Notre Dame has put together a solid defense. The deficiencies in Notre Dame's defense cost Charlie Weis his job last season. The Irish didn't look any better on that side of the ball this season after giving up 367 rushing yards in a 35-17 loss to Navy. But they've played remarkably well from that point on. Notre Dame's defense has allowed just two touchdowns in the past four games, including a 20-16 victory Saturday over USC. Notre Dame went 13 consecutive quarters without allowing an offensive touchdown -- its longest streak since 1980 -- before USC finally reached the end zone in the third period. And that touchdown was hardly the defense's fault: USC recovered a fumble at Notre Dame's 2 line and didn't reach the end zone until a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-goal.
