Mike Denbrock Likes Where The Notre Dame Offense Is At But Knows It Can Be Better

We're almost at the halfway point in the 2026 regular season, and in some areas, Notre Dame's offense is picking up where it left off from last season. As a unit, they are averaging 41.2 points per game in 2026 which ranks No. 15 in the country. They rank in the Top 10 nationally in tackles for loss allowed (No. 3), interceptions thrown (No. 9), passer rating (No. 9), sacks allowed (No. 3) and turnovers lost (No. 1). 

As good as this offense has been this season, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock knows that there's key areas of improvement for this group. It's not a finished product by any means, and despite the good work they've put in through five games, there's certainly another level this unit can get to the remainder of the season. 

"I think we're growing," Denbrock shared about the offense. "I thought this was just going to be a little bit of a work in progress, especially with the run game. When you really look at the offensive line, how many starts does Will Black have at left tackle? Anthonie Knapp, how many starts does he have at left guard? How many starts does Guerby Lambert have at right tackle? 

"I thought it would take a little bit to gel together and I see that progress being made," Denbrock continued. "If we can lean on the run game when we need to and still have the explosiveness that we have to throw the football vertically down field, then we become a lot hard to defend. That's the goal and I think we've continued to make a little progress every week. It may not be as fast as some people may like it, but I'm happy with where we're headed." 

There's certain areas, outside of the run game, that the Notre Dame offense can continue to improve. Situational football has been an area of relative concern for this unit. Is it bad? No, but there's certainly room to grow. As things stand today, the Irish rank 76th in the country in 3rd down percentage and 34th in the country in red zone scoring percentage. 

"For me, right now, it's about situational football," Denbrock answered when asked specifically what else needs improved. "It's third-down conversion rate. We're below it. Some of that is offset by how we call the game on third down, knowing we're going to go for it on fourth down. But still, third and mediums, we've got to be better there."  

Another key area of development for the Notre Dame offense is the growth of the young wide receivers in the room. Seniors Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse along with junior Micah Gilbert have proven their worth this season. But the Irish are projected to play a long season and they're going to have to utilize the depth more in the room to prevent their top three guys from playing 60-plus snaps a game.

"It's something you have to be mindful of," Denbrock explained. "There's guys at the wide receiver position right now taking an awful lot of snaps, and it's a long season. We've got to continue to gain confidence from what happens on the practice field for some of those other guys to get into the rotation. And they're given opportunities. Quite frankly, it's important that they understand they've got to get it done on the practice field to earn the trust of not only the coaches but their teammates to get those opportunities to come their way in a game."

There are areas of the Notre Dame offense that look exactly how we thought it would in the offseason. But there are some areas that still need improvement and need to take a big step forward or continue building on the foundation they've laid through five games. This is a long season, and with each passing game, we're seeing the growth of this unit. 

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