Not a lot of Love From the "Experts"

[kmathum]

Cig certainly brought in a lot more than 2-3.

I think we're talking O-linemen here.

 

[IUNorth]

I can see those lopsided predictions. Let’s face it, IU’s weakness against top teams is our O-line and no matter how much we want to compete we just can’t match up to those top tier teams when it comes to that. Our skill players can match up and even our defensive front seven can hold their own, but our O-line, when playing the top level teams, can’t stop their front seven from getting to Rourke and hasn’t shown that we can have a ground game that can rush for 100-150 yards (OSU & Michigan held us under 100 yards),

I’m happy we’re in and if we don’t make mistakes I think we can find a way to beat ND, but frankly it’s gonna take Cig 2-3 more years to get an O-line that is ready for prime time and have a chance to beat the best.

Depends on how the game goes. If we don't ever go down a couple touchdowns, I think IU's line can effectively run block against ND. We'll be able to run the ball fairly well, and that should open up some short/quick passing opportunities.

If they jump out on us, and IU's staff feels like they need to drop back and pass more, then the talent and size gap in the lines might show itself. OSU and Michigan, as examples. But in those exact same games, the line also showed an ability to sustain success controlling the bigger and better Michigan and OSU front 7s. Just need to stay ahead of the chains.

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

I think we're talking O-linemen here.

My apologies...you're right

 

[td75]

Our RBs ran for 141 yards vs OSU. Evans snafu and the sacks made it look like we didn't run the ball well, but we did.

This is the truth

 

[CraigHo]

What’s the best passing team Notre Dame has faced? And the best running team? Defense? IU?

They 100% have those athletes.

Xavier Watts at safety (reigning defensive player of the year and arguably having a better season in ‘24); Jeremiyah Love at RB is PFF’s #2 RB behind Jeanty; Jadarian Price at RB is capable of a house call every time he touches the ball; freshman Leonard Moore at CB has replaced All-American Benjamin Morrison and the pass D hasn’t skipped a beat.

This isn’t your 2012 era ND team. I watched this team make Texas A&M’s SEC athletes look slow.

Anyway, anyone underestimating this team’s athleticism is in for a big surprise.

 

[812jmac]

The quick, short passes will be huge in making ND stay honest early on. When the Toiletmakers gave us some trouble there the first couple drives by following the formula UM and OSU did; the short game took care of that and everything else opened up.

Don’t expect noise to be a factor like it was in Columbus. Would love to see South Bend 50% or more in red. Should be a good game!

 

[Spirito76]

I want to see an IU spy on Leonard so he doesn’t run down the field at will.

 

[zibby43]

What’s the best passing team Notre Dame has faced? And the best running team? Defense? IU?

USC - 10th in passing O
Louisville - 20th

Army - 1st in rushing O
Navy - 8th in rushing O

(All per ESPN team total passing/rushing O)

 

[zibby43]

Only people underestimating is ND. My neighbor is a ND legacy and we watched every single game. Stop elevating a ND team that had the 57th ranked schedule. It’s not like either team played a gauntlet.

Gotta look beyond the numbers.

ND smacked a GT team that took UGA to 8OT. Beat A&M at Kyle field. Demolished conference champion Army at a neutral site, and beat USC (gave PSU everything they wanted) by 2 TDs on the road.

Record vs FEI top-40

Oregon 5-0
Texas 5-2
PSU 3-2
ND 5-0
UGA 6-2
OSU 4-2
Tenn 4-1
SMU 2-2
Indiana 2-1
Boise St 0-1
Alabama 4-3
ASU 4-0
Clemson 2-3

IU is a great team and ND will have to play clean to beat them.

 

[indy1203]

And...ND's last two touchdowns were pick 6's, both basically out of USC's endzone. Even if USC kicked field goals there, heck, even if they just get stopped on downs...that game is completely different.

If IU can take care of the ball, they'll have a great chance to win this game.

O line needs to step up.