The 16th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on the unranked and 4-2 NC State Wolfpack this Saturday in South Bend. The last time these two teams met inside of Carter-Finley Stadium, the Irish offense put on a show after the weather delay. This weekend, the offense will look to do the same against a defense that ranks No. 77 in points per game allowed (25.0), No. 93 in yards per rush allowed (4.4) and No. 99 in passing yards allowed (243.2). With that being said, there are still some players in the front seven for the Wolfpack Notre Dame will have to account for. We’ve broken down the top players to watch on the defensive side of the ball for NC State and it begins with their productive edge rusher up front.
Defense End #54 Sebastian Harsh
Redshirt senior Sebastian Harsh has been NC State's most productive edge player on defense. The 6-3, 263-pound Nebraska native currently leads the team in total pressures with 16, total sacks with 2.5 and tackles for a loss with 6.0. In Harsh's last two games against Virginia Tech and Campbell, he's combined for five total pressures including three hits plus sacks on the quarterback. He also has 21 total tackles on the season and two passes defended. The Wolfpack's defense will be relying on him to get pressure on quarterback CJ Carr who has been electric through five games this season.
Matchup To Watch: The Notre Dame offensive tackles have steadily improved week over week. Last Saturday, the faced Boise State and graded out as the top two offensive lineman in pass protection against the Broncos defensive line. They'll have to replicate that performance this week against Harsh who has proven his ability to get after the quarterback. If right tackle Aamil Wagner and left tackle Anthonie Knapp can continue ascending as pass protectors, Carr will be able to put up numbers on this NC State secondary.
Defensive Tackle #44 Brandon Cleveland
The middle of the NC State defensive line is relatively stout and is a leading factor in this unit ranking No. 23 in college football in tackles for a loss generated. At the center of that conversation is defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland. The 6-4, 314-pound lineman has 4.0 tackles for a loss this season and has eight total pressures on the year including three hits plus sacks on the quarterback. Cleveland has been credited with 10 run stops per PFF and is a nice compliment to Harsh on the edge. The Florida native has been one of NC State's highest graded defensive players the last four weeks according to PFF.
Matchup To Watch: The interior of Notre Dame's offensive line has been extremely steady the last few weeks, especially given the competition. They played well against a massive Arkansas interior defensive line and didn't allow a single hit on the quarterback or sack against Boise State's defensive line. This weekend, they'll have to continue that trend when they go against the Wolfpack's best interior defensive lineman. Left guard Billy Schrauth, center Ashton Craig and right guard Guerby Lambert have found their groove and are playing at a high level. That will have to continue against Cleveland.
Linebacker #10 Caden Fordham
Linebacker Caden Fordham has been an extremely productive player for the NC State defense. He currently leads the team with 59 total tackles and is second on the team in tackles for a loss with 5.0. Fordham has recorded 33 tackles in his last three outings against Duke, Virginia Tech and Campbell. The 6-1, 232-pound linebacker doesn't blow you away athletically, but he's a smart football player with good instincts and a lot of experience. Fordham is in his fifth year with the program and has played a total of 1,125 snaps in his career. He's a liability in coverage and has allowed 134 receiving yards and a touchdown on 19 receptions this season but is a solid tackler between the tackles; Fordham leads the team in run stops with 29, the next closest defender has 15.
Matchup To Watch: The Notre Dame running back duo is the best one-two punch in college football. They've combined for 891 yards and 17 touchdowns since the Texas A&M game and that doesn't include the 100-yard kick return for a touchdown Jadarian Price had against Purdue. Price and star running back Jeremiyah Love have given multiple linebackers and safeties problems out in space in both the run and pass game. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will have to take advantage of this matchup and get Love or Price matched up with Fordham out in space and let his playmakers go to work.
Linebacker #8 Cian Slone
California native Cian Slone is the utility knife for NC State's defense, he can do a little bit of everything. He's currently third on the team in total tackles with 28, he's one of three players with an interception, he's second on the team in total pressures with 15 and is third on the team in tackles for a loss with 4.0. The 6-4, 250-pound outside linebacker can line up on the edge and rush the passer or make plays against the run in the box. Slone is second on the team in run stops with 15 and is tied with fellow linebacker Sean Brown who is currently injured.
Matchup To Watch: The Notre Dame tight ends have done a good job run blocking these last couple of weeks, and this week their task won't get any easier. We've seen Love and Price bounce it to the outside countless times this season; tight ends Eli Raridon and Ty Washington will have to play sound in blocking Slone when he's around the line of scrimmage. Slone has the ability to blow up run plays near or behind the line of scrimmage when he's not accounted for.
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