The adage in college football is that the biggest jump a team makes is from week one to week two. That could not be any further from the truth than for the Notre Dame defense. Heading into the Texas A&M game this past weekend, Notre Dame had not one, but two weeks to prepare for the Aggies’ offense. And after their performance during week one against the Miami Hurricanes, many football experts thought it couldn’t get much worse, especially with two weeks to prepare. Guess what. It did.
The Irish defense surrendered four drives of 70 yards or more, including the 13-play, 74-yard game-winning drive. It allowed nearly 250 yards receiving in the first half. Texas A&M finished with a whopping 488 total yards of offense, including 360 yards through the air and 128 yards on the ground. Like week one, there were moments during the game where the Notre Dame players looked confused and out of place. To add insult to injury, defensive players were seen yelling at each other to get into proper position as the play was literally unfolding.
The circus taking place on the defensive side of the ball is not due to a roster filled with new faces, as many of the current defensive players returned from last year. Furthermore, Notre Dame retained all its defensive position coaches, which was lauded as a huge win for the team during the offseason. The only controversy was deciding who would replace outgoing defensive coordinator Al Golden, who took an NFL coordinator position with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Upon his hiring at Notre Dame, there was no question that Ash’s résumé was filled with experience at both the collegiate and NFL levels. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was found in the results. Except for one good year at Ohio State, he didn’t do too much. In fact, after signing a guaranteed $11 million contract as head coach for Rutgers, he was fired before the contract expired due to poor performance, as Rutgers won just eight games over three seasons. He subsequently moved on to the NFL, where he was not retained at the conclusion of the season by either of his last two NFL stints (Jaguars and Raiders) before being hired at Notre Dame.
In comparison, Golden was hired in 2022 as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator. During his three years with the team, the Irish did not give up 40 points one time. Under Ash, Notre Dame allowed 41 points in Ash’s second game. By 2023, Notre Dame had the fifth-highest ranked defense in yards per game in the land. Finally, last year Notre Dame was in the top five across several defensive statistical categories. Notre Dame is currently ranked 108th out of 134 teams in total defense. A team that was top 10 in points allowed a year ago is now ranked 117th. The Irish defense is also 133rd in sacks and 136th in tackles for loss.
So the question for Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is what changes will be made to fix the ongoing defensive woes. What will he do to bring the defense back to where it was just a few months ago?
“As a head coach, as a leader, it is important to wear the hat that is necessary in that moment, no matter if that’s offense, defense, special teams, or recruiting,” Freeman stated. “Anything, right? It is being able to put on the hat that’s necessary at this moment. I spend a lot of time with our defense. That is obviously where my background is, and I’ll continuously do it.
“Will I spend more time,” Freeman asked. “Maybe. If that’s what’s necessary, then I’ll spend more time there. I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure that we improve and we have a performance that we believe is the standard of Notre Dame football.”
Key Injuries
Notre Dame
RB Kedren Young (knee), TE Cooper Flanagan (Achilles), OL Charles Jagusah (arm) are out. TE Kevin Bauman (retired). DB Leonard Moore (ankle), DB Devonta Smith (ankle), and K Noah Brunette (hip) are questionable.
Purdue
WR Chauncey Magwood and WR De’Nylon Morrissette are probable.
Betting Trends
- Notre Dame is 4–1 ATS in its last five games versus the Big Ten Conference.
- The total has gone over in four of Notre Dame’s last five games.
- Purdue has lost its last nine games against Notre Dame.
- Notre Dame is 60–26–2 all-time against Purdue.
- Purdue has 52 transfer players.
Line (Point Spread) and Total (Over/Under)
Purdue (2–1) (2–1 ATS) at #24 Notre Dame (0–2) (0–2 ATS)
Unlike the defense, the Notre Dame offense did make some corrections from last week in the 41–40 loss to Texas A&M. For starters, the Irish ran the ball more. Running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price combined for 38 carries, 162 yards, and three touchdowns. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock also allowed his quarterback to do what he does best – throw the ball. CJ Carr completed 20 of 32 passes for 293 yards, including one touchdown and one interception. It was also under his leadership that the Notre Dame offense drove on a 12-play, 75-yard drive to take the lead with just under three minutes to go in the game. That kind of firepower will likely be needed again this week if Notre Dame wants to secure its first win of the season, as they’ll be hosting a Purdue team that’s averaging nearly 400 yards of total offense through its first three games of the season.
Last week against USC, Purdue accumulated 357 yards of total offense. Boilermakers’ quarterback Ryan Browne completed 24 of 39 passes for 305 yards and a score. The problem was that Browne also completed three passes to the other team, which took the Boilermakers out of the game as Purdue fell to the Trojans 33–17.
Heading into this week’s matchup, the glimmer of hope for Notre Dame is that the Purdue defense allowed 460 total yards of offense to USC, with 282 of them coming via air and the other 178 yards coming on the ground. USC did not punt the ball once. That should bode well for Carr and company.
The line on this game opened with Notre Dame -26.5. However, after having lost their second consecutive game, oddsmakers now have the line hovering around -24.5 with a total of 54.5. Although the Boilermakers are 2–1 on the season and Notre Dame is 0–2, it must be noted that, like most college football teams right now, Purdue’s wins contain empty calories. Purdue’s two victories came against Ball State and Southern Illinois, whereas Notre Dame’s two losses were by a combined four points against two top-10 opponents. This weekend in South Bend will not only be Purdue’s first road game of 2025, but it will also be their toughest game to date. (Always buy the .5 point) Pick: Notre Dame -24
Behind Enemy Lines Week 4
Florida (1–2) (1–2 ATS) at #4 Miami (3–0) (2–1 ATS)
Florida is 10–3 ATS in its last 13 games. However, the Gators are 0–5 ATS in their last five games versus Miami. The total has gone under in four of their last five meetings. The total has gone over in four of Miami’s last five games. The line has Miami sitting at -7.5 across the board with a total of 51. Pick: Under 51
#10 Texas A&M (2–0) (1–2 ATS) – Bye
Last week, the Aggies took down the Irish 41–40 in a thriller inside of Notre Dame Stadium. Texas A&M wide receiver Mario Craver caught seven passes for 207 yards and one touchdown. Next game: #22 Auburn
Arkansas (2–1) (1–2 ATS) at Memphis (3–0) (3–0 ATS)
The Razorbacks are 2–4 ATS in their last six games. The total has gone over in six of Arkansas’s last nine games. Memphis is 3–17 SU against the SEC in its last 20 matchups. The total has gone over in eight of Memphis’ last 11 games as an underdog. This line opened with Arkansas favored by 6.5. Now the line has the Razorbacks sitting at -7.5. The total is 62.5. (Always buy the .5 point) Pick: Under 63
Boise State (1–1) (1–1 ATS) at Air Force (1–1) (1–1 ATS)
The Broncos are 4–1 ATS in their last five games against Air Force. The total has gone under in four of Boise’s last five games. Air Force is 6–1 ATS in its last seven games. Air Force is 3–8 in its last 11 games versus a Mountain West Conference opponent. Boise State moved from -9.5 to -10. The total is firm at 51.5. Pick: Boise State -10
NC State (3–0) (2–1 ATS) at Duke (1–2) (0–3 ATS)
NC State is 1–4 ATS in its last five games against Duke. The total has gone over in the Wolfpack’s last six road games. Duke is 1–4 ATS in its last five games. However, the Blue Devils are 5–1 ATS in their last six conference games. Oddly enough, Duke is favored at -3. The total climbed to 58.5. (Always buy the .5 point) Pick: Over 58
Michigan State (3–0) (0–3 ATS) at #25 USC (3–0) (2–1 ATS)
The Spartans are 0–8 ATS in their last eight games. Michigan State is 3–14 SU in its last 17 road games. The total has gone over in four of USC’s last five games. USC is 7–1 ATS in its last eight home games. This line opened with USC -16 before moving up a couple of points to -18.5. The total also climbed a hair from 55.5 to 56. (Always buy the .5 point) Pick: USC -18
Boston College (1–2) (2–1 ATS) – Bye
Boston College fell at Stanford last week, 30–20. Eagles quarterback Dylan Lonergan completed 30 of 44 passes for 333 yards, including one touchdown and one interception. Next game: California
Navy (3–0) (2–1 ATS) – Bye
The Midshipmen added their third win of the season last week after defeating Tulsa 42–23. Navy recorded 461 yards of total offense, including 367 yards on the ground. Next game: Rice
Pittsburgh (2–1) (1–1 ATS) – Bye
Last week Pittsburgh lost in overtime at West Virginia 31–24. The Panthers’ defense surrendered 434 yards of total offense. Next game: Louisville
Syracuse (2–1) (1–1 ATS) at Clemson (1–2) (0–3 ATS)
Syracuse is 5–2 ATS in its last seven games versus Clemson. The total has gone over in five of Syracuse’s last six games. Clemson is 1–7 ATS in its last eight games. The total has gone under in seven of Clemson’s last eight games against Syracuse. This line is holding steady with Clemson -17 and a total of 55.5. (Always buy the .5 point) Pick: Over 55
Stanford (1–2) (1–2 ATS) at Virginia (2–1) (2–1 ATS)
Stanford is 0–7 SU in its last seven road games. The total has gone over in four of Virginia’s last five games. Virginia is 1–6 SU against ACC opponents. Virginia comes in hovering around -16 with a total of 49. Pick: Virginia -16
Notre Dame 2025 opponents are listed in bold.
