SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Breaking down No. 11 Notre Dame’s 38-3 win against Texas.
THE BIG PICTURE: The case for Notre Dame as a College Football Playoff contender has its first piece of evidence. The Irish didn’t merely beat Texas; they embarrassed the Longhorns. In doing so, Notre Dame showcased a level of sideline-to-sideline athleticism — on both sides of the ball — that supports the theory that suggests Coach Brian Kelly has successfully recruited and developed the sort of talent needed to compete for the national championship.
This is seen clearest in the play of sophomore quarterback Malik Zaire, who played far beyond in his years, and in the aggressiveness of a defensive front seven brimming with next-level ability.