First Half Analysis: Ohio State Leads Notre Dame 3-0

Thoughts and analysis of the Notre Dame matchup vs Ohio State
First Half Analysis: Ohio State Leads Notre Dame 3-0
First Half Analysis: Ohio State Leads Notre Dame 3-0 /

Ohio State leads Notre Dame 3-0 in the first half in what has been a hard fought and relatively evenly matched game. Here are my first half thoughts.

NOTRE DAME OFFENSE

*** Notre Dame did a good job mixing up looks in the first half and the Irish were able to put some drives together but they weren't able to finish any of their three drives.

*** The Irish weren't able to get any big plays going, but they were relatively efficient, which allowed them to eight first downs. The run game averaged 4.5 yards per carry, but the pass game averaged just 6.8 yards per attempt despite completing 9-13 passes.

*** Notre Dame got into Ohio State territory on each of its first two drives, but questionable officiating calls negated an opening series fourth down run, and the Irish missed their fourth field goal of the season on drive two. Notre Dame's third drive started at their own 1-yard line and the run game started to get a bit more push as the Irish were able to get three straight third downs, but the drive stalled after Notre Dame failed to convert a 3rd-and-3. The Irish went just 2-5 on third-down in the first half. I thought Sam Hartman could have taken a corner shot to the sideline on the last third-down, even with the window being tight.

*** The pass game so far has been pretty conservative, with Notre Dame going mostly with short to intermediate throws. The offensive line has held up well against the pass rush so far. Notre Dame's receivers haven't been able to get a lot of separation, and most of the success in the pass game has been tough catches by Mitchell Evans or check downs to the backs or slot (Chris Tyree's 25-yard gain). Notre Dame will need to find ways to get the ball down the field in the second half.

*** Notre Dame hasn't gotten a lot of big gains in the run game, but they are playing hard at the point of attack. They were starting to lean on Ohio State a bit on the second and third drives. Notre Dame will need to find ways to get Audric Estime a bit more room to work in the second half after getting just three possessions in the first half. 

*** Notre Dame has run a lot of two-back alignments in the first half. I'm looking to see if they have some pass game wrinkles out of that in the second half.

NOTRE DAME DEFENSE

*** Notre Dame's defense has been relatively stout in the first half. Ohio State has had to work for its yards, but the Irish defense needs to be better on third down. Ohio State went 5-9 on third downs, including two on the final drive of the half. 

*** Notre Dame hasn't been as aggressive with its pressures in the first half, but overall the front has played well. They aren't getting home on those pressures, but they have done a nice job keeping Kyle McCord from getting too comfortable, and they aren't letting him get many deep shots off. McCord is just 9-16 for 84 yards.

*** Notre Dame ran a drop eight situation on the first third-down, but no one covered the tight end, which allowed an early conversion. The backers overall have not done enough to get depth and get under some of those third down throws. Another third down was completed on a slant in a tight window where the backer didn't get enough sink underneath the route.

*** Notre Dame and Ohio State have stalemated up front for the most part, and Ohio State's running backs have rushed for just 43 yards on 15 carries (2.9 YPC). The interior DL has been especially effective getting a push and not letting the Ohio State stretch plays get downhill. 

*** Notre Dame's biggest issue in the first half has been missed tackles, which has been a common theme the last couple of weeks. Ohio State had multiple first downs after contact, something Notre Dame cannot allow.

*** Ohio State is going to look for ways to get the ball down the field in the second half, so Notre Dame's pass rush is going to have to start getting home and get more hits on the quarterback. 

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Bryan Driskell
BRYAN DRISKELL

Bryan Driskell is the publisher of Irish Breakdown and has been covering Notre Dame football for over a decade. A former college football player and coach, Bryan and Irish Breakdown bring a level of expertise and analysis that is unmatched. From providing in depth looks at the Fighting Irish, breaking news stories and honest recruiting analysis, Irish Breakdown has everything Notre Dame football fans want and need. Bryan was previous a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated before launching Irish Breakdown. He coached college football at Duquesne University, Muhlenberg College, Christopher Newport University, Wittenberg University and Defiance College. During his coaching career he was a pass game coordinator, recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and wide receivers coach. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Salisbury University, where he played quarterback for the Sea Gulls. You can email Bryan at bryan@irishbreakdown.com. Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more. BECOME A MEMBER Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time! Follow Bryan on Twitter: @CoachD178Like and follow Irish Breakdown on FacebookSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channelSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter