Notre Dame Football: 3 shakeups that should happen despite the undefeated start

1. Have the defense on the field less

Notre Dame football spends slightly less time on the field each game than its defense. Part of the reason for that is the improved passing game which means less reliance on the ground game. Less reliance on the ground game also makes for less control of the clock usually. That’s not necessarily a bad thing either.

It’s not like the Irish keep the defense out on the field the entire game while the offense is always on the sidelines. Notre Dame pulls off roughly 73-74 plays per game while the defenses faces 75-76 plays per game. Keeping the plays per game within that margin is fine, but getting more on offense than defense swings more control in Notre Dame’s favor.

This Notre Dame defense is so experienced with upperclassmen starting across the board. And, the Irish are getting career years out of the likes of junior safety Jalen Elliott and senior defensive tackle Jerry Tillery. Elliott nabbed his first two career interceptions this fall and Tillery leads the team in sacks with six.

If the offense can put the ball in the hands of Williams and Jones Jr. more to cap off the rest of the regular season, the defense will be fresher game in and game out. The easier schedule for the last five games of the regular season also could make for an easier time for the defense. This is the final piece in putting together a Playoff run for Notre Dame.