Our defense is

[Izo]

Still a work in progress. Watching teams such as Clemson", Ohio State ,Georgia etc,their teams can really shut down offenses, we bend but don't break we have to find a passing game .Wimbush is not very good and to make him a proficient passer is going to take lot of time .Luckily he is an excellent runner, our lack of passing and our so-so defense is a problem .

Teams considered to be front runners for final four births , Washington , USC,in PAC 12, Oklahoma in Big 12, Ohio State ,Michigan ,Wisconsin, Penn State in Big 10, Clemson in ACC , Georgia , Alabama in SEC.

Washington State, Miami. ,ND ,TCU will have a tough time breaking into the top 10

 

[justified1]

ND’s W’s have been over: Mia. of Ohio, a woefully bad MSU team, a woefully bad BC and worse of the worse Temple. It is hard to guage the UGA game because they were w/o Eason and Ga. started a true Fr. in his 1st start on the road at ND.

So be optimistic but slightly curb the enthusiasm.

 

[IrishInOntario]

The difference between a top 30 defense and a top 10 defense when you're talking about scoring (really the only stat that truly matters) are having those 2-3 elite players that make the key plays, on top of a really solid overall group.

Georgia has 3 players that make that defense elite. Alabama has 3 as well, with a 4th emerging. Clemson has 2, and they happen to play right beside each other.

When ND was playing it's best defense in 2012, Manti Te'o and Stephon Tuitt had extremely special seasons and they had experienced talent around them.

Compare that to this year's squad. All the depth are underclassmen, there are no Stephon Tuitt, Manti Te'o, Harison Smith or Jaylon Smith types. Just a good, solid, overall group of guys playing fairly sound football... Nyles Morgan is close, but needs to make a few more plays.

In order for Notre Dame to take the next step, they need to land a couple elite defensive playmakers. I think they have one committed in Derrik Allen and 3 more with that type of upside in Jack Lamb, Shayne Simon and Jayson Ademilola.

Development and depth is essential, but you need to land elite talent as well. Just a couple guys each class. Do that and you'll have a chance to be elite.

 

[Pennick44]

ND’s W’s have been over: Mia. of Ohio, a woefully bad MSU team, a woefully bad BC and worse of the worse Temple. It is hard to guage the UGA game because they were w/o Eason and Ga. started a true Fr. in his 1st start on the road at ND.

So be optimistic but slightly curb the enthusiasm.

Michigan State is a far from bad and Eason may not get the job back.

 

[impossibilityofreason1]

No one expected this defense to be elite after last season. Elko has had about 8 months with this defense. They aren't elite but are solid enough for us to win games.

 

[ftnfan62]

ND’s W’s have been over: Mia. of Ohio, a woefully bad MSU team, a woefully bad BC and worse of the worse Temple. It is hard to guage the UGA game because they were w/o Eason and Ga. started a true Fr. in his 1st start on the road at ND.

So be optimistic but slightly curb the enthusiasm.

MSU's only loss is to ND....just beat Iowa who had PSU if not for some luck....UGA is #7 and they could do nothing against us, as we could them.

We might judge them against UGA which was a tight game meaning you need to shut people down instead of sleepers where we are up 4 scores and all we are trying to do is play the clock and get a win.

We are 4-1, have blown out everyone with the exception of a 1 point loss....kinda hard to be critical

 

[Toby Smart]

Unlike the Manti defense where there was a star on that unit, this defense does not have a shut down type player....yet. The numbers may say different, but it seems like the "D" gives up a lot of yardage between the 20s. Criqui mentioned that they have given up only one rushing TD so far as compared to last year. This team as a whole is far from perfect and they all know it. They are good and getting better.

 

[theskibro]

Unlike the Manti defense where there was a star on that unit, this defense does not have a shut down type player....yet. The numbers may say different, but it seems like the "D" gives up a lot of yardage between the 20s. Criqui mentioned that they have given up only one rushing TD so far as compared to last year. This team as a whole is far from perfect and they all know it. They are good and getting better.

Our D is the best since 2012 and in some ways better. It is improving each week. I love the new position Tranquil has and our secondary plays better than the 2012?unit did because they play tight coverage

I am happy with our D that basically kept UGA to 20 points. You should win that game when they score 20 or under

 

[stu4don]

Would have been fun to see Jaylon play in this d.

 

[Izo]

We are ranked 91 in Total team defense to date . I

 

[Yooper Irishfan]

Daelin Hayes will emerge as an elite player. Love has been borderline elite as well. Regardless of the stats, the defense is clearly better. USC will be a big test for them.

 

[iwish]

Always going to be the fans that are just never happy enjoying their team. 4-1 with a one point loss to a team looking like a Top10 if not higher team in the country. How any fan could say we aren’t meeting or exceeding expectations so far with a first time QB, new Coordinators, a couple of key injuries on the DL, etc., is beyond me. Seems to me the team is doing exactly what we had hoped - playing competitively on both sides of the ball and progressing.

 

[impossibilityofreason1]

We are ranked 91 in Total team defense to date . I

Ouch. Is that based on total yards or points?

 

[impossibilityofreason1]

Always going to be the fans that are just never happy enjoying their team. 4-1 with a one point loss to a team looking like a Top10 if not higher team in the country. How any fan could say we aren’t meeting or exceeding expectations so far with a first time QB, new Coordinators, a couple of key injuries on the DL, etc., is beyond me. Seems to me the team is doing exactly what we had hoped - playing competitively on both sides of the ball and progressing.

I've been trying to keep this in mind every week. Excellent post.

 

[ftnfan62]

Not sure what site you looked at Izo...NCAA has us at 71 Total defense...within 30 yards total of being in the top 30.....if you look at different things....like fumbles we are top 10 at 7th...14th in turn overs gained.....15th turn over margin.....etc...etc....Significant change from a year ago with more help on the way with next years class....

 

[Toby Smart]

Always going to be the fans that are just never happy enjoying their team. 4-1 with a one point loss to a team looking like a Top10 if not higher team in the country. How any fan could say we aren’t meeting or exceeding expectations so far with a first time QB, new Coordinators, a couple of key injuries on the DL, etc., is beyond me. Seems to me the team is doing exactly what we had hoped - playing competitively on both sides of the ball and progressing.

Discussing the team and it's warts does not mean fans are unhappy. Heck, BK himself talked about the shoddy tackling. A portion of our Special Teams is beyond bad. This stuff has to be "cleaned up" as BK likes to say, if we fans want to see our guys run the table. No one is unhappy about the win yesterday but we see what's on the horizon with USC, NCST, Miami, currently undefeated Navy, and Stanford.

 

[echowaker]

Always going to be the fans that are just never happy enjoying their team. 4-1 with a one point loss to a team looking like a Top10 if not higher team in the country. How any fan could say we aren’t meeting or exceeding expectations so far with a first time QB, new Coordinators, a couple of key injuries on the DL, etc., is beyond me. Seems to me the team is doing exactly what we had hoped - playing competitively on both sides of the ball and progressing.

Well said.

 

[echowaker]

Discussing the team and it's warts does not mean fans are unhappy. Heck, BK himself talked about the shoddy tackling. A portion of our Special Teams is beyond bad. This stuff has to be "cleaned up" as BK likes to say, if we fans want to see our guys run the table. No one is unhappy about the win yesterday but we see what's on the horizon with USC, NCST, Miami, currently undefeated Navy, and Stanford.

Agreed but there does seem to always be more focus on the negatives here. Some folks just don't seem to be able to enjoy the season as it progresses.

 

[irishstuey81]

The difference between a top 30 defense and a top 10 defense when you're talking about scoring (really the only stat that truly matters) are having those 2-3 elite players that make the key plays, on top of a really solid overall group.

Georgia has 3 players that make that defense elite. Alabama has 3 as well, with a 4th emerging. Clemson has 2, and they happen to play right beside each other.

When ND was playing it's best defense in 2012, Manti Te'o and Stephon Tuitt had extremely special seasons and they had experienced talent around them.

Compare that to this year's squad. All the depth are underclassmen, there are no Stephon Tuitt, Manti Te'o, Harison Smith or Jaylon Smith types. Just a good, solid, overall group of guys playing fairly sound football... Nyles Morgan is close, but needs to make a few more plays.

In order for Notre Dame to take the next step, they need to land a couple elite defensive playmakers. I think they have one committed in Derrik Allen and 3 more with that type of upside in Jack Lamb, Shayne Simon and Jayson Ademilola.

Development and depth is essential, but you need to land elite talent as well. Just a couple guys each class. Do that and you'll have a chance to be elite.

Who on ND's roster do you think starts at Bama this year, on the defensive side of the ball?

 

[NDgreatestofalltime!]

Something else to think about when assessing the defense. ND has pummeled everyone but UGA, so teams have no choice to chuck the ball downfield often. The lions share of yards given up are well after the game is out of reach. If you watched the MSU game, the Spartans gained a bunch of yards in the second half, particularly in the 4th when they were down 38-10.

That said, our secondary still gives me ulcers, often they are in good position but just aren't making the plays against bigger receivers . I'd like to see them be more physical.

 

[88ND]

Still a work in progress. Watching teams such as Clemson", Ohio State ,Georgia etc,their teams can really shut down offenses, we bend but don't break we have to find a passing game .Wimbush is not very good and to make him a proficient passer is going to take lot of time .Luckily he is an excellent runner, our lack of passing and our so-so defense is a problem .

Teams considered to be front runners for final four births , Washington , USC,in PAC 12, Oklahoma in Big 12, Ohio State ,Michigan ,Wisconsin, Penn State in Big 10, Clemson in ACC , Georgia , Alabama in SEC.

Washington State, Miami. ,ND ,TCU will have a tough time breaking into the top 10

First part I agree however let's cover the second part first.
There is way too much football left to consider top ten this, front runner that, way way way too much football.

All we can do is win out and if by some freak miracle win out convincingly...as in dominate the remaining teams then we've put ourself in the best chance at seasons end.

The first part. I agree Wimbush is a lousy passer. Perhaps more like adventurous. You never know if it will be on target, three yards short, five yards over the wrong shoulder...
If he was a baseball pitcher he would be considered effectively wild.

It's not baseball however and moving forward he's got to find some accuracy. Unfortunately it's not something you really find.
They might as well go straight T formation with three or four tail backs because there are times he's about as good as Adams carrying the ball and I'd bet any of those tail backs we have could throw at least as accurate as Wimbush.

So **** it. Just run the T and direct snap it to any of the four backs and go with it.
Ha ha

On a serious note though he needs to be more on target. One thing I've noticed from him that he really has trouble with are the deep in routes. The problem is he panics and doesn't allow that one extra second for the reciever to clear the linebackers going across then lead them with the ball. I don't know if he's scared if taking a wallop as the pocket by that time is collapsing or he just can't see the route developing...but it's a problem. That route can get us huge chunks of yardage and opens up the deep ball tremendously. But we don't ever complete one. Hell we don't ever throw it. We call it but he bails on the play and scrambles too soon.

He's a good athlete no doubt and in college you can get away with a QB that runs better than he throws.

The next level is a different story but in college you can drive a defense crazy if you can just take off.

 

[88ND]

Something else to think about when assessing the defense. ND has pummeled everyone but UGA, so teams have no choice to chuck the ball downfield often. The lions share of yards given up are well after the game is out of reach. If you watched the MSU game, the Spartans gained a bunch of yards in the second half, particularly in the 4th when they were down 38-10.

That said, our secondary still gives me ulcers, often they are in good position but just aren't making the plays against bigger receivers . I'd like to see them be more physical.

Bigger recievers is the key. When Bama faces bigger recievers it gives them fits too. Its very difficult to play defense today as rules are everywhere to promote scoring.

The thing that saves Bamas secondary is their pass rush. Making the opposing QB rush his throws makes the secondary look all world.

So is our secondary on par with Bama? You can't really say bevayse our pass rush is not even close.

On a side note our defense is a million times better and that really shows just how bad we were. We are miles from Bama but miles from where we were last season.

 

[88ND]

Who on ND's roster do you think starts at Bama this year, on the defensive side of the ball?

Do they get the privledge of being coached by Bama too? If that's the case Tranquil and Studstill and Daelin Hayes too.

 

[ZORO50]

It's so funny.
The die hard ND fan is never happy.
With Holtz, it was the defense, not throwing to the tight end or not having a safisicated passing game.

This year- not getting a pass rush and not throwing the ball well enough.

I have enjoyed this year more than any recent years by far.

I expected we would blow out Miami and we did. When was the last time we were blowing teams out on the regular?

Before the season started- I said at least 4-1 by this point and 9 wins total.
They have exceeded expectations.
I would have preferred a win vs Georgia and preferred that Jet Blue didn't cancel my flight so I didn't have to drive back to New York.

Other than that- I'm not complaining about anything. Just want this thing to keep rolling.
I expect we drop the hammer on UNC.
Then if we get pressure on Darnold and force turnovers and stop Ronald Jones.
Call me crazy- I think we could bury USC if those things happen.

 

[88ND]

It's so funny.
The die hard ND fan is never happy.
With Holtz, it was the defense, not throwing to the tight end or not having a safisicated passing game.

This year- not getting a pass rush and not throwing the ball well enough.

I have enjoyed this year more than any recent years by far.

I expected we would blow out Miami and we did. When was the last time we were blowing teams out on the regular?

Before the season started- I said at least 4-1 by this point and 9 wins total.
They have exceeded expectations.
I would have preferred a win vs Georgia and preferred that Jet Blue didn't cancel my flight so I didn't have to drive back to New York.

Other than that- I'm not complaining about anything. Just want this thing to keep rolling.
I expect we drop the hammer on UNC.
Then if we get pressure on Darnold and force turnovers and stop Ronald Jones.
Call me crazy- I think we could bury USC if those things happen.

Gee...

I'm critical but elated with how we are playing. Is that OK to want our team to clean some things up making sure we get better? I don't think there is one ND fan who isn't happy with the turnaround from one year ago if only just the fact our defense is a million times better than the best BVG year. We actually look like a respectable team again and that makes any ND fan happy.

 

[ZORO50]

To answer your question.
Yes, absolutely ok to want things cleaned up and to continually get better.

I hope all the talk about the passing doesn't get into the head of BW.
This kid has the potential to be one of the best ND quarterbacks ever.

If I'm the coaching staff. I say to BW
no one has a better arm than you,
no one can run like you can.
You have better mechanics than Sam Darnold- who drops the ball.
Just go out there and rip it.

I think once he has 3 regular receivers out there consistently things will he just fine.

Claypool, EQ and Stepherson then he's going to know what they will do once a route is broken off or a play breaks down

It's tough when you have 3 to 5 different guys out there all the time.

I would also tell him to forget the side arm stuff and remind him it's not a good idea to throw across his body.

 

[francade]

"Woefully bad MSU team"? While I agree we haven't beaten a real good team yet and once again we are hanging our hat on a close loss to a real good team, but calling MSU "woefully bad" is uninformed, imo.

 

[Dropkickirish]

ND’s W’s have been over: Mia. of Ohio, a woefully bad MSU team, a woefully bad BC and worse of the worse Temple. It is hard to guage the UGA game because they were w/o Eason and Ga. started a true Fr. in his 1st start on the road at ND.

So be optimistic but slightly curb the enthusiasm.

Not very hard to judge the Georgia game. They just went into Neyland stadium and beat the brakes off of Tennessee 41-0. I don't care if Tennessee is terrible. I've been to that stadium and it's a wild environment. Michigan State I'm pretty sure is 3-1 right now and we haven't gave up more than 20 pts in any game... I'll gladly take it

 

[Dropkickirish]

Still a work in progress. Watching teams such as Clemson", Ohio State ,Georgia etc,their teams can really shut down offenses, we bend but don't break we have to find a passing game .Wimbush is not very good and to make him a proficient passer is going to take lot of time .Luckily he is an excellent runner, our lack of passing and our so-so defense is a problem .

Teams considered to be front runners for final four births , Washington , USC,in PAC 12, Oklahoma in Big 12, Ohio State ,Michigan ,Wisconsin, Penn State in Big 10, Clemson in ACC , Georgia , Alabama in SEC.

Washington State, Miami. ,ND ,TCU will have a tough time breaking into the top 10

ND defense is 14th in the nation in turnovers created right now... they have a decent amount of sacks and haven't given up more than 20 pts to anybody so far. Id say that's pretty darn good

 

[Syd4ND]

I like ND chances against SC. They have a very tough game the week before they head into town. Against a physical, always tough on D, Utah team. I give them the nod in that game but they will have to earn it and will have bumps and bruises coming out the other end.

 

[88ND]

To answer your question.
Yes, absolutely ok to want things cleaned up and to continually get better.

I hope all the talk about the passing doesn't get into the head of BW.
This kid has the potential to be one of the best ND quarterbacks ever.

If I'm the coaching staff. I say to BW
no one has a better arm than you,
no one can run like you can.
You have better mechanics than Sam Darnold- who drops the ball.
Just go out there and rip it.

I think once he has 3 regular receivers out there consistently things will he just fine.

Claypool, EQ and Stepherson then he's going to know what they will do once a route is broken off or a play breaks down

It's tough when you have 3 to 5 different guys out there all the time.

I would also tell him to forget the side arm stuff and remind him it's not a good idea to throw across his body.

Good luck with that. A BK staple has always been rotating recievers so much so that even stars from previous weeks often times don't see the field but a snap of two. That is a negative alright.

As far as a best pro ever.

Oh my. I like Wimbush but he's miles from even getting an undrafted free agent look from an NFL team. The running is irrelevant to them on Sunday because eventually on Sunday they'll get you. But can you throw. And up to now...he isn't worthy of a draft pick.....

Yet.

 

[BGI User 756]

We are ranked 91 in Total team defense to date . I

So what. They have helped win games in a big way.

+ they have executed many "3 and outs" to get the offense on field
+!They have used turnovers to stop the other team's momentum and converted to scores, which clearly allowed ND to control the game
+ sacks are up, tackling is better, the confidence in the defense has helped the rest of the team
+ lots of yards given up in garbage time...and lots of yards but no scores given up

Take a lap

 

[Toby Smart]

Tackling was not good last Saturday. That's not me saying it, that's BK. We seem to give up a lot of yards in between then 20s. Our "D" is on the field a lot. That's not me saying it. That''s the numbers. They have had their good moments and they have had their let downs. Not an elite defense right now.

 

[justified1]

Elko is getting the most out of what he has to work with. The Defense has exceeded expectations.
Considering the OC and OL problems USC is having, there is really no offensive juggernaut remaining on the ND schedule.

 

[deadirishpoet]

Elko is getting the most out of what he has to work with. The Defense has exceeded expectations.
Considering the OC and OL problems USC is having, there is really no offensive juggernaut remaining on the ND schedule.

I think Elko is doing a fantastic job.

 

[Pennick44]

22 in Scoring defense. Very good job by Elko and players!

 

[1Redrum]

I have no idea how good or bad our defense is other than I see more players around and tackling the person with the ball. They are playing faster / making quicker / better decisions. They still need more push up front and honestly can someone tell the DB's (specifically #7 Watkins) to turn around every once in a while. It amazes me that on most plays they do not turn their heads to look at the ball. The Defence would have more INT's if they just turned around sometimes.

 

[Toby Smart]

In the opinion of Reggie Brooks, Mr Watkins lacks confidence in his own pass defending ability and does not trust his own judgement on when to turn for the ball.

 

[Kelso86]

Tackling was not good last Saturday. That's not me saying it, that's BK. We seem to give up a lot of yards in between then 20s. Our "D" is on the field a lot. That's not me saying it. That''s the numbers. They have had their good moments and they have had their let downs. Not an elite defense right now.

"Our "D" is on the field a lot."

2 play offensive series will do that!

 

[Toby Smart]

"Our "D" is on the field a lot."

2 play offensive series will do that!

Yes. That was a discussion point that has been made.