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Leftovers & Links: Notre Dame’s defensive strength still awaiting drop-back passers

Notre Dame has started three different pairs of cornerbacks in the last three weeks, yet those opponents have averaged only 169 passing yards per game, part of how the Irish have the No. 3 team pass efficiency defense rating in the country, among teams to have played more than one game. Health on the defensive perimeter may bring more stability to Notre Dame’s defense, but it has hardly needed it, given that defense ranks No. 2 in the country in scoring at 9.8 points per game (again, among teams to have played more than one game).

Part of that success derives from the inadequacies of the first five Irish opponents.