It’s hard to imagine anything being good after Notre Dame’s loss to BYU. The loss looked and felt so devastating, that it’s easy and understandable to get lost in a sea of negativity. It would be easy to throw this team under the bus and dismiss anything good — and maybe it’s the most honest, but I doubt it.
While 7 games is more than half of 12 (amazing math) we’re in the bye week, so let’s break out the midterm grades for the offense.
DEFENSIVE LINE A-
I don’t remember when Jason Onye went down against Wisconsin, but it was fairly early in the game. Against BYU Notre Dame was finally at full strength along the defensive line since that game, and that lasted for 5 plays before Traore was ejected. Still… this unit has been solid all season, and has been the main driver for havoc plays by the defense. The rotation is solid and we have been seeing more than a handful of players get their snaps in on the inside and outside of the lines while maintaining the same type of production.
LINEBACKERS B+
This is a tough grade. Notre Dame has the 3rd ranked rushing defense in the country, and they have only allowed 3 rushing touchdowns all season. And yet… they aren’t getting home with the blitz, and have been visibly out of position defending the pass (which looks like a true weakness/liability). I think they could easily be an A here, but the rotation seems off somehow. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa needs to be on the field more.
DEFENSIVE BACKS B+
ANOTHER tough grade here for what was arguably the best defensive backfield in the country coming into the season, but… with the glory comes the responsibility. Notre Dame’s 3rd down defense is ranked 88th in the country, and right or wrong, so much of that is in the hands of the secondary.
Brauntae Johnson’s injury has been more costly than we originally thought. Adon Shuler has really struggled at times this season, and you have to think that if Johnson was healthy, the Talich/Johnson combo would be just fine.
Again, before you think this B+ grade for the first 7 games is too rough, Notre Dame’s pass efficiency defense is ranked 37th in the country. The potential to be so much better is obviously there, but their zone play hasn’t been good — and it was awful against BYU.
COACHING C
Chris Ash has all of us in a twist (and rightfully so) but I’m not seeing much of anything from Aaron Henry or Brian Jean-Mary that gives me much hope of improvement coming from their coaching. Charlie Partridge, however, seems to be a a real difference maker on the defensive line. Again — most of the problems we see on the defensive side of the ball looks like a Chris Ash issue against teams with a pulse. Despite having an incredible amount of talent, they look out of position and confused. How?!
OVERALL A-
So how in the hell can I give an overall grade of A- with the list of grades I just gave? Well, this isn’t school, and I am most definitely me. Notre Dame is ranked 1st in total defense and 5th in scoring defense. Of course I’m overreacting to the BYU game, but when it’s the biggest game to date and it looked the way it did — you kind of have to. Again, this defense is incredibly talented and will still be very capable of shutting its opponents down the rest of the season — yes even Miami.