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Notre Dame Football: Top Storylines vs Virginia Tech

By Connor McJunkin

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 05: Phil Jurkovec #15 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the football in the second half against the Bowling Green Falcons at Notre Dame Stadium on October 05, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 05: Phil Jurkovec #15 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the football in the second half against the Bowling Green Falcons at Notre Dame Stadium on October 05, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 26: Phil Jurkovec #15 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is sacked by members of the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 45-14. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

More PT for PJ?

The verdict was somewhat still out on quarterback Ian Book coming into Michigan on his performance this season. After his 8-25, 73 yard showing in The Big House, it’s safe to say the jury has made a decision.

To start, Ian Book isn’t getting benched, at least not this week. However, something has to be done to spark this offense, because what we’ve seen the last few weeks isn’t cutting it.

It feels weird to say that, when roughly a year ago the Book bandwagon couldn’t have been bigger following his explosive debut vs Wake Forest. Unfortunately, it has been obvious that since the Clemson game, Book’s play hasn’t improved or even stayed the same — it has very notably declined.

If you dismiss the games vs New Mexico and Bowling Green (who have statistically the two worst pass defenses in the country), Book has thrown for just 871 yards and 5 touchdowns vs Power-5 opponents this year for an average of 174 yards and 1 touchdown per game.

It doesn’t matter how good a defense or run game you have, that type of production from your quarterback is not going to get the job done.

So now, Brian Kelly is faced with an interesting decision. While he has already stated Book is the guy moving forward, it’s becoming harder and harder to leave Book on the field while keeping sophomore Phil Jurkovec chained to the bench.

Through now 17 career starts, it is becoming apparent what Book’s weaknesses are and that offensive coordinator Chip Long has yet to find a way to game plan around them. The passing game has absolutely zero deep threat and is limited to short and intermediate throws that Book has shown to struggle mightily with this year.

So, do you stick with the experienced guy in Book going forward, or do you start to give Phil more snaps and playing time now that the toughest part of the schedule is over with?

There are no other weapons or players to plug in at other positions that will give this offense a spark. The addition of Jafar Armstrong hasn’t seemed to improve anything, and the loss of starting guard Tommy Kraemer to a knee injury isn’t helping matters.

It would seem to make sense to work Jurkovec into the gameplan and increase his snaps, especially with Book most likely leaving after the season.  He will be the starter going into next year. Give him more playing time and find out the type of signal caller he is.

The offense needs a change, and that change might come in the form of No. 15 taking snaps this week.

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