Notre Dame football: 3 reasons the Irish will beat NC State in Week 2

2 of 3

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 12: Cam Hart #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defends against the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

2. Notre Dame’s pass defense will test Brennan Armstrong

Through two games, Notre Dame has allowed a total of 110 passing yards. OK, so that’s a little deceiving stat-wise because the Irish played Navy which runs a triple-option offense and throws only a handful of times every game as well as Tennessee State which is, well, an FCS program.

But this pass defense is still very solid.

Led by guys like Cam Hart and Benjamin Morrison at cornerback and Xavier Watts and DJ Brown at safety, the Irish have one of the better defensive backfields in the nation — and the experience is overwhelming. Outside of Morrison, all the starters are either seniors or fifth-year guys.

Brennan Armstrong has never faced Notre Dame and that’s going to change here as the Virginia transfer will see probably the best defense he’s going to face until the Wolfpack go to Duke in mid-October or host Clemson the week after that Blue Devil matcup.

The pass rush will force some errant throws and the defensive backfield will make some plays. Armstrong will have a rough day at the office.

Home/Notre Dame Fighting Irish