If Notre Dame wants to break its nearly four-decade championship drought and finally bring a 12th national title back to South Bend, one thing is clear: the defense has to tighten up on third down.
That’s not just coach-speak or a throwaway stat. It’s a proven marker of championship-level football.
When the pressure is on, and the sticks say “3rd down,” elite teams get off the field. And while Marcus Freeman has the Irish trending in the right direction heading into his fifth season, this is one area where the gap between “very good” and “title-worthy” still needs closing.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Notre Dame finished the 2025 season ranked 35th nationally in third down defense, allowing opponents to convert 35.2% of their attempts. Respectable?
Sure. But if you're aiming for the College Football Playoff and beyond, that number needs to be better.
Just take a look at recent champions. Indiana, fresh off their national title win, ranked 8th in the country in third down defense, holding opponents to a 30.1% conversion rate.
In the championship game, they held Miami to just 3-of-11 on third down. That’s the kind of situational dominance that wins rings.
In 2023, Michigan had a similar formula, finishing 7th in third down defense (29.1%). Georgia, the standard-bearer for defensive excellence in 2022, was No. 2 in the nation, allowing just 26.6% on third down.
Even LSU’s explosive 2019 squad-known more for Joe Burrow’s fireworks than defensive grit-quietly ranked 6th in third down defense (29.6%). That balance made them nearly unstoppable.
The Championship Blueprint
There are exceptions to the trend, of course. Not every title team has been elite in this stat-Ohio State in 2024 was 30th, Alabama in 2020 didn’t crack the Top 25-but more often than not, third down defense is a common thread among champions. It’s not the only ingredient, but it’s a key one.
For Notre Dame, the inconsistency on third down was glaring in a few games that could’ve been more comfortable wins-or in some cases, potential blowouts. Against USC, the Irish allowed a 42.8% third down conversion rate.
Boston College moved the chains on 44.4% of their third downs. Boise State?
42.9%. Those are missed opportunities to slam the door shut and take control of games.
And that’s the difference between a good team and a great one. A good team gets the win. A great team dominates the moment.
Signs of Progress
To be fair, it wasn’t all bad news. In their November matchup against Pitt, the Irish defense pitched a third down shutout-0-for-13. That’s the kind of performance that shows what this unit is capable of when it’s locked in and executing.
The foundation is there. The talent is there. Freeman has built a defense that can fly around the field, but if Notre Dame wants to make the leap from contender to champion, they’ll need to become more consistent in those high-leverage moments.
Third down isn’t just another play-it’s the heartbeat of situational football. It’s where games are won, drives are ended, and momentum shifts. And if Notre Dame wants to be the last team standing in 2026, that’s where their defense needs to plant its flag.