Notre Dame has finally started playing defense the way it was supposed to in its last two games, but the unit faces arguably its toughest test of the weekend tonight when it takes on the USC Trojans. USC is ranked as the No. 1 offense on the FEI (Fremeau Efficiency Index) and it ranks 3rd in college football in scoring. Notre Dame will certainly have its hands full and will need to be on top of its game.

Here are the keys to victory for the Notre Dame defense in this matchup against the Trojans.

1) Be Aggressive - We've seen two different Notre Dame defenses this season, despite what coordinator Chris Ash said this week. Yes, Notre Dame is executing better in recent games, but anyone that knows football can watch this team and realize what they are doing philosophically and schematically has been much, much different in the last two games, and that must continue against USC.

Notre Dame has blitzed more, it has played more aggressive coverages (both man and zone) and overall it has just been more aggressive. The Irish defense is taking the fight to its opponents instead of sitting back and playing passive football, which is what we saw the first two games. Notre Dame combined for 34 pressures and six sacks + hits in the first two games according to Pro Football Focus. It racked up 60 pressures and 14 sacks + hits in its two more recent games. That isn't happening just because the defense is executing better.

That philosophy must continue against USC. It should allow the defense to slow down the run game, which we saw the last two games as Boise State and NC State averaged just 75.5 yards per game and 2.4 yards per carry. An aggressive game plan could force quarterback Jayden Maiava to hold onto the ball longer, which should allow the pass rush to have more of an impact. It should also allow the secondary to make more plays on the ball and potentially force Maiava into more mistakes.

If they sit back and play passive like we saw in the first two games USC will rip them up, just like Texas A&M did. If Notre Dame attacks it could have a chance to slow USC down.

2) Dominate the Line Of Scrimmage - Notre Dame has been able to dominate USC in the trenches in recent seasons, and that will need to continue tonight. One thing is different, and that is USC has a much better offensive line coming into this game. It has a big line that averages 318 pounds, and the unit has helped pave the way to a rush attack that has averaged 226.5 rushing yards and 6.4 yards per carry this season. Despite losing its top two backs, USC still dominated Michigan to the tune of 224 yards and 6.2 yards per carry. Michigan also got just six pressures on Maiava (PFF). 

Notre Dame cannot allow USC to win the battle in the trenches tonight the way it did last week against the Wolverines. Dominating the run game is especially important in this game, but the Irish front needs to have a strong all-around performance. It has played much better football in recent weeks, but not having defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio for this matchup stings. It will be much harder for the Irish to handle the USC ground game without him, so players like Jared Dawson and Jason Onye really need to step up.

If USC is forced to be one dimensional it will give its secondary a chance to make more plays. If the pass rush also does what Michigan couldn't the Irish will have a great chance to earn this win.

3) Handle The Tight Ends - Last season, USC tight ends Lake McRee and Walker Lyons combined for just 30 catches and 381 yards. That duo has already combined for 26 catches and 438 yards in just six games. Whether its the screen game, moving the chains or ripping up the seams, the USC tight ends have been a major force this season. While much of the focus will be on slowing down Makai Lemon - which is obviously important - I'm just as worried about the tight ends doing major damage.

4) Limit Big Plays - USC will make some plays in this game, just like NC State did and just like Boise State did. But what the Irish can't do is allow a high volume of big plays, especially scoring plays. USC has racked up 18 plays of 30 yards or more this season and the Irish have allowed eight. But they gave up just two in the last two games, a trend that must continue. The more Notre Dame forces USC to run a lot of plays without big gains the better the odds it can hold USC to field goals or stop them from scoring altogether.

5) Get The Ball - If the defense is in fact able to get Maiava to hold onto the ball longer and work through his reads more it should be able to get him to force a few throws. USC also ranks 105th this season in lost fumbles. Three will be chances to force turnovers, and if the defense can get a couple of those - especially early - the Irish will have a great chance to win the game.

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