So it seems I'm the only one willing to share any positive thought after what was a very disappointing loss to FSU. Rather than continue to argue the point, I thought I'd share my feelings in one post.
Firstly, I'll talk briefly about the game and then I'll talk about the program as a whole. It wasn't good. We know that. Was it a complete disaster? No. FSU were always going to be a hard team to beat given the circumstances. Week 1...on the road in a tough environment...while raining...against a team that's been looking forward to this match for over 18 months and a team that was looking to start fast after a below par season. This clearly wasn't the same 2-10 FSU. That doesn't excuse our performance, but I think it's worth noting.
Offensively, we were bad but I think the issue is rather simple. It's the offensive line. If we can get that fixed, we'll be fine. Ty looked good and in command. We'll get Jam back hopefully by conference play. I thought some of the backup RBs looked solid. I didn't like some of Grubbs calls but then again the offensive line plays into that.
Defensively, we were poor but they had their moments. They played hesitant. I don't think I have much to say that hasn't been said. It starts in the trenches. Injuries don't help either.
Now I want to talk about the broader reaction, which I happen to find ridiculously over the top.
Firstly, it's week 1. You can't jump to any meaningful conclusion after 1 game. I feel a history lesson would do this point justice.
As I'm sure we all know, Notre Dame lost to MAC team Northern Illinois last year in Week 2. The reaction to that game? Much the same as what we have here. I'll post some comments from fans regarding that loss.
"Riley Leonard is trash."
"Price and Love combining for 15 carries is coaching malpractice"
"Riley Leonard is so bad...This team is a perennial laughing stock...I’m so sick of losses like this."
" You have to fire him (Freeman)."
"Something about the way the program under him approaches game day is fundamentally broken. There’s no consistency in effort, discipline, game planning, competence, etc. Some games we show up looking like mental and physical beasts and some games we show up looking like we thought we were just going to a walkthrough."
And my personal favorite...
"Marcus Freeman is simply not a great or even a good coach. And no amount of grace years are going to turn him into one. If Notre Dame cares about being relevant in football, he needs to be fired by the end of the year (at the latest)."
Now as I'm sure you're all aware, Notre Dame made the national championship. Notice any similarities in the comments made then and the comments made right here, right now?
FSU are superior to Northern Illinois. It's been 1 game. This doesn't define a whole season.
DeBoer ran a very good offense at Indiana, he turned Fresno State around and he took the Huskies from 4-8 to 12-0 and Conf. Champs in 2 years. He did so while beating teams that had double the talent. They bullied Oregon in the Conference Championship game. This was a team with a bunch of three stars and just a handful of 4 stars. He's clearly got an eye for talent. His win-loss record speaks for itself. Also important to mention is that "He lets his supporting cast around him with position coaches and everything really do their jobs and he trusts them. He doesn't overstep his boundaries in that sense."
What about the lack of SEC experience? Saban had none. It's not a huge deal.
DeBoer has had to come into a program that has known nothing but Saban for SIXTEEN years. He come into a program where cracks were beginning to show. He has to make it is own and implement his systems. That is going to take TIME. Give him TIME.
He went 9-3 in the first year and that was with shaky QB play. His FIRST year. It wasn't pretty at times, I know, but let's not ignore the good.
It's week 1 guys, settle it down.
Firstly, I'll talk briefly about the game and then I'll talk about the program as a whole. It wasn't good. We know that. Was it a complete disaster? No. FSU were always going to be a hard team to beat given the circumstances. Week 1...on the road in a tough environment...while raining...against a team that's been looking forward to this match for over 18 months and a team that was looking to start fast after a below par season. This clearly wasn't the same 2-10 FSU. That doesn't excuse our performance, but I think it's worth noting.
Offensively, we were bad but I think the issue is rather simple. It's the offensive line. If we can get that fixed, we'll be fine. Ty looked good and in command. We'll get Jam back hopefully by conference play. I thought some of the backup RBs looked solid. I didn't like some of Grubbs calls but then again the offensive line plays into that.
Defensively, we were poor but they had their moments. They played hesitant. I don't think I have much to say that hasn't been said. It starts in the trenches. Injuries don't help either.
Now I want to talk about the broader reaction, which I happen to find ridiculously over the top.
Firstly, it's week 1. You can't jump to any meaningful conclusion after 1 game. I feel a history lesson would do this point justice.
As I'm sure we all know, Notre Dame lost to MAC team Northern Illinois last year in Week 2. The reaction to that game? Much the same as what we have here. I'll post some comments from fans regarding that loss.
"Riley Leonard is trash."
"Price and Love combining for 15 carries is coaching malpractice"
"Riley Leonard is so bad...This team is a perennial laughing stock...I’m so sick of losses like this."
" You have to fire him (Freeman)."
"Something about the way the program under him approaches game day is fundamentally broken. There’s no consistency in effort, discipline, game planning, competence, etc. Some games we show up looking like mental and physical beasts and some games we show up looking like we thought we were just going to a walkthrough."
And my personal favorite...
"Marcus Freeman is simply not a great or even a good coach. And no amount of grace years are going to turn him into one. If Notre Dame cares about being relevant in football, he needs to be fired by the end of the year (at the latest)."
Now as I'm sure you're all aware, Notre Dame made the national championship. Notice any similarities in the comments made then and the comments made right here, right now?
FSU are superior to Northern Illinois. It's been 1 game. This doesn't define a whole season.
DeBoer ran a very good offense at Indiana, he turned Fresno State around and he took the Huskies from 4-8 to 12-0 and Conf. Champs in 2 years. He did so while beating teams that had double the talent. They bullied Oregon in the Conference Championship game. This was a team with a bunch of three stars and just a handful of 4 stars. He's clearly got an eye for talent. His win-loss record speaks for itself. Also important to mention is that "He lets his supporting cast around him with position coaches and everything really do their jobs and he trusts them. He doesn't overstep his boundaries in that sense."
What about the lack of SEC experience? Saban had none. It's not a huge deal.
DeBoer has had to come into a program that has known nothing but Saban for SIXTEEN years. He come into a program where cracks were beginning to show. He has to make it is own and implement his systems. That is going to take TIME. Give him TIME.
He went 9-3 in the first year and that was with shaky QB play. His FIRST year. It wasn't pretty at times, I know, but let's not ignore the good.
It's week 1 guys, settle it down.
