Irish still seeking identity

Associated Press

South Bend, Ind.

Notre Dame is still missing graduated linebacker Manti Te’o a quarter of the way through this season.

Without the charismatic leader who made those around him better, the once dominating Fighting Irish defense is meandering even with eight returning starters. The defense has given up one fewer point through three games (71) than it did through eight games (72) last season. The Irish defense, which allowed only nine offensive touchdowns all last regular season, already has given up eight this year.

“Our guys were like hunting dogs last year. In other words, when it was time to go, we knew what to expect,” coach Brian Kelly said. “We’re not there yet, but I’m getting a better feel for our football team each and every week. I’d like to be there right now, but the problem is our first four weeks don’t allow us time to grow up.”

While the 22nd-ranked Irish (2-1) opened the season against Temple and then split games with Michigan and Purdue, the Spartans (3-0) opened the season with wins against Western Michigan, South Florida and Youngstown State. Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said he expects to learn more about his team today.

“You are going to find out how they handle adversity, how they play away, look for matchups here, how do they play in crunch time in a close game, which we really haven’t had that yet,” he said.

The Spartans this season have looked more like the Irish of last season than Notre Dame has, depending on the nation’s No. 1 defense to win games. Defensive end Shilique Calhoun has led the charge with three touchdowns on a pair of fumble recoveries and an interception return as the defense scored four of the Spartans’ first six touchdowns.

Here are three things to watch in the Michigan State-Notre Dame game on Saturday:

WHAT’S COOKING: Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook will make his first start against a BCS-level opponent after winning the job by throwing for four touchdowns in the first half in a 55-17 victory against Youngstown State last week. He’ll be going against a Notre Dame defense that is 89th in the country in pass defense, 56th in total defense and has struggled against mobile quarterbacks.

GROUND GAME: The Irish are 24-4 in four seasons under Kelly when outrushing opponents, while the Spartans are 43-10 in seven seasons under Dantonio with the rushing advantage. So far this season, Michigan State, behind the rushing of Jeremy Langford and Nick Hill, has been the better rushing team. The Spartans are averaging 210 yards a game while the Irish, who have three running backs sharing the load, are averaging just 125 yards.

THRILLING FINISHES: Nine of the last 13 games in the series have been decided by a touchdown or less and four of the last eight by a field goal. Those exciting finishes include Michigan State beating Notre Dame 34-31 in 2010 on a fake field goal in overtime when Dantonio was hospitalized afterward because of a mild heart attack and Notre Dame winning 33-30 a year earlier when safety Kyle McCarthy — a Cardinal Mooney High graduate — intercepted a pass from Kirk Cousins at the 4-yard line with 57 seconds left.