The most pressing question of Notre Dame’s offseason has been answered.
Marcus Freeman announced that CJ Carr will be the starter when the Fighting Irish take the field in Miami. Carr beat out sophomore Kenny Minchey for the starting position.
Several factors will determine whether Notre Dame has a quarterback capable of leading them back to the playoffs.
One of the most critical factors will be decision-making.
Can Carr make the right decisions in real-time and avoid the catastrophic mistake?
Carr has risk-taking in his DNA. On the bright side, that could allow offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to open up the playbook. It’s been a few seasons since Notre Dame has been able to weaponize the wide receivers, but an improved unit could change that if Carr can make the right decisions.
Early in the season, most teams will load up the box to stop Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, which should give Carr chances down the field.
One of the stats I will keep an eye on is Carr’s numbers in scramble situations. Can he punish the defense downfield with the likes of Malachi Fields and Jaden Greathouse? If he can, the Fighting Irish offense should do enough to allow the defense to win games.
That all goes out of the window if Carr becomes a turnover machine. Notre Dame isn’t good enough to deal with multiple flip-the-field situations or the rob-points turnovers in plus field position.
The other question we will see answered in Miami is, does the coaching staff have a “Minchey Package?” That could serve as a change of pace against a Hurricanes defense that will be preparing for what they anticipate from Denbrock with Carr being the starter.
Either way, for those who have been worried about the number of practice snaps with the first unit being split, that’s one less to worry about.
