(Photo: Joe Weiser/Fighting Irish Preview)
Notre Dame enters October at 4-0 and ranked No. 3 in the country. The Irish have looked good. But looking good isn’t the goal. Winning a national championship is.
That’s the standard behind this weekly feature. These aren’t simply keys to victory. They’re keys to playing like a champion—a national champion.
Against North Carolina, we want to see an explosive touchdown run, another receiving threat and a defense that shuts down the run and makes the quarterback miserable. Three specific goals. Another opportunity to show what a championship team looks like.
1. TAKE ONE TO THE HOUSE
Notre Dame’s running game took a step forward against Purdue: 177 yards and 5.5 yards per carry. Aneyas Williams scored on a 22-yard run, and Jonaz Walton broke loose for 44 yards but came up short of the end zone. This week, somebody needs to put those two things together.
A championship offense needs the ability to turn a crease into six points from a long way out. The Irish have backs who can do it. Let’s see one of them get through the line, beat the next defender and finish the job.
Williams, Walton, Nolan James Jr.—somebody, anybody. But the bet here is Walton. He showed the burst against Purdue. This week, let’s see him finish in the end zone.
What we want to see: A touchdown run of at least 40 yards.
Our pick: Jonaz Walton, because every national championship team has an explosive runner.
2. GIVE CARR A THIRD THREAT
Jordan Faison and Micah Gilbert have shown what they can do. Now somebody else needs to give CJ Carr another receiver he can count on. Jaden Greathouse, Mylan Graham—or who knows, maybe Jerome Bettis Jr. The opportunity is there. Somebody needs to grab it.
A national championship offense needs answers when a defense takes away its favorite targets. Another receiver making plays would give Carr more options and defenses another problem.
At least three catches for 50 yards. That’s not too much to ask of this talented group. Get involved, move the chains and give Carr a reason to keep looking your way.
What we want to see: A receiver other than Faison or Gilbert catches at least three passes for 50 or more yards.
Our pick: Jerome Bettis Jr. After all, his dad always played like a champion.
3. SAME DEFENSE. EVERY WEEK. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Notre Dame has taken away the run and made quarterbacks uncomfortable all season. Against North Carolina, the assignment is to do it again. And keep doing it. Every game. Until further notice. That’s what a national championship defense does.
The Tar Heels rushed for 214 yards against Clemson, so Benjamin Hall and Demon June will give the Irish front another test. Notre Dame has allowed just 53.8 rushing yards per game. Keep controlling the line of scrimmage, closing running lanes and finishing tackles before the backs reach the second level.
Then keep coming after the quarterback. The Irish collected six sacks against Purdue. This week, let’s see at least five. The standard doesn’t drop because the opponent changes. A championship defense makes this kind of performance routine.
What we want to see: Fewer than 100 rushing yards for North Carolina and at least five Notre Dame sacks.
Our pick: The Irish deliver both. Another opponent, the same treatment.
Barring a complete meltdown in Chapel Hill, Notre Dame will win. But for this team, just winning isn’t enough. The Irish need to keep improving toward the goal of a national championship.
That’s why these aren’t simply keys to victory. They’re keys to playing like a national champion. This week, that means an explosive touchdown run, another productive receiver and a defense that takes away the run and punishes the passing game.
The opponent changes each week. The standard stays the same. Play like a champion.
A NATIONAL CHAMPION.