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UNDER THE DOME An Education Process Nevertheless, during a regular season there isn't always time for opponents to impleEn route to finishing No. 1 in the nation at the end of the 2012 regular season, the ment dramatic changes or have enough time for film analysis. Alabama head coach Nick Fighting Irish defense rated among the program's four or five best in the last 40 years. Saban and his staff had more than a month to counter the vaunted Irish unit. The 10.3 points per game ranked No. 1 nationally and was the best figure at Notre Kelly said that after reviewing the Alabama Dame since 1980. game tape in depth, Notre Dame isn't going to Unfortunately, the four months of adulation throw out the proverbial baby with the bath wacollapsed Jan. 7 when Alabama administered a ter, but some tweaking will be needed in the 42-14 drubbing on the Fighting Irish. Crimson future. Tide All-American center Barrett Jones was polite "When you have a long layoff like that, you in his assessment of Notre Dame's defense, but have that much time, we're going to look at some also blunt. things that I think will make our defense even "Notre Dame is simple on defense," Jones told better," he said. "Coach Diaco is one of those guys Sports Illustrated. "They're good because they that doesn't feel like he's learned everything. He's [keep it] simple. But they're simple." always analytical, he's always critical, he's always "We knew from film study that if we shifted looking to improve. a certain way, Notre Dame was probably going "The benefit of playing in that game is that even to shift a certain way that would give us some though we lost the football game … we learned a blocking angles," Alabama guard Anthony Steen lot about what we need to do, things that we can elaborated. "And they did. Every time." do to be better — not just our players but our "It was kind of easy because they were so preentire coaching staff." dictable," Crimson Tide offensive tackle D.J. Fluker It might be a learning experience similar to the said. "They ran the same things they did on film." 2010 Navy game (Kelly and Diaco's first year at Alabama dictated the pace while rushing for 265 Notre Dame) in which the Irish were caught unyards (5.9 yards per carry) and passing for 264 (9.4 prepared to combat the triple option and were yards per attempt). drubbed 35-17. Since then, the Irish have domiFor Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, defennated the last four contests against triple-option sive coordinator Bob Diaco and the entire staff, teams Army, Navy and Air Force while shutting there was a bit of a dilemma entering the chamdown the attack. pionship encounter. Playing the defense they did Oftentimes, only through major setbacks does all season is what earned them the right to play Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco and the rest of the Irish coachone really learn and continue to grow. Education for the national title, and it would seem foolish ing staff can learn from last year's 42-14 loss to Alabama. to veer from it. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS is a lifelong process. Fine Italian cuisine just minutes from Notre Dame... Like coming home for dinner! Reservations Recommended For All Special Event Notre Dame Weekends. Private Dining Room For Parties 25-100. Now Reserving For The Fall! ItalIan RestauRants South Bend/Granger and Indianapolis www.caprigranger.com 50827 Princess Way, Granger • 574-271-1500 Serving Daily from 3pm until close BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2013 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 4-6,8,10-17.Under The Dome.indd 13 ! 13 6/25/13 4:50 PM