They lost this weekend to Oregon State, a top ten team. Both schools had to start the backup quarterback. BYU lost their starter, Taysom Hill, when he took a helmet to the knee in their win against Utah State.

 

Evidently, BYU's backup quarterback is not a very good passer. They are relying more and more on the run. They have a very good defense against the run, but gave up over 300 yards in the air to Oregon State.

 

It's another good defense. We will have to play. We may, indeed, be using our back up quarterback as well. Any word on Golson. I want Golson to start. Rees is most effective if he has to come off the bench. We will win, again. These tough games really help in developing Golson. He came out in the third quarter and played well. The touchdown pass to Eifert was on the money.

This will be like Miami. They are good against bad teams.

This will be like Miami. They are good against bad teams.

 

I think BYU has a much better defense then Miami. Miami could throw better.

Their defense is ok, but they have played a weak schedule, our offense shouldnt have much trouble and the only way I see BYU scoring against us is when the 2nd string defense is in.

Their defense is ok, but they have played a weak schedule, our offense shouldnt have much trouble and the only way I see BYU scoring against us is when the 2nd string defense is in.

 

Haven't really looked at who they played and total stats. I just read on their blog how they think they have a superior defense. I certainly don't mind other people doing the research and giving us some figures. That is what I am looking for. Got some good stuff on Stanford last week. They were just what we thought they would be. I don't like playing them and I prefer a dry fast track. I think the rain helped them.

Based on stats - their defense is pretty good...

 

http://www.cfbstats.com/2012/leader/national/team/defense/split01/category10/sort01.html

Their defense is ok, but they have played a weak schedule, our offense shouldnt have much trouble and the only way I see BYU scoring against us is when the 2nd string defense is in.

 

BYU's defense is simply much better than Miami's. Now, it may not ultimately matter, but there certainly is a big difference between the two.

best comparison I can give you is 2011 Irish.

 

QB Riley Nelson who has been injured(back) this year, is a more mobile Tommy Rees. Will make yards but will also throw interceptions(3 yesterday vs. Oregon State)

 

Taysom Hill(Andrew Hendrix) is out for the year with a knee.

 

WR Cody Hoffman is a 6'4 playmaker. He has good hands and is Nelsons Michael Floyd.

 

Top Running back was injured(broken arm) power back, name escapes me. Running game is average, not a concern

 

 

Their defense has been tough but level of competition is a question. For instance their average is 13.7 Points a game but they gave up 42 to Oregon State.

 

so if we play our game at home(good D, wait for Nelson to turn it over) we roll by at least 2 TD's. Don't overlook BYU though. If we come out flat or help them, they could ruin this dream season.

Based on stats - their defense is pretty good...

 

http://www.cfbstats.com/2012/leader/national/team/defense/split01/category10/sort01.html

 

 

WOW!! Thanks Domer Dude. I knew you were good for something!

 

Will you look at all the teams we play on that list. Michigan is #10. Greg Mattison is the real deal. BYU at #4. Michigan State, Oklahoma and USC all on the list. We certainly are preparing our offense against top defenses. If it doesn't kill us, it will make us tough as nails.

Based on stats - their defense is pretty good...

 

http://www.cfbstats.com/2012/leader/national/team/defense/split01/category10/sort01.html

 

And who have they played?

 

- A BSU team far removed from their days with The winningest QB in all of FBS history

- an FCS school (enough said)

- a Hawaii team that ranks in the 100s in every major offensive category

- a videogame-esque Washington St. team that relies on the pass; their 14th passing offense ranking still nets them 97th in total offense (last in rushing with 47 rushing yards per game)

- and Utah freakin State

 

ND has played

- A Navy team that ranks near the top in rushing every year (yet out rushing defense is still tops in the nation)

- a VERY physical Michigan St. team

- a big play waiting to happen in Denard Robinson

- an explosive offense in Miami (though I think we gave teams the blueprint to shut them down)

- and a VERY VERY physical Stanford team with a much better run defense (I believe we put up 150 yards rushing)

 

Definitely a trap game, but my point is, I believe their stats are inflated from the poor teams they face

Definitely a trap game but i dont think these coaches or captains will allow this team to be trapped. BYU lost their starting QB correct? If they score more then a couple field goals ill be shocked.

So I live in Utah and get BYU crammed down my throat weekly. My take is that this is going to be a big trap game and a low-scoring affair. BYU has not played the level of defense that ND brings, but the BYU defense is pretty legit against the run. ND is going to have to take it to the air a little more next week. Their LB group is pretty dang good and the team's strength is definitely the defense, which is coached by Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall.

 

Taysom Hill was NOT the starting QB. Riley Nelson was, and he ended up getting benched because of inconsistencies, turnovers, and purported back injuries. I have been saying this for some time since early in the season, you can't count Nelon out in spite of the team's record. Nelson came off the bench last year over Jake Heaps and led BYU to a 10-win season. He is a veteran and will bring his best on Saturday. He is mobile and he hung 300 yards on Oregon State. BYU had it tied with Oregon State through a good chunk of the second half and was within 4 points halfway through the 4th quarter before they shit the bed.

 

I know that Kelly will have these guys where they need to be mentally, but I would caution against taking BYU lightly. I would expect to see Notre Dame's secondary tested and I would expect BYU to challenge our O line with a lot of blitz packages after last week in order to bring a lot of pressure on Golson and/or Rees. I think ND may have to use the pass to set up the run a little more on Saturday to open this game. Lou always said that you can count on at least one game a season where the team just isn't there mentally. My biggest concern has always been this game, which is sandwiched between Stanford and Oklahoma.

Edited October 14, 201212 yr by williamson143

WOW!! Thanks Domer Dude. I knew you were good for something!

 

Your wife can tell you what else I'm good at! Duh!

BYU is terrible, we should win going away.

Your wife can tell you what else I'm good at! Duh!

 

Just when I thought you were a decent guy you mention my wife that is suffering from cancer. Stay off my thread DomerDud.

I think BYU has a much better defense then Miami. Miami could throw better.

 

Here's what I mean:

 

They looked great against really bad teams. When they played teams with a pulse, they didn't look like a strong D.

So I live in Utah and get BYU crammed down my throat weekly. My take is that this is going to be a big trap game and a low-scoring affair. BYU has not played the level of defense that ND brings, but the BYU defense is pretty legit against the run. ND is going to have to take it to the air a little more next week. Their LB group is pretty dang good and the team's strength is definitely the defense, which is coached by Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall.

 

Taysom Hill was NOT the starting QB. Riley Nelson was, and he ended up getting benched because of inconsistencies, turnovers, and purported back injuries. I have been saying this for some time since early in the season, you can't count Nelon out in spite of the team's record. Nelson came off the bench last year over Jake Heaps and led BYU to a 10-win season. He is a veteran and will bring his best on Saturday. He is mobile and he hung 300 yards on Oregon State. BYU had it tied with Oregon State through a good chunk of the second half and was within 4 points halfway through the 4th quarter before they shit the bed.

 

I know that Kelly will have these guys where they need to be mentally, but I would caution against taking BYU lightly. I would expect to see Notre Dame's secondary tested and I would expect BYU to challenge our O line with a lot of blitz packages after last week in order to bring a lot of pressure on Golson and/or Rees. I think ND may have to use the pass to set up the run a little more on Saturday to open this game. Lou always said that you can count on at least one game a season where the team just isn't there mentally. My biggest concern has always been this game, which is sandwiched between Stanford and Oklahoma.

 

I sure am not going to take them lightly. I never would have thought Texas Tech would slaughter West Virginia. I think our defense will look very good again. I'm hoping our offense will start gelling. Still waiting for the deep ball to Brown.

And who have they played?

 

- A BSU team far removed from their days with The winningest QB in all of FBS history

- an FCS school (enough said)

- a Hawaii team that ranks in the 100s in every major offensive category

- a videogame-esque Washington St. team that relies on the pass; their 14th passing offense ranking still nets them 97th in total offense (last in rushing with 47 rushing yards per game)

- and Utah freakin State

 

Thanks for that... Okie, my point was that their stats dont matter. I kept telling people at the beginning of the year that everyone is overrating BYU because they had double digits wins last year AGAINST A COMPLETE CUPCAKE schedule. Those stats dont mean much Okie... their defense is average at best, they are not undersized like Miami was, but people shouldnt pretend that BYU's defense is anywhere close to a top 25 defense. I would put Purdue, MSU, scUM, and Stanford ahead of BYU and Miami would be dang close to BYU.

Until ND's offense can prove that they can put away an opponent, every game is a trap game. So I just flipped through three different news channels in the Salt Lake area and all three said that BYU's game plan will consist of:a.) Blitz the ever-lovin' shit out of Golson to force throws and keep the ball on the ground against the #3 BYU rush defense in the country, and b.) pick apart the ND secondary when on offense. They are going to load the box (with the exception of Eifert) om defense and make ND beat them with the QBs arm. On offense, all signs indicate that BYU is going to sell out the run and use a lot of dink and dunk in the hope of making their name based on passing. They have a pretty good receiving corps with a lot of experience, and BYU actually has a better passer with veteran experience than most are thinking. I am telling you that this is going to be a game. ND just needs to creatively Bitz and drop larger numbers in coverage to contain the receivers, and then get some screen passes and a few deep balls to open up the ground game.

 

The upshot for ND, and this is significant, is the fall break. Our lads get to focus on not much more than resting and playing football, which is a pretty big break from the last few weeks. In some ways, I think that this is as good- if not better -than having a bye week. Hoefully these guys can keep the fire lit and are spending their idle time watching film instead fo trying for trick shots. The offensive line and certain Tight Ends have nothing to hang their hats on from Saturday, so they should be hungry. The receiver and RB corps should remains hungry, and the defense has a reputation to uphold. I wold predict a ig day for Eifert andDaniels if ND plays their cards right, and I almost think that Rees would be pretty good here if Golson isn't ready to go. My thought is that all signs point to ND, but every team on the schedule has ND marked on the calendar as their bowl game and "THE" game. The Irish better be ready to defend the house.

 

PS: As a full disclaimer, I really want ND to win because I couldn't suffer through the next few years of having lame-ass Mormons throw a BYU upset in my face every time I wear an ND shirt out in public...

Edited October 15, 201212 yr by williamson143

West Virginia didn't think they had much to worry about when they played Texas Tech. I don't personally think BYU has the offense to stay with us and I can't really decipher their defense. I spend a lot less time studying other teams then I used to. That is why I start these threads and ask for your help. You can learn a lot from the guys on this site.

 

I do worry about coming off that exhausting Stanford game. I think we have a LOT of minor injuries. I know Golson has his share. I have had turf toe and it HURTS and makes it hard to run. I wonder if he gets a cortizone shot for that.

 

I like that Golson is resting today and not cleared to practice till Tuesday. I don't think we will see anyone like that #44 coming after us.

 

Why is Mike Golic still starting??? Are we going to wait till he costs us a game??

Just my take:

 

George Atkinson III.

 

These games that have been down-by-down wars have a theme of not giving him enough touches. I love Riddick, and he is our leading receiver this year (shock face, I know), but we NEED to find ways to get the two home run hitters more touches out of the backfield. And truth be told, I'm willing to bet BYU hasn't seen that kind of speed out of the backfield yet either.

 

ND needs to establish the run better. We started running with consistency on Stanford, and we put up points. IMO, loaded up box or not, the Irish owe it to themselves to carry that effort over and make it a point out of the gates to at least try establishing the run. Not 3 carries and out necessarily, but set up manageable 3rd down situations.