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. 22 Pittsburgh.

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

“It can be real,” 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 to win this play.”

The I

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