For the first time since 2022, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are 0-2 to start their season. Now ranked 21st in the U.S. LBM Coaches Poll, Notre Dame’s two losses came against top-10 teams in Miami (No. 6) and Texas A&M (No. 10).
The Irish may have fell one point short in their home opener last Saturday, but they’ll have a chance to start fresh this weekend back at Notre Dame Stadium against an in-state rival. Purdue (2-1) has already surpassed its 2024 win total this season, but Notre Dame might be the Boilermakers’ largest test of the season to this point.
Their one loss came to another Irish rival in a 33-17 defeat against USC last Saturday. Notre Dame has something to prove this weekend, regardless of its quality of opponent, and here’s how the Irish can win the Shillelagh Trophy Game for the 10th-straight time.
Don’t get cute
This Saturday needs to be more than just a win for the Irish. It needs to be a statement.
Those within Notre Dame know there isn’t much room for error as an independent program, and now they know their chances at making the College Football Playoff are now dangerously low after losing against the two strongest teams on their schedule.
What was once an Irish team that had little room for error is now one that has practically none. That said, perhaps the biggest mistake Notre Dame could make from here on out is letting that pressure affect the on-field product.
Despite the defense being a massive disappointment through the first two games, the Irish don’t need to flip everything on its head all at once. This shouldn’t be a “new-look” Notre Dame team against Purdue.
The Irish should stick with what works, particularly on offense, and make small tweaks to what doesn’t. Anything more could result in a disastrous loss to the Boilermakers that would be the final nail in the coffin for Notre Dame’s CFP chances.
Apply pressure
It’s no secret that the Chris Ash 2025 Notre Dame defense has not been the same as the 2024 Al Golden Notre Dame defense. The biggest discrepancy so far could be as simple as getting to the quarterback.
Sacks aren’t everything, but last season the Irish collected 40 sacks, tied for the eighth-most by any team in FBS. The national champion Ohio State Buckeyes had the second-most.
Through the first two games of 2025, Notre Dame has one sack. Last season the Irish averaged 2.5 per game.
Having played against two quarterbacks facing virtually no pressure so far, Notre Dame has allowed 565 passing yards and four touchdowns through the air. The Irish defense’s lack of pressure has to change now.
Reclaim your identity
Last season, Notre Dame’s defense forced the most turnovers in the nation with 33. This season, the Irish have forced one.
Sure, Notre Dame has gone up against two of the nation’s best offenses in this young season, but this discrepancy even just two games in shows a massive difference in defenses between this year and last.
However, Saturday should be a chance for Notre Dame to take a step toward reclaiming its identity when it comes to forcing turnovers. Purdue’s sophomore quarterback Ryan Browne threw three interceptions against the Trojans last Saturday, and he’s thrown six in five career starts.
With players as talented as Leonard Moore, Christian Gray and others in Notre Dame’s secondary, they should be licking their chops at the chance of forcing Boilermaker turnovers.
South Bend Tribune staff predictions for Notre Dame vs. Purdue football
Mike Berardino, Notre Dame football beat reporter: No. 21 Notre Dame 38, Purdue 17. Irish will have to work a little harder than they did in last year’s laugher.
Tom Noie, columnist: No. 21 Notre Dame 41, Purdue 14: This one won’t be played at night. This one won’t be played with a number next to the opponent’s name. This one needs to be a win, and a convincing one at that for all involved, for the team that enters this one winless.
Kyle Smedley, sports reporter: No. 21 Notre Dame 48, Purdue 20: It won’t be last season’s 66-7 blowout, but the Irish will finally play up to their standards this Saturday.
Austin Hough, sports editor: No. 21 Notre Dame 35, Purdue 21: The Irish have to win eventually, right? … Right?
Kyle Smedley is a high school sports reporter at the South Bend Tribune. Contact him via email atksmedley@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football vs. Purdue: 3 keys, staff predictions for Shillelagh Trophy Game
Reporting by Kyle Smedley, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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