Roddy Jones: ACC’s playoff hopes depend on how they play Notre Dame

Time for the Irish to spoil the ACC’s plans.

As we begin the superconference era, Notre Dame remains an independent. The tradeoff for that is devoting a large portion of its schedule to the ACC, and fans of teams in that conference really might have to root against the Irish this year in order to have a chance at the College Football Playoff.

In an appearance on the “GoJo and Golic” podcast hosted by former Irish [autotag]Mike Golic[/autotag] and [autotag]Mike Golic Jr.[/autotag], ESPN analyst Roddy Jones gave his insights on what the ACC would have to do to get the most teams possible into the playoff. He said that depends on how well the conference takes care of the Irish:

Looking at the Irish’s schedule, Florida State and possibly Louisville really are the only ACC opponents who could give them problems. With little room for error themselves, they’ll have no concern for the ACC’s playoff aspirations. They’ll be giving it their all every week, as they should.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Twitter reacts to Notre Dame’s first lacrosse national championship

Hope you love this championship as much as these people do.

If you win a national championship at Notre Dame, you’re going to be remembered forever. The 2023 men’s lacrosse team entered university immortality Monday when it defeated Duke in the national championship game. It was their first time winning the national title after two previous runner-up finishes.

Let this serve as a reminder that every athletic program at Notre Dame deserves your support and not only during moments like this. These student-athletes and coaches work just as hard as those in the football or basketball programs. This is their life, and it’s great to see that rewarded.

If you think no one cares about Notre Dame athletics that aren’t football or basketball, think again. There are so many people either employed by the university or simply a supporter of the university who were hoping to see the Irish defeat the Blue Devils. They got their wish, and they took to Twitter afterwards to show how happy they were:

 

Notre Dame football: 5 things to know for Dec. 7, 2022

The biggest things to know in regard to Notre Dame football today…

For a second just try and imagine explaining to a diehard college football fan just a decade ago how crazy the transfer portal would be.  Freedom to transfer would have probably been able to be explained but the degree in which players decide to pack their bags and leave is beyond the wildest of expectations.

Notre Dame’s activity in the portal remains relatively small.  We expect the Irish find a quarterback for 2022 there and they’ve already offered a few other players so that will remain something we’re keeping our eye on really for the foreseeable future.

Obviously, the portal remains the talk of the college football world but here are the five biggest things to know in regard to Notre Dame football for Wednesday, December 7, 2022.

Mike Golic, Jr.: ‘Tommy Rees coached his *** off this year!’

Mike Golic and Mike Golic, Jr. joined Fighting Irish Wire to talk all things Notre Dame football. Check it out –

It’s been just over a year since [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] left for LSU and [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] was named the 30th head coach in the storied history of Notre Dame football.  There have been ups, downs, and seemingly everything in-between these last 12 months as it was an 8-4 season that won’t soon be forgotten by any Notre Dame fan.

So how do you evaluate the year and the extreme highs coupled with a few of those lows that it brought?  I’ve sat here and done that since September and not that I won’t continue to do so, but figured it’d be good to get a different couple of voices to share their thoughts.

Mike Golic and Mike Golic, Jr. both continue to work in the football media world and thanks to their partnership with Chili’s, were able to join me to discuss the state of Notre Dame football a year into the Freeman era.  Here is what they had to say:

Watch: Notre Dame unveils Shamrock Series jerseys in ‘Hangover’ salute

Watch the three…er, two best friends that anyone could have get their jerseys.

You surely have heard by now that Notre Dame is playing this year’s Shamrock Series game in Las Vegas. That also means it will have a different look when it faces BYU on Oct. 8. The unveiling of the special jersey for this game has become as anticipated an event as the unveiling of The Shirt, so it only makes sense to treat it as such.

Since the game is in Las Vegas, why not make the announcement in a parody of “The Hangover”, perhaps the best buddy comedy ever set there? Well, that’s what happened, and here’s the resulting beauty:

No, none of these guys are going to win Academy Awards for acting anytime soon or probably ever, but that’s not the point here. [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag], [autotag]Michael Mayer[/autotag] and [autotag]Isaiah Foskey[/autotag] definitely are believable as a trio you would want to hang out with. To have [autotag]Mike Golic[/autotag] and [autotag]Mike Golic Jr[/autotag]. play the heavies while also referencing 1988 makes it even better. Makes you want to have your own Las Vegas adventure, doesn’t it?

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Barrett Sports Media piece questions NBC’s enthusiasm for Notre Dame

Is the Irish’s home TV partner hurting the coverage?

Having carried Notre Dame home games for over 30 years, one would think NBC is all in on providing the best Irish coverage. However, Demetri Ravanos of Barrett Sports Media doesn’t see it. In a new piece, Ravanos wonders just how much the suits at NBC even like the Irish.

Ravanos’ biggest gripe with NBC regarding the Irish is that the USFL broadcast duo of Jac Collinsworth and Jason Garrett is being considered to succeed Mike Tirico and Drew Brees on Saturdays in South Bend. Ravanos also points out how there haven’t been former Irish players on the broadcasts lately even though plenty of them have ventured into broadcasting. He particularly cites a quote from [autotag]Mike Golic[/autotag] about Brees being a Purdue guy and folks like Tony Dungy and Doug Flutie coming from Boston College.

There’s no question Notre Dame has benefited from its relationship with NBC in terms of both exposure and the money coming into the university. At the same time, it indeed is worth wondering how the other side feels about it. We probably won’t get any answers, and this surely will be forgotten about once the season starts. Still, what quality of broadcast will we get?

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Mike Golic Jr. to exit ESPN

A former Notre Dame player has left his job.

Not long ago, Mike Golic left ESPN after a long relationship with the network. Now, Mike Golic Jr. is following his father out the door. Golic Jr., who had been hosting during afternoons on ESPN Radio with Chris Canty, is confirmed to be leaving ESPN, which he had worked for since 2015. ESPN reportedly made an offer to Golic Jr., who made the choice to leave anyway.

Golic Jr. took to Twitter to share the news himself:

We obviously don’t know what’s coming next for the former Notre Dame offensive lineman, but there has to be a slew of offers coming his way. He’s only 32, so he’s just getting started as a high-profile media figure. Hopefully, whatever media outlet offers him is willing to keep him for a long time and allow him to further grow as a broadcaster. Best of luck to him in whatever professional endeavor comes his way.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Mike Golic Jr. weighs in on Elmo vs. Rocco feud

You have a take on this feud?

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Before broadcasting, Mike Golic Jr. made himself known as a key member of Notre Dame’s offensive line. Now following in his father’s footsteps as a broadcaster for ESPN, Golic continues to grow his audience. That means people are interested in what he has to say.

However, did anyone expect him to talk about an old beef between Elmo of “Sesame Street” and an inanimate pet rock on the show? Earlier this week, the internet became obsessed with this old clip:

Elmo made a couple of tweets about the matter, and one of them prompted a response from Golic:

The mention of Dwayne Johnson and even Golic’s involvement both are irrelevant though. The real issue at hand is Zoe pushed the normally friendly Elmo to his breaking point for the sake of revolving everything around her pet rock. That’s not cool, and, if anyone reading this actually is defending Zoe, well, just watch this:

Washington sideline fight a focus on Monday morning

The former players reacted differently than those who didn’t play the game. That sideline altercation is in the past.

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As expected, the Monday morning sports shows each used a segment discussing the sideline altercation between Washington defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

ESPN’s First Take Ryan Clark, “No, it is not necessarily a big deal. I don’t look at this and say these two guys should be admonished for what they did. But you do have to be better than this. When you are getting your butts handed to you, the way the WFT was, don’t be fighting each other. Go fight (your opponent) on the field.”

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio commented that he really thought the two might continue to argue and fight with each other on the field, seeing they lineup next to each other as defensive tackles.

Mike Golic added, “I have a feeling those two are going to be just fine because this stuff does happen, but it happens more often than not in the locker room. You have it, it is frustration, and then it is over and you move on.”

On ESPN’s Get Up, former NFL Defensive Coordinator and Head Coach Rex Ryan commented, “I like what they said that they are brothers and that is going to happen. But I still think they got some issues. They are going to have to get it resolved and sit down man-to-man…”

Coach Ron Rivera had revealed in the post-game press conference he was unaware it had even transpired until he was informed about it later. Rivera also added he had already talked to both of Allen and Payne. When asked what the players had said to him, he quickly asserted, “What my players say to me is really nobody’s business.”

Mike Golic has a Mike Tomlin answer for whether there will be a ‘Mike & Mike’ reunion someday

Never say never??

As quickly as Mike Golic opened the door for a Mike & Mike reunion someday down the road with his old radio partner Mike Greenberg, he shut it.

While appearing on Dan Patrick’s show on Monday, Golic was asked what his answer usually is when he’s asked about getting back together with Greenberg.

His reply: “I guess the best answer would be: This is a crazy business where paths cross and re-cross all the time, so you never can say never.”

Hmm. That’s not a full-on NO!

But then he went and rained on parades by paraphrasing Mike Tomlin, who shut down USC coaching rumors earlier this year by saying, “Never say never, but NEVER!” Golic’s version was, “It’s never gonna happen.”

OK then!

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