Lets not forget the LSU D faultered towards the end of the season. Bama was throwing very well on LSU. They were shredding the LSU D. Then Ole Miss did well against our D. Arkansas ran up and down on LSU. The D appeared flat footed. THat was very poor tackling. Overall Id take our D over any other. Still, at the end of the season we werent playing quite our best. If Bama can throw well against LSU, ND can as well. I dont see them having that success. I think the biggest weakness is at times the pass rush stalls. If we have a pass rush that makes the secondary that much better. Im very comfortable with our coverage skills. IMO Jackson is our better corner. Id like to see LSU blitz a little more, especially in this game to get into Quinns head.
Anytime you have an aggressive defense like we have, what usually gets us in trouble is when the offense sneaks a running back or tight end right behind the the pressure. Samardja is a big-bodied receiver and if we blitz too much and/or Quinn recognizes this, watch for the slant paterns. I don't know that we have a particular weakness that would get us beat deep very often, but my concern is ND's ability to check-down and keep moving the chains on 5-8 yard slant patterns. ...well...that and the fact that over the past 3-4 seasons, we haven't exactly been sure-thing-tacklers. We fly around the ball like flies on roadkill, but it seems like the first defender to make contact isn't the one that eventually gets him down on the ground. And that with slant patterns and screens worries me. Look at what Nebraska did vs Auburn (who has a defense that flies around to the ball)...Nebraska ran right at them.
The weakness of the LSU defense is definitely short and intermediate pass routes. Chevis and JZ have been huge all season but the only times teams have had success is when they have been able to complete curls, slants and out routes against man coverage. Expect a lot of 3 step drops from BQ and a lot of throws to the TE over the middle, similar to the gameplan Arizona State used in the 05 opener. I think the time off has allowed our LBs time to get healthy (nobody likes to see Spadoni out there, not even the coaches) and our D-Line to rest up for what should be a feast in the Irish backfield. Darius Walker has been shut down by good defenses in the past, but he is effective catching balls out of the backfield. Weis will pull out all the tricks, but as long as Bo and Les get the same production from this unit that we saw all year there should be no problems. Even if ND has success offensively early on, it won't be enough to win seeing as their D can't stay off the field.
Hey QBLuke! I think the only time we're gonna see Spadoni is when he's on the sideline cheering or maybe late in the game. And that's a good thing! Beckwith is almost 100%, and that spells DOOM for the Golden Boys. Beckwith alone costs ND 7 points in this game. I think Beckwith is the best upcoming linebacker in College FB. And I think he's gonna bring Pain to ND ballcarriers. I can't wait until Quinn tries to run. And like red55 said, he's gonna have to run for it. Quinn's a bit more mobile than that Heisman winner from Oklahoma a few years back, but it's gonna be the same kind of fun in the same house watching LSU run them down. And Highsmith & "Lumberjack" Landry. Man, I can't wait for this game. This crew couldn't beat USC in the 4 years they played them. And guys, they used tried all that nickel and dime stuff all day long on USC. USC just outscored them, pure and simple. Speed Kills. A fast track in the Superdome favors the speed team. I'm sure LSU coaches know what to expect from ND personnel. I think ND will try to run right at LSU. It's not gonna work and everyone knows that. So it's back to a passing game & 50 prayers for Touchdown Jesus! I'd sell my soul to the Devil for a Shutout! :grin: P.S. - They have 1 40+ yard FG on the year! Think it can't happen?
