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Notre Dame

Behind The Ballot: Why defense matters to Notre Dame and others on the field and in the polls

Eric Hansenby: Eric Hansen09/14/25EHansenND
Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has some important decisions ahead of him when it comes to fixing the nation's No. 117 team in scoring defense. Michael Clubb/Imagn Images

Notre Dame’s defense, once the backbone of its playoff hopes, has crumbled under first-year coordinator Chris Ash. From surrendering explosive plays to tumbling in national rankings, the Irish now face a harsh reality: without quick fixes, their place in the Top 25 — and any postseason ambitions — could vanish.