Notre Dame football: 3 reasons the Irish will beat NC State in Week 2
![SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 02: Sam Hartman #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass against the Tennessee State Tigers during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 02, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 02: Sam Hartman #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass against the Tennessee State Tigers during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 02, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d4b4a2b916707a5963e8892e5801afbb3b76f0003770e1df07de2e61257319fd.jpg)
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.