMU or BSU in the playoffs. They handled them with ease, which is what you'd expect. What I do care about is how they played OSU and Oregon tough. Oregon in particular was thumping them pretty good and was on the brink of sealing that game mulitple times, but PSU fought back and never let that happen. They aren't going to roll over and die in this game...
Your PTSD is valid. No disagreement with your comments. None of us really know what will happen as anything can happen. Just trying to make as much of an educated guess as I can. With that said, I still think the x-factor is Freeman. I know I'm biased, but who is coaching better than Freeman since the week 2 loss?
As for Denbrock, I do have 2 concerns:
1. Stop calling those damn screen plays on 3rd down! Screen plays are hit or miss and there's only one option. I'd be fine with a standard RPO on 3rd and medium. Otherwise, call a regular pass play and give RL options.
2. 3rd/4th and short. RL got stopped on a 4th and short. What bothered me about his call was that everyone in the whole stadium knew RL was going to get the ball. The RB going in motion fooled no one. I would have preferred RL be under center. Cut the distance between RL and the first down marker. As we saw a UGA player made contact with RL in the backfield. I can't imagine being able to stop RL doing a QB sneak on a 4th and inches scenario. Besides when it's 4th and short. The offense has greater risk than the defense does, usually. If the offense fails they lose the possession. If the defense fails, well they get another chance to stop them from advancing. That means the defense will often gamble go all out focusing on stopping RL and ignore any fakes.
Well I think we should go for it and open the passing game a bit. My humble layman's reasoning is PSU is totally going to try to stop the run, as we definitely feature a strong run, conservative passing offense. And it's not like RL can't make nice passes you just don't want him doing it all game long. So if you can tactfully get some downfield type shots without gambling the whole game on it, I would be in favor it.
Totally agree with this. A one dimensional ND team will not win this game. They will have be somewhat successful throwing the ball. I think even more than the GEORGIA game, ND will need to win in all 3 phases. Nothing more than a hunch, but I have a feeling the Irish will throw a few plays downfield and I think run quite a few RPO’s with RL. But no doubt the offense will have to put up some points to win this game. It’s gonna be a real battle.
Yep, i sure hope to see more Riley Leonard runs early. This will really open up the middle of the field. I think ND has to assume PSU can score 20, I don't think our staff thought Indiana or Georgia could score 20 on our D.
Good question and my answer there is no, but their QB is better than what we faced at USC IMO. I also argue that PSU's offense has better backs and of course their freak TE. I think as a whole, PSU's offense is better than USC. Time will tell...
I know the transitive property doesn't apply in sports, but USC does offer some insights as a common opponent.
USC's talented offense can score against any defense. Did it against ND, PSU, and SEC teams. USC seemed to get progressively better as their season went on...and they never lost by more than 1 TD except to ND.
What it suggests to me is ND can adjust and adapt a bit more than PSU. I'm thinking the ND D is a bit better. And that RL offers a bit of an x-factor with running that PSU doesn't have?
Otherwise 2 very similarly matched teams. PSU did look good these 2 playoff games. Weaker opponents, but they routinely won, not needing to get into the higher gears. I'm not taking them for granted...it will be a slight fest.
Run KEDREN YOUNG between the tackles. He's NASTY. Or even Williams who has good balance.
PSU will NOT be ready for YOUNG.
The OSU was NEVER as close as the score. Penn St couldn't move the ball much at all.
Hard to compare. There was zero pressure on USC. No stakes for them at all. This game is much,much different. The only team they have played that could come close to the physicality ND will bring was OSU.
I disagree. PSU had a chance to tie the game late with four downs inside the 4. The total yards was about 300-270 in favor of OSU prior to their last possession to ice the game. First downs were about equal (at that point in the game).
It’s true that they got the pick six early in the game, but I don’t think that play was as fluky as some other interceptions you will see. That also took a drive away from their offense and gave the ball back to OSU.
It was a very tight game.
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I’m not sure allar can play better than maiava did against nd
Lurking Penn State fan but responding to this because I keep seeing ND fans say this so I'm curious where the belief comes from.
Jeanty had 1,889 yards after contact going into the Fiesta bowl... Price has 720 yards on the season.
“And in all my years in football I have never bought the "hangover" excuse”.
Totally agree. Way overrated concept like so many others.
I would agree. I think Penn State is gonna be tough and certainly formidable. But I don't they're better than Georgia. Maybe equal, but not better.
After a long season, noting we all say it takes a season...and there is still some season left...then one can make clearer judgements.
By now I think ND, GA, Texas, and PSU are evenly enough matched. Ohio State playing at this level is the only clear favorite. Again, I still think ND is built to upset Ohio State.
I really really hope ND gets past PSU. I predict a dogfight...and I'd be lying if I the near 2 day rest for PSU and ND injuries don't worry me.
But I'd also be lying if I didn't say the magic of ND gives me some confidence.
Let's see. Thursday is almost here!
I think Penn State's offense is better than Georgia's, but Georgia's defense is probably a little better. So overall, I might give a slight edge to Penn State.
Penn State's QB, TE and RBs are better. So they have more playmakers on offense. Of course, I'm using Stockton for Georgia's QB comparison.
Allar, at least in some games, struggled with pressure. I think the defense is going to have to send a message early and often that we're not going to let him stand back there and pick us apart. I think I read/heard somewhere that Allar had trouble setting protections against BSU at times so I'd imagine he could be in big trouble against Goldens schemes. Either way, when we blitz on passing down, we're going to have to get home with them.
That said, PSU is more complete on offense compared to Georgia and I imagine PSU is planning for our pressure schemes and getting the ball out quickly to playmakers to try to neutralize the rush. That may make tackling on the perimeter in space paramount if they can do this.
I know I've said it all post long on here but I don't like this game for us at the moment. With the injuries and PSU having extra time to rest and prep, it just spells disaster for us. I hope I'm very wrong and can come on here and eat my crow after the game.
If we were coaching against ND we know the type of scheme we'd run to beat us. The problem, teams aren't prepared for NDs physicality. If caught Gtech off guard. We were the more physical team vs georgia and indiana, I expect that vs Penn state.
USC we were on our heals at times with all their weapons and did not play ND physical assignment correct football. Plus USC connected on a bunch of 50/50 balls.
I think penn state is going to try and have to connect on a bunch of 50/50 balls.
3. On 3rd down, please call a pass that goes further than the sticks. The entire UGA defense sat behind the WR knowing the pass would be short and they could break on the WR and stop the first down.
Notre Dame needs to mirror what Ohio State did to get after Allar. He was very pedestrian in that game. He is not a mobile quarterback.
This is probably the most common fan complaint of every football team, at every level.
I'll go even further. In the UGA game, we were behind the chains a lot and had 3rd and long. I don't think the PSU defense is quite as good as Georgia, but they're stout enough. We absolutely need to stay ahead of the chains better.
Allar is the best QB Notre Dame has faced. 22 TDS only 6 picks.
Warren is one of the best offensive players ND has faced. Averaging 12 yards a reception.
That being said, PSU has struggled on offense at times. OSU forced a lot of punts as well as Illinois.
I have ND winning the game. ND will move the ball better than they did against Georgia.
ND 27
PSU 20
Warren is one of the best offensive players ND has faced. Averaging 12 yards a reception.
That being said, PSU has struggled on offense at times. OSU forced a lot of punts as well as Illinois.
I have ND winning the game. ND will move the ball better than they did against Georgia.
ND 27
PSU 20
