Well off to tobacco road this weekend for the Tarheels. They are a team batttling a ton of injuries and are 1-4 with run defense ranked in the 100's. So seems like a perfect opportunity for the Irish, except our QB apparently has some foot injury, and 3 of our top 4 RB's all have been dinged up with some sort of ankle sprains. Speculation is that C.J. Holmes a highly touted freshman who enrolled early and looked good but got injured in the Spring. He's recovered but with all the RB's he was going to redshirt. Now he might be on the traveling squad and play vs UNC. I hope that what ever is going on with Wimbush is truly minor and that he gets some work vs UNC, and then we'll throw the Book at them. Off week after this will be welcomed by the offensive skill players. It will be interesting to see the role Kevin Stepherson plays this weekend. When he got in vs Miami they immediately went to him several times to try and get him going. But nothing really happened. I'm hoping that Alize Mack who has been less than hoped for so far this season has a breakout game, and that Claypool continues his rise and that we see an efficient passing game from the QB's.
Starting to feel like Ian Book will get the start vs UNC. Kelly not surprisingly is not going to say that, coaches hate to give out that to the opposition. UNC definitely would prepare differently for Book than for Wimbush.
:idea: The team is banged up and a big win can't really help us. The book says "Get the one point win and get the hell out of there."
Kelly updated on Wimbush and said he has a grade 1 sprain and that he's not ruled out of the game on Sat. https://irishsportsdaily.com/s/4031/brandon-wimbush-injury-update-104
Irish on the schedule helps UNC sell tickets. Good to see we're still a draw. Last year we brought a record crowd to Austin Tx for the Texas game.
If we gotta play Book, we gotta. I don't want to lose Wimbush for the season when I think Book may be able to do this on his own. He throws a good ball and has good feet. Other than experience, I don't see a lot of downside. If we gotta, we can use WRs at RB (if we actually run out of RBs). We should be able to run down their throats.
Notre Dame <t>Wimbush will start. If we are fortunate to jump out to a big lead Book will probably come in. Ah yes, if it were only that simple. Somehow I get the feeling UNC may have other plans.</t>
If memory serves, a Fedora offense tries to spread you out and make you tackle in space. This has been an issue in the past. I don't know why, but I feel okay if Book has to be the guy. It's something about the way he carries himself.
I want Wimbush to start if he's 100% or close to 100%, mainly to give him some reps passing the football. But if he's not I would rather go with Book to start the game and hope that our running game and defense are enough to win the game if Book just takes care of the ball.
I really have no idea how this game is going to play out! A number of variables could cause some problems. The Irish will not have a cakewalk in my humble opinion?
I'm concerned about our RB situation. If Book has to play I'd want experienced RBs in the game to help pick up blitzes that NC should throw at a raw QB. I wouldn't be surprised if we went to a 2 tight end lineup in that case.
Wimbush was suited up and working out today. Doesn't mean he'll start or that his foot is 100% or even 90%...but he's not a cripple. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-x_b0bxWd4U" frameborder="0"></iframe>