3 totally reasonable expectations for Notre Dame football against Purdue in Week 3
By Brad Weiss
3 totally reasonable expectations for Notre Dame football against Purdue in Week 3
Defense limits the big plays from Purdue’s offense
One of the key storylines so far this season has been the Notre Dame defense, and all of the big plays they have allowed. It seems like every time the Irish have a game by the throat, the defense lets up a big play, something we hardly saw under former defensive coordinator Clark Lea.
In fairness, Marcus Freeman is in his first season on the job, and inherited a defense that lost some of their key players to the NFL this offseason. He is one of the elite defensive coordinators in the game, and it is only a matter of time before this group finally puts it all together, and becomes what the media thought they would prior to the season.
Against Purdue, they will have to deal with a real playmaker in David Bell, who is likely to have a few big-time plays in this matchup. However, I believe Freeman and this defense will keep the big plays to a minimum, dominating on that side of the ball, and being a real factor in the Irish coming away with a convincing victory.
On paper, the Irish should be able to accomplish all three of these things, but as we have seen across the first two games, you never know what you are going to get. Hopefully, this can be a business-like victory over Purdue, beating a team they should beat soundly in front of the home crowd before ramping up the toughest part of their schedule.