[needle]

The current Game plans don't work at FBS level... 
O-Line not at full strength, and we face a strong rushing team against our worst rushing defense in the league. 

What are the keys to this game?
* Throw the ball 50+ times, and avoid sacks, so that means keep an extra blocking back in to protect McKee.
* Running Filkins up inside will be futile -- get him out in space where he can make a LB miss. 
* Forget the Slow Mesh RPO -- McKee is not a threat to run; it does not create openings. 
Use Daniels or Patu at QB a few more plays and mix it up. 
* Create turnovers (blitz); we don't win if Domers get more turnovers.
*  Bring the CBs up more often and jump the routes.

Good ideas.  You are kind with "OL not at full strength".  As predicted earlier in the week, we will have only Hornibrook and Nugent in their normal positions.  Hinton will be at LT, Metcalf will get his first start at RG, and Leyrer will continue at RT.  

No Miller, Rouse, Rogers, Bragg (old news), or McLaughlin (in a boot), any of whom would be starting this week if available.  

So we are starting our third option at RG, our fourth option at RT, and our third option at LT (behind Rouse and Miller). 

I still pick STANFORD because that's how I roll, but it's hard to imagine this line performing well enough to help us win.

ND's rushing offense is ranked 51st nationally, per NCAA stats, and their Yards Per Rush is much lower than Oregon State, for example. Their QB is improving with each game, but isn't much of a runner.

Stanford has a chance to pull the upset.

[needle]

The current Game plans don't work at FBS level... 
O-Line not at full strength, and we face a strong rushing team against our worst rushing defense in the league. 

What are the keys to this game?
* Throw the ball 50+ times, and avoid sacks, so that means keep an extra blocking back in to protect McKee.
* Running Filkins up inside will be futile -- get him out in space where he can make a LB miss. 
* Forget the Slow Mesh RPO -- McKee is not a threat to run; it does not create openings. 
Use Daniels or Patu at QB a few more plays and mix it up. 
* Create turnovers (blitz); we don't win if Domers get more turnovers.
*  Bring the CBs up more often and jump the routes.

Good ideas.  You are kind with "OL not at full strength".  As predicted earlier in the week, we will have only Hornibrook and Nugent in their normal positions.  Hinton will be at LT, Metcalf will get his first start at RG, and Leyrer will continue at RT.  

No Miller, Rouse, Rogers, Bragg (old news), or McLaughlin (in a boot), any of whom would be starting this week if available.  

So we are starting our third option at RG, our fourth option at RT, and our third option at LT (behind Rouse and Miller). 

I still pick STANFORD because that's how I roll, but it's hard to imagine this line performing well enough to help us win.

ND's rushing offense is ranked 51st nationally, per NCAA stats, and their Yards Per Rush is much lower than Oregon State, for example. Their QB is improving with each game, but isn't much of a runner.

Stanford has a chance to pull the upset.