Greg McElroy explains why he is more focused on Notre Dame defense than offense

Notre Dame had the No. 11 defense in the country last season, only allowing 307.4 yards per game. In comparison, the Fighting Irish averaged the 55th-most yards per game on offense. Despite last season’s trends, ESPN’s Greg McElroy is more concerned about Notre Dame’s defense in the upcoming season.

“The offense is fine, the defense is what I’ll be paying more attention to for Notre Dame this year,” McElroy said during an appearance on Andy & Ari On3. “If I need a high-powered offense to win games, unlike what [Notre Dame] had last year, then that would have a pretty big impact on my assessment of the quarterback spot.

“But if I have an offense that if I get to 24 [points], my odds of winning are 95%. I feel pretty good about what direction I might go. So I think it’s really about how adequately did they replace some of the key departures of last year.”

Notre Dame will have plenty of work to do this offseason. The Fighting Irish are losing numerous defensive standouts to the NFL Draft, including cornerback Benjamin Morrison, safety Xavier Watts, linebacker Jack Kiser and others.

Thankfully for the Fighting Irish, they successfully minimized their losses on defense in the transfer portal this offseason. Alas, they’ll still have a busy spring and summer preparing their new starters. Despite the undeniable challenge ahead of Notre Dame, McElroy is confident in the program.

“I am cautiously optimistic that that group will always be good on defense, as long as Marcus Freeman‘s there,” McElroy said. “Now, new defensive coordinator, but Marcus Freeman is still there. So I think it really depends a lot on how confident they are on being able to slow down opposing offenses.

“And we’ll find out. Week 1 they have Miami on the road, Week 1. So let’s load up and let’s see how it goes, because I’m not sure many teams in the country have a tougher first two games than what Notre Dame has on the schedule this year.”

Notre Dame will face Miami in Week 1 and square off against Texas A&M in Week 2. It’ll be a massive challenge for new defensive coordinator Chris Ash. Miami finished the 2024-25 campaign with the No. 1 offense in the nation, averaging 537.2 yards per game.

Notre Dame hired Ash this offseason after he spent 2024 as a scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ash last coached at the collegiate level when he was Texas’ defensive coordinator and safeties coach in 2020.