Several issues popped up for Notre Dame in its game against BYU. The defense didn't blitz enough, the running backs didn't carry the ball enough, and they relied too much on zone. But there's one problem that reared its ugly head that might be more confusing than all of that.
How the wide receiver position has been utilized this season should make everyone wonder what all the hype was about over the winter if the coaches believe there are only three or four coaches who should get any playing time. Against BYU, the rotation was almost non-existent.
On Saturday night, Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison got 79 snaps while Micah Gilbert got 78. Mylan Graham got 2 snaps. That was the extent of the wide receivers' playing time in Provo.
Heading into the BYU game, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman talked about how they were plotting and planning to play in the high-altitude, low-oxygen environment. Was the plan to play Faison and Greathouse for all but two snaps all game? Was it a spur-of-the-moment decision based on how close the game was? Which is the worse scenario?
Notre Dame football WR snap counts expose major lack of trust beyond top three
It's not as though Notre Dame had the same plan for the rest of the offense. Nolan James Jr. got 50 snaps, which is a lot, especially since he wasn't very effective, but Aneyas Williams got 21, and Jonaz Walton got 10. Between the three backs, it was more of a 60-40 split than a 98-2.
The tight ends, meanwhile, rotated frequently, with James Flanigan getting 47 snaps and Jack Larson 36. Why Ian Premer got 4 is another question for another day. But again, at least there was some rotation.
What's going on with the vaunted wide receiver corps? The group that was supposed to have so much talent? The lack of trust was hidden so far this season because the Irish faced weaker opponents, but BYU isn't the only time Notre Dame coaches have clearly trusted what is becoming the Big 3.
Two weeks ago against North Carolina, Faison had 69 snaps, Gilbert had 65, and Greathouse had 43. While Matt Jeffery played, he caught no targets on his 9 snaps.
Even in blowout wins, the wide receiver rotation doesn't exist, as the benches are emptied once the Fighting Irish build their lead.
This season, Graham has just 106 snaps, with most of his playing time coming against Stanford. Matt Jeffery has 65; Jerome Bettis Jr. has just 55. Bubba Frazier has 22, against Rice and Stanford. Devin Fitzgerald has 19 against the same teams.
Meanwhile, Faison has 382 snaps, Gilbert has 347 and Greathouse has 246.
Why isn't Notre Dame using its depth at wide receiver? Only the coaches can answer. But it needs an answer as things start to turn this season.
The lack of offensive innovation hasn't been an issue because of how Notre Dame has dominated most of its opponents. However, as the Miami game draws ever closer, more and more questions arise about what the plan is for a group that was supposed to be a strength.
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