A commitment to a two quarterback system is not exactly the news that anyone wants to hear surround their favorite team, especially when the open the season in the top ten and are really looking to contend in the College Football Playoff in its third year. The fact that Notre Dame is only favored by a field goal in a game which they won 38-0 last season is a bit ridiculous even for those who are vehemently opposed to multiple quarterbacks. Both quarterbacks will play against the Longhorns and the duo could appear in tandem all season long.
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FILE – In this December 5, 2015, file photo, Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes (18) eludes Baylor defensive tackle Andrew Billings (75) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Waco, Texas.
There’s plenty to worry about for Kelly’s counterpart too.
“We know what the expectations are and what the standard is and we haven’t lived up to it”, Strong said. Sebastian, who came to Notre Dame in 2015 as a graduate transfer, is the last piece in the new-look defensive backfield tasked with stopping Texas’ hyper-speed offense. Texas will host UTEP next week, before going on the road to California and Oklahoma State in back to back games.
Both expect to see time on Sunday, with Strong only willing to confirm that “both will play”.
Texas senior quarterback Tyrone Swoopes hasn’t shown the ability to command the position the last two seasons. ‘You’ve got to take charge.
A hamstring injury in fall camp slowed the progress of Studstill, who first impressed Fighting Irish coaches in spring ball as an early enrollee. Gone is the more traditional attack from Strong’s first season and the mashup spread look the Longhorns tried in year two. Led by “The Smash Brothers”, otherwise known as D’Onta Foreman and Chris Warren, their nickname stems from their massive size, though both have speed. How it will all operate in reality instead of theory however is anybody’s guess.
“We’re just trying to get them to understand that this isn’t the same [Texas] team”, said Hunter, who starred as a high school athlete in Prosper, Texas. The addition of Jarron Jones along the defensive line is a welcome one after he missed all of last season and five-star recruit Daelin Hayes could be a breakout player in the rotation.
A fifth player arrested with them, safety Max Redfield, was dismissed from the team after he was charged with possession of a handgun without a license and possession of marijuana. And an upset against a top-10 team in Notre Dame would be a big step in the right direction.
Notre Dame’s coaching staff has noticed. The next week, against what ended up as the nation’s No. 75-ranked offense, the Irish yielded 416 total yards in a 34-27 escape at Virginia. Whichever quarterback can best connect with a young receiving corps will likely be the one that Kelly eventually turns the keys over to.
Can the Irish find a productive tight end to solve their red zone woes from last season? Even with kickoff coming in prime time, Notre Dame will face this oppressive heat. Jennifer Westendorf also gave the Redbirds’ defense a lot to think about as she got off five shots in 70 minutes of action.
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– Written by Bryan Fischer, an award-winning college football columnist and member of the Athlon Contributor Network.
