I think this game is going to break one of two ways.....

[CJFisJoePaII]

....either PSU wins fairly easy OR it's a super low-scoring defensive slugfest.

I just don't see ND scoring a ton of points on PSU - ND's offense is really one-dimensional and unsophisticated. Leonard is the the 2nd leading rusher in their offense. ND runs a very unsophisticated offense with good ball security (ND was top 5 in Turnover Margin) - so the offense is paired well with a really good defense.

Anyway, I think the matchup that is going to determine the outcome of the game is PSU's Offense vs ND's Defense. If PSU finds some early success against ND's Defense, they might win easy. Then again, PSU's Offense has struggled against the better defenses they've played and ND's defense is extremely good.

ND's Offense is a ball control offense and CJF may not get the 65 Offensive Snaps he is always looking for. If it is an extremely low-scoring defensive oriented game, it will play into ND's strengths so I'm not sure I like our chances in such a game.

 

[Gitzit]

I just hope this game isn't lost by one of Franklins idiotic 4th down attempts on his side of the field, or actually don't try it unless you are on their 40 or better, or you need the conversion to win.

 

[demlion]

The most scary thing is the tendency by PSU, shown many times this year but not in the last 2 games, for our team to nap through a large part of the 1st half.

 

[wilbury]

The most scary thing is the tendency by PSU, shown many times this year but not in the last 2 games, for our team to nap through a large part of the 1st half.

Good lord.

 

[Jerry]

....either PSU wins fairly easy OR it's a super low-scoring defensive slugfest.

I just don't see ND scoring a ton of points on PSU - ND's offense is really one-dimensional and unsophisticated. Leonard is the the 2nd leading rusher in their offense. ND runs a very unsophisticated offense with good ball security (ND was top 5 in Turnover Margin) - so the offense is paired well with a really good defense.

Anyway, I think the matchup that is going to determine the outcome of the game is PSU's Offense vs ND's Defense. If PSU finds some early success against ND's Defense, they might win easy. Then again, PSU's Offense has struggled against the better defenses they've played and ND's defense is extremely good.

ND's Offense is a ball control offense and CJF may not get the 65 Offensive Snaps he is always looking for. If it is an extremely low-scoring defensive oriented game, it will play into ND's strengths so I'm not sure I like our chances in such a game.

I hope I'm not kidding myself but I really like our chances in this game.

Notre Dame is on a roll and has been playing great but they're not a big-play team and their receivers are not all that scary. I think we have the type of D that can contain the Irish.

On the other side of the ball, things seem to be clicking for us now and even our much-maligned wide receivers have shown some life in recent games. Their D is tough, but if Drew is sharp, our O is going to move the ball.

It will be critical not to give up any big plays on special teams or turn the ball over and give Notre Dame short fields to work with. That's what killed Georgia.

I see us winning by 10...but for God's sake don't put any money on that prediction...

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

I hope I'm not kidding myself but I really like our chances in this game.

Notre Dame is on a roll and has been playing great but they're not a big-play team and their receivers are not all that scary. I think we have the type of D that can contain the Irish.

On the other side of the ball, things seem to be clicking for us now and even our much-maligned wide receivers have shown some life in recent games. Their D is tough, but if Drew is sharp, our O is going to move the ball.

It will be critical not to give up any big plays on special teams or turn the ball over and give Notre Dame short fields to work with. That's what killed Georgia.

I see us winning by 10...but for God's sake don't put any money on that prediction...

Don't think PSU's D will have trouble with ND's Offense - ND's biggest threat at this point is Leonard running the ball. ND's Offense is really quite basic and honestly a bit HS-Level (it does work well with ND's Defense in that it produces few TOs resulting in one of the best TO Margins in FBS) - especially hs-ish in that the QB is an integral part of both their run & pass game (and at this point with Love hurt, may be ND's best running option). Just don't think ND puts up very many points given the amount of time PSU has to gameplan for what is a rather bland, unsophisticated offense. ND Offense vs PSU Defense is a decided advantage in favor of PSU's Defense imho.

On the other side of the ball - PSU's Offense vs ND's Defense is really not as cut-&-dry imho. I really think the game will be decided on this matchup - especially ND's run defense against PSU's running game as ND likes to play a lot of traditional Cover 2 Man (i.e., man coverage with deep help on both sides of field) which means "hat-on-hat" football in the box against the run. If PSU can run the ball early with success (a la BSU), they will force ND to bring the Safeties up... and make ND vulnerable "over the top" to the wideouts and Warren straight down the slot. But if PSU can't run the ball early.... and force ND to make adjustments....., ND's Pass Defense will be very difficult to crack without some real success from the running game early - it is arguably the best pass defense in the nation holding opponents to an FBS low Completion Percentage of 50.6% (ND is #5 in the nation in Passing Yards allowed per game, 167.4) - to put that in perspective, duhO$U leads the nation in Passing Yards Allowed per game (152.4), but has allowed opponents to complete 60% of their passes (56th in FBS). ND is tied for 4th in the nation in INTs (w/ PSU btw) with 18 (duhO$U which leads the nation in Pass Defense YPG is also way, way back in INTs with only 9). Overall, ND's Pass Defense is dominating and the best in the nation imho - PSU will need to be able to run the ball early and consistently to "crack" NDs Defense, but PSU has the assets to do it. I'm not convinced ND wins this matchup. I really don't see a real possibility of ND blowing out PSU, but I do believe there is a real possibility PSU wins easily... and why I think the whole game swings on this matchup - PSU Offense vs ND Defense.

Unfortunately, I believe an extremely low-scoring game heavily favors ND as the game will be shortened significantly (CJF may not get those 65 Offensive Snaps he looks for) and Field Position, ST's Play and Turnovers become the critical factors in determining the game.... and grinding out the winning points... - not PSU's game or "comfort zone", but very much is ND's game and comfort zone as they showed in the UGa game.

 

[mgkpsu]

Don't think PSU's D will have trouble with ND's Offense - ND's biggest threat at this point is Leonard running the ball. ND's Offense is really quite basic and honestly a bit HS-Level (it does work well with ND's Defense in that it produces few TOs resulting in one of the best TO Margins in FBS) - especially hs-ish in that the QB is an integral part of both their run & pass game (and at this point with Love hurt, may be ND's best running option). Just don't think ND puts up very many points given the amount of time PSU has to gameplan for what is a rather bland, unsophisticated offense. ND Offense vs PSU Defense is a decided advantage in favor of PSU's Defense imho.

On the other side of the ball - PSU's Offense vs ND's Defense is really not as cut-&-dry imho. I really think the game will be decided on this matchup - especially ND's run defense against PSU's running game as ND likes to play a lot of traditional Cover 2 Man (i.e., man coverage with deep help on both sides of field) which means "hat-on-hat" football in the box against the run. If PSU can run the ball early with success (a la BSU), they will force ND to bring the Safeties up... and make ND vulnerable "over the top" to the wideouts and Warren straight down the slot. But if PSU can't run the ball early.... and force ND to make adjustments....., ND's Pass Defense will be very difficult to crack without some real success from the running game early - it is arguably the best pass defense in the nation holding opponents to an FBS low Completion Percentage of 50.6% (ND is #5 in the nation in Passing Yards allowed per game, 167.4) - to put that in perspective, duhO$U leads the nation in Passing Yards Allowed per game (152.4), but has allowed opponents to complete 60% of their passes (56th in FBS). ND is tied for 4th in the nation in INTs (w/ PSU btw) with 18 (duhO$U which leads the nation in Pass Defense YPG is also way, way back in INTs with only 9). Overall, ND's Pass Defense is dominating and the best in the nation imho - PSU will need to be able to run the ball early and consistently to "crack" NDs Defense, but PSU has the assets to do it. I'm not convinced ND wins this matchup. I really don't see a real possibility of ND blowing out PSU, but I do believe there is a real possibility PSU wins easily... and why I think the whole game swings on this matchup - PSU Offense vs ND Defense.

Unfortunately, I believe an extremely low-scoring game heavily favors ND as the game will be shortened significantly (CJF may not get those 65 Offensive Snaps he looks for) and Field Position, ST's Play and Turnovers become the critical factors in determining the game.... and grinding out the winning points... - not PSU's game or "comfort zone", but very much is ND's game and comfort zone as they showed in the UGa game.

The best passing teams they faced are Louisville and USC, and then a bunch of stinkers. If you want to say Indiana and/or Georgia's backup, then fine.

 

[fastlax16]

Don't think PSU's D will have trouble with ND's Offense - ND's biggest threat at this point is Leonard running the ball. ND's Offense is really quite basic and honestly a bit HS-Level (it does work well with ND's Defense in that it produces few TOs resulting in one of the best TO Margins in FBS) - especially hs-ish in that the QB is an integral part of both their run & pass game (and at this point with Love hurt, may be ND's best running option). Just don't think ND puts up very many points given the amount of time PSU has to gameplan for what is a rather bland, unsophisticated offense. ND Offense vs PSU Defense is a decided advantage in favor of PSU's Defense imho.

On the other side of the ball - PSU's Offense vs ND's Defense is really not as cut-&-dry imho. I really think the game will be decided on this matchup - especially ND's run defense against PSU's running game as ND likes to play a lot of traditional Cover 2 Man (i.e., man coverage with deep help on both sides of field) which means "hat-on-hat" football in the box against the run. If PSU can run the ball early with success (a la BSU), they will force ND to bring the Safeties up... and make ND vulnerable "over the top" to the wideouts and Warren straight down the slot. But if PSU can't run the ball early.... and force ND to make adjustments....., ND's Pass Defense will be very difficult to crack without some real success from the running game early - it is arguably the best pass defense in the nation holding opponents to an FBS low Completion Percentage of 50.6% (ND is #5 in the nation in Passing Yards allowed per game, 167.4) - to put that in perspective, duhO$U leads the nation in Passing Yards Allowed per game (152.4), but has allowed opponents to complete 60% of their passes (56th in FBS). ND is tied for 4th in the nation in INTs (w/ PSU btw) with 18 (duhO$U which leads the nation in Pass Defense YPG is also way, way back in INTs with only 9). Overall, ND's Pass Defense is dominating and the best in the nation imho - PSU will need to be able to run the ball early and consistently to "crack" NDs Defense, but PSU has the assets to do it. I'm not convinced ND wins this matchup. I really don't see a real possibility of ND blowing out PSU, but I do believe there is a real possibility PSU wins easily... and why I think the whole game swings on this matchup - PSU Offense vs ND Defense.

Unfortunately, I believe an extremely low-scoring game heavily favors ND as the game will be shortened significantly (CJF may not get those 65 Offensive Snaps he looks for) and Field Position, ST's Play and Turnovers become the critical factors in determining the game.... and grinding out the winning points... - not PSU's game or "comfort zone", but very much is ND's game and comfort zone as they showed in the UGa game.

We can win a ground it out game. We did against the Gophers.

I think we have more paths to victory than ND does because of their offensive limitations.

 

[fastlax16]

The best passing teams they faced are Louisville and USC, and then a bunch of stinkers. If you want to say Indiana and/or Georgia's backup, then fine.

Indiana evidently had a qb with a torn acl?

 

[The Song Remains the Same]

I worry about Special Teams, especially our punter vs. ND punt block.

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

We can win a ground it out game. We did against the Gophers.

I think we have more paths to victory than ND does because of their offensive limitations.

Definitely agree with that... PSU wins easy imo if ND can't stop our Running Game early. If it does go the other direction and turns into an ultra low-scoring Defensive slugfest game, I like ND's chances better than ours... maybe 60/40 in their favor.... So let's say there's a 33% chance PSU Offense wins the matchup vs ND's Defense.... and a 40% Chance of winning a low scoring affair - that adds 27% chance to PSU's propability.... giving PSU a 33% + 27% = 60% chance of winning... and ND a 40% chance overall of winning.

Obviously, it really depends on the raw probability you assign to a PSU easy win OR an ultra low-scoring Defensive slugfest could change the numbers significantly.

 

[diontechristmas]

It’s going to be a slugfest but I think we’re the better team and have better players at the skill positions (despite our WR corp).

Our D needs a big play or two and we need to win the turnover battle.

 

[jbenedict]

Don't think PSU's D will have trouble with ND's Offense - ND's biggest threat at this point is Leonard running the ball. ND's Offense is really quite basic and honestly a bit HS-Level (it does work well with ND's Defense in that it produces few TOs resulting in one of the best TO Margins in FBS) - especially hs-ish in that the QB is an integral part of both their run & pass game (and at this point with Love hurt, may be ND's best running option). Just don't think ND puts up very many points given the amount of time PSU has to gameplan for what is a rather bland, unsophisticated offense. ND Offense vs PSU Defense is a decided advantage in favor of PSU's Defense imho.

On the other side of the ball - PSU's Offense vs ND's Defense is really not as cut-&-dry imho. I really think the game will be decided on this matchup - especially ND's run defense against PSU's running game as ND likes to play a lot of traditional Cover 2 Man (i.e., man coverage with deep help on both sides of field) which means "hat-on-hat" football in the box against the run. If PSU can run the ball early with success (a la BSU), they will force ND to bring the Safeties up... and make ND vulnerable "over the top" to the wideouts and Warren straight down the slot. But if PSU can't run the ball early.... and force ND to make adjustments....., ND's Pass Defense will be very difficult to crack without some real success from the running game early - it is arguably the best pass defense in the nation holding opponents to an FBS low Completion Percentage of 50.6% (ND is #5 in the nation in Passing Yards allowed per game, 167.4) - to put that in perspective, duhO$U leads the nation in Passing Yards Allowed per game (152.4), but has allowed opponents to complete 60% of their passes (56th in FBS). ND is tied for 4th in the nation in INTs (w/ PSU btw) with 18 (duhO$U which leads the nation in Pass Defense YPG is also way, way back in INTs with only 9). Overall, ND's Pass Defense is dominating and the best in the nation imho - PSU will need to be able to run the ball early and consistently to "crack" NDs Defense, but PSU has the assets to do it. I'm not convinced ND wins this matchup. I really don't see a real possibility of ND blowing out PSU, but I do believe there is a real possibility PSU wins easily... and why I think the whole game swings on this matchup - PSU Offense vs ND Defense.

Unfortunately, I believe an extremely low-scoring game heavily favors ND as the game will be shortened significantly (CJF may not get those 65 Offensive Snaps he looks for) and Field Position, ST's Play and Turnovers become the critical factors in determining the game.... and grinding out the winning points... - not PSU's game or "comfort zone", but very much is ND's game and comfort zone as they showed in the UGa game.

Can our offense do a better job of handling the blitz packages. If not were done















This is how they make the peanut butter

 

[Springcity]

I just hope this game isn't lost by one of Franklins idiotic 4th down attempts on his side of the field, or actually don't try it unless you are on their 40 or better, or you need the conversion to win.

I just hope you give him credit if we wins and takes them to National Champioionship game.

 

[IANit]

....either PSU wins fairly easy OR it's a super low-scoring defensive slugfest.

I just don't see ND scoring a ton of points on PSU - ND's offense is really one-dimensional and unsophisticated. Leonard is the the 2nd leading rusher in their offense. ND runs a very unsophisticated offense with good ball security (ND was top 5 in Turnover Margin) - so the offense is paired well with a really good defense.

Anyway, I think the matchup that is going to determine the outcome of the game is PSU's Offense vs ND's Defense. If PSU finds some early success against ND's Defense, they might win easy. Then again, PSU's Offense has struggled against the better defenses they've played and ND's defense is extremely good.

ND's Offense is a ball control offense and CJF may not get the 65 Offensive Snaps he is always looking for. If it is an extremely low-scoring defensive oriented game, it will play into ND's strengths so I'm not sure I like our chances in such a game.

Call me crazy, but I think Notre Dame is a slightly better SMU. They beat 5 ACC teams. Four of them were common opponents and it was pretty close (Louisville: ND 31-24, SMU 34-27; Virginia: ND 35-14, SMU 33-7; Stanford: ND: 49-7, SMU 40-10,; Florida State: ND 52-3, SMU: 42-16 - SMU faced DJ, Notre Dame got his backup). The other ACC game was Georgia Tech. The Georgia Tech game was 31-13 at Georgia Tech. Virginia Tech beat Georgia Tech 21-6 the next week. Haynes King did not play in either game, coming back the next week to help Georgia Tech beat Miami.

Yes, they beat Indiana and Georgia, but Indiana has a weakness on the OL and Georgia didn't have a great offense even with Beck.

I see ND as a well-coached, opportunistic football team. But I think they are behind the top 3 Big Ten teams, and probably a couple of SEC teams as well. Their road ends Thursday night.

 

[PSU4U]

....either PSU wins fairly easy OR it's a super low-scoring defensive slugfest.

I just don't see ND scoring a ton of points on PSU - ND's offense is really one-dimensional and unsophisticated. Leonard is the the 2nd leading rusher in their offense. ND runs a very unsophisticated offense with good ball security (ND was top 5 in Turnover Margin) - so the offense is paired well with a really good defense.

Anyway, I think the matchup that is going to determine the outcome of the game is PSU's Offense vs ND's Defense. If PSU finds some early success against ND's Defense, they might win easy. Then again, PSU's Offense has struggled against the better defenses they've played and ND's defense is extremely good.

ND's Offense is a ball control offense and CJF may not get the 65 Offensive Snaps he is always looking for. If it is an extremely low-scoring defensive oriented game, it will play into ND's strengths so I'm not sure I like our chances in such a game.

Either we will begin to pull away mid 3rd quarter or it will be trench warfare until the gun.