Notre Dame vs UNLV: Confidences & Concerns
In last week’s version of “Confidences & Concerns,” I wrote about how fascinating it is to follow parts of a football team as they vacillate between being areas of worry or celebration. Some of this is natural, then there’s where Notre Dame finds itself halfway through the season as perplexing doesn’t even begin to describe it.
At a beleaguered 3-3 and coming off a brutal and unexpected loss to downtrodden Stanford, the Notre Dame faithful will sheepishly take their seats in Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday as the Irish square off with UNLV genuinely wondering, “what will it be this week, fellas?”
What Notre Dame team shows up? Let’s look at some areas that Notre Dame can lean on this week and some that could cause more moans and groans than pushups in the stands.
Confidence 1: Running Backs
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – OCTOBER 15: Audric Estime #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates a touchdown against 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)
It’s unfortunate that for all of the “Buslike” punishment RB Audric Estime has dished out he’s had 2 extremely ill-timed fumbles that have taken some of the shine off his body of work. It’s so refreshing seeing Notre Dame have a back that is willing and wants to deliver punishment. Lean on this physical mindset. This team needs more of it.
I say this not to forget about Chris Tyree & Logan Diggs and their weekly contributions. This three-headed monster, if deployed properly should be a weekly mismatch that keeps defenses off balance all game. Use this group as much as possible in the pass & run game.
Confidence 2: Michael Mayer
Oct 15, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer (87) runs the ball as Stanford Cardinal safety Kendall Williamson (21) attempts to tackle in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Stanford is to be credited for the way they defended the future NFLer. Zone, man, bracket coverage, you name it, and David Shaw and company deployed it wonderfully. Mayer was held to a meager by his standards 5 catches, denying Drew Pyne his most reliable big down target.
When a team lets Michael Mayer get open with soft zone coverage, continue to get him the ball. But if he’s being covered heavily, others are open. In this way, Mayer can be used as a decoy and help make plays become successful nowhere near the ball. Use your biggest asset for as much leverage as you can whenever you can.
Confidence 3: The Defense
Notre Dame defensive lineman Rylie Mills (99) celebrates making a tackle during the Notre Dame vs. Stanford NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.
Notre Dame Vs Stanford Football
Is the defense perfect? No. Is it the biggest reason Notre Dame lost to Stanford or anyone else this year? No. This group, for all of the heat they justifiably receive for some head scratching mistakes at times, allowed 16 points on the night. A winning effort.
I’m confident this group will keep Notre Dame in games for the rest of the year. Can the offense score enough to take advantage of it? This remains to be seen. This group showed it can play with the best in its’ 21-point showing against an absolute juggernaut of an offense featured by THE Ohio State Buckeyes. This group is still the backbone of the program waiting for the offense to catch up.
Concern 1: Bad Vibes
Oct 15, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Nana Osafo-Mensah (31) pauses after the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
The vibe in Notre Dame stadium Saturday is going to be muted. It just is. The fans are still stunned at what happened last week and now return to face an opponent who brings with it, no offense, little to no juice in terms of brand name or history, and I expect a “wait and see” type of energy from the crowd.
My concern is that if Notre dame gets off to another slow start vs an allegedly lesser opponent, things could get dark quickly. Notre Dame needs to come out and show that they are furious about surrendering their home turf so easily this year and that it won’t happen again. But until they do, this vibe is suspect.
Concern 2: More of The Same Lame
March 5, 2020; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees walks amongst the players during Notre Dame’s first spring football practice at the Irish Athletics Center. Santiago Flores/South Bend Tribune via USA TODAY NETWORK
When you have an offense that hasn’t scored a touchdown in the first quarter in any game yet this year, the problem is of course partially execution, but it runs deeper than that. This extreme level of ineptitude to start games indicates that the original game plans have not worked as the evidence is in. Change is imminent? Right? It better be.
I think the players and fans alike would welcome seeing some new on offense. Nothing drastic or unrealistic, just some new efficient wrinkles that put players in a better place to succeed. More misdirection, creative screens, in-stride strikes over the middle of the field, two-running back sets where both are run, threat & blocking threats. Let [autotag]Tobias Merriweather[/autotag] have five or six chances to flip the field per game. It’s time to change. Now is not the time for more of what hasn’t worked.
Concern 3: Drew Pyne's Bounceback
Notre Dame quarterback Drew Pyne (10) during the Notre Dame vs. Stanford NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.
Notre Dame Vs Stanford Football
Since his ascension to the starting job after an injury to starting QB [autotag]Tyler Buchner[/autotag] in game 2 up until the Stanford game [autotag]Drew Pyne[/autotag] had steadily gained trust from both the fans and staff alike.
He struggled against Stanford as he had an inaccurate, off night, How does he bounce back in front of the home crowd just a week after such a devastating loss? Knowing what I do about his makeup and toughness, I suspect he will be eager and ready to show that last week was an anomaly and that he can continue to lead the Irish to wins. But this is a tricky spot with momentum going against Notre Dame, and it’s slightly concerning.
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