nremdn

Those stats are hard to ignore. Would be a luxury to have a kicker with that kind of consistency. Shrader was most definitely not in the realm of consistent. I will not miss expecting him to miss any kick that mattered.

SHEESH. That's how you make a point about as thoroughly as possible.

The way I see it is if a recruit is listening this late in the game, he is definitely not 100%. I really hope it’s unlikely because he’s a big time get for a room that will be rebuilt the next couple years. Ever notice ND rarely ever loses that fringe recruit that is probably destined to be depth, it’s always the backbreaking class changing losses.

I never said it was the fault of the OC. My sarcasm came from his inability to put an effective offense on the field against any team with a pulse and losing half his skill players sure doesn't seem like it's going to help. If scoring a million points off of defenses that don't even belong on the field with you and being completely ineffective against any team with a pulse is what you consider success then that's fair, I think the offense was the reason they lost every game this season. I can agree to disagree.

It's all good, this is where having a stud OC with a track record of success really helps...

A lot of smoke that Rico is gone too...TIFWIW.

My buddy (who has some sources with program info) said the same thing earlier. Tobias is supposedly gone. There are also whispers that 2 more coaches are likely moving on (no confirmation yet). This is going to be a wild offseason.

Exactly! I'm sure some people at Notre Dame may have some inside information, but they're definitely not sharing it with anyone outside the program. As long as the transfer portal stays as is I think there will be some elite quarterbacks that jump in every year. There's just too much money and opportunity out there for everyone to just stay put. Despite how anyone feels about Hartman's recent play, it's hard to argue that coming to Notre Dame wasn't an enormous boost to both his wallet and his brand. Being the Notre Dame quarterback is a pretty sweet gig, especially if you play well.

I couldn't agree more! Freeman is probably facing the biggest offseason of his coaching career and future, I hope he's the guy that rises to the challenge and does what it takes to make this a championship program. I don't think anything that happens the rest of the season on offense makes any difference (and shouldn't) to what will be done this offseason. He definitely has his work cut out for him, but this is his team and it is a reflection of his decisions thus far. I want him to be the guy that finds his way through all of this a better coach, but only time will tell.

Do I think ND lost yesterday because of the refs? Absolutely not. They lost because they played like crap. What is hard to argue with is ZERO penalties. Pretty impressive accomplishment for a sloppy .500 team.

If I was specifically replying to you I would have quoted you. I have seen that sentiment multiple times, so I did exactly as I intended. I have no problem with people wanting to become a program that develops qbs internally, I just think it’s a year too early. If Freeman is considered a failure because he doesn’t follow some arbitrary guideline set by some random fans then oh well. I don’t think next year is the year you turn away a stud qb because of some imaginary “optics.” You know what would make for bad optics? Missing the 12 team playoff next year and hearing every talking head talk about how Freeman is on the hot seat. If he has the ability to get a Pratt type player, I would consider it a failure not to. Pratt leaves and Angeli still has 2 years of eligibility, Minchey 3 and Carr 4. That would be the season I would agree it’s time to put up or shut up as far as internal qb development goes. Freeman doesn’t have a year to spare to please fans that have no clue what the qb room looks like. His offense is already under the microscope and if it’s a dud next year it could be catastrophic for him. If he doesn’t feel like the guys he has in that qb room are ready to perform at a playoff level then it’s his responsibility to find one that is.

So, let me get this straight. There are actually people out there that expect Freeman to make the playoff next year, but want to tell him he can’t go out and get the best qb possible for his team? Instead he has to do it with 1 of 2 completely unproven qbs all while his job and credibility are on the line? That’s pretty rich.

What could he possibly show in the last 2 games against terrible defenses that we don’t already know? The tests are all over, his offense failed every one. Getting a C in summer school so they can find any way to pass him and move him onto the next grade he’s unprepared for is just asking for more of the same. He seems to be a very good te coach and if he wants to stay in that capacity, wonderful, but the OC experiment has concluded and the results are in.