My two biggest concerns

[Vern Pain]

I don't feel like too many teams have tried to attack the edge of our defense. I feel like Washington did a bit of that and had some decent success.

The other one is probably what a lot of us are feeling. Is IU'S O Line going to be able to keep Rourke clean.

Anyway, it's getting closer. I'm getting wound pretty tightly about it. Go Hoosiers!

 

[abraxis]

I don't feel like too many teams have tried to attack the edge of our defense. I feel like Washington did a bit of that and had some decent success.

The other one is probably what a lot of us are feeling. Is IU'S O Line go to be able to keep Rourke clean.

Anyway, it's getting closer. I'm getting wound pretty tightly about it. Go Hoosiers!

We feel your passion, tight as a Mitch Mitchell snare drum at Monterey Pop.

 

[Bowlmania]

Is IU'S O Line go to be able to keep Rourke clean.

OL needs to play really well.

You know ND will be bringing it on D. I’ll be looking for us to beat the blitz early on with some positive yardage plays. Can't fall into a pattern of third and longs.

 

[YOTHN]

OL needs to play really well.

You know ND will be bringing it on D. Will be looking for us to beat the blitz early on with some positive yardage plays. Can't fall into a pattern of third and longs.

Cig said it was the noise that caused those issues vs OSU. I have no reason to believe he made that up considering blitzes up the middle weren't a new invention. Once we went just off the snap, it was night and day. The OSU D-Line was able to go off the snap of the ball just like our OL and that is a massive disadvantage to the blocker. Cig said we will be prepared the next time. I question why we weren't prepared for that the first time, but I digress.

As long as we truly have an approach that will allow us to maintain our OL's ability to start their movement before the defense, we should be able to give Rourke the time he needs to get his throws off.

 

[Bowlmania]

Cig said it was the noise that caused those issues vs OSU. I have no reason to believe he made that up considering blitzes up the middle weren't a new invention. Once we went just off the snap, it was night and day. The OSU D-Line was able to go off the snap of the ball just like our OL and that is a massive disadvantage to the blocker. Cig said we will be prepared the next time. I question why we weren't prepared for that the first time, but I digress.

As long as we truly have an approach that will allow us to maintain our OL's ability to start their movement before the defense, we should be able to give Rourke the time he needs to get his throws off.

I’m not disputing that, nor what Cignetti said. I’ve quoted that myself in other threads.

Notre Dame has a very good pass rush. Howard Cross is a beast.

Ohio State wasnt the only team that caused problems for Rourke this season. Maryland sacked him three times and he threw two picks. Michigan had four sacks, he threw a pick and our offense disappeared for much of that game.

Our OL is, in my opinion, the key position group this week.

 

[Vern Pain]

Cig said it was the noise that caused those issues vs OSU. I have no reason to believe he made that up considering blitzes up the middle weren't a new invention. Once we went just off the snap, it was night and day. The OSU D-Line was able to go off the snap of the ball just like our OL and that is a massive disadvantage to the blocker. Cig said we will be prepared the next time. I question why we weren't prepared for that the first time, but I digress.

As long as we truly have an approach that will allow us to maintain our OL's ability to start their movement before the defense, we should be able to give Rourke the time he needs to get his throws off.

ND ranks 51st I believe against the run. Really hoping that Ellison and Lawton can give them something to worry about.

 

[YOTHN]

I’m not disputing that, nor what Cignetti said. I’ve quoted that myself in other threads.

Notre Dame has a very good pass rush. Howard Cross is a beast.

Ohio State wasnt the only team that caused problems for Rourke this season. Maryland sacked him three times and he threw two picks. Michigan had four sacks, he threw a pick and our offense disappeared for much of that game.

Our OL is, in my opinion, the key position group this week.

Our OL is definitely the key position group, we both agreed with that, so why so defensive?

To respond to your comments here, ND has had a good pass rush.....vs. a mediocre schedule.

Howard Cross is a good player....but he's been at ND since 2019 and he put up about the same amount of sacks in his career as Kamara put up this year alone. So it's not his pass rush that is of utmost concern.

As for Maryland, Rourke threw for 360yds and 3 TD's. On the first interception, Rourke had no pressure at all and he skyed it high over Price right to the safety. The 2nd interception was a timed route across the middle, and he threw it behind Williams but no one touched Rourke or forced his throw.

Michigan definitely got to him but we were in our first game replacing Drew Evans and more importantly, we had some massive drops that made that game seem worse than it was. In either case, we still won that game too.

The biggest issue is going to be our OL being able to overcome any possible noise. If they can do that, they will be able to move the ball. USC just put up well over 500 yards of offense against this ND defense a couple weeks back and the USC offense isn't anything special.

 

[IUNorth]

My only actual concern about Friday is the potential for a big Lake Effect Snow band to come through during the game. I'd really, really, really hate for something like that to take away large components of the game. I think Indiana is more versatile, they've beaten teams on the ground (Washington and MSU). They've beaten teams through the air (lots of games). I think if the weather is just cold, with a "little bit" of snow, we'll have no troubles moving the ball on ND's defense. And if we can move the ball on their defense, I think at mimimum, it'll be a competitive game.

Not sure everyone on here fully understands what a Lake Effect Snow band could do to this game. Think Buffalo Bills levels of snowfall during the game. I think ND is probably better suited to thrive in a game in those types of conditions.

 

[OpenWheels]

...

Not sure everyone on here fully understands what a Lake Effect Snow band could do to this game. Think Buffalo Bills levels of snowfall during the game. I think ND is probably better suited to thrive in a game in those types of conditions.

I grew up northern IN, now live in a Buffalo level snowfall area in the Keweenaw of Michigan. So yeah, lake effect can come in a hurry.

But I think Indiana, with Coach Cig's '6 seconds at a time' forget the previous play, and a balanced offense, is more than suited for that type of game. The only edge Notre Dame may have in snow, is weight. You get a lot of pushing on each other if the snow gets significant. But I think if anything our guys will be mentally more ready.
,

 

[YOTHN]

My only actual concern about Friday is the potential for a big Lake Effect Snow band to come through during the game. I'd really, really, really hate for something like that to take away large components of the game. I think Indiana is more versatile, they've beaten teams on the ground (Washington and MSU). They've beaten teams through the air (lots of games). I think if the weather is just cold, with a "little bit" of snow, we'll have no troubles moving the ball on ND's defense. And if we can move the ball on their defense, I think at mimimum, it'll be a competitive game.

Not sure everyone on here fully understands what a Lake Effect Snow band could do to this game. Think Buffalo Bills levels of snowfall during the game. I think ND is probably better suited to thrive in a game in those types of conditions.

Yeah, you certainly could be right but it's hard to say until we get there. What I will say is the best way to negate speed and athletic advantages is to add the elements. Think Colts vs. Pats in the early years.

 

[mrhighlife]

My only actual concern about Friday is the potential for a big Lake Effect Snow band to come through during the game. I'd really, really, really hate for something like that to take away large components of the game. I think Indiana is more versatile, they've beaten teams on the ground (Washington and MSU). They've beaten teams through the air (lots of games). I think if the weather is just cold, with a "little bit" of snow, we'll have no troubles moving the ball on ND's defense. And if we can move the ball on their defense, I think at mimimum, it'll be a competitive game.

Not sure everyone on here fully understands what a Lake Effect Snow band could do to this game. Think Buffalo Bills levels of snowfall during the game. I think ND is probably better suited to thrive in a game in those types of conditions.

Weather channel app is showing only a slight chance of snow during the day and dry at night. Nothing about lake effect. But that shit can pop up any minute..

 

[NWfor3]

Just watched the local news & weather. Forecast is for some snow Friday in the morning and early afternoon, with game time temperatures in the 20’s. With wind chill, temps will be low 20’s into the teens.

 

[red hornet]

Just watched the local news & weather. Forecast is for some snow Friday in the morning and early afternoon, with game time temperatures in the 20’s. With wind chill, temps will be low 20’s into the teens.

That's an absolute winning weather forecast for the HOOSIERS.

 

[Bowlmania]

Michigan definitely got to him but we were in our first game replacing Drew Evans and more importantly, we had some massive drops that made that game seem worse than it was. In either case, we still won that game too.

Just a couple of comments about the Michigan game, a home game with no noise issue. Per PFF, Michigan had 14 QB pressures on 34 drop backs. Rourke's accuracy issues that day were largely a function of pressure in the pocket. I believe Tyler Stephens, Evans' replacement, was our only offensive lineman who didn't allow a pressure.

Yes, there were drops, as there are in most games - - even on Sundays. Regardless, 18 yards of offense in the second half was abysmal and alarming. We were fortunate that game was in Bloomington.

On the road at Notre Dame, we'll be playing s team that's first nationally in passing efficiency defense, first in turnovers gained (28), first in defensive touchdowns, 4th in passing yards allowed, 4th in picks, 7th in fumbles recovered, 9th in red-zone defense, 3rd in scoring D and 9th in total D.

Yes, USC moved the ball very well against Notre Dame (although ND came up with two pick-sixes) on a beautiful day in SoCal. Was it just a rare off-day for ND's D, or did USC figure it out? Did Cross' absence from the DL make a significant difference? (He missed the last three games of the regular season with an injury). He was named FWAA Second Team All-American today. He's the leader of an excellent defensive front.

There were 84 points scored in the ND/USC game. The over/under for our game is 50.5 points. I'd take the over, but not by much. We can win this game, but it will require our best football of the season.

 

[cd_hoosiers]

ND pass defense stats are padded by the service academy games, yet their run defense is probably better than the stats there. The two 99 yard pick 6s at USC were horrid qb play...if USC kicks field goals instead they win the game.

I look for us to come out and score early. If we can get up by 2 scores and have no TOs they'll press and we'll win IMO.

Looking at social media and everyone in South Bend is thinking this is just Indiana. We're gonna play well.

 

[RegionHoosiers]

To the thread topic of the biggest concerns - my biggest concern is if IU doesn't beat the irish, IU fans will need to pay attention to the bball team again. Been nice keeping that out of mind.