It is difficult to decide whether Notre Dame's offense or defense was the more impressive Saturday, at least compared to expectations.

Against an Arkansas offense that had been one of the best in the country, the Irish defense was solid, worlds better than the porous unit that surrendered 32.7 points per game over the first three contests of the season. The offense, meanwhile, was stratospheric, eclipsing even its own lofty standard with touchdowns on each of its six possessions in the first half.

That combination created one of the best performances in all of college football in Week 5, a 56-13 road demolition of the Razorbacks so comprehensive Arkansas fired coach Sam Pittman early Sunday afternoon.

For No. 22 Notre Dame (2-2), it was a glimpse of how good it can be when it plays even

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