Wharton70

If hairball is in hot enough water, it may mirror the Ed O situation at L$U - which seemed like an NCAA ultimatum - get rid of him or you get the death (SMU) penalty - why else would Orgeron leave his dream job so abruptly and with minimal fanfare / explanation - 74% winning percentage and 1 Natty? As to why Kelly - he is a politician's kid and interviews well - "most wins of any ND coach" )-:: They deserve each other.

Rumor on another site that he would go to Ann Arbor if Jimmy went to the NFL. Any thoughts?

Jimmys and Joes - Xs and Os. CMF is checking all the boxes. Echoes of Lou and Ara.

Agree - heck of a story, but with the 'talent' that we have in the booth, there is an equal chance that they'd broadcast something like "Debbie Does Dillon" instead.

Great point on Blake, Faith. He seemed like a good guy, but the freshman injury seemed to set him on a Sam Young 2.0 trajectory. I'm sure with his measurables, and potential, like Sam he will be drafted and make a considerable amount of money. Best of luck to him.

100% - When recruited, everyone talked about his receiving skills, which are serious - routes, speed, and hands. The 1st thing that I noticed (before he was injured his 1st year) is that he is a George Kunz type of road grader in the blocking game. Say a novena that his knees hold up, he's got great potential. Flanagan also has serious skills - they could form a devastating duo.

Just send me a red Voyageur toque and I'll be on my way.

Hopefully as good a recruiter as CS, a better fundamentals coach, and not as polarizing - what has come out so far is that some of 'the room' loved CS, and some really didn't - nothing substantiated. Elsewhere, Elko has brought his Duke S&C to A&M, so Balis won't show up there. I cling to the low % hope that he comes back, but consider it a win that he won't be coaching (even for 9 months) our early season opponent. He's that good, and to me S&C has probably become the 2nd most important slot (behind HC) on staff. You can't cook a great meal with sub par groceries, no matter how good the chef. JMO

Familiar with the 1st one, the second two not so much. Do they really have electricity in the halls now?

Thanks - new since I graduated in 1968. 🙂

I have no idea, that's why I asked

I don't get the reference. Turtle Creek, as in the PA. town outside of Pittsburgh - Leon Hart's home town? Or is there a neighborhood near ND by that name?

If L$U is the opponent, and #5 - their QB - opts out (a good chance) that would level the playing field - a less exciting game maybe, but potentially a statement game for MF to out coach purple face, Just a thought.

Is Colzie out also? No shortage of reps 🙂 Tight ends - Davis Sherwood Eli Raridon and Cooper Flanagan

and here I did six freaking novenas for Balis 2.0... A&M will be formidable - glad we'll play them early. As to Vandy, I see that as a quality school & mixing Jimbo there would, to me, be oil & water - everyone that I know with F$U & A&M ties was very glad to see him go. One FSU letterman said he was like Urban's cousin.

I wouldn't be shocked if he wound up at TA&M with Elko, like Caleb Williams, although TA&M has 5 QBs on roster, mostly 1st & 2nd year guys. A lot of plates spinning.

Thanks for the analysis -. What about S&C? That has been a concern of mine, and I feel focus should be there - any hope of Balis returning?

Agreed - Ashton looked better, and has more eligibility / a higher upside

based on the last 3 or so games, it's time for Fisher to move on.

In 60 years as a fan & student, I've seen A LOT worse, and seen tougher situations turned around. Hang in.

I give Parker a 1 year pass, as with Golden last year - tough to cook a good meal with another guy's groceries, and in this case (OL and S&C) sub par sous-chefs. BWDIK

Clemson loss in four words...Harry Hiestand Matt Balis

He also helped take down #1 earlier when it looked like he (#1) would score. A real asset - versus the $C kicker who wiffed on ND's 99 yard KO return. A good night for special teams and the defense.

Which is what is usually needed when in the "tough" part of the season - he would have still been on their butts, and have had the continuity of relationship to call them out. Zaire made a great point after O$U - by Tuesday you close the book on last week's game and focus on next Saturday. There seems a lot of discussion about 'emotional let down', and 'emotionally drained'. Somewhere Coach John Ray is asking Ara, "What the heck is THAT about?" To paraphrase, football, like life, is not a contact sport, it is a collision sport. But again, what do I know?

In the 1st quarter several of the interior OL were blown off the ball. Late 3rd 1/4 on the DL showed fatigue - missed tackles an got pushed back It seems that as the season goes on, both lines are losing battles on this basis versus scheme / initial positioning. How much do they miss Matt Balis? But what do I know?