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Message: [QUOTE="JeremyCuse, post: 5028534, member: 43"] Feel like I'm beating a dead horse but as always real good stuff. ND has been a real tough matchup for SU for the last 5 years or so, almost all of the game have not been close and we have struggled big time defensively. Proves again that almost everything in life is cyclical as SU used to dominate the matchup when the two were in the BE together and even the early part of the ACC. When you look at ND the first thing you have to win on or beat is the ride. ND tortured Maryland in the 10 man and have given multiple other teams fits. SU has been up and down against the ride this year. Some games they played it fairly well and other times (high point) it was a nightmare. That said SU has only seen a true 10 man a few times this year. Vermont tried it a few possessions in the opener but they didn't have the personnel and SU easily beat it and it was quickly abandoned. Colgate was a different story, SU struggled immensely against the 10 man and turned it over an unfathomable 21 times. SU has to be way better against ND or they're gonna get run off the field again if the amount of TO's is anywhere close to that amount. SU has also struggled at times against teams who ride real well outside of a 10 man and sloppy play in general. 18 To's against Utah (noon game played a role), 16 against Hop, and even 15 last week against Hobart who isn't a great defensive team. No team is gonna have 5 turnovers or less at this level but SU has to try and keep it in the low teens tomorrow. I also hope Coach O has really worked on the 10 man this week, because ND is gonna be Fn relentless with it. SU needs some counters and should be prepared to sprinkle in a 10 man of their own if needed tomorrow. Defensively ND is gonna be a brutal matchup for most teams. You really need to have an upper level close unit, a very good LSM and an elite SSDM. SU has most of those pieces but ND's top 6 is extremely dangerous, probably up their with Cornell for the most dangerous in the country. I disagree slightly with Powell on the matchups (shocking I know). After watching what Dwan did versus O'Neil, I think if your SU you have to put him on Pat K. Dwan showed he can stay with an elite attackmen, though Kavanaugh's game and O'Neils are light years apart in style. That would put Fig on Chris K and then Kohl or Caccamo on Taylor. Taylor has been a massive thorn in our side for years, SU did a better job on him last year finally but Kol has to, again HAS TO, stay home on Taylor. He is like Cormier and Dyson Williams, you let these guys get a clean look its over. Kol did a very good job on Dyson, he will need to repeat it. Midfield matchups are tough. Everyone debates Faison versus Dobson but McLane actually leads the 1st midfield with 17 pts. Tough spot if your SU, most teams are polling Faison and that's likely where I think SU starts. I know there was some talk about double polling but that's tough against ND. Your gonna need to put Rice on Taylor and while Taylor isn't much of a dodger your still putting him in a tough spot. If I was coach O I would think about going with Olexxo on Faison, Levine on Dobson and then Rice on McLane. If SU wanted to get tricky and throw ND a matchup they probably won't see coming, they could put Hottle on Faison, double pole Dobson and McLane with Olexxo and Koy and put Rice on Taylor. Again tough spot for Rice but if you wanna attack that ND midfield with 2 poles that's probably your best bet. Dobson has a cannon but he's not a great dodger by any stretch, how SU chooses to defend him likely sets up the rest of the matchups on the midfield. Offensively for SU I have the same concerns I had for Army, Hop and Duke, can SU get enough from the secondary scorers as ND will look to shut the attack down as much as possible. SU offensively hasn't gotten a lot of scrutiny the past few games due to SU winning but it's been a struggle for sure. Injuries appear to have been an issue but 10 goals versus Duke and 13 vs Hobart are less then optimal (Duke game somewhat understandable). I wish SU would mix up the mid lines a little more. Mule continues to play outstanding and may keep ND from double polling as he has been punishing teams when they try that. He's really picked up his scoring when Joey has been shut out. Gonna need him again tomorrow. ND is probably putting Lyght on Spallina but I wouldn't rule out Conlin drawing him with Hiltz being on a tear they may want Lyght on him. ND's defense is very good and of course Entenmann (who feels like he's been there since 2016) can be a brick wall at times. However, they can be scored on if your not turning the ball over on the 10 man or trying to attack against their best defenders. If your SU this is similar to Army and Maryland, your attacking up top with your mids who are drawing a short and probably inverting at times. Again I am beating a dead horse but Finn has to produce in the six on six. He's been good the last few games with 3, 1, 2 and 2 pts respectively but he's been doing a lot of that damage on the man up. 6 on 6 we need more from him drawing a short stick. ND's main shorties are very good in Ramsey , and then decent in our old friend Parlette and Parker others but SU has to be able to attack there and with Mule drawing the third close pole which is Napolitano I think. SU really has to utilize Birtwistle and Rhoa in this game, two guys who can dodge and shoot and beat matchups, ditto for Leo unless ND polls him. Would love to see SU role out a line of English, Leo and Rhoa or Birtwistle, make ND choose who they're gonna short and try and stop without a long pole. Mark's been on fire, hard to expect him to do it a 3rd game in a row but with the next two opponents were gonna need him to be as good or close to it. He's been locked in, hopefully it continues. Entenmann is an outstanding goalie we all know it, SU had success last year, they will need to get good looks and change up shot looks and placement. High to low, low to high, bouncers, off stick etc. Lastly SU really needs Kohn to have a game on Saturday. As good as he has been this year (outstanding most games) in the three games against peer Fogo's he's under 50% in all 3. Lynch has become an AA level fogo, SU needs Kohn to be 50%+ here or they need to give Mullen an extended look. Sounds harsh but that's the reality of the ACC schedule. This a very tough matchup for SU, a loss here going away wouldn't be overly shocking. Key is SU can't let it carry over. Between ND and Cornell SU needs to be 1 for 2 at worse. Can't afford to go O fer. [/QUOTE]

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