Comments on: Looking Back on What’s to Come: Them Explosive Tar Heels

By: Her Loyal Sons » Irish Lose Tar Heels’ Game

Her Loyal Sons » Irish Lose Tar Heels’ Game — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:00:46 +0000

[...] also nearly worked, just not so nearly: The Irish defensive tactics were also obvious, and given UNC’s big-play ability they were quite smart. The Irish played to force UNC to have to “earn” points by [...]

By: trey

trey — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:37:43 +0000

This is why I stated earlier that I cant find it in my to think we’re going to lose this game. Yes, NC is explosive, and yes they are a good team. However, if you look at what has given our team the most trouble, it’s not explosive passing. We snuffed the hell out of Purdue trying to pull that s*** and we’ve been very good against big plays through the air this season. What hurts us the most is a pro-style rushing attack. For some reason, we cant seem to stop a good running game. Michigan(sucks!), MSU, Stanford…those are the games we had the most trouble and it was because they pounded on our defensive linemen and exposed our poor tackling LBs. I predict good things this weekend. I say we control the clock 65-35 and hold them under 20 pts.

By: southbendblarney.com » Blog Archive » Looking For A Superior Quinn

southbendblarney.com » Blog Archive » Looking For A Superior Quinn — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:04:11 +0000

[...] Quinn’s. Aginst Carolina, he needs to take another step toward being better than Brady. Her Loyal Sons has documented how dangerous the North Carolina playmakers are and it looks downright scary. [...]

By: southbendblarney.com

southbendblarney.com — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:36:57 +0000

Good analysis. I’ve seen a little of the Heels, and new they (especially Tate and Nicks) were explosive, but I didn’t realize how explosive.

I’m not sure how ND should attack them defensively, but I’m thinking it should be aggressive. Hit their quarterback. If ND plays soft and gives their qb time to throw, the defensive backs will be eaten alive. (Their receivers are experienced enough to find holes in the zone.) It may not be 50 yards a pop, but 20+ is still taking care of business.

As far as offense, it might be dream to think ND can win by running the ball at this point. I don’t know if Clausen is patient enough yet to short pass it all the way down the field. (Although the emergence of Rudolph in the middle makes it easier.) If the Heels get interceptions by blitzing or playing man (not sure what they do), ND should still try with the big play. If the Heels get pressure with just the front four, then I guess the quick passing game will have to do. Time for Jimmy to show how much he’s grown.

By: domer.mq

domer.mq — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:37:38 +0000

Thanks, Biscuit. I think the real key here is for ND to realize that if they get up by 21, they can’t get conservative in any way, because “shortening the game” doesn’t do much here. I think they have better quick-strike ability than even SoCal in 2005. Of course, their starting QB is out, and we’ve yet to really get a good sense of how good the backup is, but thus far he’s looked more than serviceable.
If ND could reliably run 14 play drives behind Allen, Hughes, and Aldridge, then maybe play the ball-control game, but it seems ND’s best bet is to play the quick-time “ball control” game with 3 wide and a fair amount of passing.
It’s just a tough position to be in, but I’d rather try strength versus strength than that weakness vs. perceived weakness stuff ND tried in the first few series against MSU.

By: domer.mq

domer.mq — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:31:26 +0000

Thanks, Craig. I’d forgotten that one. Edited the post to reflect as much.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:23:29 +0000

ND’s fourth TD vs. Michigan involved a 60 yd completion to Golden Tate.

By: The Biscuit

The Biscuit — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:20:37 +0000

Great analysis MQ. Even I am impressed with this one. So we do the following: 1) Hold onto the ball for long, sustained drives – if they don’t have it, they can’t make big plays. Plus, we’ll lose in a shootout. This will require us to be able to run the ball ~40% of the time or more 2) Protect the ball during those drives – no turnovers 3) Limit the big plays. Make the guys beat you by grinding it out – my guess is that they start to make mistakes when forced to play this way 4) Win the field position battle

If we do all those things, we win, unless the kicking game is the deciding factor…

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:02:10 +0000

I think this goes back to the Michigan game where everyone said ND was “lucky” that UM handed them so many turnovers. Once again, turnovers are not luck and North Carolina proves that. They are a good team because they do the two most important things in football, win the special teams and win the turnovers. One of their linebackers has blocked FOUR STRAIGHT punts. That’s not a typo, the same guy has literally blocked the last four punts he’s seen. This proves the point that turnovers are not happenstance and blind luck. There is absolutely NO secret to how this game will be won. Sunday just tell me who won the turnovers and special teams and I’ll tell you who won.