the decline of the defense in the last year and a half. While the first half of the 2014 season started off good for defense and a weak offensive team of Texas this year, most other games have seemed to be struggles. There were moments of good d plays but a real lack of consistency. This is probably one of the worst tackling teams I have watched at ND. So many misplays in d backfield. I don't know if the answer is a change in Vangorder going or Van Gorder needing to make d simpler than his complexities.He needs to work on fundamentals of tackling and backfield coverages. I think letting him go might be disruptive as ND lost Diaco just a few years ago. We need stability in coordinator of defense. ND needs some adjustments on offensive side too but nearly as much on defense. I understand all the injuries ND had to deal with but others stepped in.It's more the schemes than lack of talent. What are your thoughts without becoming personal about it? Healthy criticism is good . Please put your two cents in as we are all ND fans and care about our Irish. I like the talent ND has brought in but it is being held back or underutilized to it's strengths. It has to move forward for ND to be considered in top 4 since they aren't conference bound.Coach Kelly has done a great job but our offense can only carry us so far. I don't want ND to resemble Oregon.