Episode Details

Notre Dame’s vaunted defense stumbles against BYU, raising urgent questions about Chris Ash’s scheme and whether Marcus Freeman’s next move includes being directly involved in defensive decisions and play calling. Despite boasting NFL-caliber talent like Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Drayk Bowen, Leonard Moore, and Bryce Young, the Fighting Irish surrendered 28 points without allowing a single deep completion, exposing glaring weaknesses in third-down defense and pressure packages.

Brian Smith spotlights Notre Dame’s lack of blitz aggression, poor execution in the middle of the field, not playing enough man coverage, and a concerning national rank—just 87th in third-down stops. With star safety Brauntae Johnson sidelined, and possibly DJ McKinney banged up as well (he left the BYU game), can Freeman recalibrate the defense before facing high-powered attacks from Miami and SMU? The conversation covers linebacker deployment, coverage miscues, and why failing to unleash this defensive roster could derail Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff hopes. Will Marcus Freeman make the bold changes needed, or risk wasting one of college football’s most stacked units?

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