1 00:00:02,040 --> 00:00:04,720 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Solid Verbal. 2 00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 2: Coll that for me, I'm a man, I'm forty. I've 3 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:10,680 Speaker 2: heard so many players say, well, I want to be happy. 4 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:13,640 Speaker 2: You want to be happy for day Edith state is that? 5 00:00:13,720 --> 00:00:14,920 Speaker 2: Whoom whoom? 6 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: And Dan and Tye welcome back to the Solid Verbal. 7 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:23,599 Speaker 1: Boys and girls. My name is ty Hildon Brandt. Thank 8 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:27,640 Speaker 1: you for downloading the show. Don't forget as you are 9 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 1: out and about this weekend watching some football and week nine, 10 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:36,199 Speaker 1: tell your friends about the show. See if you can 11 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: bring a newcomer under the verbal or tent. Dan and 12 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 1: I would obviously appreciate that very very much. As Dan 13 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: told you last Friday, we are kicking it into high 14 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:51,880 Speaker 1: gear over the next couple weeks here at Soliverbal Headquarters. 15 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:55,639 Speaker 1: In addition to the regular shows we do on Sundays 16 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 1: and Wednesdays, now we're going to add another weekly episode 17 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 1: on Fridays that we're calling only Homer's Aloud. Put you 18 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 1: let in Homer, clumblet look. 19 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 2: It has no home Meerrs, We're aloud, tam one. I 20 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:14,479 Speaker 2: felt so left out. 21 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:18,399 Speaker 1: The reason we're doing this is because whenever the season hits, 22 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 1: we spend most of our time talking about actual games 23 00:01:22,840 --> 00:01:26,319 Speaker 1: and polls and bowls and playoff chances, things like that, 24 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 1: and we can't talk as much about individual teams as 25 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,959 Speaker 1: we would like, so we just decided we were going 26 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 1: to change that. Last week Dan talked Oregon with Jeff Schwartz. 27 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 1: Today I am pleased to talk Notre Dame with Mike 28 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 1: Goullig Junior. Next week it'll be a different team and 29 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 1: a different guest. So if you've got suggestions, please feel 30 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:50,840 Speaker 1: free to hit us up on social media or drop 31 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: us a line at soliverbll at gmail dot com, or 32 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 1: just go out to our website soliverbo dot com and 33 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 1: fill out the contact for him. Please give us your 34 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 1: suggestions today though, as I said, the guest of honor 35 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 1: is Mike Gollick Junior of ESPN, formerly of Notre Dame. 36 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:08,079 Speaker 1: He was actually on our show a few months back 37 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:10,359 Speaker 1: with Dan. Today it's just going to be the two 38 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:14,360 Speaker 1: of us talking all things Irish. So thank you again 39 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 1: for downloading, and without further ado, here we go. All right, 40 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: I am joined now by former Notre Dame player, current 41 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:26,880 Speaker 1: ESPN personality, Please to welcome him back to the show, 42 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 1: mister Mike Gullick Junior, Sir, how are you. 43 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:32,120 Speaker 2: I'm doing great. Glad to be back, and glad we 44 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 2: finally cut out the middleman to just get to the 45 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:36,960 Speaker 2: talk that's really important that people actually care about. 46 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 1: Here, we're cutting right to the bone now. So the 47 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:43,320 Speaker 1: last time you were on I need to ask this, 48 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:47,000 Speaker 1: Dan made me ask this. He gave you a recommendation 49 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:50,240 Speaker 1: for something called a Pensacola, which I believe was like 50 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:54,679 Speaker 1: a cold brew or some cold coffee concoction mixed with 51 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:57,799 Speaker 1: coconut lacroix. Have you tried this at all? 52 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 2: I did. I gave the Penca cole a shot, and 53 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 2: it is a welcome addition to my caffeine arsenal because 54 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:07,520 Speaker 2: it's someone who gets up, someone who gets up pretty 55 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:10,680 Speaker 2: early through most of the week. And once Dan also 56 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:12,960 Speaker 2: introduced to me the idea of the coffee n app 57 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,639 Speaker 2: on Saturday R So I combined those, you know, combined 58 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 2: those two ideas together to go the Pensacola and the 59 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 2: coffee app into one on a college football Saturday, and 60 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:27,640 Speaker 2: it has definitely changed my viewing experience for the weekend 61 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 2: for the better. 62 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:30,360 Speaker 1: The Pensacola Slumber. 63 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:33,840 Speaker 2: Oh man, that's that sounds like a movie. 64 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 1: Well, we're here to talk about Notre Dame. And I 65 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:38,600 Speaker 1: want to start here because I had a close friend 66 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:41,600 Speaker 1: who kind of caught me off guard, a self proclaimed 67 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:44,760 Speaker 1: Notre Dame hater, and he said, you know, I kind 68 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 1: of feel like I could root for this Notre Dame team, 69 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 1: And obviously it caught me by surprise because I know 70 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 1: the guy and he hates Snure Dame normally. I feel 71 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 1: like I've heard a lot more of that this year. 72 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 1: And you know, there hasn't been a shortage of storylines 73 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:00,840 Speaker 1: on the Notre Dame side of things, which we can 74 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 1: get into, but it has all been weirdly low key 75 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 1: for a team that is always somewhat in the spotlight. 76 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:10,680 Speaker 1: Am I crazy? Or are you detecting that sort of 77 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 1: quality to the season as well? 78 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:17,000 Speaker 2: I am. You know, I noticed it really from the beginning, 79 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:19,440 Speaker 2: and now I think it's those of us that are 80 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 2: closest to the situation always come in with a bit 81 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 2: more trepidation. Maybe it's just me too, because I was 82 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:28,719 Speaker 2: part of so many seasons where I was on the 83 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 2: teams doing the disappointing for our fan base and for 84 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 2: us with some of the losses that we put down 85 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 2: during my time at Notre Dame. So I always go 86 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 2: with a little more trepidation into the season, but I 87 00:04:39,560 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 2: was being talked into how good this team could be 88 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 2: by a lot of my coworkers early on in the season. 89 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:47,560 Speaker 2: You know, Trevor Maddick is one of our analysts who's 90 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 2: been beat the drum for Notre Dame since before the 91 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:53,279 Speaker 2: year started, And it really took for me getting out 92 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:56,839 Speaker 2: to a practice before the Michigan game that week and 93 00:04:57,040 --> 00:04:59,839 Speaker 2: just seeing this team in person for the first time 94 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 2: in twenty eighteen and seeing some of the stuff we have. 95 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 2: There's a lot to like because you've got certainly a 96 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 2: lot of guys that have been around there for a while. 97 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 2: You had the change in quarterback and Ian Book bursting 98 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 2: onto the scene. But I just think you've got a 99 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:16,279 Speaker 2: lot of really talented guys and a lot of guys 100 00:05:16,279 --> 00:05:19,359 Speaker 2: that have I think, performed really well on a couple 101 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 2: of the big stages that Notre Dames had so far 102 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 2: this season. So it's like anything else, when you perform 103 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:27,040 Speaker 2: well in primetime, people tend to notice and pay attention 104 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:28,840 Speaker 2: a little more, and I think that goes a long way. 105 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,920 Speaker 1: Well, let's talk about that quarterback switch. Notre Dame. Of course, 106 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 1: switches quarterbacks from Brandon Wimbush to ian Book after a 107 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:38,960 Speaker 1: three and zho start. Book comes on. The offense has 108 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:42,720 Speaker 1: clearly been better, and I'm not so much surprised that 109 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 1: Brian Kelly would want to see if ian Book could 110 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:48,720 Speaker 1: give them more. I guess I'm just a little surprised 111 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:52,520 Speaker 1: that I actually made the move and did so definitively 112 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:56,320 Speaker 1: and very cleanly. Has it looked back at all? You'll 113 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 1: remember the last time, I know you remember the last 114 00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:01,480 Speaker 1: time there was a quarterback controversy at Notre Dame. It 115 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:03,720 Speaker 1: was a whole lot messier than what we've seen go 116 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:06,800 Speaker 1: on this year. So I guess my question to you is, 117 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 1: are are you surprised by the move or are you 118 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 1: more surprised by the manner in which Brian Kelly ended 119 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:14,920 Speaker 1: up making that move? 120 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 2: Probably the manner, just because it was a team that 121 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 2: I believe at the time was three to zero. Brandon's 122 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:23,080 Speaker 2: record as a starter is pretty stellar at this point 123 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 2: and in the past anytime there's been quarterback change, I mean, hell, 124 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 2: when bk first got there in my junior year in 125 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 2: twenty ten, we had quarterback changes. For the last couple 126 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 2: of years, it was usually always prompted either in part 127 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:39,919 Speaker 2: of the offseason or when something went really wrong during 128 00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 2: the year, And I think in this instance we saw 129 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 2: it was when things were going right. Brian saw a 130 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 2: chance to improve the offense in this way based on 131 00:06:47,839 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 2: what they had seen in practice, what they had seen 132 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 2: in preseason, and at that point what Brandon just wasn't 133 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:56,080 Speaker 2: taking the next step with in the offense. It's a shame. 134 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:58,120 Speaker 2: Brandon's a great kid. I've gotten a chance to know 135 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 2: him over the last couple of years school and he's 136 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 2: given so much to the program. But there wasn't the 137 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 2: progression being made. And I think they obviously saw what 138 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 2: the rest of us saw, which is there was a 139 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:12,360 Speaker 2: lot of really talented skill on this team. It wasn't 140 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 2: like last year when we were going to ground and 141 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 2: pound everybody to death. We had big, tall, rangy receivers 142 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 2: that were going to make things happen, and Ian was 143 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 2: going to be a better choice to get them the ball. 144 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 1: Is it really as simple as Brandon Wimbusch wasn't giving 145 00:07:24,920 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 1: them enough in the passing game? Is that why they 146 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: made the switch? Because as a casual observer, not someone 147 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:32,800 Speaker 1: who's played the game to the same degree, you have. 148 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 1: It seemed like it was pretty cut and dry, like, yeah, 149 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:38,200 Speaker 1: he doesn't give them enough in the passing game. 150 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:41,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I think there was just that hope that 151 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 2: because Brandon on the other end, is such a gifted runner. 152 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:47,160 Speaker 2: I mean, for as mobile as Ian inn is in 153 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 2: the way he can get them out of trouble, there's 154 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:52,120 Speaker 2: just no comparing the to Brandon is special as a 155 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 2: guy moving around with his feet, and Brian's always valued 156 00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:57,080 Speaker 2: that in this offense. We've seen that with the guys 157 00:07:57,280 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 2: that he's had a quarterback in the path. I think 158 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 2: that was part of the reason we had that quarterback 159 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:05,120 Speaker 2: controversy with Malik Zaire and Deshaun Kaiser not too long ago, 160 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:09,000 Speaker 2: just because Malik was probably the best pure running quarterback 161 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:11,720 Speaker 2: Brian tad as far as just the way he could 162 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 2: do it on the inside. He could be more of 163 00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:16,000 Speaker 2: a power runner. Brandon was a guy that can make 164 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 2: guys missing the open field, had sort of breakaway speed 165 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 2: to him, and I think there was that hope that 166 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:24,400 Speaker 2: he could marry improvement with the passing game, especially given 167 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 2: the fact that these receivers are so big they were 168 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 2: going to give you margin for air, the catch radius 169 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:31,480 Speaker 2: on all these guys, whether it's alas A, whether it's 170 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:35,000 Speaker 2: boy Kin, whether it's Chase Claypool was going to give 171 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:37,160 Speaker 2: you room for error, and we saw him take advantage 172 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:39,360 Speaker 2: of that against Michigan. Then from there on out it 173 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:40,320 Speaker 2: was a bit warm struggle. 174 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 1: So the offense now has been humming along and a 175 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 1: pretty good clip. I wonder, from your perspective, what are 176 00:08:47,520 --> 00:08:49,680 Speaker 1: the holes in I in books game? You know, again 177 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 1: casual observer here, I see him overshooting receivers on deeper 178 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:58,120 Speaker 1: balls down the middle. You know, we've seen it a 179 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:00,720 Speaker 1: couple of games running now where he's got guys streaking 180 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:03,080 Speaker 1: down the field and he can't connect with them. What 181 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:05,959 Speaker 1: do you see when you're watching this team? What does 182 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:08,680 Speaker 1: he need to be better at? And I guess overall, 183 00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 1: what's your comfort level with him in this offense? 184 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:14,439 Speaker 2: My comfort level with Ian there. You've seen him and 185 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:16,920 Speaker 2: it's been especially in big games. We saw it most 186 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 2: notably in the first half against Virginia Tech where you're 187 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:23,080 Speaker 2: on the road in a wild environment, one of the 188 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:25,440 Speaker 2: most well known in college football, and you get a 189 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:27,960 Speaker 2: guy who is sailing passes because he looks like he 190 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 2: is juiced and taking that in and That's the other 191 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 2: side of this is while we've seen Ian and we 192 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 2: saw him spell in different stretches. Last year he got 193 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 2: in in a hostile road environment in Miami when things 194 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 2: went horribly wrong. But this was the first real time 195 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 2: I could think where he's walking into a huge college 196 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 2: football stage as the guy, and there's just a different 197 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:49,480 Speaker 2: level that comes with that. Everyone's got to adjust at 198 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:52,080 Speaker 2: their own clips. So I think that's part of it, 199 00:09:52,360 --> 00:09:56,400 Speaker 2: that decision making and just being willing to give those 200 00:09:56,440 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 2: guys a chance, you know, instead of overthrowing in some 201 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 2: of those situations when you've got Chas and Miles, especially downfield, 202 00:10:02,679 --> 00:10:04,400 Speaker 2: feel free to underthrow and give him a chance to 203 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:05,840 Speaker 2: go up and get it. Those are guys that have 204 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:08,760 Speaker 2: shown you and have put it on tape enough times 205 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:11,080 Speaker 2: that you could have confidence that a fifty to fifty 206 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 2: ball ends up becoming more of a seventy five to 207 00:10:13,559 --> 00:10:15,800 Speaker 2: twenty five ball when you're throwing it up to those guys. 208 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:18,800 Speaker 2: Other than that, with Ian, I have very little concerns. 209 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 2: I have greater concerns about his protection up front at 210 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 2: this point. 211 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:24,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, I want to talk about that, but before 212 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:27,280 Speaker 1: we do, I do want to talk about book as 213 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:30,920 Speaker 1: just a leader, because this was something that gosh, I 214 00:10:30,920 --> 00:10:34,280 Speaker 1: can't tell you how many times people tweeted this very 215 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:36,680 Speaker 1: point into us last year when we saw a little 216 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:40,160 Speaker 1: bit of book in select spots. But he does seem 217 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 1: to sort of have an IT quality, just as it 218 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:46,080 Speaker 1: relates to being a leader, Like how would you define 219 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 1: that IT quality, I guess is my question, and doesn't have. 220 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:52,600 Speaker 2: It from the outside looking in, it certainly seems like that. 221 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 2: I don't know Ian personally, so I can't speak to 222 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 2: you know that personality trait, but it's one of those 223 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:01,760 Speaker 2: you can easily identify pointing back to And obviously his 224 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 2: career wasn't what any of us wanted it to be 225 00:11:03,840 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 2: or what he wanted it to be, largely because of injury. 226 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 2: But Dane Chris, who was my year at Notre Dame, 227 00:11:08,679 --> 00:11:10,040 Speaker 2: he came in with me in the class of two 228 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:13,080 Speaker 2: thousand and eight, was a five star recruit and from 229 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:16,480 Speaker 2: the first recruiting trip to the time I had known Dane. Now, 230 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:19,959 Speaker 2: Dane has always been a guy that has rallied people 231 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 2: together very naturally. He's a guy that people just generally 232 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 2: want to go out there, do well for, believe in 233 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:31,280 Speaker 2: and it just naturally falls into that leadership role. It's 234 00:11:31,280 --> 00:11:33,640 Speaker 2: so cliche, but it's true. You never need to see 235 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:35,600 Speaker 2: on a person's chest to know who the captains are 236 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:37,679 Speaker 2: and who the leaders are in a team. And when 237 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:40,520 Speaker 2: you have a guy that naturally galvanizes like that, it 238 00:11:40,640 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 2: just puts everybody on the same page. Now there's different 239 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 2: versions of that. It's factor too. Everett Golson, who is 240 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:48,800 Speaker 2: the quarterback in twenty twelve with US, had it factor 241 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:51,199 Speaker 2: in his own right because Everett, as a red shirt 242 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 2: freshman had the most calm sideline demeanor of any kid 243 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:57,120 Speaker 2: I had ever seen. In that situation, nothing was ever 244 00:11:57,200 --> 00:11:59,439 Speaker 2: too big, and that in its own right gives you 245 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:02,200 Speaker 2: a fair amount of energy. We were a veteran laden team. 246 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 2: We had plenty of guys, but seeing that out of 247 00:12:04,600 --> 00:12:07,560 Speaker 2: him in those key situations reminded us that the job 248 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:09,800 Speaker 2: wasn't too big for him. And so it comes in 249 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:12,679 Speaker 2: different forms. But right now, Ian seems to be that 250 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:15,719 Speaker 2: calming force and that energizing force from the time he 251 00:12:15,760 --> 00:12:16,520 Speaker 2: stepped on the field. 252 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:18,760 Speaker 1: And now, all right, give me the lowdown on the line. 253 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 1: This is an offensive line that had major turnover from 254 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:26,440 Speaker 1: a year ago, with two guys getting drafted in the 255 00:12:26,440 --> 00:12:28,719 Speaker 1: top ten, both of whom are having great seasons in 256 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 1: the NFL. Mind you, they lose Alex Barrs a couple 257 00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:35,720 Speaker 1: of weeks ago due to injury. How do you grade 258 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:40,920 Speaker 1: the line thus far and what have you seen, if anything, 259 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 1: that concerns you about where they're going to be moving forward. 260 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 2: I'd say the line's been about a see so far, 261 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 2: and that's the standard that Notre Dame's built up at 262 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:52,120 Speaker 2: this point. Like you mentioned, you know, you lose Harry 263 00:12:52,120 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 2: Eastand in the offseason, which you can talk about losing 264 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 2: to all Americans. I think losing coach Eastand has been 265 00:12:57,559 --> 00:12:59,720 Speaker 2: as big of an adjustment as any of these guys. 266 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:02,320 Speaker 2: Jeff Quinn's doing a good job. I've known and talked 267 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 2: to Coach Quinn. There's just a there's just a difference, 268 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 2: and coach he stands everyone will admit, probably the best 269 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:10,880 Speaker 2: offensive line coaching football for my money. So that's a 270 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 2: that's a hard thing to replace. But for these guys 271 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:17,120 Speaker 2: this year, losing Bars was huge obviously from a leadership role, 272 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:20,360 Speaker 2: but I think just the physicality and athleticism that he 273 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:25,200 Speaker 2: provided inside. You know, it's such an important area in 274 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:27,560 Speaker 2: the middle of the field where him and Sam had 275 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:31,040 Speaker 2: such cohesion and had been together so long that you 276 00:13:31,080 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 2: could count on that area being fortified. While you know, 277 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:36,680 Speaker 2: you had Tommy Kramer kicking inside for the first time 278 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:39,560 Speaker 2: this year, Robert Hansey's only in a second year starting, 279 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:42,720 Speaker 2: Liam's a first year starter at left tackle, and and actually, 280 00:13:42,760 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 2: for my money, Liam's probably our best pass protector. I 281 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:48,520 Speaker 2: don't know if that's overly close either. So it's just 282 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 2: been inconsistent from Notre Dame, and for me, it's it's 283 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 2: it's not frustrating, but it's just a difficult mindset to 284 00:13:55,640 --> 00:13:59,760 Speaker 2: reconcile with because the run game is no longer familiar 285 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 2: to me from what it was when we were there. 286 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:05,000 Speaker 2: They're not lining up to roll anyone off the ball anymore. 287 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 2: You've got such great athletes, you know, between Dexter Jafar 288 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:10,560 Speaker 2: and the rest of the running back group, that you're 289 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:13,400 Speaker 2: using the schemes that we see all over college football 290 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:17,680 Speaker 2: that make the line, you know, less inclined to just 291 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:20,520 Speaker 2: get up there and run inside or outside zone, or 292 00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:22,840 Speaker 2: run a straight power look and try and roll guys 293 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 2: off the ball. And so as a result, I think 294 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:28,000 Speaker 2: it's gotten those guys out of the mode of just 295 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 2: going up there and trying to be physical in a 296 00:14:30,440 --> 00:14:33,120 Speaker 2: lot of situations. So and that's the tough part too, 297 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:35,600 Speaker 2: about seeing guys move through. You know, we've seen Trevor 298 00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:38,240 Speaker 2: rolling in there, We've seen Lug in there, We've seen 299 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:41,880 Speaker 2: these movement of bodies along the interior. And the biggest 300 00:14:41,920 --> 00:14:44,160 Speaker 2: feather in the cap for Notre Dame in recent years 301 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:47,400 Speaker 2: when the lines have been great has been continuity. That's 302 00:14:47,440 --> 00:14:50,200 Speaker 2: just such an important part of offensive line play that 303 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:52,680 Speaker 2: when you disrupt that and then you have a new 304 00:14:52,760 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 2: voice in the coaching, in the room coaching, and you've 305 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 2: got different leaders in there, all of a sudden, you're 306 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 2: trying to manage all these variables at once instead of 307 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:03,480 Speaker 2: being able to replace one at a time and slide 308 00:15:03,520 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 2: guys in there at a clip that you're comfortable with. 309 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:08,520 Speaker 2: And I think we've seen those growing pains and they 310 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:10,520 Speaker 2: are things that hopefully as we get through the bye 311 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 2: weekn towards the latter half of the season, these guys 312 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:15,920 Speaker 2: become a little more comfortable with just because they've started 313 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 2: to get those reps together. 314 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:20,280 Speaker 1: Well, I mean, like in the pit game in particular, 315 00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 1: I guess in the first half Pitt was blitzing the farm, 316 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 1: and it seemed to have the line back on its 317 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:31,200 Speaker 1: heels a bit. I guess I worry that against a 318 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:35,400 Speaker 1: better team with a more formidable defense, you know, if 319 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 1: they play Clemson and Clemson's defensive line in a potential 320 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 1: playoff spot, I worry how this Notre Dame line is 321 00:15:43,560 --> 00:15:44,200 Speaker 1: going to deal with that. 322 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:46,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, and we've seen I think the teams that have 323 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:48,760 Speaker 2: given Notre Dame the most trouble of tended to be 324 00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:50,880 Speaker 2: three down teams where you don't know where the pressure 325 00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:53,480 Speaker 2: is coming from necessarily, and pit did a good job 326 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 2: of mixing up where those looks come from too. The 327 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 2: part about Clemson, certainly, Clemson's third down packages are care of, 328 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:02,400 Speaker 2: and that, to me is the biggest thing. I worry 329 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 2: less about the one on one matchups. Obviously, teams like Clemson, 330 00:16:05,840 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 2: some of the upper rechialant teams that we now look 331 00:16:08,440 --> 00:16:11,440 Speaker 2: at and identify as potential teams we'd face in the 332 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 2: college football playoffs if things go well, have a great guys. 333 00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 2: I just worry more about you know. One of the 334 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:19,120 Speaker 2: things we were always preached to by coach he stand 335 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 2: was seeing everything through one set of eyes that eliminates 336 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:24,840 Speaker 2: mental mistakes when everyone's on the same plage. And I've 337 00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:27,480 Speaker 2: just seen a few too many what looks like, you know, 338 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:30,480 Speaker 2: And I don't know the specific protections on every place, 339 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:33,200 Speaker 2: so I can't say this concretely, but it looks like 340 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:36,040 Speaker 2: based on where we see guys going that there's just 341 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 2: been a few too many mental errors. And that's trying 342 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:41,560 Speaker 2: to work through seeing everything through one set of eyes 343 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:43,920 Speaker 2: so you can process where that stuff's coming from. And 344 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:45,840 Speaker 2: the running backs play a role in that, and Ian 345 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:48,840 Speaker 2: plays a role in identifying that. And it's one you know, 346 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 2: it's all the cohesive unit. But I worry less about 347 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:55,280 Speaker 2: these guys being able to hold up individually. I think 348 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 2: we've got guys that can do that. I just I 349 00:16:57,720 --> 00:17:01,560 Speaker 2: want to continue to see development of them identifying pressure situation, 350 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:05,320 Speaker 2: identifying the areas where that comes from. On defense, and 351 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:08,240 Speaker 2: seeing and processing it all together rather than just worried 352 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:09,600 Speaker 2: about getting beat man on man. 353 00:17:10,119 --> 00:17:12,240 Speaker 1: Couple more quick ones for you here. I do want 354 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 1: to talk defense. We've talked a lot about the state 355 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 1: of the offense, but in general, this is a Notre 356 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:21,919 Speaker 1: Dame team that has been led by its defense. And 357 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:23,800 Speaker 1: I know just from talking to some fans that the 358 00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:27,439 Speaker 1: closest frame of reference for a lot of folks is 359 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,240 Speaker 1: the great defense that you saw up close and personal 360 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:33,440 Speaker 1: back in twenty twelve. I guess I'm just wondering if 361 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 1: you can compare and contrast that. Obviously, that defense had 362 00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:40,439 Speaker 1: a little bit of a higher profile, if only in 363 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:43,639 Speaker 1: terms of star power, with guys like Manti Tao out there. 364 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:46,639 Speaker 1: How do you compare and contrast what you saw up 365 00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:49,879 Speaker 1: close and personal in twenty twelve versus what we're seeing 366 00:17:49,880 --> 00:17:50,800 Speaker 1: now in twenty eighteen. 367 00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:54,040 Speaker 2: The twenty twelve defense kept a lot and kept everything 368 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:56,119 Speaker 2: in front of them. For the most part. It was 369 00:17:56,160 --> 00:17:59,440 Speaker 2: a defense that wasn't going to necessarily wowue with the 370 00:17:59,480 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 2: complexity this game. That's never been with Bob Baco's been 371 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:04,760 Speaker 2: about in any of the stops. But it was a 372 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:06,920 Speaker 2: defense that was going to keep everything in front of them, 373 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:09,200 Speaker 2: and that just relied on the fact that we had 374 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:12,040 Speaker 2: better players than almost everyone that we played against until 375 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:15,000 Speaker 2: we faced Alabama in that front seven. And I will 376 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:17,560 Speaker 2: still say that if you play that game ten times, 377 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:20,439 Speaker 2: I don't think our defense gets beat like that ten times. 378 00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 2: I mean, you had NFL caliber players glittered all over 379 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:27,320 Speaker 2: that defense that were on the field and that was 380 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 2: just it. You had guys that could go up there 381 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 2: and get wins. I mean Caprin, Lewis Moore, sefond to It, 382 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:36,959 Speaker 2: Lewis Nicks, Mantai, Fox Shambo, all these guys, especially in 383 00:18:36,960 --> 00:18:39,200 Speaker 2: that front seven, that did a good job of keeping 384 00:18:39,240 --> 00:18:41,959 Speaker 2: things in front of them and being smart and creating turnovers. 385 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 2: You know, Mantai I think was tied for the lead 386 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:47,399 Speaker 2: in college football with interceptions with like seven. So when 387 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:50,320 Speaker 2: your defense is giving you extra chances like that, it 388 00:18:50,359 --> 00:18:52,840 Speaker 2: creates a lot for an offense. And our offense was 389 00:18:53,320 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 2: slightly above average. We were timely, we ran the ball well, 390 00:18:56,280 --> 00:18:58,720 Speaker 2: and we made big plays. So that defense did a 391 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:01,040 Speaker 2: good job with that. As opposed to this year, I 392 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:03,440 Speaker 2: think this defense is a little more predicated on making 393 00:19:03,760 --> 00:19:05,919 Speaker 2: big plays behind the line of scrimmage. You know, I 394 00:19:05,920 --> 00:19:08,760 Speaker 2: don't know where we ranked turnover wise, but it hasn't 395 00:19:08,800 --> 00:19:11,399 Speaker 2: been something that's jumped off the tape. Is something this 396 00:19:11,560 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 2: defense necessarily does at an elite level. But what this 397 00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:18,320 Speaker 2: defense does do an elite level is they create pressure 398 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:21,960 Speaker 2: and havoc up front. They do twist and stunts phenomenally well. 399 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 2: At the defensive line and create pressure with guys like 400 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:29,679 Speaker 2: Julian Aquara and Khalig Kareem and certainly Jerry Tillery. And 401 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:32,680 Speaker 2: then at the linebacker position, I think when you move, 402 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:37,320 Speaker 2: when you move guys around in there, and certainly build 403 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:41,720 Speaker 2: the foundation with Taevon Cooni, who is an NFL caliber linebacker, 404 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:46,879 Speaker 2: is a fast, sidelined the sideline guy who's also really 405 00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:51,159 Speaker 2: stacked size wise. It just you've got NFL prospects at 406 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:53,119 Speaker 2: every level. You know, you look at Julian Love in 407 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:55,960 Speaker 2: the secondary, probably one of the better cover corners notre 408 00:19:56,040 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 2: Names had in recent memory. You're just able to build 409 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:04,720 Speaker 2: the defense and pressureing cornerback play, defensive back play mary 410 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:06,760 Speaker 2: so much we see in the NFL all the time. 411 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:11,560 Speaker 2: So when you've got guys like Julian and Pride, Troy 412 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:13,800 Speaker 2: Pride and all these guys on the back end that 413 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:16,399 Speaker 2: can hold up longer than we're used to, it allows 414 00:20:16,440 --> 00:20:18,480 Speaker 2: those guys up front to turn it loose even more 415 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:21,840 Speaker 2: and be more effective. And so I just think seeing 416 00:20:21,920 --> 00:20:24,000 Speaker 2: that the ability to make plays behind the line of 417 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:27,760 Speaker 2: scrimmage so consistently ends up being the defining characteristic because 418 00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:30,600 Speaker 2: even if you're not forcing turnovers, maybe at the same 419 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:33,840 Speaker 2: clip the twenty twelve defense did. You're still putting that 420 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:36,840 Speaker 2: offense behind the change, You're forcing three and outs, you're 421 00:20:36,880 --> 00:20:39,440 Speaker 2: forcing situations where they've got a punt and you're still 422 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:42,080 Speaker 2: getting the ball back to your offense, or plenty of opportunities. 423 00:20:42,119 --> 00:20:44,440 Speaker 1: I'd have to go back, maybe to the Ty Willingham era, 424 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:47,560 Speaker 1: to a point where I felt this confident about the 425 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:50,160 Speaker 1: Notre Dame secondary being able to make plays on balls 426 00:20:50,359 --> 00:20:52,920 Speaker 1: that has not been a common occurrence. Let me let's 427 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:56,400 Speaker 1: switch gears here and talk about the remaining schedule. Notre 428 00:20:56,480 --> 00:21:00,480 Speaker 1: Dame's got Navy this week out in San Diego, then 429 00:21:00,520 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 1: a road spot against Northwestern. They're home against Florida State, 430 00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:07,720 Speaker 1: a neutral cider in Yankee Stadium against Syracuse, and then 431 00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:09,719 Speaker 1: back out on the road to close out the year 432 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:13,360 Speaker 1: against USC. The game on there that scares the hell 433 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 1: out of me is Northwestern. That feels like a spot 434 00:21:16,119 --> 00:21:18,720 Speaker 1: to me a week after Navy where Notre Dame could 435 00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:21,320 Speaker 1: be a little beat up. They've gone against the option. 436 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:23,359 Speaker 1: Now they got to go back to Northwestern for a 437 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:25,280 Speaker 1: game that just feels like it's going to be weird 438 00:21:25,320 --> 00:21:27,840 Speaker 1: to me. What of the games there on the remaining 439 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:31,280 Speaker 1: schedule scare you the most. 440 00:21:31,119 --> 00:21:34,200 Speaker 2: Navy and Syracuse just because when you're playing off site 441 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:38,719 Speaker 2: games it's unfamiliar. I go back to we played we 442 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:41,200 Speaker 2: played Army at Yankee Stadium. We were the first game 443 00:21:41,240 --> 00:21:44,480 Speaker 2: in the new Yankee Stadium, and our Friday walkthrough we 444 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:48,800 Speaker 2: scrapped it because we were so enamored with the scenery 445 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:51,400 Speaker 2: and the awe and the aura of the Yankee Stadium 446 00:21:51,600 --> 00:21:54,560 Speaker 2: that Bka in this stat rightly gave us time to 447 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:57,159 Speaker 2: enjoy and appreciate that moment. And I think that's an 448 00:21:57,200 --> 00:21:59,520 Speaker 2: important part of all this is I've always said when 449 00:21:59,560 --> 00:22:02,880 Speaker 2: you're at places like that, embrace the environment. Don't try 450 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:05,639 Speaker 2: and act like it's not there and be business as usual. 451 00:22:06,160 --> 00:22:08,520 Speaker 2: But there are just differences in your routine when you 452 00:22:08,560 --> 00:22:10,639 Speaker 2: get to a place like that. So you double that 453 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:12,800 Speaker 2: with Navy, that's a triple option team that we know 454 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:15,560 Speaker 2: is always a tricky opponent every year, and you do 455 00:22:15,680 --> 00:22:17,400 Speaker 2: that in an off site, and you do that out 456 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:19,639 Speaker 2: in San Diego where the routine's going to be a 457 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:21,919 Speaker 2: little different, and you play a Syrah Hu's team, a 458 00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:24,880 Speaker 2: Dino Babers led squad that we've seen raise a little 459 00:22:24,880 --> 00:22:27,880 Speaker 2: hell at different points this year. Those are the ones 460 00:22:27,920 --> 00:22:32,080 Speaker 2: that scare me the most. Northwestern. Yeah, it's a different 461 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:34,840 Speaker 2: opponent than we usually play. Obviously, some of these guys 462 00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:37,320 Speaker 2: were around or maybe have been around some of the 463 00:22:37,320 --> 00:22:40,200 Speaker 2: older guys in twenty fourteen when Northwestern came in and 464 00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:43,439 Speaker 2: beat Notre Dame at home. But in general, from what 465 00:22:43,480 --> 00:22:46,120 Speaker 2: I've seen at Northwestern, I think, as long as you're right, 466 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:48,600 Speaker 2: we're healthy, and you know, guys like Dalen Hayes that 467 00:22:48,600 --> 00:22:50,560 Speaker 2: we've been trying to get back, and these pass rushers 468 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:53,720 Speaker 2: especially stay healthy, that's a matchup up front that should 469 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:56,000 Speaker 2: be an easy win for Notre Dame in that one. 470 00:22:56,080 --> 00:22:58,760 Speaker 2: I worry less about that. And Southern Cal. Everyone who 471 00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:00,960 Speaker 2: goes to Notre Dame knows the important to that game. 472 00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:03,640 Speaker 2: So if you go out there. We finished with Southern 473 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:06,960 Speaker 2: calend twenty twelve, and I remember saying it is sitting 474 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:08,639 Speaker 2: in the hotel the night before the game with my 475 00:23:08,760 --> 00:23:11,800 Speaker 2: dad saying, this is essentially a playoff game, and I'm 476 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:15,240 Speaker 2: still more concerned about getting to beat Southern Cal on 477 00:23:15,280 --> 00:23:18,480 Speaker 2: their home field. Like that matters to guys that come 478 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:21,560 Speaker 2: to Notre Dame. You understand that rivalry, and so that's 479 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:25,200 Speaker 2: so singularly important that I don't worry about that as much. 480 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:27,479 Speaker 2: I don't worry about Northwestern as much as I do 481 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:28,719 Speaker 2: the things that are abnormal. 482 00:23:28,840 --> 00:23:32,040 Speaker 1: All right, again, It's Mike Gollick, Junior, Sir. Where can 483 00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:33,680 Speaker 1: people find you over on ESPN? 484 00:23:34,240 --> 00:23:37,199 Speaker 2: They can find me on first and last four to 485 00:23:37,240 --> 00:23:40,800 Speaker 2: six am Eastern Monday through Friday on ESPN Radio and 486 00:23:40,840 --> 00:23:43,920 Speaker 2: the ESPN app. They can find me on the first 487 00:23:43,960 --> 00:23:47,280 Speaker 2: two hours of Golick and Wingo from six to eight 488 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:52,040 Speaker 2: Eastern on ESPN Radio and ESPN two on the TV 489 00:23:52,200 --> 00:23:54,760 Speaker 2: side of things. And then I'm moonlight everywhere else when 490 00:23:54,840 --> 00:23:56,960 Speaker 2: I can a little bit of Snapchat Sports Center get 491 00:23:57,000 --> 00:23:59,440 Speaker 2: to call some college football games this year, So hopefully 492 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:01,919 Speaker 2: down the stretch of the season you will see me 493 00:24:01,960 --> 00:24:06,160 Speaker 2: in a booth somewhere trying to talk intelligently about football. 494 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:07,880 Speaker 2: We'll see, with varying degrees of success. 495 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:10,399 Speaker 1: Well, look, man, you're doing a great job. I enjoy 496 00:24:10,480 --> 00:24:13,040 Speaker 1: everything you got going on at ESPN. Keep on fighting 497 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:15,440 Speaker 1: the good fight, and maybe we'll catch up at some 498 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:18,280 Speaker 1: point later on in the year, depending on how this 499 00:24:18,359 --> 00:24:19,360 Speaker 1: all goes. For Notre Dame. 500 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:22,360 Speaker 2: Absolutely I'll get together and split a couple of Pensacolas. 501 00:24:22,440 --> 00:24:23,640 Speaker 1: All right, it sounds good.