In no particular odor...
*"This is a business trip"
That's the mantra from CPJ and watching how so many new faces perform on a big stage in their first road trip at this level will be key. This is where the leaders of the team must step forward. CPJ sometimes takes heat for saying this isn't any different than (fill in the blank)...just like he said playing at Notre Dame isn't any different than playing at other big time stages like Clemson, Georgia, etc. Recall some Georgia weenies over the summer got their panties in a twist because at the ACC Media Days event CPJ said Georgia is no different from Clemson, FSU, etc. What's CPJ supposed to say? It will take a miracle to win at Notre Dame? It will take a miracle to ever beat the Cesspool? It's a business trip. Hopefully, the young guys stick to their plans and play our game.
*Take care of the ball
If Tech can avoid giving Notre Dame added opportunities, we should win this game. We will score points. Giving ND unnecessary opportunities with good field position not only obviously puts our D in a bad position, but it strikes off the opportunity cost of a lost possession. That oblong ball bounces funny sometimes. Let's keep it in our hands and off the ground. JT5 is an exciting player and I admire his desire to make plays. No need to stymie him at this point in his career, but hopefully he's willing to take the loss/sack than give the ball away with a pitch or throw that is highly risky.
*Harrison Butker
In a game that is expected to go down to the wire, we need Harrison to step up more than ever this week. He's been kicking pretty well so far this year. His confidence seems to be in a good place since the big one at the Cesspool last year (we've forgotten about missing an XP thank Buddha). Continue to nail those kickoffs through the endzone and maintain the momentum of a scored TD while negating any opportunity for a game-changing KO return for the Irish.
*Gotsis, Hunt, Freeman, Gamble, Chungong, and friends
This is a great opportunity for these guys to shine. The new QB inserted into the starting role this week needs to be pressured. He may throw the ball more than their normal starter. A young guy, make him start getting happy feet in the backfield. When hitting him, let him know it. Nothing illegal of course, but be physical. Get those hands up and eliminate his vision. If these guys play well up front, we could see multiple INT's by our talented senior-laden backfield.
*Take control early and then keep the foot on the pedal
Back in 2007 (when our guys were mostly in elementary or middle school) a talented bunch of Jackets stepped into ND Stadium and just dominated from the opening kick. ND had a new QB and lots of question marks heading into that game as well. Get the early lead, take the crowd out of it (like the 2007 team did) and then disallow them from getting back in with any momentum. Easier said than done of course, but the Jackets are capable of doing this if we play to our potential.
*"This is a business trip"
That's the mantra from CPJ and watching how so many new faces perform on a big stage in their first road trip at this level will be key. This is where the leaders of the team must step forward. CPJ sometimes takes heat for saying this isn't any different than (fill in the blank)...just like he said playing at Notre Dame isn't any different than playing at other big time stages like Clemson, Georgia, etc. Recall some Georgia weenies over the summer got their panties in a twist because at the ACC Media Days event CPJ said Georgia is no different from Clemson, FSU, etc. What's CPJ supposed to say? It will take a miracle to win at Notre Dame? It will take a miracle to ever beat the Cesspool? It's a business trip. Hopefully, the young guys stick to their plans and play our game.
*Take care of the ball
If Tech can avoid giving Notre Dame added opportunities, we should win this game. We will score points. Giving ND unnecessary opportunities with good field position not only obviously puts our D in a bad position, but it strikes off the opportunity cost of a lost possession. That oblong ball bounces funny sometimes. Let's keep it in our hands and off the ground. JT5 is an exciting player and I admire his desire to make plays. No need to stymie him at this point in his career, but hopefully he's willing to take the loss/sack than give the ball away with a pitch or throw that is highly risky.
*Harrison Butker
In a game that is expected to go down to the wire, we need Harrison to step up more than ever this week. He's been kicking pretty well so far this year. His confidence seems to be in a good place since the big one at the Cesspool last year (we've forgotten about missing an XP thank Buddha). Continue to nail those kickoffs through the endzone and maintain the momentum of a scored TD while negating any opportunity for a game-changing KO return for the Irish.
*Gotsis, Hunt, Freeman, Gamble, Chungong, and friends
This is a great opportunity for these guys to shine. The new QB inserted into the starting role this week needs to be pressured. He may throw the ball more than their normal starter. A young guy, make him start getting happy feet in the backfield. When hitting him, let him know it. Nothing illegal of course, but be physical. Get those hands up and eliminate his vision. If these guys play well up front, we could see multiple INT's by our talented senior-laden backfield.
*Take control early and then keep the foot on the pedal
Back in 2007 (when our guys were mostly in elementary or middle school) a talented bunch of Jackets stepped into ND Stadium and just dominated from the opening kick. ND had a new QB and lots of question marks heading into that game as well. Get the early lead, take the crowd out of it (like the 2007 team did) and then disallow them from getting back in with any momentum. Easier said than done of course, but the Jackets are capable of doing this if we play to our potential.
