The Defense and the next 5 games:

[IrishBlooded]

If ND has a losing record the next 5 games:

GTech
UMass
at Clemson
Navy
USC
(BYE)

and it can be shown it was on the defense. Could this be the last year of Van Gordner?

Coming into this year, I thought the defense was weaker than the offense due to lack of pass rush, and lack of quality depth in the secondary. When they had an entire off season to scheme for Texas they looked great, and then against Virginia it was the offense that had to bail out the defense. And they had to do it missing very key pieces. I'm not sure why ND feels the need to use the most complex defenses possible. When many time the KISS system in college tends to work the best. But I think a losing record vs the next 5 teams might put Kelly on the hunt for a new DC for next year.

 

[IRISHJD98]

Listening to Kelly's last press conference and his "eye discipline" mumbo jumbo, it doesn't sound like he thinks the defense has a scheme issue or is confused like last year. He was pretty emphatic that guys knew their responsibilities but weren't reading their keys.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

Listening to Kelly's last press conference and his "eye discipline" mumbo jumbo, it doesn't sound like he thinks the defense has a scheme issue or is confused like last year. He was pretty emphatic that guys knew their responsibilities but weren't reading their keys.

I agree with CBK. ND's corners/safeties were getting burned by cheating in to stop the run. That said, Johns was making some miracle throws as the ND backfield was getting back into coverage.

This is my biggest worry this week...GT is so run-heavy that our corners/safeties will get caught flat-footed trying to defend passes.

 

[IRISHJD98]

I agree with CBK. ND's corners/safeties were getting burned by cheating in to stop the run. That said, Johns was making some miracle throws as the ND backfield was getting back into coverage.

This is my biggest worry this week...GT is so run-heavy that our corners/safeties will get caught flat-footed trying to defend passes.

Mine too. But its not just the threat of going over the top. Everyone worries about the triple option plays, but they've got a quick toss that Johnson mixes with some counter plays that can hurt us on the ground if we over play the run like we did against UVA.

 

[BGI User 1596]

Listening to Kelly's last press conference and his "eye discipline" mumbo jumbo, it doesn't sound like he thinks the defense has a scheme issue or is confused like last year. He was pretty emphatic that guys knew their responsibilities but weren't reading their keys.

"Culture beats scheme" - we need better eye culture.

 

[TurnoverMachine]

If they can find a way to be 4-0 heading in to the Clemson game I will be happy. That would mean there is an excellent chance at a 10-2/9-3 type season. However, keep in mind who the S&C coordinator is.

 

[Toby Smart]

Let me make this perfectly clear. IMHO, the key to the rest of this season is the defense and not the QB position. While BK is breaking in a new QB, the defense has to keep ND in the games so Kiz can grow into his position as a starter. Defense. No excuse. NFL talent.

 

[justacollegefan]

Let me make this perfectly clear. IMHO, the key to the rest of this season is the defense and not the QB position. While BK is breaking in a new QB, the defense has to keep ND in the games so Kiz can grow into his position as a starter. Defense. No excuse. NFL talent.

Agree and disagree.

Anyone who understands football knows that you need at least a decent defense or you aren't winning. Maybe there have been rare circumstances in which teams have won titles with crazy offenses outscoring others in college and pro football but I don't remember many.

In terms of the "No Excuse" about the talent we have on defense you are completely wrong!!! Yes we have a couple studs in Day and Jaylon but who else are you talking about? We have no pass rush and our secondary is terrible and it has been for decades. We never have a strong secondary, the last really strong secondary I recall was when Holtz won the NC and in between we had some solid players here and there but not a group. Even Russell, who I think will still be very good, had some terrible plays against Virginia and those weren't EVG's fault.

Sorry but the fact is that if you can't rush the QB and you can't cover in the secondary then teams like Clemson and USC will tee off on us. Obviously GT has the option but that QB can throw pretty good so those safeties can't bite or they will just run run run then toss it over Max's head because he loves to bite on run plays.

 

[88ND]

That said, Johns was making some miracle throws as the ND backfield was getting back into coverage.

Seriously?
Why is it so hard to just admit the defense either was confused, running the wrong plays , or just flat is bad.
One miracle throw I can see. He completed pass after pass that should have been deflected or picked.
So instead of blaming the real culprit...the defense or BVG since its his product....you just want to concede that Johns was the luckiest QB repeatedly from that game.

The defense has a problem. If they don't simplify things they will get steamrolled by several opponents.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

Seriously?
Why is it so hard to just admit the defense either was confused, running the wrong plays , or just flat is bad.
One miracle throw I can see. He completed pass after pass that should have been deflected or picked.
So instead of blaming the real culprit...the defense or BVG since its his product....you just want to concede that Johns was the luckiest QB repeatedly from that game.

The defense has a problem. If they don't simplify things they will get steamrolled by several opponents.

I was not trying to say ND's defense was in position - they weren't. But, they were recognizing and scrambling back and Johns made some fine throws. I will not try to take that away from him. ND's offense was the culprit on Saturday converting 0-10 third downs. I surely don't track third down conversions but cannot imagine a time when a visiting team wins by 7 pts. and does not convert a single third down - the Irish are that good.

 

[nwregionite]

If ND has a losing record the next 5 games:

GTech
UMass
at Clemson
Navy
USC
(BYE)

and it can be shown it was on the defense. Could this be the last year of Van Gordner?

.

if the Irish lose 3 of those 5 games the DC is the last thing they will have to worry about losing at the end of the season

 

[88ND]

if the Irish lose 3 of those 5 games the DC is the last thing they will have to worry about losing at the end of the season

Not necessarily. If they lose those games 55-47 ....48-44 etc etc....
Sadly it sucks playing musical coaches even if they are just a defensive coach.