NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

It's been an interesting start to say the least for the Notre Dame offense. They scored 41 and 52 points respectively between their first two games, but only scored 27 points against Michigan State in their last outing. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and the rest of the offensive staff have a weapon in quarterback CJ Carr that's the envy of the majority of college football. But their rushing attack ranks near the bottom of the nation.

Denbrock strives to have a balanced offense, hurting teams through the air and on the ground, but the rushing attack needs to get going. This week, they play the Purdue Boilermakers and their struggling defense. This is an opportunity for this offense to come out and make a statement. Here are the three biggest storylines, two crucial battles and one player to watch in tomorrow afternoon's matchup at Ross-Ade Stadium. 

THREE BIGGEST STORYLINES

1. Establish The Ground Game 

There's no excuses this week. We're a quarter into the season and the Notre Dame run game has generated very little momentum going into their first true road game of the season. Thankfully, they're going against the No. 125 ranked rush defense in the country. This is their opportunity to right the ship and generate some momentum going into the remainder of the season on the ground. The offensive line is going into their fourth start together and sophomore running back Nolan James Jr. showed a lot of promise on the ground as the bell cow last weekend. This is crucial weekend for the Notre Dame run game. 

2. Keep Your Foot On The Gas

This is a differently looking Purdue offense than the one they faced in 2024 and 2025, and that 2025 Boilermaker offense put up 24 first-half points inside of Notre Dame Stadium last September. This is about playing complimentary football, and not putting your defense in bad spots. I have all the confidence in the world in the Notre Dame defense, but the offense will also play a role in limiting the Purdue offense which has scored 44, 36 and 38 points respectively in their first three games. This is another opportunity for this unit to 'Leave No Doubt' and put this game away. 

3. Get The Tight Ends Involved In The Pass Game 

Honestly, this is something I could write about on a weekly basis, but this is going to be the last time I'll include this until it happens. We've seen the on-field prowess of receivers Jordan Faison and Micah Gilbert. We've seen very little from any other pass catcher on the roster, and that includes the tight end room. This is a unit that should generate a lot of mismatches in coverage, but so far, they've been used primarily as run blockers, something we expected. Senior Cooper Flanagan and sophomore James Flanigan are both 6-6, 250-pound plus tight ends that are matchup nightmares in the secondary. It's time to get these two involved as pass catchers consistently. 

TWO CRUCIAL BATTLES

1. Jaden Greathouse vs Smiley Bradford

I think the pass offense is still trying to find an identity outside of 'Faison is the guy'. Having said that, I have no issues with Faison being the primary read on most plays. Having said that, there needs to be more complimentary weapons step up. Last week, we saw Gilbert record eight receptions for 170 yards, averaging 21.3 yards per catch. This week, I think senior Jaden Greathouse has an opportunity to shine against Purdue's nickel corner Smiley Bradford who has given up six receptions on six targets and one touchdown. This is a prime opportunity to get Greathouse legitimately involved in the offense. 

2. Guerby Lambert vs Purdue Defensive Ends

One player that we haven't talked a lot about this season, so far, is junior right tackle Guerby Lambert. He hasn't had a bad season, but he also hasn't had that breakout level performance at tackle we all know he's capable of having. Lambert has had a good season, but not dominant. This is his opportunity to go out and have that breakout-level performance at tackle. He'll be going against a host of different Boilermaker defensive ends including Keyshawn Burgos, Trey Smith, Jeremy Lewis and Breeon Ishmail. Lambert has the athletic advantage in all matchups but now it has to translate onto the field. 

ONE PLAYER TO WATCH: QB CJ CARR

Realistically, we could talk about CJ Carr in this category every week, but this is the team's first true road test, where leadership shines. It's a different looking kickoff time and this team will be going against an inferior opponent in Purdue, a team they've dominated in the series history since 2007. It'll be up to the junior captain to keep this team and this offense level headed.

From a numbers perspective, last weekend was Carr's first game since entering the starting lineup he hasn't thrown a passing touchdown. He rushed for one, but didn't score through the air. The Saline, Michigan native torched the Purdue defense last season. Look for the 6-2, 215-pound signal caller to put up big numbers Saturday afternoon. 

—— 

Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.

BECOME A MEMBER 

Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!

Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @TTrow5
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos