Tag: Brian Kelly

Notre Dame Football: Ranking Potential Bowl Game Opponents

Finally the biggest draw in the Big XII comes up on our breakdown.  Is Texas back?

In one of the worst kept secrets in college football at this point, we sit and wait to act surprised when on Sunday we will all officially find out that No. 15 Notre Dame will be headed to play a Big XII opponent in the 2019 Camping World Bowl.

That means a trip to Orlando but who the Irish play in the game is still very much up in the air for multiple different reasons.

For one – Oklahoma and Baylor both right now sit at six and seven in the College Football Playoff rankings respectively, with both still being very much alive for a potential New Year’s Six Bowl game berth if they are to fall in Saturday’s conference championship.

That’s important because it would change the Alamo automatically getting whoever loses and instead, give the bowl the chance to pick which of the 5-4 Big XII teams it would like, as Kansas State, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Texas all finished in a tie for third place after all going 5-4 in conference play.

It got me wondering though – who should Notre Dame fans be rooting for to play?

I get that some Irish fans will have a family or friend that is connected to one of the schools that will make that their obvious choice, but for everyone who doesn’t, what are you rooting for to happen?

A quick look at the potential match-ups, one at a time.

Kansas State

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Notre Dame Football: PFF Ranks Irish In Top 10

Notre Dame checks in just ahead of Wisconsin and Penn State who come in at nine and ten respectively while the same Michigan team who beat Notre Dame 45-14 in late October checks in at 11.

Notre Dame football fans have been a bit frustrated and upset that despite going 5-0 in the month of November, their Fighting Irish squad only moved up to the fifteenth spot in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings, two whole spots higher than they were rated five games ago at the start of November.

It won’t get them out of the Camping World Bowl and into the Cotton or Orange Bowls, but there was one place that does see them as a top-ten team in the nation.

Pro Football Focus released their latest PFFELO rankings following Week 14 of the college season and threw some significant praise Notre Dame’s way, ranking them seventh.

In their summary of the 10-2 Fighting Irish, Pro Football Focus offered the following:

It was back to a below-average passing grade for Ian Book, who had previously strung together three quality performances in an otherwise up-and-down 2019 campaign. The Fighting Irish still covered on Saturday thanks to a defensive touchdown with under a minute to go. The Fighting Irish defense didn’t quite live up to lofty preseason expectations, though, as we had them ranked as the top overall defensive unit in the country in the preseason. They have dropped to third in our opponent-adjusted unit ranking and are only represented by one honorable mention on the PFF All-American team. – Pro Football Focus on Notre Dame

I hadn’t previously seen that PFF had Notre Dame ranked as the best defensive unit in the country before the season started but that’s a bit surprising.  Not that the unit wasn’t still very good outside of one awful night, but as we saw replacing the likes of Jerry Tillery, Drue Tranquill and Julian Love was a lot to ask, especially early on.

Notre Dame checks in just ahead of Wisconsin and Penn State who come in at nine and ten respectively while the same Michigan team who beat Notre Dame 45-14 in late October checks in at 11.

I won’t spoil the whole poll, you should check out their site for the full rankings but I will share that their lack of Baylor support at 17 is more than a bit surprising.

 

Watch: Notre Dame Commit Tyler Buchner’s Highlight Tape is Ridiculous

Buchner finished his 13-game junior season averaging 467 total yards per game, 6071 total yards and 81 total touchdowns.

Tyler Buchner won’t be playing quarterback at Notre Dame until at least the fall of 2021 but his recently released highlight tape has fans and scouts alike lighting up with excitement.

Although his team The Bishop’s School or La Jolla, California lost the state championship last week, the fault hardly fell on Buchner who threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 353 and scoring five times on the ground.

No, that Lamar Jackson-at-Louisville stat-line isn’t a misprint.

Buchner finished his 13-game junior season averaging 467 total yards per game, 6071 total yards and 81 total touchdowns.

His highlight tape is somehow even more impressive than the stats.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUPvz3qGics&w=560&h=315]

Notre Dame is in a very good place having just wrapped up their third straight ten-win season, but Fighting Irish fans are understandably stoked for when Buchner will arrive in 2021.

Report: Clay Helton Out at USC

Helton entered the year very much on the hot seat and no-doubt an 8-4 record with a bad loss at BYU, another loss to Notre Dame and a blowout loss to Oregon didn’t help his cause.

After an up-and-down season it appears change is on the way in Troy.

Sports Illustrated is reporting USC will let Clay Helton go, creating a very interesting job opening for Notre Dame’s biggest rival.

Helton entered the year very much on the hot seat and no-doubt an 8-4 record with a bad loss at BYU, another loss to Notre Dame and a blowout loss to Oregon didn’t help his cause.

The article lists Urban Meyer as USC’s top-target.

Even with the off-the-field issues he carries with him everywhere he goes, Meyer is a legendary football coach who would be a knockout hire.

Helton ends his USC run with a 40-21 overall record and a Rose Bowl victory at the conclusion of the 2016 season.

Helton started 21-6 in his first two full-seasons in charge but finished just 13-11 since the start of 2019.

Helton went 1-4 in his five games against Brian Kelly led Notre Dame, losing his debut in 2015 and winning in blowout fashion in 2016 before dropping the last three rivalry match-ups.

Stay tuned to FIW as this story and coaching search at Notre Dame’s biggest rival continues to develop.

Amway Coaches Poll: Notre Dame Moves Up

It doesn’t ultimately matter in terms of ending the 31 year drought of winning a national championship but Notre Dame’s resumes stacked up next to a few teams ahead of it is interesting.

Following their 45-24 win at Stanford, Notre Dame moved up in this week’s Amway Coaches Poll Powered by USA Today.

Just who then did they pass?

Well, to some Fighting Irish fans delight they moved past that team that embarrassed them on national television at the end of October.

The latest Amway Coaches Poll:

1. LSU

2. Ohio State

3. Clemson

4. Georgia

5. Utah

6. Oklahoma

7. Florida

8. Baylor

9. Alabama

10. Wisconsin

11. Penn State

12. Auburn

13. Oregon

14. Notre Dame

15. Minnesota

16. Memphis

17. Boise State

18. Michigan

19. Iowa

20. Appalachian State

21. Cincinnati

22. Virginia

23. Navy

24. Southern Cal

25. Air Force

Dropped out: Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech

Realistically we could see Oregon and Wisconsin both lose next weekend, both having tough matchups in their respective conference championship games. If they both lose we could see Notre Dame move into the top-12 at the conclusion of the regular season.

It doesn’t ultimately matter in terms of ending the 31 year drought of winning a national championship but Notre Dame’s resumes stacked up next to a few teams ahead of it is interesting.

Many reputation vs. actual production discussions to be had. We will discuss as the week goes on.

Watch: Extended Highlights of Notre Dame’s 45-24 Win at Stanford

Since we won’t have a notre Dame game to watch for almost a month why not live in the moment and enjoy extended highlights from Saturday’s win over Stanford?

The next time we see Notre Dame playing a football game it’ll probably be taking place in Orlando just after Christmas.

From then we have to wait to the annual tease that is the spring game before the regular season begins August 29 against Navy in Dublin, Ireland.

In the meantime, how about living in the now? Check out the highlights from Saturday’s regular season finale that moved Notre Dame to 10-2.

The win was Notre Dame’s first at Stanford since 2007 and Brian Kelly’s first victory there as head coach.

How Brian Kelly Saw Ian Book Grow in 2019

Book became the first Notre Dame quarterback to throw for 30 touchdowns in a season since Brady Quinn in 2006.

Ian Book wasn’t fantastic early against Stanford just like most of his teammates but he got stronger as the game went on and wound up throwing for 255 yards on 17 of 30 passing while tossing four touchdown passes.

It wasn’t his best game but it was still pretty solid in the 45-24 Notre Dame victory.

Brian Kelly was asked about Book’s play, specifically his nerves now compared to last year and even the start of 2019 after Saturday’s game.

“He’s a different person now. He was really in a great place. He found a stillness to him that he’s never had before. And he plays the game differently now. His calmness is really about his confidence now and what he can do” Kelly said.

Facing a first and 17 at their own seven, Book made one of his biggest plays connecting with speedster Braden Lenzy for 43 yards.

“I think that’s a big turning point in the game. And they dropped eight but he showed patience in the pocket. We wouldn’t have saw that earlier in the year” Kelly said of the 43 yard gain.

“But I think it just goes to his mindset, his stillness that he has found and the way he plays the game now. It’s been really fun to watch his growth throughout the year.” Kelly added.

Book became the first Notre Dame quarterback to throw for 30 touchdowns in a season since Brady Quinn in 2006.

Book finishes the regular season with 33 touchdown passes and just six interceptions.

No. 16 Notre Dame Beats Stanford: 5 Quick Thoughts

The 2019 regular season comes to an end and 10-2 ends up the final record and along with it come some different feelings than we’d probably have expected had most of us been told 10 wins was happening back in August

It wasn’t the prettiest of starts but Notre Dame settled down impressively well, specifically after a blocked punt late in the first half that set up a touchdown to draw the Irish within a 17-14 deficit.

Shortly after Chase Claypool and Ian Book did what they’ve done so well together this year and gave the Irish their first lead of the game, 21-17 just before halftime.

From there the ball just rolled for the Irish who walked out with their tenth win of the season and first win at Stanford since all the way back in 2007.

The 2019 regular season has come to an end and in all likelihood a date in the Camping World Bowl awaits.  Here are your five instant thoughts from Notre Dame’s 45-24 victory at Stanford.

First up – More praise for Clark Lea

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No. 16 Notre Dame/Stanford: First Half Thoughts

Mercy, what a start and not in a good way. Don’t know if it was too much wine with the turkey or what but the first roughly 25 minutes or so were about as flat as a team trying to give any reason to get elevated in the CFP rankings could look. A …

Mercy, what a start and not in a good way. Don’t know if it was too much wine with the turkey or what but the first roughly 25 minutes or so were about as flat as a team trying to give any reason to get elevated in the CFP rankings could look.

A blocked punt while trailing 17-7, capped by a quick touchdown from Ian Book to Tommy Tremble bailed out an offensive line who was unable to help punch it in from the one before false starting.

The touchdown pass to Tremble was an incredible throw by Book, one he made while moving away.

The then 41 yard touchdown pass from Book to Chase Claypool put the Irish ahead for the first time today. Claypool took a while to find his feet at Notre Dame but is an absolute beast of a playmaker who is going to be missed next season.

5 First Half Thoughts:

Stanford might be young and bad at 4-7 but this game clearly means something to them. They came out guns a blazing while the Irish needed 25 minutes to get warmed up it appeared.

If it ain’t Lenzy, it ain’t working in the running game. I know the offensive line is beat up and regulars are and have been out for sometime but even on a sloppy track I expected a lot more out of the run game early today.

Notre Dame’s pass defense entered today as the third most efficient unit in the nation but don’t tell that to Stanford. Have been impressed largely by Davis Mills, specifically his willingness to stay in the pocket, deliver a strike while knowing a huge hit was coming on the second Cardinal touchdown of the day.

Defensive line took this game over the last few Stanford possessions. Tell me how they play the rest of the way and I’ll tell you if Notre Dame wins and/or covers.

Notre Dame has had better special teams the majority of this season than its opponents. The blocked punt was huge in waking up the Irish but that’s something that has felt like a rarity during the Brian Kelly era and deserves praise again early today.

Enjoy the second half.

No. 16 Notre Dame A Massive Favorite Over Stanford

Stanford will be done for the year following Saturday, failing to go to a bowl game for the first time since 2008 which was Jim Harbaugh’s second year with the Cardinal.

Two teams headed in opposite directions will meet late Saturday afternoon in California as 4-7 Stanford plays host to No. 16 Notre Dame.

A win would give Notre Dame their third straight 10-win season, something they haven’t accomplished three seasons in a row since between 1991 and 1993.

Stanford will be done for the year following Saturday, failing to go to a bowl game for the first time since 2008 which was Jim Harbaugh’s second year with the Cardinal.

Notre Dame has not won at Stanford since 2007 while Brian Kelly is 0-5 all-time in Palo Alto, California.  Despite that Notre Dame is a huge favorite against the struggling Cardinal on Saturday, currently sitting as a 16.5 point road-favorite.

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated 11/18 at 2:09 p.m. ET.

Notre Dame marched to victory over Stanford last year 38-17 but has not won comfortably at Stanford since 2003 when a 57-7 win led by Tyrone Willingham finished Notre Dame’s 5-7 campaign.

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