Is There a Kicking Issue at Notre Dame?
In recent games, Notre Dame has dominated opponents, outscoring them 169-44 and achieving decisive victories. However, in these one-sided matchups, it’s easy to overlook some critical aspects that may become significant in closer games.
Starting kicker Mitch Jeter has been dealing with a hip injury during this period, with his last successful field goal back in September against Louisville. Because of his continued struggles, both Zak Yoakam and Marcello Diomede took attempts against Virginia but missed by a considerable margin.
Since Week 2, this team has miraculously worked its way back into CFP contention, exceeding expectations. With this in mind, they can’t allow kicking problems to jeopardize their chances for the remaining games or a playoff appearance. This situation needs to be resolved quickly.
How Might This Impact Denbrock’s Offensive Strategy?
If Notre Dame lacks confidence in its kicking game for the remainder of the season, how will Mike Denbrock adjust his offensive strategy?
Known for his bold play-calling, Denbrock might decide that once the team reaches a certain yard line, they will treat it as four-down territory, designing plays under the assumption that they have four opportunities to gain a first down.
This kind of issue often goes unnoticed until it becomes critical. Notre Dame needs to clarify their capabilities and trustworthiness in this vital position as they approach their final two games, with hopes for the CFP tournament on the horizon.
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