(Written by kencraw)

OK, with the major trip stuff done, finally onto the game commentary:

• Fundamentally this team has 3 problems: Offensive line. Defensive line. Plummer keeping his cool when under duress. Let’s take those one at a time…
• The offensive line might just be the weakest part of the team. They’re mediocre for opening up running lanes, but their pass protection is just atrocious. Plummer is never able to get comfortable in the pocket because the offensive line is just not holding up consistently.
• The defensive line is OK when it comes to pass rush, but not good enough that they’re often going to get sacks without a blitz package behind them. Yet I can live with that. And their run defense is not horrific… they’re not giving up huge runs. But they giving up lots of all-too-easy 4-6 yard runs. As the game wore on against Notre Dame, I was noticing that even when the Bears stopped the run at what appears to be the line of scrimmage, it was still a 3 or 4 yard run. They’re giving up that many yards just from the offensive line push. Not good. It means the Bears had to dedicate a lot of linebacker and safety support to the run game.
• Speaking of which (and putting off my Plummer comments), thankfully Notre Dame didn’t have a very good QB. This Bears team is going to get torched by a team with a strong run game and a competent QB. If the Bears play pass protection, the opponents will just march down the field running the ball 4+ yards at a time. If they play the run game, they’ll be very vulnerable in the passing game. Both against UNLV and ND they counted on lots of errant throws bailing them out.
• Back to Plummer, while I’m sympathetic to his plight, he and the offensive coordinator *HAVE* to find a way to keep the passing game alive despite the shortcomings of the offensive line in pass protection. Roll out more. Make sure there is always a dump off option. Do more quick passes. Something! We can not just accept the status quo of him desperately hoping something opens up while he’s about to get crushed.
• I felt like the game plan overall was not a bad one. It’s hard to win a game when you’re losing on both sides of the ball in the trenches. The fact they came as close as they did was remarkable.
• We got *ROBBED* on that phantom offsides call on the ND missed field goal. But frankly, I don’t know that it changes the outcome of the game.
• Long story short, the Wilcox era adage “First team to 21 wins” is still intact and it feels like it will remain true for much of the season. As such, this season will come down to finding some offensive production.