[Hulk01]

Someone posted that he assumes Notre Dame's defense is better than Washington's or USC's.

If Notre Dame’s defense even equals Washington’s or USC’s, it is time to believe in miracles.

According to their latest depth chart, their defense returns only two starters.  But it’s even worse than that.  None of the other nine starters were listed on last year’s opening two-deep.  So they return two starters--and none of their backups. 

They lost DLs Stephon Tuitt and Louis Nix in this summer's second round; OLB Prince Shembo in the fourth; and CB Bennet Jackson in the sixth.  Last year’s other starting CB, the very good Keivare Russel, and their other projected starting DE, Ishaq Williams, were among the players declared ineligible in the alleged recruiting scandal.  The wipe out was so thorough that I recognized almost none of the names on the Irish defensive two-deep except true freshman Andrew Trumbetti, a second team DE whom we recruited.

Tbey’re allowing only about 11 points a game, but the most prolific offense they’ve faced belongs to Rice.  Honest.  Rice ranks 80th in the nation in scoring. 

The Irish rank 40th in the nation for yards allowed per rush and 61st for yards allowed per pass.  If you are facing offenses that average 92d in the nation, those are the numbers you'd project for a below-average defense

Sheldon Day is their best defensive player, but he’s not Leonard Williams or either of Washington’s defensive linemen.  Their linebackers couldn't crack their two deep last year. 

If Notre Dame looks good defensively against us this Saturday, it won’t be all their doing.

[Hulk01]

Someone posted that he assumes Notre Dame's defense is better than Washington's or USC's.

If Notre Dame’s defense even equals Washington’s or USC’s, it is time to believe in miracles.

According to their latest depth chart, their defense returns only two starters.  But it’s even worse than that.  None of the other nine starters were listed on last year’s opening two-deep.  So they return two starters--and none of their backups. 

They lost DLs Stephon Tuitt and Louis Nix in this summer's second round; OLB Prince Shembo in the fourth; and CB Bennet Jackson in the sixth.  Last year’s other starting CB, the very good Keivare Russel, and their other projected starting DE, Ishaq Williams, were among the players declared ineligible in the alleged recruiting scandal.  The wipe out was so thorough that I recognized almost none of the names on the Irish defensive two-deep except true freshman Andrew Trumbetti, a second team DE whom we recruited.

Tbey’re allowing only about 11 points a game, but the most prolific offense they’ve faced belongs to Rice.  Honest.  Rice ranks 80th in the nation in scoring. 

The Irish rank 40th in the nation for yards allowed per rush and 61st for yards allowed per pass.  If you are facing offenses that average 92d in the nation, those are the numbers you'd project for a below-average defense

Sheldon Day is their best defensive player, but he’s not Leonard Williams or either of Washington’s defensive linemen.  Their linebackers couldn't crack their two deep last year. 

If Notre Dame looks good defensively against us this Saturday, it won’t be all their doing.