After a 0-2 start to the season, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have won back-to-back games against Purdue and Arkansas. There have been some great moments during these last two contests, but there are clearly some things that still need to improve. That is the priority for head coach Marcus Freeman this week, finding those remaining answers.

Over the next three weeks, you are going to have a great opportunity to continue building momentum as a program against Boise State, NC State, and USC. There are a few positions that Coach Freeman and his staff may want to think about making some small changes. Here is what should be on their radar with the battle against the Broncos on the horizon.

Start KVA no matter what 

The lack of opportunity that sophomore linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa has continued to get so far this season has been very strange. Through four games, KVA has been the best linebacker for the Fighting Irish, and it hasn’t been overly close. There needs to be a greater emphasis on getting the 6-3, 230-pound defender on the field and in several different spots. You just don’t have many players who can play any linebacker spot, as well as rush the passer at a high level in obvious passing situations. 

This ask to want to see more Viliamu-Asa doesn’t necessarily have to be a KVA versus Drayk Bowen conversation. Viliamu-Asa isn’t a player who just needs to play MIKE linebacker. With his ability to also play WILL, you can get both of them on the field at the same time. You need to get your best players on the field, and that is all we can ask from defensive coordinator Chris Ash. 

Get James Flanigan some reps 

Eli Raridon has made some great plays in the passing game so far, although his run blocking has been a bit of an issue. Most people aren’t surprised that Raridon is the top tight end on this team right now, but the depth is very much concerning. Arkansas transfer Ty Washington has been utilized in two tight end sets, but hasn’t been overly impressive. The Irish need to find some answers to that depth chart, especially for specific situations where they need to utilize multiple tight ends. It might be an interesting idea to see more of true freshman James Flanigan and figure out what you have there. Perhaps Flanigan isn’t ready, but you need to try to find some real answers for tight end depth.

Reconfigure your defensive tackle rotation

 We now have four games of a sample size for the Irish staff to start and adjust rotations a bit. The defensive tackle group has been a bit of an issue so far, but the emergence of former USC transfer Elijah Hughes has been a pleasant surprise. Along with Gabriel Rubio, those have been your two best defensive tackles over the last couple of games. Jason Onye and Jared Dawson have had quality moments as well, and that should be your two deep right now. Donovan Hinish should still play, but he just hasn’t played very well. There is a time, a place, and a game to see more of Hinish, but against the better opponents, the previous four defensive tackles mentioned need to play the most.

Figure out pass rush package 

Aside from Boubacar Traore, the Notre Dame pass rush has been extremely inconsistent during the first four games of the season. Outside of the creative pressure look at times, the Irish just aren’t winning enough 1-on-1 opportunities. That needs to change, which means we might need to see some players in different roles at times. After showing a ton of promise as a pass rusher a year ago, we have seen just 27 snaps of Loghan Thomas in four games. We need to see more of him, as well as more KVA rushing the passer. Take some pressure off of Traore, and that will only make him a more dominant player as well.

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