Curious, now that we are just a few weeks out, as to what everyone feels about this game?
What’s the key matchup(s)?
ND Strengths/Weaknesses?
Miami Strengths/Weaknesses?
I’m glad Miami is catching them early. They are a well coached, disciplined team. I think their Oline is a strength, even though they lost the tackle to injury. The RBs are as good as anyone in the country. The question for them right now is at QB. Supposedly, it’s still an open competition, although Carr is said to have really good upside. Chatter out of South Bend is that he hasn’t been that great this summer.
Their defense worries me.
It comes down to how well Beck plays and if our defense is significantly improved.
Teams always seem to “figure us out” halfway through the season. You know what I’m talking about, when our supposedly stout defense has obvious holes that someone exposes, then other teams repeat that and we can’t stop it? Or teams figure out how to rattle our QB. Or whatever.
So in that sense an early game can be good for us. Anyone can win.
The thing is we have so many question marks that I have no idea what kind of team will take the field opening week. Seriously, who’s a bigger question mark, us or them?
1 Like
This will be a physical game. They have the heavies along both lines. Notre Dame has one of the bright lights in the young stellar coaching category. Their running game is worrisome. I worried earlier in the season about our LB room, and I hope the recent transfers shore us up. Hope the Wiley kid grows up fast and Toure pops some leather as he’s done in the past. Heatherman built his reputation as a LB coach. I really like our two safeties Thomas and Poyser. They pack a wallop. The game comes down to whether Beck returns to his earlier form and adjusts well to the Shannon Dawson offense. Hopefully, we start out methodically on offense, trying to establish rhythm before becoming long pass happy. It would be great to see our running game establish itself prominently in this game.
This game could be the start of something BIG. Let Beck become another Cane legend.
It will be hard to top the 2017 game. That was Richt’s finest hour. Miami was #2 after that game and then they badly under performed and lost in Pittsburg because Rosier couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn that day, Unlike Rosier, an unknown Pitt freshman QB named Kenny Pickett had a very good game and Miami was doomed.
It’s always hard to handicap teams that haven’t played a single game yet.
I believe the consensus spread is ND is favored by 2.5 points?
Both teams should be psyched up, it is a nationally televised night game.
Hard Rock should be sold out and loud.
The ND QB is an unknown. Obviously, they have a strong team as they have recruited very well.
But, bad QB play can kill a team pretty quickly.
Miami is a strong team as well. Beck has a lot of big game experience so that should help the Hurricanes. Hopefully, he will earn his $4M salary.
I see the game as a toss up. Turnovers, blown assignments and penalties may well decide it as is the case in most close games.
Miami’s kicking game could be a big factor. No more “Borregali” to count on.
The weather might also be a factor. Miami is used to very hot and humid, ND not so much. And if it rains, not unlikely, that should help Miami, too.
I would love to see Miami win in a blow out but I doubt that will happen. It will probably be a close game and the fans will suffer until the end.
Beating ND would be a big deal for Miami and would help give them a shot at the playoffs.
As usual, I will not be watching the game live but I will check the score occasionally because I’m a glutton for punishment.
I’m not sure how big of an advantage this is early in the season. It’s been a very hot and humid summer here with heat indexes similar to South Florida if not higher on a number of days.
Later in the season is when the temperature differences matter more.
All good points, and I think Bikki hit the nail on the head…methodical gameplan and let the Oline do it’s work (we are one of the best) and let our stable of backs rack up some yards. Play to our strength right now until we can get Beck and WR group working well. If we can manage the run game and if Beck can be accurate enough to manage the game then I think we have a great shot.
Really close call though.
I have devoted time to reading what Notre Dame pundits think about the upcoming opening game. They believe Notre Dame man for man, excluding the QB position, is stronger than any team in the nation other than Penn State.
They see their greatest strength on defense in their LBs and defensive backfield.
On offense, they view their talented RBs as their strength, along with a very strong, experienced offensive line. Undoubtedly, they predict the Irish will achieve some break out runs during the game. The big question mark is the QB position, two players aspiring to be the starter. One QB is a pocket QB with a live arm. The other is a mobile QB with an adequate arm. For my own part, I hope the pocket passer prevails, since over the years we’ve been snake bit by fleet-footed QBs.
The ND pundits see Miami as perhaps the strongest team they’ll face this year. They feel moreover that if ND moves past Miami, they have a valid chance of going unbeaten and do not dismiss the possibility of a national championship run.
Seems like our last really good win over the past decade was our upset victory over the Irish. Wouldn’t it be great to start the season with a stirring victory.
1 Like
Ah…but it matters NOT any more! The playoff has screwed the season. Doesn’t matter if Notre Dame (or anyone) has a great record. You have to be great late.
Last year, maybe THAT was their championship run? Look at how that bracket set up…
Top
Oregon
Texas
Ohio State
Tennessee
Arizona State
Clemson
Bottom
Georgia
Penn State
Notre Dame
Boise State
Southern Methodist
Indiana
Give it a good look and remember that Georgia was down their QB and had OL issues most of the year. Top is loaded, am I right? That’s where the strength was and with UGA struggling on O, it set up either Penn State or ND for the title game appearance. I think they’re improved but who says last year wasn’t Notre Dame’s best chance to win it? Is this committee going to give them a good bracket each year? They could go 12-0 and we still don’t know truly how good they are as they would have beaten us, TAMU, 5 other ACC teams and USC. That a good barometer?
We’ll see if they’re that good or not eventually.
I think the ND Oline has an edge over our Dline, especially our interior Dline. Edge guys we have in abundance! ND may be content to ground and pound, as should we early on. Our TE vs their LB should be a good match. Their DB vs our WR, they have the edge. Make no mistake, ND is a tough team and well coached!
1 Like
It’s CJ Carr at QB. Always thought it would be. Didn’t even really know the name of the “other guy” at QB for them. Official now, though.
1 Like
AI chimes in …
@Grok “Based on betting odds from ESPN, OddsShark, and others, Notre Dame is favored by 2.5 points with a 55% win probability. Predictions differ—OddsShark has Miami 38-29, others see ND edging it. I’ll predict Notre Dame wins 27-24 in a tight opener.”
To me, this is a toss up game with too many unknowns to bet on it.
I’m hoping for a Miami win but expecting ND to win for reasons.
In a close game, the refs repeatedly screwing Miami and while shamelessly carrying ND, as is the long standing tradition dating back to Cleveland Gary’s “fumble” 35 years ago, might well make the difference.
Hopefully, if Miami loses it will at least be close.
It has been decades since ND has won in Miami. One thing Miami defeats South Bend, and that is on humidity. Hopefully, the game will be played in sauna-like conditions.
ND rushing game is formidable, and Jeremiyah Love will chalk up some rushing yards. Arguably the best RB in the country, the Canes need to hold him under 100 yards. ND’s second and third RBs are also very good. ND has a solid offensive line, but I give the nod to the Miami defensive line. The tandem of Bain and Mesidor coupled with Moten and Blay inside bostered by the two excellent safeties form the basis of my prediction. Pay attention to Tennessee transfer safety Jakobe Thomas who delivers a blow like a freight train. We’re going to like Thomas and his co-safety Poyser. Glad Carr not Minchey is at QB. Nothing more depressing than watching mobile QBs hearbreakingly beating us on wide plays, especially on 3rd and long
Our defense may be the surprise of the year. Look for Hayden Lowe, the man child, to make his presence known as a freshman. Lowe is 250 lb. guided missile. Lightfoot is another up and comer who should be a stand-out this year. Our LBs look a little better to me. Toure, transfer from Rutgers is a proven commodity. I think Popo Aguirre will improve his game demonstrably and take a step up as an inside LB. Freshman Wiley is another big LB who has gotten some raves in practice and may move up depth chart rapidly.
Thankfully, Mario did a sterling job of creating a new defensive backfield, which was our Achilles heel of last year. Hopefully, will see what we didn’t see last year–prolific numbers of interceptions.
Our most underrated nationally player room is that of WR. We are loaded this year. I don’t think there is any way in hell that Malachi won’t take the reins of starter in the slot position. Skeeter predicts that we haven’t seen the best of JoJo Trader, and I tend to agree. Trader has fantastic hands and will win those 50/50 match ups. Behind Trader, we have Keelan Marion, another transfer, who has the moves to be a spectacular YAC receiver… C.J. Daniels was a star at LSU, and there is no reason why he won’t shine as a Hurricane. However, this Joshua Moore kid may be our best deep receiver on the team and will be pressing CJ for playing time. That leaves Tony Johnson, Ny Carr, and Daylyn Upshaw, three more very talented receivers all of whom should see playing time. All in all, I think Miami has a top five in the nation WR room.
Elijah Lofton, our TE starter should really be troublesome for Notre Dane. Look for Beck dumping the ball off to Lofton frequently,with Lofton being shifted around, even playing RB. Lofton is in every way a real football player. Behind Lofton, we got this Bauman kid transferring from Tulane. Bauman is a very polished, and experienced TE and very capable understudy to Lofton, No worries when it comes to TEs.
Also underrated are our RBs. The competition in RB room is rife. All run with authority. I think adding Marty Brown is going to help us the same way he helped ND State. He’s definitely a tough competitor. It will be interesting to see how a bigger, faster Jordan Lyle will be this year. I hope to see more motion in the backfield this year, and I much prefer a two RB backfield when in the redzone. What I don’t want to feel is high anxiety on 3rd and 4th and short.
Whether we win or not depends most on Carson Beck. Under Dawson, Beck will have greater discretion in playing the game as he sees it. If Beck plays as he has in the past, he’ll be productive. I don’t anticipate so many drops as he had at Georgia last year. Let’s hope he exhibits the same calmness that Ward displayed last year when under pressure. I’d like to see him start the game with high percentage short passes, establishing his rhythm early.
I predict the Canes will win against Irish.
I disagree that our Dline has the edge over the Oline. Back in 17 (I think) when we had Rosier at QB we had a HUGE advantage being in the backfield all game long. I don’t see that happening or at least I don’t have that confidence just yet. Alot depends upon if Bain is “back”. We have alot of DE depth and talent but it’s the inside that concerns me.
It’s what Mario preaches, whoever wins the trenches in this game will win the game. Our Oline is just as if not more dominant than theirs. I don’t know much about their Dline.
Both teams would be smart to ground and pound to get the QB’s in rhythm. And let’s not count out their mobile QB…if the pocket guys struggles then just throw the RB (I mean QB) behind center and we are screwed.
UNLESS…this is the start of a NEW era of Miami D?
I think we are all right to be skeptical but we DO have a heck of a team. I think our weakest spots are LB and WR in that order.
1 Like
Hurricane Kosar, we’re loaded at the safety position with two stellar players–Thomas and Poyser whose names you going to hear called repeatedly this Saturday. Our CBs are both big and physical. No arguing about Mario’s recruiting talent; he’s definitely a CEO type coach. While we’re strongest at the edges, I think Scott and Moten are rock solid at defensive tackles, and they are backed up by excellent players–Simpson, who is now turning heads, Blay, a proven commodity, and A. Jones, who has exceptional strength and movement for a 300 lb man. I just don’t see ND just shredding our D line, and getting Toure at MLB, coupled with Bissanthe gives us an upgrade at LB, especially against the rush.
Man for man, this is the best Hurricane team in two decades. If Beck thrives under Shannon Dawson’s guidance, we’re really going to enjoy this year.
I think we have some pieces, but they haven’t played together before. Until I see it, I’ll be skeptical.
In general, I don’t like as much portal transfer stuff. The top teams only sprinkle in some key pieces here and there. Going heavy portal isn’t a way to win long term IMO.
We need to build the program with recruits and go from there.
1 Like
Wow, this is a bold statement. At the very least, bikki, you’ve given me a bit of hope.
That’s certainly optimistic.
I am told that this kid Jakobe Thomas hits like a freight train. Some say the hardest hitter on the team. I still remember in high school getting hit by Tucker Frederikson. It was an impression that has endured in my mind for over 60 years. I’d never have admitted it as a kid, but I was afraid of Frederickson, who on his first day of practice at Auburn, to Shug Jordan’s amazement, knocked out three players, breaking a few bones.
Pundits know what Notre Dame has, but they have no idea what Mario has assembled on defense. Our defense, especially the secondary, is nothing like last year. Notre Dame is in for a surprise.
Mario is a Master of portal recruiting.
1 Like
Marcus Freeman will have his team VERY disciplined and coached well…which is where WE have fallen in years past. For us, discipline is key. Can’t afford bad angles, bad or lack of tackling, etc…Let’s see if we have improved HERE, first.
We have some good talent on the DL and DE positions, weaker at LB and depth here isn’t good.
Correct, DB and S spots are vastly improved on paper. I just don’t see ND throwing a ton in this game. I really think they try to win the line of scrimmage and see if they can wear us down. Both of their backs are studs!