If you’re a long-time reader of this blog - especially if you go back to when we were on the old site – you probably know I’m a fan of the triple option. I know this is anathema to most Notre Dame fans, but it’s always been my little quirk. It’s a simple offense so [...]
Notre Dame and North Carolina matched up extremely evenly in explosiveness and efficiency in a defense-optional battle. Still, the Irish created just enough advantages on the margins, like converting scoring chances and field position to pull away. Breaking down the ND defensive performance and if Marcus Freeman is still within the return policy window, how [...]
What a great weekend to watch Notre Dame topple North Carolina once again but as an appetizer witness Michigan coughing up a very winnable game to Michigan State. These are the moments on earth when you feel truly alive. We're getting closer to the end of the season and right now it's looking like about [...]
Welcome back to the latest edition of America's favorite question and answer segment from 18 Stripes. Today, we'll tackle the sudden coaching vacancy at TCU, the Heisman race, how the initial playoff rankings will be handled, plus a look at a pair of forlorn head coaches at major programs. 1) The Heisman race is heating [...]
Welcome back to the 18Stripes G5 Top 10. We had a couple of great games shaking up the snow globe of the Group of 5 this weekend. Before we dive into that, let's take a look at the new Top Ten. Also Considered: Nevada, Liberty, Utah State, Air Force, Northern Illinois Week 9 Recap Movers [...]
Late in Notre Dame's 44-34 win over North Carolina, the NBC broadcast team discussed that the Irish aren't winning pretty or in dominating fashion - they're just winning. It's something of an 18 Stripes motto that, well, winning is hard. Week after week, doing enough to fight off your opponents, especially on nights you don't [...]
Back-to-back night games inside Notre Dame Stadium is on the menu as the pre-season No. 10 North Carolina Tar Heels come to South Bend licking their wounds with 3 losses inside ACC play while they've fallen off the national radar already by early October. It's been an extremely up and down rebuilding project for the [...]
Notre Dame dictated the game from start to finish, but USC was on par or better in efficiency and explosiveness. A massive early turnover (worth nearly 10 points in EPA, expected points added) set the tone, and the Irish dominated the Trojans in cashing in scoring chances to hold Southern Cal at arm's length. The [...]
Earlier in the year, someone asked SP+ creator Bill Connelly about Notre Dame's upward move in his model after their uninspiring win over Toledo. Connelly replied as such: 91% postgame win expectancy for ND, equivalent to about a three-score win. Massive success rate advantage and some bad turnovers luck. SP+ never ever ever says what [...]
Several programs suffered varying degrees of scares this week including Cincinnati, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Oregon from our current top 5 rankings. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Penn State who crashes out of our rankings following a humiliating 9 overtime defeat, at home, to Illinois. Let's take a look at the latest Top 20 [...]
Everyone likes a good road trip. In college football terms it's even better when there's a fun opponent included, nice stadium, welcoming fans, and either a charming campus or lively surrounding neighborhood/town/city. As the OG road warriors, Notre Dame football has been to a lot of places. Some good ones coming up in future schedules [...]
Welcome back to the 18Stripes G5 Top 10. Had a little bit of shakeup this week so let's dive right into the Top Ten. Also Considered: Liberty, Nevada, Northern Illinois, UTEP, Utah State Week 8 Recap Movers and Shakers We have to start our recap with the game on Wednesday night. Fresh off a game [...]
That's 4 wins in a row over USC, as well as the 4th straight home win over the Trojans. Life is good this week. A whole bunch of recruits were in attendance to watch a festive atmosphere in a night game against Notre Dame's main rival. There were some ups and downs, including a late [...]
September 13th, 2021. That's the day that Troy finally returned the Homeric favor and sacked the protagonist of the Greek tragedy that had unfolded in Los Angeles over the last several seasons. It is with profound sorrow that we Irish fans bid farewell to Southern Cal head coach Clay Helton, a fine gentleman who most [...]
With no game last weekend to recap, let's check in on Notre Dame's statistical profile at the midway point of the regular season. In this wild year, what are the Irish doing well to keep winning close games? And where can they find traction to begin pulling away from opponents and increasing the margin of [...]
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