Man, does it feel like this season snuck up on us. I said something similar when we put out last year’s survey, so maybe it’s just me, but it feels like opening weekend closed the final distance with shocking alacrity, like Sir Lancelot storming the castle in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Which is a scene I absolutely cannot reference without in my head hearing “she’s got yuge tracts of land,” but I digress…
Back to football. With the ascendancy of Marcus Freeman, perhaps no program in the country generated as much positive off-season buzz as Notre Dame. Turns out that choosing a young, energetic, charismatic, philosophical Black and Korean man to be the face of your program is a notable development. Who knew? Freeman has been absolutely relentless since he was hired – I honestly don’t know when the man sleeps – and it’s paid off big time for public perception of the stewardship of the team. The one tiny little minor insignificant detail that remains a big question mark is whether the buzz will continue once everyone sees the on-field product.
I think it will; I think the off-season hires were all strong to elite, and I think Freeman has a reasonable shot at being a very good head coach. Maybe even an elite one. It’s hard to imagine there won’t be some toe stubs along the way though, starting with the opener in Columbus against a top three team in terms of talent. Good luck, rook… If Freeman can continue the Irish’s recent run of 10 win seasons with a schedule that features Ohio State, Clemson, and a revitalized USC, next year’s offseason buzz will make this year’s look like a tea party.
Anyway, enough chatter… What are your thoughts? Hit this link and fill out the survey to let us know, and of course feel free to share wherever you want. And thanks!
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More injury at the offensive skill positions is my biggest worry. By mid season will guys be getting worn out from lack of depth and therefore having to play through nagging injuries and such due to no quality replacements.
I’m going with 9-3 with more complaints that we can’t beat the big boys at seasons end.
9-3 here too, after the Davis injury. Remember when Julian Love went down vs. Clemson? I feel like we’re so thin at receiver and secondary that one injury really hurts us. tOSU, Clemson, and one of BYU/UNC/BC/USC.
Floor of 7-5 with a Buchner injury, Pyne regressing, and finding out MF is not a good in-game coach. tOSU, Clemson, BYU, two of UNC/BC/USC on the wrong day. I hesitate not to put 8-4 because I think our O and D lines can bully people, but what if along with Buchner, Estime were to get hurt and Diggs never gets right? Who is running the ball behind that line?
Ceiling of 11-1 if Buchner and Freeman are the real deal and we get a breakout from Styles and at least one other TE or WR besides Mayer, the O-line gels, and two or three guys in the secondary really step up (Lewis, Morrison, Mickey, etc.)
Self-reply: the floor also includes a couple of big-time decommits from Keeley and P. Bowen and not getting any QB in 2023, bumping the class to the 5-10 range.
The ceiling includes keeping everybody, getting Hanifan, and playing so well we pick up a surprise like M’Pemba that puts the class at #1
I think Hanifan is picking Clemson but, the kid from Cal. is underrated and we have a good shot at him.
If I’m Freeman, I’m very much leaning on Golden to let me know if he thinks I’m making an in game mistake or over looking some strategy.
Eesh, I dunno about your last sentence. Golden was unspectacular as a head coach and the last time he was in that position was 7 years ago. I agree that listening to advice is important and I think Freeman definitely has the humility to do that, but Al Golden, Head Coaching Mentor does not fill me with confidence.
Golden as some in-game soothsayer is one of my least favorite things about his hire.
Being told not to be shy about speaking up, if a mistake is being made, is a lower level than “soothsayer”. Perhaps Golden’s voice in last years bowl game might have changed things some. IDK. I believe Golden is the only one with HC experience (10 years), so ya, I want to hear his opinion. I’d give him more leeway in that regard than anyone else on the staff.
Well, I think if the Fiesta Bowl taught us anything, it’s that Freeman needs to not be afraid to overrule his coordinators.
The question there is, was he aware that maybe he should ? MF doesn’t strike me as a guy that’s not confident. He knows where the buck stops. That said, take advantage of the most experienced guy on your staff.
This aspect of the relationship is likely limited to very broad program-level things like time management, etc.
During a game, I just don’t see it. Their responsibilities as defensive coaches overlap anyway. There’s a lot during a game I wouldn’t need to hear from Golden about things, and that’s even once you get past the weird dynamic and/or disfunction of going to Golden as the team’s consigliere.
I think Freeman is way too much of a leader for that.
Soothsayer, consigliere…let’s try to keep it real .
Okay, real talk then. Freeman should be consulting Rees far more than Golden during games w/r/t strategy and decision-making.
I think it fair and right that Golden isn’t going to be some cheat code to instantly diagnose and correct any and all issues on a drive-to-drive basis or be in Freeman’s ear about what to do or not do. I do still expect Golden to offer good adjustments at the half though, Clark Lea was really good about that.
I also kinda worry that Freeman cited scoring too fast and the offense not managing the clock at the end of the 1H was the main problem in that situation…And not the defense giving up 70 yards in like 3 or 4 plays immediately following it. The offense could have killed another 40-70 seconds, but if the defense can’t stop them, the time wouldn’t have mattered.
If the defense could have stopped them the time wouldn’t have mattered but, they couldn’t and so it did. I don’t know that many would have been thinking that at the time, until OSU flew down the field scored.
True. From the Rees perspective, he had an 11 play drive and was getting close to the end zone. No point in getting fancy and draining the clock, just score. They were spreading and moving it through the air all half. And they didn’t have Kyren (I wonder if that changed some of the philosophy). This year they won’t have him either but are now fully prepared for it.
Just top of mind since I’ve seen Freeman more than once reference “next time in that situation Tommy knows to run the ball and manage the clock”. When, really, next time like you said, hopefully the defense doesn’t give up a 41-yard pass when they get back on the field to treat the actual problem.
Agreed. Taking time to score at the half is different than taking your time at the end of the game , where it can be a more obvious strategy. Perhaps Rees will have it in the back of his mind in the future. That “past experience factor” can be useful, which is my point in this thread.
I guess my feeling is that Freeman is going to be heavily involved in the defense (like a Saban-type), it’s still his defensive scheme, and in that situation those defensive coaches are more often communicating and working with their OC during games.
I also don’t see Golden as an overall game management guru or something just because he was once a head coach. If it was someone with a better track record in that regard, and the defense was being handed over to them, then it’s a different story.
….there you go again. You keep exaggerating my point to counter it. “I’m very much leaning on Golden to let me know if he thinks I’m making an in game mistake or over looking some strategy.” Respecting Golden’s experience is a far cry from asking him to be the “game management guru”.
Considering no one else has any, discounting Golden’s experience as a head coach IMO, would be foolhardy. Freeman can be his own man while still respecting that resource.
I’m not exaggerating your point, I’m genuinely wondering what real application “respecting Golden’s experience” has, especially during a game.
It sounds like a lot of fluff to me.
But I realize it’s been the talking point for Golden because we didn’t hire a top-notch DC taking things over from Freeman. So this has to be his big role for the new head coach.
From past discussions I know you are a lot higher on Golden than me so I know this colors a lot of the conversation. If it were the defensive version of Urban Meyer, then I’m a lot more sold. Al Golden, though? Not really.
“So this has to be his big role for the new head coach.”….there you go again.
Freeman, “hey Al, what do you think?”….that’s hard to figure out ?
In the heat of the moment the coaches can barely think and make mistakes all the time. I don’t think they have enough time to solicit input from an assistant while they’re “in the trenches” in real time.
Not dismissing Golden, he can help after the fact and for planning or going back to analyze what went down. But I highly doubt he will be some guiding influence for Freeman while the game is going on. Golden’s job is to coordinate the defense, not to be a helpful resource to the HC.
You don’t think coaches communicate during the game ? Especially coordinators?
“Golden’s job is to coordinate the defense, not to be a helpful resource to the HC.”…stunning.
Are you thinking Freeman should be communicating with Golden about the offense?
Yes, but there’s a (not so) subtle difference between “communicating with coordinators during a game” and “Freeman having enough time to seek Golden’s input, Golden giving input, Freeman processing it, deciding whether to use it or not” in the fast paced game situation where he will already be under stress.
I think Nick Saban would disagree. That’s why they have headsets, talking up to the box, and his sideline interactions with coaches are legendary.
All I’m saying is Freeman probably isn’t using this much during games and if he does it’s not like Golden has this elite background. What’s he going to say, “So when I was getting blown out at Virginia, I thought this strategy was going to work!”
The whole staff could be made up of former head coaches and I would still feel the same way.
If anything, wouldn’t it be the other way around? Could see Freeman critiquing and changing Golden’s calls on defense, situationally, well before a DC tries to give input in real time when he feels the HC is making a mistake.
That’s pretty wild to think about and surely not how high level programs are operated. The flow of information and decision making has to go top-down in those situations, not the other way around.
(That said, in between games, I do think Golden’s experience and knowledge could be a great resource. But in game is not the time for a coordinator to give tips to the head coach).
“But in game is not the time for a coordinator to give tips to the head coach.”
…You know coach I knew that thing you did might blow up on us but, it was in game, so I kept my mouth shut. I wish now I had told you but, you know, it was in game.
There’s a time and place for everything. A DC trying to counsel the HC during the critical moments in a game just isn’t a thing that happens due to time constraints. Sorry to disagree with your head canon.
Assistants disagree with the head coach’s judgements all the time, but it’s literally not their call or job to make it or weigh in.
I agree, during a game Freeman is likely giving way more info and feedback to Golden. Not the other way around.
Outside of games, Golden can offer help in certain areas.
You can’t stop yourself, can you?
Maybe Golden can stop, ND from losing games, by whispering all of his ACC secrets in Freeman’s ear.
This is an interesting conversation, I guess I see the benefit of Golden being a previous head coach in things like game flow and clock management at the end of halves. But not a lot else on field, off field I can see him being a benefit in dealing with Alumni, presenting to the media, etc…
As far as game conditions go, I see it more of Golden doing his thing, Rees doing his thing, and if Freeman doesn’t like those things, then negating them and telling each coordinator to come up with a different plan (With the thought that all of this was discussed during the week prior to the game). I see quick discussion at half-time on how to adjust offensively or defensively to unexpected sets, etc… and agreeing to 2nd half approach. Half time is so quick though, that deciding on 2nd half adjustments and then communicating them to the players is tight. I can’t imagine that the coordinators and head coach have extensive discussions on how to adjust, and they have to get on the same page in a relatively short time frame, so maybe some of Golden’s HC experience comes in there.
Overall I thing Golden’s previous HC experience is valuable to Freeman, how much during a game is debatable. I am far more optimistic about the Golden hire as DC, that my initial gut reaction to the hire was.
I’m curious if he was known for being good at this as a head coach at Temple and Miami?
https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?id=400756923
This 4th qtr comeback by Nebraska might suggest he isn’t, however, that is how coaches learn… Also only game I could find that suggested clock management failure or success in any way.
Also not related but interesting article on Golden prior to his firing at Miami.
“History Doesn’t Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes”
Bama usually has several former head coaches on staff for the very reason Tindma is pointing out.
A couple things.
I was agreeing with you.
I know, I was just adding a couple points to your post.
II reporting this morning that we’ve lost Keeley to Bama. And Hanifan picked Clemson. So… yeah.
With P. Bowen setting a commitment date, sounds like the floor is on its way. Oh, how fun it is to be an ND fan.
When is the date? 247 doesn’t seem to have a commitment date registered for him that I can see.
I heard that and thought, “we’ll always stay on that next tier”. How much of this is NIL, we’ll probably never know but, it’s more than a little I’d bet.
I’ve thought from the beginning that NIL would hurt ND, and still do.
in this case, if true, Keely decided to play for the top program and greatest ever coach with proven ability to develop him into a high draft pick, vs playing for a rookie HC at a very solid but next tier down team.
I’m guessing Hanifin has similar motivation, again, if true.
Rankings only count when the players show up to play. And these guys could switch again, as crazy as things are. Maybe aTm swoops in with a pile of NIL dough. Or that Miami booster.
If ND is going to play by the NIL rules then they are once again going to be playing with one hand tied behind them. Yes, there will be NIL opportunities at ND but, not quite the $ame as $ome other $chools.
I didn’t see the report but it seems within the last few days we’ve offered a few more DE’s. Never a good sign.
Though I don’t think we have offered anymore safety’s so that is a good sign.
8-4 for me. ND is going to dominate the middle of the field on both sides of the ball but the offense is going to look very rough at times, I think. I’m also counting on at least one borked game management decision that costs us a game. That isn’t a criticism, just a reality — Kelly had plenty of them too early in his tenure.
The schedule is so top-heavy that those 8 wins would be rough, presuming losses to OSU, Clemson, USC, and BYU.
The only loss I would presume is OSU.
Kelly’s post-2016 pattern of winning every game in which ND was favored and losing every game in which we were underdogs is anomalous, both in ND’s history and in college football in general. I feel like a lot of people are assuming we’re just going to keep doing basically that, and I disagree. I think this team is going to be more of a random event generator — we’ll look utterly dominant and times and pull off a surprising win, and at other times we’ll look confused and one-dimensional and drop a surprising loss.
True, but then some of those losses will really hurt then!
On the other hand, as the talent level increases it makes it easier to win those favored games based on sheer talent.
Well now I’m thinking about the end of the Tulsa game again and my eye is twitching.
My prediction is at the end of the season everyone will say Liufau is the defensive MVP but Foskey and probably both Ademilolas will actually be more valuable.
If we punt inside the 40 yard line I will die.
Seriously. Get that David Shaw/Kirk Ferentz shit out of here.
It pains me to think of a punt inside the 40 as well, but I went with the under because there’s too many chances for a late game (final minute), and we don’t want to give them field position with a missed FG situation.
As all grade schools have, my sons school has a catchy culture acronym, REACH, and the A is for alacrity. He was in kindergarten last year and fairly confident it was the first time I heard the word and I never hear/see the word. Nice job Brendan incorporating it today.
Anyways biggest concern/variable for me by far is qb play. If it’s really good, too 15 in the country this team goes 10-2/11-1. If it’s not too 50 super erratic from game to game, 8-4 seems like a lock. Think they can overcome lack of wr depth, shaky db talent, freeman I experience if buchner plays like a dude.
Sticking with 10-2. Davis going down is awful for many reasons but he’s the slot WR on often a 2TE formation team. They can overcome that loss on the field by leaning into more of what they already are.
I heard a stat that Mayer was in the slot on 49% of ND’s passing downs last year. That’ll likely increase now.
I’m with you Hooks. Buchner is going to play well enough and our D will be outstanding.
Vs. the Field
I went with “the field” in almost every question (exceptions: interceptions, highest ranked opp., longest return play) as I don’t see any one player being that statistically dominant (Mayer is going to be a stud, but he’ll be blanketed by the defense, and is still a TE).
The most obvious one was TDs from scrimmage. Estime at the goal line, and Buchner’s running TDs alone might out pace Mayer and Tyree combined.
I think we end up the season at 10-2. Losses to Ohio St and Clemson. The Clemson loss is a wild game we could have won, but some coaching inexperience kills it for us.
Clemson’s QB was pretty shaky last year, so he has to overcome that, plus the new coordinators will do things a bit differently. I think culture of previous coaches carries over into year one and two of new coaches, sometimes this works in the coaches favor and sometimes it is detrimental, with Clemson, probably works in their favor.
USC maybe a shootout, but I believe that ultimately the new HC and multiple changes in the offseason at USC is to their detriment and they lose a close one.
Not sure why people are suggesting BYU could be a loss. Their offense should be their strength, but their defense while experienced doesn’t have a ton of talent. I think our offense trounces them and our defense does their job. Game ends up 38 to 24 or something similar.
You don’t think BYU could be a loss? BYU returns almost their entire team after going 10-3, including wins over Utah, Arizona State, Washington State, and Southern Cal.
I will be surprised if our offense “trounces” anyone outside of the true tomato cans.
Of course BYU could be a loss, so could Marshall. USF in 2011… I don’t think if both teams play to their capabilities that it would be a loss. I think BYU is in the UNC and Boston College group of opponents. As long as ND shows up and does their job, it should be a win. Last year they also lost to UAB in their bowl, Boise St, and Baylor. Strangely enough, Baylor is the team I see ND the most like in terms of talent and coaching and they beat BYU 38 to 24. I also give BYU a lot of credit in their development of players and their want to, but I think ND has the superior athletes.
Re Baylor coaching, Freeman has a ways to go before he stacks up well with Aranda.
I can’t remember the last time I went into a season with this much uncertainty about how I think things will go. I would be surprised but not completely shocked by 11-1. But I could also easily see the lack of depth, new starting QB, first time head coach, and Al Golden’s return to coordinating leading to a 7-5 season. In the end, I landed on 9-3, but I have little to no confidence in that prediction. Should make for a hell of a season.
I think it’s possible that we will all be unpleasantly surprised at how much our recent stability was related to Kelly. We are looking at the schedule and counting wins and losses based on the way the team has been under BK, but I think we could definitely go back to losing games we shouldn’t lose from time to time. Now, hopefully that comes with the balance of occasionally (instead of never) winning a few games we shouldn’t win, but we’ll just have to see.
Maybe I’m just feeling down on HCMMFF as our best recruit seems to be slipping from our fingers in spite of all his efforts…
It’s just going to take time on the recruiting front. Even now, Freeman’s probably going to be in the ~5 range for 2023 class, improving from Kelly usually being in the 8-11 range. Baby steps, but it’s progress. Having Buchner or Carr become a first round QB talent is what it’s probably going to take to increase talent overall. What Freeman has done at WR, CB, LB has been impressive nonetheless.
For the first part, I think you’re right to an extent. If Kelly was here, I think we can confidently predict this would be a 10-2 team at worst if Clemson is very good, possibly an 11-1 team if ND can win that one…To me, that has shifted to 10-2 at best, possibly more likely 9-3. One or two games doesn’t sound that big, and hopefully it’s not worse than that, but I def would say there is going to be a tangible step back from a 30+ year coach to a first timer baked into a lot of reasonable projections.
Agree with all of this.
Though I think it would have been easier to accept the slight improvement to around 5-7 range if it hadn’t looked like we could be in the 3-5 range at one point. And losing the top or top 2 players of your class is just more painful – even if it is true that the outcome will still be noticeably better. The process just raised hopes for even a higher standard faster than initially anticipated.
But it is reasonable to expect that 2024 as the first full class with Freeman at the helm will be more the barometer of future classes.
Going into the 2017 season with new DC Elko, and coming off a 4-8 campaign felt pretty uncertain.
Heh I went into 2017 fairly confident we would be a 7-5ish team. We overshot that obviously, but I felt confident we wouldn’t be very good. Sometimes it’s nice to be very wrong!
Yeah, maybe I’m confusing confidence with optimism.