Notre Dame Football: 5 reasons Irish will handle Vanderbilt in Week 3

Notre Dame football had a scare against Ball State in Week 2, but the Fighting Irish will handle Vanderbilt in Week 3, and here’s why.

It’s been an interesting start to the season for Notre Dame. One week, the Irish are taking down a ranked rival in Michigan and the next they struggle with MAC foe Ball State in South Bend.

While Notre Dame’s record is 2-0 and it’s ranked in the top-10, the Irish still have a long way to go in order to prove they’re worthy of College Football Playoff consideration.

Brian Kelly had to treat the Ball State victory like a wake-up call and we will see just how his team responds to that slim victory over an inferior squad at home. Will the Irish be able to rise to the occasion and smack Vanderbilt like everyone expects or will we see a shocking upset in South Bend?

The Irish will bounce back in Week 3 against Vanderbilt, and here’s why.

5. Vanderbilt offense will struggle against Irish defense

Sure, Kyle Shurmur is one of the more talented quarterbacks in the SEC, but Notre Dame’s defense has stepped up big-time this season.

Even with Mike Elko departing for College Station as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator, the Irish have stepped up to shut down both the Wolverines and Ball State Cardinals. Each run game has struggled against this Notre Dame front-seven and the Irish held Michigan’s Shea Patterson in check.

Moreover, Ball State’s quarterback attempted 50 passes and had just 180 yards to show for it — that’s, well, less than ideal.

Vanderbilt is 2-0 and averages over 400 yards per game, but that’s not going to happen against the Irish. Nevada and Middle Tennessee don’t exactly measure up to this improved Notre Dame defense.