Notre Dame beat Michigan State 27–10 Saturday night, and depending on which type of Notre Dame fan you are, you either watched a comfortable win over an overmatched opponent—or spent approximately three hours convinced disaster was lurking around every corner.
Around here, naturally, we had both.
The final score wasn't spectacular. It certainly wasn't the kind of 40-point demolition that allows everyone to put their feet up midway through the third quarter. Michigan State even went into halftime trailing just 17–10, which was enough to activate the familiar Notre Dame fan response: Why isn't this game over yet?
But take away the emotional damage we've accumulated over several decades and look at what actually happened. Notre Dame controlled this football game.
The Irish outgained Michigan State 395–167, held the Spartans to just 44 rushing yards and possessed the ball for more than 37 minutes. Michigan State managed only 11 first downs and turned the ball over twice. After halftime, the Spartans didn't score again.
That's not surviving. That's controlling a game without making it look particularly glamorous.
Once again, the defense is the foundation of this team. Michigan State averaged just 1.6 yards per rushing attempt, Notre Dame produced four sacks, and Adon Shuler added an interception. Through three games, this defense increasingly looks like the unit that can carry Notre Dame when the offense isn't operating at maximum efficiency.
Offensively, CJ Carr continued to look remarkably comfortable. He finished 18-of-24 for 234 yards without a turnover. There wasn't a touchdown pass, but there also wasn't a need for Carr to force the issue. He took what Michigan State gave him and repeatedly found Micah Gilbert, who had the breakout performance Notre Dame fans have been waiting for: eight catches for 170 yards.
That matters.
We've spent plenty of time wondering whether Notre Dame has a receiver capable of becoming a legitimate downfield weapon. Against Michigan State, Gilbert looked like exactly that guy.
The running game remains a more interesting discussion. Nolan James Jr. carried 26 times for 121 yards and a touchdown, giving Notre Dame a dependable physical presence even if the ground attack still doesn't feel overwhelmingly explosive. The bigger question isn't whether Notre Dame can run the ball. It's how much this offense should revolve around it when Carr and the passing game may ultimately give the Irish their highest ceiling.
Three games in, Notre Dame is 3–0.
The offense still has another gear. The defense looks legitimate. Carr keeps getting better. And Notre Dame just beat an old rival by 17 points while leaving its fan base mildly irritated that it wasn't 30.
Honestly, that's probably a pretty good place to be.
Go Irish. ☘️
