Frank Commentary
I suppose we all should have seen yesterday’s results coming. A team cannot play as well as Notre Dame has played recently every time out.
I think the reality of college football has really hit home this season. Every year there are usually two outstanding and almost complete teams in the country, and then there are a lot of teams who are very good, but also have a few flaws that can be exposed. The question is: where does Notre Dame sit on that curve, and was Saturday’s game any indication that they might not be quite as good as some might think?
I know a lot of fans will be discussing the ease of which Wake Forest quarterback, John Wolford, methodically picked apart Notre Dames defense for 331 yards and two touchdowns. But, for me, my biggest concern after Saturday was watching an average running back rush for 126 yards and average 6 yards per carry while also scoring a rushing TD. Or Wolford, who also rushed for 59 yards and a TD, or worse, a backup running back rushing for another rushing TD late in the game. The Irish had surrendered one rushing TD all season and surrendered three against an average rushing team. 239 yards allowed rushing is not getting the job done.
Think about this: Wake Forest scored a touchdown on their last four drives of the game, including one led by their backup quarterback while the Irish still had their starters in the game….that is not good.
For the first time all season, I think the Irish defensive line lost the battle at the line of scrimmage.
I will also take some of the blame because of my big mouth. You see, and this happens almost always, I start talking about what ND is doing so well on various radio shows and podcasts and then the wheels fall off as soon as I do. I was raving about how well Notre Dame’s defense tackled and played with sound fundamentals all week, and sure enough, all of that went out the window this weekend.
You’d think I’d learn my lesson…
No more blabbing. I should just keep my mouth shut!
I think a little levity is needed and Irish fans should probably find some in this win.
There is no reason to hit the panic button yet. ND is still 8-1 and in great shape to make the playoff if they keep winning, but they’re going to have to play better than they did on Saturday to keep impressing the committee.
Notre Dame did set a record for offense, 710 yards, without their Heisman hopeful and starting QB for a good portion of the game.
The Irish did rush for 380 yards without Adams and are now ranked No. 5 in the country in rushing averaging almost 325 yards rushing per game.
Brandon Wimbush did make a number of impressive throws…some that was inexplicably dropped...and his accuracy and poise continue to improve. He's starting to look like the quarterback all Irish fans hoped they had in him.
The crazy thing is, offensively, Notre Dame really wasn’t all that sharp, lost their two biggest playmakers for a good portion of the game and still racked up those crazy numbers.
But it was the defense that was frustrating. I think we all know it, and I think the defense also knows it. That was not the same defense we’ve seen all season….not even close.
I think this result, if you’re going to have a result like this, came at the perfect time. The Irish defense will know they cannot play like they did on Saturday against Miami or Stanford and expect to win. They’ll also know they can’t tackle like they did on Saturday and expect to beat Navy, either.
Yes, this came at the perfect time, in my opinion. A teaching moment.
Well, it came at the perfect time IF this team and defense learn from it. I think they will.
I also like the fact that Miami won and looked pretty good doing it last night. The buildup for this game will make it so much more exciting. The Hurricanes will certainly enter the game with a lot of confidence, and wanting to prove their one of the best teams in the country and their undefeated record proves it.
Notre Dame should enter this game in a foul mood, and I hope that’s exactly how they enter it.
The Notre Dame/Miami game has always been about one thing for Notre Dame. Punch Miami in the mouth. Do it enough times and the Irish win.
It’s really that simple in this game. If the Irish can dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and not make mistakes, they should win on Saturday.
The Hurricanes will make plays, but the Irish need to just keep punching them in the mouth and we will see who is the last man standing.
Another very important part of this coming game is that it’s prime time, it’s likely two top 5-6 teams going head-to-head in a vital recruiting area for both teams. Who wins on the field is going to win more than just this game. They’re going to win the hearts and minds of a lot of important recruits as well.
Saturday's game could very well be a program-defining moment for both Notre Dame and Brian Kelly. Will they seize the moment?
I can’t wait!