SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 9 Notre Dame spent last week figuring out how to slow down Navy's run-heavy offense.

This week, the defense is switching gears against No. 23 Pittsburgh.

Yes, the Fighting Irish began this week with the usual emphasis — stopping the run — while fully understanding that it's going to take a much more balanced defensive approach to keep their winning streak intact Saturday at Pittsburgh.

“It can be real, it can be,” coach Marcus Freeman said of the challenge in making such a dramatic change. “Or it can be not — if you put the work in and you go to work and prepare the right way. I'm never going to allow myself or our guys to make an excuse for a performance below what we have set for ourselves. It's win this play. That's how you follow up good with good with good is

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