It’s a day early but what the heck…
ESPN, Saban, Herbie, etc…are all stating “which Miami team will show up?” Herbie thinks we will use Toney out as motivation to win because we feel disrespected as the underdog being number 1 and feeling disrespected that we can’t win with Toney out.
Saban, sees the issues on D in the secondary, weak coverage, lazy tackling and he’s wondering if we will show up.
Honestly, given the past few weeks, I can’t say for sure what Miami team will show up this weekend.
Can you fix weak coverage and lazy tackling in a week? I don’t see it happening. I have a bad feeling about this one. ND wants revenge and they need to prove they deserve to be higher in playoff rankings. So they may make this ugly. Hope I am wrong.
I could see it getting ugly with turnovers but ND is also missing three starters on D. I think we can still move it on them with a different game plan. I am worried about the D.
I think we are all worried about the D, the question is does the D see it? Thorton and Poyser are liabilities right now. Lucas and O’Connor can’t cover or tackle.
How much of that is fixable/can you scheme around? don’t know.
I think this game is a wake up call for the players, because I don’t think we win. Would love to be wrong.
The funny thing is, if we had to lose one game this season, this is the best game to lose.
It’s earlier than the rest of the schedule, giving us time to bounce back up the rankings.
It’s the best team we play, so we shouldn’t tumble that far.
It’s out of conference, so has no bearing on the ACCCG.
Of course we want to win, but, really, we can afford to lose this one. A loss might put some fire into the players and coaches, and a slight drop in the rankings should take the target off our backs. And, the most important thing, we should have a playoff spot when the season ends (and hopefully some key players returning from injury).
We can’t “afford” to lose any game. Remember the days when we showed up believing we would win any game that we played?
I haven’t had a good feel about this game for weeks and based upon how lazy our D got against Pitt in the 4th, getting lucky vs FSU and UNC, yeah, this is the game we lose. We are “due”. It’s all setup for ND to “leave no doubt” as Coach Freeman said. ND at home, at night, feeling disrespected last year, it all sets up for a beat down.
Honestly, I see this game as ND 42-Miami 14.
Carr will pass all over us.
The way I see it, Miami has better Jimmies and Joes so it comes down to two people.
How this game goes depends on how Dawson calls the O, and how Hetherman calls the D
If Dawson plays possession football, running the damn ball, controlling the time of possession, keeping CJ Carr off the field as much as possible… Also, NO turnovers.
And Hetherman needs to pressure Carr with overloads and blitz to keep Carr off rhythm (like he did last year… Carr does not respond well to pressure.
I think Miami walks away with this one and never looks back.
Listen, I WANT the ‘Canes to win. I’m not saying we can’t, I’m just saying the past few games have not given me confidence heading into a game playing the best team that we have played this year.
Sure, if we do those things you say, then yes we have a chance. But, we have yet to play a complete game.
The issue with pressuring Carr is that we did it well with our front four last year and we don’t have that pressure like we did.
If Mensah plays well, If we have someone or someones to step up to replace Toney’s production, If we can run the ball, If our secondary shows up and if the highly paid Wilson actually makes his money tonight with at least 2 sacks…then I can see the win.
None of us are all too confident and that’s why the board is quiet
I think the loss of Toney, and watching all the pundits and betting books say Miami doesn’t stand a chance has absolutely let doubt creep in. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t pretty dammed apprehensive.
But hey, even if we lose, as long as we take care of business the rest of the way, we’re in the playoff.
Good grief Moten…, 
See what happens when you blitz Carr?
Watch the first play of the game. Defender stands there and waits for the ND receiver to catch the ball, and THEN he goes after him. No attempt to break up the pass.
Another bad sign, on ND’s 4th down conversion, they ran straight up the middle for 4 yards.
Not even going to throw it at all?
Carr kinda sucks when he gets pressured
Tackling has been pretty suspect…
This is what happens when you target one receiver most of the time, this was my concern with targeting Toney so much.
That 3rd down toss to Fletcher was a horrible call.
Once Carr gets into a groove…
Felt like the 1st quarter was a feeling out with ND having a TON of possession.
And we can’t cover the TE.
I think we know the answer about fixing the lazy tackling
ND right now wants it more, you can see it. RB’s dragging guys with them…Oline keeping Carr clean…unless we get more pressure it’s just a matter of time…