Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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FAN FORUM coaching staff is playing as many players as possible. This updated ap- proach will only pay dividends in fu- ture games or next year. Coach Kelly has been able to control his emotions, which allowed the team to win against Purdue and Michigan. The coaching staff has been positive and must main- tain this approach. OFFENSE: Notre Dame will con- PROMISING PROGRESS … BUT Here are my thoughts on key parts of this 4-0 start. COACHING: I am excited that the tinue to struggle because of the lack of a real ground game and experienced QB. Kelly's offense has not demon- strated possession control other than the Navy game. Two runners in the backfield are critical to a good college offense, and the QB who starts will have to be a real running threat in Kel- ly's offense. The line is average but can rise to the occasion when Coach Kelly mixes the plays up. When this team is in a third- and-seven, the line will, at too many times, not perform. Wide receiver and tight end is on the verge of some major plays. This may open up the running game as well. DEFENSE: You can't be top 10 if you can't find a real defense. When you Blue & Gold Illustrated P. O. Box 1007 Send your letters to: Letters BE HEARD! Notre Dame, IN 46556 or e-mail to: lsomogyi@blueandgold.com Head coach Brian Kelly has kept his emotions in check on the sidelines this fall, something one Irish fan believes helped Notre Dame win close games against Purdue and Michigan. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA have a real leader, the rest of the team follows. This is a top-10 defense as long as Manti Te'o is on the field! End of story. The line at times reminds me of the 1973 line which was also very un- selfish and created havoc. SPECIAL TEAMS: The new rules will inhibit kickoff returns. Punt re- turns will be the way to take a so-so game to victory. Does ND have the punt returner who can change the world? This area MUST produce in October. This approach should also be used on blocking punts. Kickoffs have not produced key turnovers. SEASON PREDICTION: 8-4 is possible but 7-5 is realistic. I am not