The quarterback situations for both teams are interesting to say the least. In regards to the Irish, they have one of the best quarterback tandems in the country with DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire. For now, it's looking like head coach Brian Kelly will be playing both QBs in Austin on Sunday. I've said before that I believe Kizer should have the full time starting spot, but working Zaire in there too certainly doesn't hurt Notre Dame's offense. Perhaps this opening game could be considered one last audition to be QB1 for the Golden Domers.
Looking at the situation under center for the Burnt Orange, head coach Charlie Strong has not revealed his official decision on who the starter is. However, it's highly expected that the Longhorn offense will be led by true freshman Shane Buechele.
In the Longhorns' spring game a few months ago Buechele threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns, completing 22 of 41 attempts. It's always risky starting a true freshman, but if Texas wants this program to keep moving forward, it's time to trash the idea of Tyrone Swoopes as the starting quarterback. In the aforementioned spring game, Swoopes completed only 25% of his 16 passes for a total of 71 yards, topped off by two interceptions. Yikes. Those stats are uglier than the Longhorns' spring game uniforms. Swoope's lackluster performance didn't come as a shocker to anyone, as he picked up right where he left off from the 2015 season. Last year Swoopes threw four touchdowns and 537 yards on 93 attempts as Jerrod Heard got most of the reps. But Heard wasn't a great option at QB either, throwing for only five touchdowns on 159 attempts. Like I said before, if Charlie Strong wants to bring this program back to its familiar state, starting Shane Buechele would be a wise decision.
The chances of Notre Dame's defense shutting down Buechele and the Texas offense is up for grabs. There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Longhorns' offense, as it is offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert's first year with the program. And although it is defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder's third season with Notre Dame, there are plenty of unfamiliar faces that will be on the field. Losing defensive stars Jaylon Smith and Sheldon Day to the NFL will definitely have a significant impact on the Irish defense. Last season's four leading tacklers are no longer with the team, so the defense that allowed 22.4 points per game in 2015 is in the rearview.
The Irish are expected to continue their ways in putting another monstrous offensive line on display, which should do a good job in opening up holes for running backs Tarean Folston and Josh Adams. Folston was a huge loss for Notre Dame last season after he missed the season with a torn ACL. Although he only carried the ball three times in 2015, Folston showed his talent during his sophomore season where he ran for 889 yards and 6 touchdowns on 175 attempts.
Folston's sophomore season stats are an eerily similar version of Josh Adams' freshman season numbers, as Adams ran for 835 yards and 6 touchdowns on 117 carries. With the combination of two athletic quarterbacks, two solid running backs, and the loss of key receivers, I'd expect Notre Dame's read option attack to be lethal.
This game is a huge statement game for both teams. On the Longhorns' end, this game is a major factor in Charlie Strong's progress as the savior of a once dominant powerhouse. Sure, a week one loss won't completely detain all potential success from the 2016 Texas season. But getting off on the wrong foot would undoubtedly cripple the Longhorns' mojo as they begin their journey into a loaded schedule, featuring four in-conference opponents that landed in the preseason top 25.
For Brian Kelly and the Irish, the opening weekend battle in Austin will be an indicator of how they can rebound from losing numerous key players that contributed to an impressive 2015 season.
ESPN's Matchup Predictor displays a 56.8% chance of Texas coming out on top, which I truly do not understand. Vegas has the Irish as four point favorites, but I personally don't think it will be that close. I don't see Notre Dame having any difficulty covering the spread, as I think the point differential will be in the double digits. The over/under has been set at 60, but I don't see the Longhorns offense producing much on Sunday. The under is not only the safe call, but the wise one as well.
Notre Dame and Texas kickoff in Austin at 7:30 Eastern Time Sunday evening on ABC.
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