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USC vs. Notre Dame: Brian Kelly won't change up defense against Max Wittek

With back-up quarterback Max Wittek getting the start for USC this Saturday against No. 1 ranked Notre Dame, don't expect Irish head coach Brian Kelly to change up his defensive game-plan. Wittek is starting in place of the injured Matt Barkley.

By Aaron Torres
Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE

Although USC will be playing a different quarterback than expected, don't expect Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly to change his defense because of it. On Tuesday Kelly said that the Irish won't make any adjustments, as they prepare to face Trojans' back-up quarterback Max Wittek.

Here were Kelly's thoughts on the issue, via the Chicago Tribune:

"We're going to do what we do, absolutely," Kelly said Tuesday.

Of course with the way the Irish's defense has played this year, it doesn't seem like any adjustments need to be made.

Notre Dame enters Saturday's game with one college football's best defenses and through 11 games has allowed just 287 yards per contest and 10.1 points per game. Currently, they are tied with Alabama for the fewest points allowed per game.

Still, it's tough for the Irish to know exactly what they'll see Saturday from Wittek, a red-shirt freshman who will replace the injured Matt Barkley at quarterback. On the season, Wittek has thrown just nine passes, with six completions and one touchdown thrown.

Saturday will be Wittek's first career start.