The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are now ranked No. 12 in the country and comfortably back in the playoff discussion heading into November, which is a spot we didn't know was possible after their first two weeks of the season. The defensive turnaround has played a huge factor in Notre Dame's 5-game winning streak the last month and a half, but they'll have to continue to build on their performances in the back half of the schedule. Defensive coordinator Chris Ash has turned things around this season and will have to hit home on these key things to put the Irish in a good spot heading into the post season.
Don't Get Complacent
The defense finished the first half of the regular season off on a high note. They held Arkansas, Boise State, NC State and USC significantly under their average points per game and yards per game. In their final three games the Irish held Boise State, NC State and USC all under 3.0 yards per carry as a team. Currently, their defense ranks No. 44 in the country in points per game allowed (21.3), No. 21 in the country in rushing yards allowed (100.7), No. 16 in the country in rushing touchdowns allowed and No. 2 in the country in interceptions with 13 on the season. They've improved drastically over the last month to month and half, but here's the challenge: don't get complacent.
There's still work to be done, and the defense will face offenses like Boston College, Navy, Syracuse and Pittsburgh with pieces that can hurt you if you remain complacent and don't continue to take strides as a unit. The secondary has came away with nine interceptions in the last three games, that effort will have to continue against Grayson James at Boston College, Blake Horvath at Navy, Mason Heintschel at Pitt, Rickie Collins at Syracuse and Ben Gulbranson at Stanford. Their overall philosophy has shifted to a more aggressive style of play, that will have to continue and be built upon as this defense gears up for a potential post season run.
Get Trench Depth Involved
Defensive end Boubacar Traore has been outstanding and sophomore Bryce Young is starting to come on at the half way point in the season. Louisville transfer Jared Dawson and redshirt senior Jason Onye have played well along the interior. Those things can be true while also saying that Ash and defensive line coach Al Washington have to be intentional with getting some of their depth pieces more involved down the stretch. Traore is four snaps shy of playing 300 a season removed from a significant knee injury. Onye has played the second most snaps of any interior player behind captain Donovan Hinish. This defensive line group has loads of talent waiting in the wings, and some of it isn't even inexperienced.
Defensive end Joshua Burnham has to be on the field more throughout these next five games. After playing 467 snaps in 2024 across 14 games, Burnham has only played 86 snaps through seven games this season which puts him on pace for 172 snaps assuming he plays the same amount of games he did last season. Injuries were a factor earlier in the season, but now he's healthy and ready to contribute. Other players like Elijah Hughes, Loghan Thomas and Cole Mullins should also have ample opportunities to earn some playing time down the stretch. Traore, Young, Onye and Dawson need to be fresh for the post season.
Develop The Young Secondary
Cornerbacks Leonard Moore and Christian Gray along with safety Adon Shuler are known commodities within this defense. Outside of those three, the remaining pieces in the secondary are relatively inexperienced at Notre Dame. For starters, getting nickel corner and Alabama transfer DeVonta Smith back healthy will go a long way. After the bye, safety Tae Johnson will be making his sixth career start on the back end, but has played the second most snaps on the team despite not playing much against Miami. Freshman corners Dallas Golden and Mark Zackery will also have to continue growing and will earn their stripes as the season progresses.
Gray has played the most snaps on defense this season with 472; Moore has played the 5th most, despite missing the Purdue and Arkansas game with an ankle injury. Keeping them fresh for the post season has to be in consideration for defensive backs coach Mike Mickens heading into November. That doesn't mean to not play them or limit their snaps to 30 a game, but it's unlikely they'll need Gray or Moore to play 60 to 70 snaps a game to beat Boston College, Syracuse and Stanford. Developing the young talent in the room is imperative for post season success and will pay major dividends if and when the Irish make the College Football Playoffs.
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