Joe Schmidt, Jaylon Smith Hold Key for Notre Dame D

Photo: Mike DiNovo // USA TODAY SportsPrior to the 2015 season, I wrote about this being a make or break year for Brian VanGorder as the Notre Dame defensive coordinator. He returned a litany of starters and coaches a unit that features three captains: linebackers Jaylon Smith and Joe Schmidt, and safety Matthias Farley. His unit last year finished 73rd in total defense and I thought the 2015 defense needed to finish at least in the top 30 to keep Notre Dame competitive in the national picture. As it currently stands Notre Dame is ranked 46th in total defense at 360 yards allowed per game–69th in rushing and 33rd in passing. The rushing numbers would seem to make sense; the Notre Dame defensive line was seen as something of a weak link and the Irish have played two option teams. But, the unit that appears to need the biggest uptick in production is a VanGorder specialty: the linebackers.

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