The advanced stats match the eye-test in that there was nothing cheap about this victory. The Irish went toe-to-toe with Clemson, outgaining the Tigers in yards per play overall, in the 3rd & 4th quarters, and overtime. Both teams were decently explosive, not reeling off a ton of chunk plays but each hitting two of [...]
Breaking down a business-like win in Atlanta with an eye towards the showdown with Clemson - can the Irish expect some positive regression creating explosive plays and gaining turnovers? How does the efficiency of rushing and passing this year compare so far? And what else should Brian Kelly, Clark Lea, and Tommy Rees be thinking [...]
Notre Dame dominated Pitt behind an explosive passing game, grinding out an efficient run game, and defensively abusing poor Joey Yellen and an abysmal Pitt rushing game. The Irish were due for some interceptions and came through with three, with a special teams touchdown added for good measure. A look at how Tommy Rees and [...]
An anticipated shootout turned into a slow, grinding affair thanks to a low possession game, red zone struggles, long fields, and a lack of explosive plays from both teams. The advanced stats liked the Irish offensive performance more than most fans, and the defense impressed by creating havoc while simultaneously limiting big plays from a [...]
The Irish nearly matched their offensive efficiency against USF versus a far more talented opponent and threw in more explosive plays for good measure. Defensively, the effects of a two-week lull were far more visible as Clark Lea's typically steady unit was boom (with havoc and three-and-outs) and bust (giving up chunk plays). Confused? Check [...]
With Saturday unexpectedly opening up the viewing schedule, let's take a look at some of the best games this weekend for Notre Dame fans to tune into. It's not the world's most exciting slate, but there are a few matchups of future ACC opponents that will be telling for what type of challenge the Irish [...]
The dominant win over USF featured an efficiency massacre, defensive disruption from unlikely sources, and a nearly 30-yard per possession field position advantage for Notre Dame. This game reached garbage time at the half, and the Bulls failed to convert a single successful play through the air or on a passing down. Confused? Check out [...]
The Irish labored to put away Duke in the season opener, struggling to find a consistent offensive rhythm and letting up some uncharacteristic explosive plays on defense early. It was reminiscent of last season's unsatisfying opener, with similar advanced stats - a decent win that felt closer than it needed to be and raising questions [...]
The past several seasons have provided Irish fans with exposure to every ACC team, but for 2020 that gets to be taken to an entirely new level. Advanced stat projections agree with the ironic storyline that Notre Dame joining a conference for a season has actually eased their strength of schedule. Would that have been [...]
The ranking of the top 25 players on the Notre Dame roster is an annual tradition that means football is almost here. Like everything in 2020, this year's exercise was stranger and more confusing than usual. Our friend Douglas Farmer from Inside the Irish, who coordinates this activity across ND platforms with folks like us [...]
The much anticipated ACC 10-game schedule was released yesterday, with the expected news finalized that Notre Dame will be included in the 10-game conference schedule and be eligible for the conference championship game (and Orange Bowl berth). It appears to be a perfect interim solution for fall football, if it can happen, in an insane [...]
As COVID-19 cases continue to climb again, athletes are tested, and schools declare intentions for students to return to campus (or not), plans for the college football season change by the day. But for a second, let's live in a world where football will be played this fall and indulge in some analysis. The most [...]
Entering the 2019 season, the run defense was a primary concern for Notre Dame. Replacing Te'von Coney, Drue Tranquill, and Jerry Tillery was daunting, as each had been mainstays of strong units in 2017 and 2018 and rarely left the field. Depth charts at linebacker gave fans heart palpitations as players cross-trained and seemed to [...]
Ian Book had a strange season in his second year as a starter, winning 11 games yet struggling with consistency and seeing a decline in all major passing stats. The Notre Dame passing offense as a whole was less productive and efficient compared to 2018 but finished the year on a strong note. What led [...]
Let's begin breaking down Notre Dame's 2019 advanced stats starting with the unit that enters the fall under the most scrutiny, the Irish running game. Since 2017's record-setting efforts on the ground, the Irish have struggled to run efficiently, especially in big games, and been plagued by high stuff rates. What improved last season, and [...]
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