Still over three weeks left and its seemed like USC was a long time ago--

 

Conventional wisdom is that a long layoff--AND THIS ONE IS LONG---has clear effects on alot of teams performance---offenses are sometimes rusty and out of rythm---and teams just often bring a different chemistry then they do during the gruel and rythm of the week after week game----as we know we responded very well to the bye week---and golson responded very well to his two times with a week off---but that was a week not 6 weeks------

 

Both teams feature defense and defense should not be as effected i suppose---

 

In any case do you have worries about the layoff--or will it be to our advantage ???

 

aloha's go irish!

I don't think a long layoff will be to our advantage or disadvantage because AL has a similar layoff.

 

But I do wonder if Brian knows exactly what works in a alyoff. I've read that he's discussed the layoff with Lou and maybe other coaches. I think this is something new for Brian. Not saying its an advantage or disadvantage. It's just something new.

I think it's a little more advantageous for us in terms of younger guys and Golson getting extra development time, but like nd1989 said it's a new experience for our guys and Alabama has been there done that numerous times now.

My biggest concern about the layoff is the fact that a significant amount of Bama players were able to go through the layoff last year and therefore have experience.

 

However, I think Manti's post Heisman presser said it all.. This team is determined. Whether it be 6 weeks or 6 months, this team will be ready to play.

While both teams will probably build up alot of rust in the layoff, I would say that ND has an advantage -- only because they have opportunity to do more install on the offensive side. Not sure if ND will do a bunch more install, but it has been pretty clear they were operating with a partial playbook in deference to Golson.

 

Of course, pundits will point to Alabama and their experience in championship games as an advantage. Guess Bama didn't need that experience when they beat Texas in their first BCSNG appearance in 2009.

We get DaVaris Daniels back because of the layoff. Golson being younger has a bigger upside. Kelly is more prone to throw in a couple of tricks, but watch for Saban to go for it on 4th down. I think it benefits the under dog more.

This game needs to come now!

 

Since I was born on January 6 1978, I know what I want for my 35th birthday!

I think with Bama being the superior team in terms of athletic talent, that the layoff will favor them in terms of getting healthy.

 

Both teams will be overprepared like Kelly has mentioned, so we'll have to see....

I am more than concerned about Golson after 6 weeks off. Mistake free football on offense is the only way we get a victory in this game....

Of course, pundits will point to Alabama and their experience in championship games as an advantage. Guess Bama didn't need that experience when they beat Texas in their first BCSNG appearance in 2009.

 

Right. I don't know how much that is a advantage. Maybe being a big underdog is also an advantage.

I think the main advantage for us is to just have time to rest up and get healthy. We had some significant bumps & bruises coming out of the SECCG. I can tell you that starting the 18th when we go back to work we will run 2 weeks of preseason style practice with a focus on skill development and getting back to basics. We will then start to build into our game planning for ND. I expect about 1 1/2-2 weeks of solid focus on ND.

 

I can't say a layoff favors either team but I do think it could have a negative effect. It is common for offenses to put on a bit of rust over this time. Whoever can deal with that the best come kickoff will have a chance to get out to a fast start. That could be a key.

I think the main advantage for us is to just have time to rest up and get healthy. We had some significant bumps & bruises coming out of the SECCG. I can tell you that starting the 18th when we go back to work we will run 2 weeks of preseason style practice with a focus on skill development and getting back to basics. We will then start to build into our game planning for ND. I expect about 1 1/2-2 weeks of solid focus on ND.

 

I can't say a layoff favors either team but I do think it could have a negative effect. It is common for offenses to put on a bit of rust over this time. Whoever can deal with that the best come kickoff will have a chance to get out to a fast start. That could be a key.

 

I don't know how you guys have so many bumps and bruises.. Only 3 of your games were competitive and should have had plenty of time to rest your starters. Must be poorly conditioned or just really bad luck.

 

ND for that argument had to play starters to the end of almost every game.

 

Dont turn this into a SOS argument, lol.

My concern about the layoff is that it gives players extra time to stray from the team rules. Case in point, Michigan just suspended 3 players, 2 of them seniors.

 

I'd like to think with the National Championship on the line, that ND won't have those issues.

I think that it's pretty much a wash, but IF one program stands to benefit during this down time, it's probably Alabama. Not that we haven't prepped for a bowl before, but this is pretty much uncharted waters for our program. This is what, the 3rd time in 4 years that Bama is preparing for a title game? They've had more chances to fine tune their routine as a staff and get these kids zeroed in, while Kelly is hoping his routine will work for a game of this magnitude.

 

I really do think we'd be splitting hairs, but I don't think Bama will be caught off guard by much of anything during this down time. The onus is on ND to stick to their business as usual mentality that got them there - I think they will, but this is new to Notre Dame.

I don't know how you guys have so many bumps and bruises.. Only 3 of your games were competitive and should have had plenty of time to rest your starters. Must be poorly conditioned or just really bad luck.

 

ND for that argument had to play starters to the end of almost every game.

 

Dont turn this into a SOS argument, lol.

 

If you watched the SECCG you would have seen that several of our players went down. Also, many injuries occur throughout the season and w/o rest they just don't get healed. AJ McCarron has been struggling with a back/shoulder injury since the Miss. State game as one example.