🏈 Gary Danielson: Notre Dame will give either Alabama or Georgia trouble

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Although he sees Notre Dame's resurgence as good for college football, Danielson says that until someone snaps the SEC's six-year BCS title streak "everybody should shut up."

CBS Sports' Gary Danielson, who will call Saturday's SEC Championship Game between Alabama and Georgia along with Verne Lundquist, says fans should resist any thoughts that it's a de facto national title game.

"They both will have a tough matchup with Notre Dame for different reasons," Danielson said of the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs, who are playing for the right to meet undefeated Notre Dame in the BCS national championship game in Miami on Jan. 7.

"Alabama never was unbeatable - they've proven that - but you'd better be good enough to take advantage of what they give you," Danielson added. "(Alabama coach) Nick (Saban) makes you play NFL-style football against them. Your quarterback has to complete passes. When you do it like (LSU's Zach) Mettenberger did or (Texas A&M's) Johnny Manziel did, they're vulnerable. But if you don't have a quarterback that can do it, forget it. You have no chance."

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[Irish#1]

Although he sees Notre Dame's resurgence as good for college football, Danielson says that until someone snaps the SEC's six-year BCS title streak "everybody should shut up."

CBS Sports' Gary Danielson, who will call Saturday's SEC Championship Game between Alabama and Georgia along with Verne Lundquist, says fans should resist any thoughts that it's a de facto national title game.

"They both will have a tough matchup with Notre Dame for different reasons," Danielson said of the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs, who are playing for the right to meet undefeated Notre Dame in the BCS national championship game in Miami on Jan. 7.

"Alabama never was unbeatable - they've proven that - but you'd better be good enough to take advantage of what they give you," Danielson added. "(Alabama coach) Nick (Saban) makes you play NFL-style football against them. Your quarterback has to complete passes. When you do it like (LSU's Zach) Mettenberger did or (Texas A&M's) Johnny Manziel did, they're vulnerable. But if you don't have a quarterback that can do it, forget it. You have no chance."

Read More Here...

Just a few weeks ago Danielson said ND wasn't that good.

 

[Southern Bama]

I think the Pitt game made ND look bad.....which caused so many to doubt their capability. But they won and at the end of the day....thats all that matters. As for Danielson....I think he knows his football, but hes fingernails on a chalkboard.

 

[bamascw]

Danielson works my last nerve! That being said, I've seen ND play a few games this year and their offense has certainly gotten better and their defense has been good all year. I expect them to play hard and "give trouble" regardless of which team they play against. Also, they have a TON of seniors on that team and from what I hear, leadership is rampant there as well.

 

[ElephantStomp]

I think ND has vastly improved offensively throughout the year and their defense has been good all year, but with that being said they haven't played a more physical team than they would play in the NC whether it be UGA or Bama and I think that's the difference in the game.

 

[TerryP]

There's certainly a aspect of Alabama and UGA that ND hasn't faced yet. It's the same thing pointed to each time there is a big out of conference game against the upper echelon of the SEC.

Big, physical defenses with speed. Opponents tend to quote size, some quote speed, but in the end they all say the same thing. It's not what we expected.

 

[Houndstoothpuller]

The ND vs. SECChamp game will be won in the trenches, and I don't think ND has the horses on offense.
Their defense is touted as being very good, well okay, what about that offense of theirs against an SEC defense?

Same story, different season. Speed kills.

 

[TerryP]

The ND vs. SECChamp game will be won in the trenches, and I don't think ND has the horses on offense.
Their defense is touted as being very good, well okay, what about that offense of theirs against an SEC defense?

Same story, different season. Speed kills.

After watching a few of their games—only one in its entirety—I'd say their RB and TE have as close to WR speed as a player in either position can have.

In fact, after watching their TE play I left that game thinking about what kind of impact we can look forward to seeing when OJ Howard joins the squad.

 

[bamaraider]

Just a few weeks ago Danielson said ND wasn't that good.

Its Gary Danielson

 

[Irish#1]

Danielson works my last nerve! That being said, I've seen ND play a few games this year and their offense has certainly gotten better and their defense has been good all year. I expect them to play hard and "give trouble" regardless of which team they play against. Also, they have a TON of seniors on that team and from what I hear, leadership is rampant there as well.

Not quite true. The leaders of this team are seniors, but they won't lose that many to graduation. The two biggest losses will be Manti and Eifert.

I think ND has vastly improved offensively throughout the year and their defense has been good all year, but with that being said they haven't played a more physical team than they would play in the NC whether it be UGA or Bama and I think that's the difference in the game.

Stanford is a very physical team on both sides of the ball.

 

[ElephantStomp]

I agree Stanford is a physical team, but they're not Alabama or Georgia physical. Not saying ND cant beat them just saying Stanford is nothing like Alabama or Georgia

 

[Irish#1]

After watching a few of their games—only one in its entirety—I'd say their RB and TE have as close to WR speed as a player in either position can have.

In fact, after watching their TE play I left that game thinking about what kind of impact we can look forward to seeing when OJ Howard joins the squad.

Eifert is the TE. He's 6'6" with great hands and can run. The only time he doesn't catch the ball is when Golson doesn't throw it where it needs to be. Kelly focused on two things when he arrived, conditioning and finding speed. He's done great in both areas. The game will be won in the trenches because we all know the best way to beat speed is to run straight ahead.

 

[bcracker]

I'm sorry, but I don't see one team ND has faced this year that comes close to matching Alabama or Georgia on either side of the ball. If someone can correct my perception i'd appreciate it.

 

[TerryP]

ND sets up in a three wide, single set back. RB Theo Riddick in motion, lines up in slot on safety.

With the mobility of Golson, speed of Riddick, ND will move the ball against our defense. They'd do the same against UGA.

 

[bamascw]

Not quite true. The leaders of this team are seniors, but they won't lose that many to graduation. The two biggest losses will be Manti and Eifert.

I haven't checked the roster but I remember hearing on one of the talk shows that ND had something like 26 Seniors, maybe I heard that wrong though.

 

[TerryP]

I haven't checked the roster but I remember hearing on one of the talk shows that ND had something like 26 Seniors, maybe I heard that wrong though.

The way the term Sr.'s is used is often deceiving.

We've got 14 on the team, eight in our two deep

 

[planomateo]

I haven't checked the roster but I remember hearing on one of the talk shows that ND had something like 26 Seniors, maybe I heard that wrong though.

http://notredame.247sports.com/Article/Notre-Dame-Two-Deep-Depth-Chart-Southern-Cal-102503

I see 9 on offense that are either Sr./Gr. (Graduated), and 4 on Defense that are Sr./Gr.

Offensive line will be gone - 4 of 5 - with the 5th a Jr. RT... (who could also leave).

 

[bamaraider]

Stanford is a very physical team on both sides of the ball.

While they are, they lack the offensive balance and the speed at WR that Alabama has...No offense to Stanford though, I love their offense:twothumbs:

 

[Irish#1]

http://notredame.247sports.com/Article/Notre-Dame-Two-Deep-Depth-Chart-Southern-Cal-102503

I see 9 on offense that are either Sr./Gr. (Graduated), and 4 on Defense that are Sr./Gr.

Offensive line will be gone - 4 of 5 - with the 5th a Jr. RT... (who could also leave).

There are a number of seniors who have a fifth year of eligibility left. In order to play football that fifth year ND requires the student start work on their masters program. That's why they are listed as seniors and not RSJ. Most of the o-line will be back. Golic who is the weakess of the line will be gone and Cave may be. Martin is a SR is returning as is Watt and Lombard. A lot of the seniors you see on the roster don't start or play.

While they are, they lack the offensive balance and the speed at WR that Alabama has...No offense to Stanford though, I love their offense:twothumbs:

I agree on the receivers.

ND sets up in a three wide, single set back. RB Theo Riddick in motion, lines up in slot on safety.

With the mobility of Golson, speed of Riddick, ND will move the ball against our defense. They'd do the same against UGA.

You've been paying attention.

 

[psychojoe]

Perhaps it has been discussed earlier, but what I wonder about is how ND's front 7 will match up with Bama's OL and run game. Even against LSU we averaged six yards a pop on the ground. ND's key will be if they can play the run successfully without putting an extra man in the box. If they can't. that gives us single coverage outside and opens up play action passes.

I am mentally kicking myself for looking ahead to a game that may not happen.