While Notre Dame is missing some opted-out personnel on defense for the Sun Bowl, the hits there aren’t quite as great as those on offense. That means this unit at least should keep the Irish in it against Oregon State.
The Irish’s defense has been stymieing opposing offenses all season, and there’s no reason to think that will stop with this game. There are plenty of strong athletes on this side of the ball, so that alone will make the game worth watching.
The Beavers should be one of the toughest offenses the Irish have faced all season, even with their own opt-outs. This is not a group the Irish can sleep on because if they do, they will join the two other Irish teams who have fallen to the Beavers in bowl games. That’s not the way this season needs to end.
Here’s a look at how the Irish’s defense matches up with the Beavers’ offense: