USC Game Thoughts

[FightingIrish44]

I think it was 137 yards they gained after the first pick six. The game could have ended with the ball with ND’s offense but for the pick six. So the stats are a little misleading.

Maiava played a great game. On the drive of the first pick six, he slipped out of a sack that would have made it about 3rd and 20. Instead it’s 3rd and 8. He throws a fade to his tall WR and Clark actually tipped the ball and was in position. So it was a nice play from USC but a little bit of luck because the ball deflected down to the receiver’s chest and he corralled it. So if that falls incomplete, Riley has a tough decision to go for it or punt from his ~32. Again, maybe the game ends with ND’s offense on the field and that’s an additional ~65 yards off the USC ledger.

USC threw the ball 49 times too. So they’re going to rack up some yards. Still had 7.3 yards per attempt which isn’t all that good despite all of the nice throws from Maiava. Even with the last score, that was a heck of a catch on a back shoulder throw that’s darn difficult to defend.

Christian Gray. Had somewhat of a tough day but made the big play to pretty much end the game. Even with some of the bad, it probably wasn’t as bad as it looked. Good scheme from USC at times and just because he’s in the vicinity or it’s his man catching the ball doesn’t automatically mean that it was bad defense from him. I’d say Shuler was more at fault in one of those instances.

The defense wasn’t exactly good but wasn’t terrible either. Lots of credit to USC.

The missed chip shot FG made the game a lot more stressful in the early part of the game. Offense was pretty darn good except the turnovers. Not sure what happened on the INT. Thomas probably wasn’t properly squeezing the ball when he got hit and that's why he fumbled. He took a helmet to the direct back part of his arm. It wasn’t a horrible fumble IMO. He’s otherwise been pretty solid this year.

Who knows what ND does on those two turnover drives. It would have been first and second down. Overall that was a very good game from the offense and Leonard minus the INT.

 

[HDK]

Gray had a number of very good plays in the first half. His world fell apart in the last minute of the first half and continued all the way through the third quarter. He was probably still on the minus side in the fourth quarter, but that pick-6 was huge.

I think the defense was on the field too long in the fourth quarter and that helped pad USC's stats. But like you, I agree the defense left a lot to be desired.

That missed sack on third and long -- I think it was Ausberry -- was a big play and could have really painted USC into a tight corner.

I think going into the playoffs, we have to remember that we played with like seven of our top 17-18 defensive players out, including Cross and KVA. They will be back, but none of the others will. I anticipate hard-hitting, intense games, and we can't afford any more injuries.

I think thinness on defense, our troubles kicking field goals, and our very pedestrian passing attack are going to be the three things that doom us in the playoffs.

 

[FightingIrish44]

@HDK Yes that was Ausberry on the missed sack. Agree on the defense with all of the injuries. It’s impressive but it is a but concerning with the injuries. I’d be interested to see a team line up with more TE’s and run it down ND’s throat. USC put a couple TE’s out there a few times I think.

I forgot to mention Collins’ drop. That was a tough catch from what I can see. He either turns his body more and probably falls while catching it or he tries to catch it the way he did but it’s a more difficult catch to then keep his feet. That was probably a more difficult catch than it looked at first glance.

 

[chaseball]

Watching the game it looked like the defense was getting beat up pretty bad, but after seeing the latest F+ update, ND didn't really lose any ground in DF+ (defensive F+). They entered the game ranked 3rd in DF+ and after this week's update, they remained at #3 in DF+

F+ will filter out garbage time so you are probably onto something OP.

Also, the offense improved from #13 prior to the game to #8 in the latest F+ update too.

Basically the peripherals across the board were much better than the aesthetics indicated.

 

[BGI User 756]

Gray had a number of very good plays in the first half. His world fell apart in the last minute of the first half and continued all the way through the third quarter. He was probably still on the minus side in the fourth quarter, but that pick-6 was huge.

I think the defense was on the field too long in the fourth quarter and that helped pad USC's stats. But like you, I agree the defense left a lot to be desired.

That missed sack on third and long -- I think it was Ausberry -- was a big play and could have really painted USC into a tight corner.

I think going into the playoffs, we have to remember that we played with like seven of our top 17-18 defensive players out, including Cross and KVA. They will be back, but none of the others will. I anticipate hard-hitting, intense games, and we can't afford any more injuries.

I think thinness on defense, our troubles kicking field goals, and our very pedestrian passing attack are going to be the three things that doom us in the playoffs.

What is your prediction on the first game or two

 

[HDK]

What is your prediction on the first game or two

I think ND can win a first-round game at home against whoever they send up against us, but I don't think the threat of cold weather is as big of an advantage for ND as others are saying. Players can wear lightweight long underwear; they wear gloves; they will sit on heated benches, etc... Plus, it could be 40 degrees — cold but not unbearable. Besides, half our team comes from warm weather climates as well, and they'll be plenty cold in the fourth quarter themselves.

I think we can win a second round game, too, but it depends who we end up going against. I can't see us making it through the semifinals, though.

 

[PHJIndy]

I was happy with the win and I like the possibility of a home playoff game. All is good this way.

 

[BGI User 756]

I think ND can win a first-round game at home against whoever they send up against us, but I don't think the threat of cold weather is as big of an advantage for ND as others are saying. Players can wear lightweight long underwear; they wear gloves; they will sit on heated benches, etc... Plus, it could be 40 degrees — cold but not unbearable. Besides, half our team comes from warm weather climates as well, and they'll be plenty cold in the fourth quarter themselves.

I think we can win a second round game, too, but it depends who we end up going against. I can't see us making it through the semifinals, though.

Win 2, hope for an upset in quarters that gives us a shot to the final …

 

[Irish_inPSU]

As I said in another post. The D definitely had a bit of an off day but to me, I'm not terribly worried. It was bound to happen at some point. SC did some nice things on offense to keep us on our heels at times. The offense was a nice suprise from us tbh. They scored at will pretty much and put points on the board everything SC scored I believe to answer back. Hard to be made at that. Riley had that dumb throw, but again, it happens from time to time and you could tell he immediately knew it.

If I had to pick one thing that is a bit concerning its on defense. This was a pretty notable test for the whole unit. SC, despite their record is a pretty big step up from our previous 4-5 opponents in terms of talent. We struggled in the passing game a bit at times and the D line simply was not nearly as dominant. But again, this could all be our game plan coming in and playing a bit safe.

But... my worst fears never materialized and we came out with the W. Playoff bound!