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Notre Dame Football: 3 reasons Irish will make a playoff run in 2022

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) celebrates with tight end Michael Mayer (87) and wide receiver Braden Lenzy (0) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) celebrates with tight end Michael Mayer (87) and wide receiver Braden Lenzy (0) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7) celebrates after a sack in the fourth quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7) celebrates after a sack in the fourth quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

1. The defense will be better than 2021

Under Marcus Freeman in 2021, the Irish defense didn’t exactly set the world on fire. He was still getting adjusted and it felt like he dealt with some major injuries, including one to star safety Kyle Hamilton which led to the pass defense ranking 64th in the country.

Hamilton is now in the NFL and the Irish will be tasked with replacing him and improving drastically against the pass — which it will.

Cam Hart and Clarence Lewis are back at cornerback with starting experience and TaRiq Bracy could be a breakout star. At safety, the Irish bring in Northwestern transfer and former All-American Brandon Joseph which will make up for the loss of Hamilton. This group should be much improved as well as deep.

The linebackers are going to be really good as well with Marist Liufau, Bo Bauer, JD Bertrand, and Jack Kiser leading the way. Once again, depth is key here.

And the line may be the strength with Isaiah Foskey returning after leading the team with 11 sacks last year. Jayson Ademilola also returns and these guys are going to wreak absolute havoc in the trenches.

The defense will finish better than 43rd in total yards allowed per game and improve in most other categories as well.

A good defense and a strong offensive line are two common denominators of playoff contenders.

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