Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Upon Further Review todd D. burlage Back To Basics Is A Better Plan W ebster defines "balance" as a harmony between design and proportion. In everyday life, balance brings us serenity and wholeness. In football, balance is an overused way for coaches to describe their ideal strategy. It usually goes something like, "We need to find a balance between the passing game and the running game to be successful." And in football at Notre Dame, balance this season is best described as an undesirable byproduct out of a confusing approach to offensive game planning. Much of the talk from the Irish coaches during the preseason centered on how the superior depth at running back would be a strength of this football team and a migraine for opposing defenses. But instead of building on that theory and leaning on a veteran line to move the ball on the ground, the Irish coaches have frustratingly failed to settle on any offensive style or identity all season. What works one week seems to always be removed from the game plan the next. The Irish coaches have certainly found an offensive balance this season with almost a perfect 50/50 split between running and passing plays. The problem is, a balanced offense doesn't appear to be the best approach based on the makeup of this particular team. During a perfect regular season and Despite some flashes of brilliance, including a 36-yard run versus Oklahoma and a 140-yard performance against Navy, freshman running back Tarean Folston has been used sparingly this season with just 44 carries through 10 games. photo by Bill Panzica a place in the national title game last year, the Irish coaches made a firm commitment to the running game and finished the season with about a 60/40 rush-to-pass play ratio — 506 rushing attempts with 388 passing attempts. This more conservative offensive style minimized mistakes, built and protected leads, and allowed the Irish to fall behind in only four games the entire season. With the 50/50 offensive "balance" and no commitment to running the ball this season, Notre Dame has started games slowly, trailing at some