Elite Notre Dame Pass Defense Won’t Abandon Man Coverage Against Ohio State

2024-25 CFP

OSU Football

Email this Article Share on Reddit Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Notre Dame’s secondary is preparing to stand toe-to-toe with an Ohio State receiving corps held above all others in college football.

It’s not that the Fighting Irish opt exclusively for man-to-man over zone coverage schemes, but man-to-man is their bread and butter. Notre Dame plays Cover-1 – that’s one safety in a deep zone and man coverage for the rest of the secondary – at a rate higher than anyone else in college football, per Pro Football Focus. The Domers have done so with great success, ranked third nationally at just 5.8 yards allowed per pass attempt.

And they don’t intend on changing their…