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Notre Dame's offense is starting to hit its stride. After three decent performances to start the season, the Irish put together their most balanced performance last weekend against the Purdue Boilermakers in their 49-10 victory over their in-state rival. This week, they face a much better defense in the North Carolina Tar Heels that rank 1st in the country in passing touchdowns allowed, 4th in the country in red zone defense and 8th in the country in yards per completion allowed. 

To know that this offense has truly turned a corner, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will have to put on a really good performance against one of the best defensive minds in the game, North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick. These are the three biggest storylines, two crucial battles and one player to watch in Notre Dame's Saturday afternoon matchup with the 2-1 North Carolina Tar Heels. 

THREE BIGGEST STORYLINES

1. Build Off Of Ground Game Momentum 

Last weekend was Notre Dame's best performance on the ground this season. The Irish rushed for a total of 177 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. This weekend, they'll be going against a rush defense in North Carolina that has been steady this season, but can be hurt for some gash runs. They rank 46th in the country in yards per rush allowed (3.4) while the Irish rank 91st in the country in yards per rush (9.1). This is the one aspect of the offense that needs major improvement and doing it against this Tar Heels defense won't be considered a fluke. 

2. Another Test Up Front 

Despite their stature across the board, this is a very productive North Carolina defensive line. Players like Isaiah Johnson, Leroy Jackson, Xavier Lewis and a host of defensive end players have given fits to the three offensive lines they've faced this season. Notre Dame's offensive line has not looked like the dominant unit we projected them to be in the offseason, but this is a prime opportunity for them to right the ship. This is a really good defensive front they'll be facing tomorrow afternoon and if Melkart Abou-Jaode plays, the outlook for this unit gets even higher. 

3. Denbrock's Biggest Test Of The Season 

Notre Dame has faced some quality defenses this season in Wisconsin and Michigan State, but neither of them had a defensive mind at the helm like Belichick. This is going to be Denbrock's biggest test of the season thus far. The Tar Heels have had two weeks to prepare for this Fighting Irish offense and you better believe Belichick will have his guys ready to play. This isn't a question about Notre Dame stacking up athletically. There's only one team on the roster I can say for certain can somewhat match Notre Dame's talent, but schematically, this is going to be a great challenge for the 3rd-year offensive coordinator. 

TWO CRUCIAL BATTLES

1. Ashton Craig vs Isaiah Johnson 

One of North Carolina's biggest defensive lineman is Johnson, a 6-2, 320-pound nose tackle who's a space eater and helps linebackers Derek McDonald and Peyton Seelmann blow up run plays. Notre Dame center Ashton Craig has been one of their better offensive lineman through four games despite returning from his second knee injury. This is going to be one of the toughest tests he's had to date this season. Johnson was named on our All-Opponent team in the offseason. Craig has to make sure he doesn't become a game wrecker in the run game and generate any sort of pressure in the pass game. 

2. Micah Gilbert vs Jaiden Patterson 

Notre Dame might have found their next go-to target in the pass game. Junior wide receiver Micah Gilbert is starting to breakout in the boundary. In the last two games, the North Carolina native has recorded 10 catches for 253 yards and one touchdown. This weekend, in somewhat of a homecoming game for the 6-2, 205-pound pass catcher, he'll be going against one of North Carolina's most experienced cornerbacks Jaiden Patterson who has only allowed 83 receiving yards all season and has yet to allow a touchdown. This is going to be a fun battle to watch as the Irish look to get the pass game going against a gritty secondary. 

ONE PLAYER TO WATCH: TE COOPER FLANAGAN 

Notre Dame tight end Cooper Flanagan is starting to come onto the scene. He's recorded two touchdown receptions in the last two games against Michigan State and Purdue. The 6-6, 253-pound California native is starting to show his worth as a red zone target for quarterback CJ Carr. Flanagan is also going to be needed in the run game this weekend given North Carolina's multiple defensive fronts they'll throw at Notre Dame. Tight end No. 1 is going to have produce in multiple facets this weekend as a pass catcher in the seam and as a run blocker. 

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