Fans already looking ahead to future

Here are the highlights, lowlights and sidelights from Notre Dame football beat writer Eric Hansen's latest live chat. The next live chat will be Oct. 20 at noon EDT.

Steve from Ohio: When Jonas Gray graduates, would it not make sense to move Theo Riddick back to running back? He seems like a fish out of water at receiver.

Eric Hansen: Steve, it's a thought, but let's see how the balance of this season plays out. He was the second-leading receiver last year, and that's with missing a handful of games because of injury. It would also crowd the running back position. I supposed you could move George Atkinson III to receiver. I'm not ruling out your idea, but I want the next 3-4 games to play out first.

Roger from Dallas: Hi Eric. Thanks for these great chats. I'm curious to know how confident the coaches are in Aaron Lynch and Stephon Tuitt to play assignment football this weekend. Also, do you think they'll play Blanton as a slot CB/linebacker as they did against Army? That seemed pretty effective.

Eric Hansen: Roger, thanks. It sounds like you're going to get a Fort Worth team into the Big 12 down there. In any event, I do sense a confidence with the coaches about Lynch/Tuitt. I think Lynch's extensive playing time against Purdue - although it came with some mistakes - allowed the coaches to see where he is as an every-down player. And he was able to outrun some of this mistakes. It would be interesting to see Tuitt in the nose guard rotation this game. As for Blanton, I thought that was the strategy move of the season last year. I'm not sure if he would play that same role this time or if they'd drop down a safety. Remember, Air Force has some notable differences in its offense that perhaps make that CB/OLB not as effective a weapon. I would be surprised if ND doesn't line up in an even front, with Darius Fleming dropping down. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw some exotic wrinkles on defense.

Paul from Ireland: Great as always Eric. Quick one for you, is there any danger of Stephon Tuitt leaving, transfer or homesick, etc.? After getting a five-star like him, it would be a killer to lose him - any fear of this do you think? Are the other freshmen all on board as well - any homesickness, failing classes etc.? Thanks again.

Eric Hansen: Paul, homesickness is part of being a freshman. If they weren't homesick, you would have to check their pulse. Cierre Wood got homesick and wanted to leave. Louis Nix got homesick and wanted to leave. I think Stephon is strong enough to get through that and his family is strong enough to help him with it. It's part of growing up. I think the good thing is, there are SO MANY guys who are from a long way away, they kind of support each other. It's not like being from Georgia and being on Texas' or Ohio State's roster, where most of the guys on the team can't relate to the out-of-state experience.

Dave from Paw Paw: Hey Eric, really love the work you do and taking some time out of my lunch break for the chat. How do you see our defense doing this week against Air Force? Are we going to attack more instead of sitting back and how do we do that? Thanks so much!

Eric Hansen: I do think there will be an attack mode. and I think that's in part why ND was much more successful against Army (although the Cadets were not as good as Navy either). I think BK learned you can psych yourself out with the option. A lot of what ND needs to bring is what it does best, and that will be penetration and strength at the line of scrimmage.

Newt from Washington, D.C.: Thanks for taking my question once again and I can't tell you how much I look forward to the chats to get me through 'til game day. Anywho ... I don't want to beat a dead horse, and please understand that I am happy with last week's win, but I just thought we could have gotten Andrew Hendrix in the game. At this point, I don't want Golson in (I want to redshirt him). A couple of reasons: If Dayne Crist doesn't come back next year (which it sounds like after reading the recruiting article), then we will return no one with playing experience but Rees. Also, and I know you don't agree, I don't see Hendrix returning next year, because if he can't replace a QB that turns the ball over as many times as Rees has, then how in the heck are you going to sell him on a OPEN competition in the spring? What I'm saying is I think BK is choosing his QB for the next three years right now. And if you don't think Rees is going to be that guy, you have to give Hendrix a look right now.

Eric Hansen: Newt, thank you, that was close to a manifesto, but you speak for a lot of ND fans in this viewpoint. Here's how I see it. I am constantly asked about quarterbacks transferring. Every week. I had a guy the other day on the radio tell me he thought three QBs would transfer. Yikes.

Here's my answer. I think Hendrix and Golson know their time to impress is next spring. Whatever else they get this year is gravy. You can't sacrifice the present to build for 2012. For those who expect all these QBs to transfer, remember, they have to beat out 3-4-5 other guys at their new school. Sometimes they are better off staying put. Look at Mitch Mustain. When you see QBs transfer, there's usually one of these dynamics at work: 1) Stage parents, 2) Unrealistic expectations, 3) The coach made promises he didn't keep, 4) The kid doesn't have a competitive bone in his body, 5) The kid is not given a fair chance to compete - the job is given to an anointed one.

I don't see any of those factors in play with these current QBs. I still wouldn't even rule out Crist staying. There's a lot of season left and a lot could happen. Sorry, that's my manifesto.

Jim from Louisville: Eric, great job, I've become quite smitten with your chats. Which members of the defense will be most key this weekend? Is there a stat or two worth watching to indicate the success of ND's defense?

Eric Hansen: Thanks, Jim. Defensive ends, outside linebackers and safeties are the guys who are going to be most critical to the success. The stat to watch is how ND plays on first down on defense. If you can get Air Force into second-and-8 or -9 rather than second-and-4-to-6, you put big pressure on them and limit their options.

Terry from Des Moines, Iowa: Eric, will TCU's move to the Big 12 force ND to join a conference? And, if they do - do you think the Big 10 or ACC are the better fit?

Eric Hansen: Not yet, but it weakens the Big East in football, which could eventually lead it to implode. If it got to that point, I think ND is more inclined to join the ACC UNLESS Texas came into the Big Ten with ND.

Tom from Evanston, Ill.: Eric, I am taking the bait from your article. WHY doesn't Brian Kelly get a vote in the coaches' poll?

Eric Hansen: Coaches have so many years on the board, and then they are asked to rotate out. That's what happened with BK. He did not have a choice, nor is he being punished.

Anthony from Indiana, Pa.: Eric, love your work. Not to beat a dead horse, I don't understand how a three-year letterman can transfer without sitting out a year, but I can see Crist following the road to Wisconsin. Any thoughts?

Eric Hansen: Here's the rule. If you have graduated and have a fifth year of eligibility, you can transfer without penalty to another FBS school IF you enroll in a graduate studies program that is not offered at your own school. That's what Russell Wilson did, as did Matt Romine, Steve Paskorz and others.

AJ from San Diego, Calif.: Hi Eric - love the chats. Keep up the great reporting! Two-parter for you: Of all the areas that need the biggest improvement ASAP, it's punt return. Do you think that coach Kelly sticks with Goodman for this week, but then opens it up during the bye week to really fix this issue. Meaning, could we see Toma or Theo returning punts for USC? Second question, on the same note as the bye week, do you think we see the team focusing on red zone packages that week and come USC game we finally see the breaking out of the jet sweep/wildcat-type plays to mix up our options in the red zone? Thanks for the great reporting!

Eric Hansen: AJ, the bye week is a great time to "fix" things and recalibrate. I think all that you mentioned are possible. And remember, Kelly is 12-1 in his career following an open date.

Kevin Kelly from Columbus, Ohio: First, let me say it's great to be an Irish fan in Buckeye Country. Secondly, I said it last week the Irish would roll to a victory over Purdue. With WillWaves' (William Mahone's) commitment now to ND and with OSU having problems on and off the field, do you see coach Kelly recruiting more heavily in Ohio.

Eric Hansen: I think this latest round of bad karma for the Buckeyes is definitely going to affect their 2013 class, and ND, Michigan and Michigan State figure to be the benefactors.

Frank: Eric - thank you for the excellent coverage of Notre Dame football you provide. As a former sportswriter myself, I am very grateful for the informative and easy-to-read pieces you write. My question is this: Do you think Kelly intends for Rees to be Notre Dame's starting quarterback for the next two and a half seasons? Is he using Rees while he waits for Hendrix/Golson to be ready?

Eric Hansen: Thank you. In Kelly's world, the best player plays. You do build up trust with past successes, but you have to keep improving and growing as a player. So no, I don't think there's a commitment to Rees beyond this season. However, he may make it difficult to unseat him.