Notre Dame vs South Carolina: Confidences & Concerns
Looking back at Notre Dame’s regular season one of the main themes was an extreme lack of consistency in play. From good, to bad, to ugly at the most curious times, the Irish have been all over the board.
Keeping this in mind, now the Irish are breaking in a new quarterback Tyler Buchner and are losing their biggest playmakers on each side of the football in Michael Mayer and Isaiah Foskey who are preparing for the NFL draft. If you thought Notre Dame was unpredictable before, who knows what we will see Friday?
Let’s examine some confidences and concerns Notre Dame fans may have entering this contest.
Confidence 1- Run Game Success
Notre Dame running back Audric Estime (7) runs the ball during the Notre Dame vs. California NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.
Notre Dame Vs California
While Notre Dame failed to eclipse 100 yards rushing in their last game against USC, there is little doubt that overall the run game was the biggest offensive strength overall. The second strength is no longer an option, Mr. Mayer. This will increase the need for the run game to potentially carry even more of the load.
Fortunately, Buchner can use his legs in ways Drew Pyne couldn’t athletically. This new wrinkle should be a huge advantage for the Irish that I hope to see them exploit with creative, efficient playcalling matched with good blocking. South Carolina was 2nd to last in the SEC in run defense and has a fair number of opt-outs of their own. I expect Notre Dame to try to establish their will.
Confidence 2- New Energy
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 10: Tyler Buchner #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass against the Marshall Thundering Herd during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 10, 2022 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
While it is certainly unique to have the QB dynamic go full circle from Buchner to Pyne To Buchner this year, time is on Notre Dame’s side. It isn’t as though the Pyne transfer news was dropped a day before the bowl game, Notre Dame has had time to prepare.
The Irish have had ample time to put together a plan to maximize what Buchner can be expected to provide while also limiting hits on him his first game back in action. I also would hope the notion of the team getting their original slated season starter back would be a huge motivating and energizing factor.
Confidence 3- Route Trees Grow
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – OCTOBER 15: Tobias Merriweather #15 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish catches a pass for a touchdown against Kendall Williamson #21 of the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on October 15, 2022 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
With Buchner added back to the lineup, more is possible in this offense in the medium to deep passing game. He is at least capable of attempting to stretch the field in ways this offense couldn’t most of the year.
I hope Notre Dame makes a concerted attempt to try and see how Buchner can connect with this group of receivers deep and add a real spark to this offense that has been lacking for some time. If the run game is successful, there will be even more opportunities to take some shots. New outcomes are now possible for this offense.
Concern 1- Sluggish Start
Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Aiden Gobaira (91) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The last time we saw Notre Dame, they were in a huge ballgame and started extremely sluggishly, and were never able to recover. What will it be this time coming off a huge layoff and some major personnel changes and opt-outs at key positions of production?
Especially when breaking in a QB who is seeing his first game action since week 2, it’s more critical than ever for Notre Dame to get off to a solid start to ease him in. Nobody knew what to expect from this squad week to week this season, let alone after multiple weeks off in a row. This is a legitimate concern until it isn’t.
Concern 2- Small Things Add Up
Sep 10, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) throws as he is hit by Marshall Thundering Herd defensive lineman Isaiah Gibson, Sr. (99) in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
While I’m confident that Notre Dame’s offense is capable of functioning at a higher capacity level under Tyler Buchner’s athleticism, this is still the first time he will be experiencing game speed and full hits since week 2 against Marshall. There is some risk in this.
Ball security. Perfect handoffs. Timing routes. Audibles. Snap Counts. Clock management. All of these items seem small, but for a player returning back to their first action in months, no aspect can be taken for granted. Not even the “basics”.
Concern 3- South Carolina Has Momentum
Nov 26, 2022; Clemson, SC, USA; South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) celebrates after the game with Clemson at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina is an up-and-coming team in the SEC under a young coach, Shane Beamer, who much like Marcus Freeman is trying to prove himself among the very best. Unlike Notre Dame, South Carolina finished the regular season strong and with positive momentum.
Wins against bitter rival Clemson and a Tennessee team that was at one time a playoff favorite should have this team brimming with confidence. QB Spencer Rattler had gaudy passing numbers in each affair and certainly hopes to keep this hot trend going against the Irish.
For more Irish news & notes follow John on Twitter @alwaysirishINC, Always Irish on Youtube and or your preferred audio podcast provider.
