ND Linebackers

[FightingIrish44]

Nobody stopped USC last year, except Utah when they knocked Williams out of the game in the Pac-12 championship. The first time they played, Utah won, 43-42. Oregon State did manage to hold them to 17 in a loss. But they went over 40 in most of their games.

But other than that game and the 2nd half of Navy, I thought our defense was fairly solid last season.

You are correct in that nobody stopped USC other than Oregon State. Wouldn’t you think that ND has more talent than Oregon State?

What I was saying about the redzone defense against USC was that those mistakes were primarily of ND’s own doing. A team that makes lots of mistakes, rather than forcing the other team to beat them, is not a particularly good unit. Being misaligned, or using junk schemes, is not much of a credit to the offense. Its a discredit to the defense.

You can sub out Williams on some of those plays and the result would be very similar (not every play, but some).

 

[sjb75]

I'd forgotten he stayed in the game after his injury. But he wasn't the same after that. He couldn't run like he normally does. USC was winning 17-10 before that happened.

Could not run like he normally does???? QB's who love to run around ultimately pay the price.

 

[mbd11]

Could not run like he normally does???? QB's who love to run around ultimately pay the price.

That's part of his game, though. And after he got banged up against Utah, he wasn't as effective.

 

[sjb75]

That's part of his game, though. And after he got banged up against Utah, he wasn't as effective.

Utah scored 47 points. Spin that any way you wish.

 

[mbd11]

Utah scored 47 points. Spin that any way you wish.

This thread was about defense. I wasn't talking about Utah's offense. It was better than ours. No argument there.

 

[sjb75]

This thread was about defense. I wasn't talking about Utah's offense. It was better than ours. No argument there.

OK. I was going to elaborate on USC losing to Tulane but I won't.

 

[Golson5]

The linebackers should be improved. We have a personnel and development issue along the DL. As long as a certain individual is running that line, I don’t imagine recruiting improves much either.

Recruiting already improved. I expect development will follow this season.

 

[tbonesays]

Young guys seem talented. The veterans are not. Hopefully guys like Sneed are getting meaningful reps by the end of the season

It seems like we hear that a lot about the linebackers.

 

[THUNDERSTRUCK111]

We were 22nd in total defense, but only 39th in scoring defense, because we were like 130th in red zone defense. Not sure exactly what the problem was there. Our interior DL wasn't very good. We missed Hinish and Tagovailoa-Amosa in the middle. I think that was part of the problem - couldn't stop runs up the middle.

As for the linebackers, I did see one post-spring depth chart that had Sneed starting along with Bertrand and Kiser. Although the other ones I saw didn't have that.

The exact quote from the college football sound off I kept reading was “ wait til it’s 3 and goal on the 1 and golden runs a prevent D. Lol “

 

[buckey]

Kiser and Liufau have absolutely no business starting.....period

We have a speed problem at backer

 

[IrishMike409]

We have a speed problem at backer

Not if Sneed plays

 

[bizzybecknd]

I'd forgotten he stayed in the game after his injury. But he wasn't the same after that. He couldn't run like he normally does. USC was winning 17-10 before that happened.

Utes beat them twice, CW was healthy in the first outing.

 

[bizzybecknd]

Not if Sneed plays

Then we’ll have a run stopping issue.. I’d like to see Sneed pick up Liafu’s role of blitzing every down but doubt he’s ready for full time duty (neither is Liafu).

 

[sjb75]

Utes beat them twice, CW was healthy in the first outing.

And Caleb Williams was 28-41//363 in the second Utah game, a 47-24 loss, did not miss a snap.

Caleb Williams also played the entire game in USC's next game, a loss to Tulane.

 

[tbonesays]

And Caleb Williams was 28-41//363 in the second Utah game, a 47-24 loss, did not miss a snap.

Caleb Williams also played the entire game in USC's next game, a loss to Tulane.

and the Green Wave was disappointed that they were not playing for a national championship!

 

[mbd11]

Utes beat them twice, CW was healthy in the first outing.

Yes, I know that. The first game finished 43-42. Williams had 381 yds and 5 TDs passing. So Utah didn't really stop them - they just outscored them in a high-scoring shootout.

 

[Chitown11]

Then we’ll have a run stopping issue.. I’d like to see Sneed pick up Liafu’s role of blitzing every down but doubt he’s ready for full time duty (neither is Liafu).

What? When Liafu wasn't blitzing he was tackling guys 7 yards down the field. When he was blitzing he NEVER got to the QB. Sneed absolutely needs to be playing this year.