Notre Dame’s defense has spent the first two weeks making life miserable for opposing offenses, and now it gets another chance to prove that fast start is real.
Through two games, Chris Ash’s unit has given up just 13 points, 131 rushing yards and one touchdown. That kind of start will be tested again tomorrow night against Michigan State, a team that wants to lean on transfer running back Cam Edwards and build its offense from the ground up. The matchup also puts pressure on quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who could be forced into passing situations if the Irish bottle up the run the way they have in recent games.
For Notre Dame, the formula is pretty clear: keep the Spartans from getting comfortable on the ground, create pressure up front and make the back end hold its discipline when Michigan State tries to sneak in play-action shots. That’s where the Megaphone Trophy game starts to tilt.
The biggest thing to watch is whether the Irish can stop the run yet again. That’s been the theme for every opponent so far, even though each offense has tried to attack differently.
Wisconsin used mobile quarterback Colton Joseph to help drive its rushing attack. Rice came with a spread-option look.
Michigan State, by contrast, brings a more traditional approach. The common thread is simple: if Notre Dame shuts down the Spartans, it begins with controlling the run game.
The pass rush is the other major piece. There’s been some noise around whether Notre Dame has been generating enough heat off the edge, but the sample is still small and Rice’s scheme didn’t exactly set the stage for a sack fest.
This game could offer a better chance to pad those numbers. Junior defensive end Bryce Young has opened the year in dominant fashion, and senior edge rusher Boubacar Traore is also positioned for a bigger impact.
The secondary should get a real workout, too. Notre Dame’s defensive backs haven’t been challenged all that often through two games, and outside of Leonard Moore and DJ McKinney’s pick six, the group didn’t exactly sail through its first real test against Wisconsin.
Milivojevic should face plenty of passing downs, which means this is the secondary’s first crack at a more traditional offense and a chance to punish mistakes. It also gives Luke Talich his first extended look in coverage this season with Brauntae Johnson out.
And because Michigan State will be trying to stay committed to the run, the Irish backs will have to stay alert for play-action opportunities.
A couple of individual battles could shape the night. Traore draws Michigan State right tackle Rakeem Johnson, who struggled in pass protection against Toledo.
Johnson is listed at 6-4, 296 pounds, but he’s walking into a tough assignment against one of the better edge rushers he’ll see all season. If Traore wins that matchup cleanly, it could make the Spartans’ passing game hard to sustain.
Inside, Armel Mukam gets a shot against Spartans left guard Conner Moore. Notre Dame can make life easier on itself if it controls the middle, and Mukam has the chance to start looking like a difference-maker after two solid games. Moore is considered more of a run blocker than a pass blocker, but Mukam will need to win in both phases if the Irish want to keep Michigan State from finding rhythm between the tackles.
One player who could keep showing up in the spotlight is DJ McKinney. There’s a strong case that opposing offenses will try to steer away from Leonard Moore, and Christian Gray in the nickel hasn’t been heavily targeted either.
That could leave McKinney as the corner most likely to be tested. Sophomore Jayden Sanders will still rotate in, but this is the kind of game that could help McKinney lock down the field corner spot for the rest of the season.
If Milivojevic has to throw his way, the 6-1, 190-pound defensive back will have a chance to make Michigan State regret it.
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