Notre Dame vs Purdue: Irish Defense Is the Same Problem It Was a Year Ago

With eight returning starters, an All-American linebacker leading the way and an infusion of talented young recruits, many were expecting the Notre Dame defense to take a big leap in the right direction this season.

While the Irish defense wasn’t exactly terrible last season, it was far from a stout unit.

So far this season, the front seven has really led the way but the secondary has definitely been a let down.

Notre Dame currently ranks 82nd in the country in pass defense and the end-of-the-game debacle against Michigan was certainly embarrassing for the defensive backfield.

If the Irish want to take a step forward, they’re going to need experienced leaders like safety Harrison Smith and corners Gary Gray and Robert Blanton to pick it up a notch in the back end.

The front four is in good shape with veterans Kapron Lewis-Moore and Ethan Johnson manning the ends and it’s nice to see a young freshman like Aaron Lynch stepping up and making an impact.

At the linebacker position, Manti Te’o and Darius Fleming are giving you pretty much what you expected from them coming in, but it’s been Prince Shembo who has really been the pleasant surprise of the group.

The Irish are only giving up 93 yards on the ground per game, which is a big improvement from last year, and they’ve managed to contain two really strong rushing attacks in the wins over Pittsburgh and Michigan State.

It’s very obvious where this team needs to get stronger and that’s in the secondary.

The front seven can only carry this defense so far.

Not only does the secondary have to sure itself up, it has to start making more plays on the ball and creating more turnovers.

Last year, the Irish had 18 interceptions, which is not that great of a number to begin with, but this year they’re only on pace for 12.

That’s not going to cut it, especially if the Notre Dame offense doesn’t get its own turnover problem corrected.

Yes, this year’s defense definitely has the chance to be better than the 2010 Irish D, but they have to start playing smarter, playing more balanced and making more opportunistic, momentum-changing types of plays.

They’ve got too much experience and talent on that side of the ball not to be performing at a higher level than they have so far.