No. 24 Notre Dame faces a familiar predicament — two early-season losses has left no margin for error.

The circumstances have changed, though. This time, it's the usually stout Fighting Irish defense searching for answers as it faces rival Purdue (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten) on Saturday. It wouldn't be the first time Notre Dame has used this matchup as a springboard to change directions.

The backstory:

A year ago, after a stinging 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois at home, the Irish hit their stride by handing the Boilermakers what was then the worst loss in program history, 66-7. It was the first step on a 14-game winning streak that sent them to the national championship game.

Back then, though, Al Golden's defense was the team's heart and soul. Notre Dame led the nation with 33 takeaways, was

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