Notre Dame has entered the midway point of the 2026 season and the Irish are riding a hot streak. In fact, Notre Dame has not only started this season undefeated at 6-0, it has won 16 straight games, and all 16 of those games are by double digits. Notre Dame will need to be even better in the final six games due to the schedule ramping up. Notre Dame plays three teams currently ranked in the Top 25 in the final six games, including a matchup against No. 8 BYU this weekend.

Before we get to the final six games, let's take a look at where Notre Dame ranks and how it has performed through the first half of the season. We'll begin with a look at Notre Dame's offensive statistics and where they rank nationally on defense.

Outside of the North Carolina game and a few busted plays here and there, the Notre Dame defense has been outstanding this season. Even in the UNC game, the Irish defense still held the Tar Heels to just 286 yards of offense. In fact, not a single Irish opponent has reached 290 yards of offense this season. Notre Dame has the nation's best total defense, and it's 27.2 yards better than the No. 2 total defense in college football.

Notre Dame's defense is built around shutting down the road, and the Irish haven't allowed a single opponent to top 90 yards in its last seven games, dating back to last season. In fact, 11 of the last 12 Power 4 opponents to play the Irish have failed to reach 90 rushing yards. Only Syracuse (112 yards on 50 carries) topped 90 yards, and they did so during their 70-7 loss to the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame has also been a strong turnover defense, ranking second in the country in turnovers forced.

Notre Dame held Stanford (9) and Rice (7) to less than 10 first downs. From 2018 to 2025, Notre Dame only held one opponent to less than 10 first downs in a game.

The Notre Dame defense looks quite different in year two of the Chris Ash era compared to last season. Notre Dame players look far more comfortable running this defense than they did last season, even when the defense was shutting teams down later in the season. Notre Dame has been good at matching opponents from a personnel standpoint, emphasizing what it wants to do (shut down the run), playing sound football and being aggressive attacking the football. Notre Dame has also improved its tackling ability, although that will be tested more in the final six games as the schedule ramps up offensively.

Generating negatives has been a bit sporadic this season, and it's something we'll want to see more of from the defense during the second half of the season. Notre Dame front four has been good getting after the quarterback most of the season so far, but the pressure packages haven't been as effective. Improving the timing, doing a better job finding protection weaknesses and finishing better at the quarterback would give the pass rush a boost in the second half. Notre Dame also has to limit the big plays it has allowed so far in the season. The overall numbers look good, but the Irish have given up at least one big play against three of its four Power 4 opponents, and that will need to be improved upon as the Irish get set to play some of the better offenses on the schedule.

The Irish defensive line has played a crucial role in Notre Dame's stout run defense this season. No, Notre Dame doesn't generate a lot of negatives against the run, but the line doesn't give any ground. That ability to be stout, occupy gaps and the improved ability to get off blocks and get to the ball fuels the run game. On the outside, ends Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young have been outstanding this season. Traore has been an elite all-around edge defender, racking up 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception so far this season. Young is tied for the team lead with 5.5 tackles for loss and has also racked up three tackles and a forced fumble. When this duo is on their ability to dominate is as good as any edge group in the country. There is also strong depth on the edge, with freshman Rodney Dunham, junior Loghan Thomas and senior Keon Keeley all giving quality snaps.

Notre Dame has gone with more of a group affair on the inside. Notre Dame uses a five to six man rotation, and they haven't even had starting DT Jason Onye since the opener. He's listed as questionable for the BYU matchup, so he's close to returning and adding another experienced and talented player to the rotation. Transfer Francis Brewu has been solid all season and Armel Mukam is in the midst of a breakout season. Notre Dame's DT leader in TFL last season was Jared Dawson with 3.5, but Brewu and Mukam both already have three on the season. Tionne Gray has shown flashes, but getting him to raise his game to another level down the stretch will be crucial. The emergence of Sean Sevillano Jr. has added much-needed beef to the middle of the line.

Notre Dame was expected to have one of the nation's best linebacker groups in the country this season, and for the most part the group has lived up to expectations. There has been a little bit of inconsistency, especially in passing situations, but overall the group has been impactful. Senior Drayk Bowen is in the midst of his best season at Notre Dame, but making a few more impact plays during the second half would be welcome. The same is true for Jaylen Sneed, who is also in the middle of his best season at Notre Dame. If Sneed can continue his impact play in the second half he'll be a much-needed speed weapon against the better offenses on the schedule. Jaiden Ausberry has been steady as well and continues to be overlooked. Standout junior Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa has missed two games, but when he's on the field he's a major impact player, especially as a pass rusher and blitzer.

The linebackers need to be a bit more aggressive attacking downhill against the run. This group has improved in coverage overall, but they have been occasionally vulnerable against play-action, especially boot legs where the quarterback is able to really sell the run game. That will be something that will need to be improved upon during the final six games.

Notre Dame's secondary has lived up to his preseason hype and has certainly played like the elite group everyone expected it to be, but there is another level this unit can - and must - get to. Notre Dame is giving up almost 60 fewer yards per game this season and the Irish have seven picks in six games, but it has allowed completions at a slightly higher rate, so there is room to continue improving. Notre Dame's break up rate is also less than it was last season, but the Irish are also allowing opponents to attempt about 10 fewer passes this season.

Cornerback Leonard Moore has been every bit as good as was expected. Teams have finally wised up and are targeting him a lot less, and he's been a lock down corner all season. Moore has also improved his ability to play the run, which has made him an even more impactful player. Transfers DJ McKinney and Jayden Sanders got off to a rough start in the opener, but since then both have been impactful cover players. McKinney's smooth athleticism and ability to thrive in both man and zone coverage has allowed him to make a smooth transition. Sanders has been a bit less consistent in coverage, but he's a strong run defender and shows impressive instincts when attacking the football.

Notre Dame has been without star safety Brauntae Johnson since the opener and he's not expected back until November. Getting him back to full health and shaking off the rust will be key in November, and especially crucial in the postseason. In his absence, senior Luke Talich has been a big time playmaker for the Irish. Talich has two picks and 3.5 tackles for loss this season, and his range while playing the middle of the field has been top notch. Talich has shown off his athletic skill and instincts, helping the defense remain stout without Johnson. Adon Shuler has been a playmaker, but he's been prone to giving up big plays and struggled in coverage against North Carolina. Expect more and more opponents to try and target him, especially if they have a good tight end. Freshman Joey O'Brien got a start against Purdue and was outstanding. Getting him more time on the field is something the staff needs to do down the stretch.

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