Tag: ND

A Wild Notre Dame-Michigan State Rivalry Stat

Almost always a lot on the line when Notre Dame and Michigan State meet up…

Although we’ve known for a while that Notre Dame and Michigan State were set to renew their rivalry in 2026 and 2027, Thursday gave us the dates of those games.

As those were announced, the Notre Dame athletic department released a statement about the games that included some rather basic historical notes that most Notre Dame and Michigan State fans are already aware of.

There was one that especially jumped out near the bottom of the release, however.

A highly competitive series, which features the legendary 10-10 tie when top-ranked Michigan State and second-ranked Notre Dame met in East Lansing during the 1966 season, the last 64 meetings between the Irish and Spartans have featured at least one Associated Press ranked team. 

I didn’t fact check it because I trust the staff at Notre Dame to have done their work and gotten that right, but that’s flat-out crazy.

Notre Dame leads the all-time series with Michigan State, 47-29-1.

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Notre Dame Quarterback Riley Leonard Health Update

Good news regarding Notre Dame’s starting quarterback

Much of former Duke quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag]’s time at Notre Dame has been marked with injury since his arrival this winter.

That’s left obvious concern with Notre Dame fans about where things stand for Leonard as the 2024 season approaches.  Despite the cleanups and such that kept Leonard off the field for much of spring (including the annual Blue Gold Game) there is a first-hand report that health appears close to 100%.

Jim Nagy is the Executive Director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl which showcases national talent in preparation for each year’s NFL draft.  He recently saw Leonard throw in-person and shared the following.

It may not guarantee anything but it certainly should give a little peace of mind to Notre Dame fans who are concerned about Leonard’s health at this point in time.

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Happy birthday to Notre Dame football great Tom Zbikowski

An all-time Notre Dame favorite!

Few players in the last 30 years have been as beloved of members of the Notre Dame football team as [autotag]Tom Zbikowski[/autotag].  The product from Buffalo Grove High School in Illinois was responsible for as many memorable highlights as any Irish player from 2004-2007.

He might not have been the fastest but when the ball was in his hands as a defensive back or as a returner, good luck getting him down.

But not only did he make big plays, he did them in the biggest of games.  When you look at a list of who he scored his seven career touchdowns against (all on punt or turnover returns) and you see the likes of Michigan State, USC, Penn State, and Tennessee.

He did against the biggest of opponents with none of them being bigger than his electric punt return in the 2005 thriller against USC.

Zbikowski went on to play in the NFL from 2008-2013 while also keeping a foot in his boxing career and at one point being a Chicago fire fighter.

Happy birthday to Zibby who turns 39 today!

Enjoy some of the best photos from his career below!

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Notre Dame Must Fix This Issue To Contend In ’24

Where Notre Dame needs to clear things up in 2024 to be playing in the CFP…

Notre Dame is certainly trending in the right direction as we’ve turned the calendar to 2024. Marcus Freeman is finding his footing as the head man, the assisting staff instills confidence on both sides of the ball, and the roster has a nice blend of veterans and young talent. The Irish fully intends to make a real run in the inaugural 12-team expanded CFP.

With this framework in mind, I start to think hard about what hurdles there may be for Notre Dame as they try and truly make some noise next season. One of these challenges is how the Irish performed in true road contests in 23′. Not well. Slow starts. Sluggish play. Not able to match the emotion of the home squad. This trend led directly to two losses and almost a third, ruining the high-end prospects of the season.

Let’s examine the evidence of this issue and what may be causing it.

Notre Dame Football: Which QB Style is Best for Irish Success?

What style quarterback would be best at Notre Dame?

As Notre Dame gears up for what will be a supremely intriguing Spring Football session, many questions arise. One of the top ones revolves around the Irish’s quarterback room. Presently, Riley Leonard, Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey, and CJ Carr are all excited to show what they can do. Each has special specific gifts that have gotten them to this point in their careers and this is the deepest quarterback room I can recall Notre Dame having in a long time.

With this in mind, looking at the Notre Dame quarterback picture big picture, what style of quarterback do you prefer? Do you like a more traditional passer like CJ Carr projects to be? Or do you prefer a mobile more athletic dual threat like Deuce Knight? I generally prefer, with exceptions we will address later on, a dual-threat ultra-mobile player. Let me explain why.

Notre Dame Football: New Found Confidence in Fighting Irish

Feeling better about Notre Dame football lately? You’re not alone…

Recently, with all of the massive changes going on within college football, there’s been plenty of talk from me and others about Notre Dame’s place and standing in whatever college football may end up looking like. How will the Irish adapt? How will they fare in the new College Football Playoff model? How will Notre Dame navigate a landscape that now feels more professional than collegiate?

These are legitimate questions and concerns. One that especially in the last 30 years would have been existential threats due to a lack of proper administrative action to protect and support football along with inadequate coaching leadership. I feel that this has changed recently on multiple fronts and I now have more faith than I have previously in Notre Dame’s ability to navigate this new landscape and still try to compete.

Let’s examine why I feel this way.

What If Notre Dame Joined the Big Ten?

We know almost nobody wants it – but what if…

Amid all of the recent alterations and changes to the playoff system and conferences themselves, the discussion about Notre Dame and if and or when they may join a conference has resurfaced. Many speculate, and I agree with said speculation, that if the Irish were to join a conference it would likely be the Big Ten. The same group that barred Notre Dame from joining about 100 years ago.

Why the Big Ten? Money, geography, and a good academic fit top the list.

Rather than debate if this will ever happen, which has no direct answer at this time, I’d like to take some time to focus on what it would look like for the Irish if it did happen. Traditional Notre Dame fans such as I would undoubtedly have some existential wounds from the move that may never fully heal, but it isn’t all bad. In fact, there would be many tangible benefits to joining.

For now, I will try to push aside my affinity for the Irish’s independence and explore the plus side of what football life would look like for Notre Dame in the B10.

Notre Dame Football: Reaction to NBC’s Booth Change

Will NBC start treating ND as a bigger brand than they have in recent years?

Notre Dame is going to have a new look and sound in the NBC TV booth in 2024 as long-time NBC Sports stalwart Dan Hicks will be replacing Jac Collinsworth alongside Jason Garrett. Judging from early social media reactions it seems like Irish fans are happy with the the adjustment.

It’s no secret that the presentation has lacked in its most recent iteration. It just never clicked. Something felt a bit off. This is nobody’s “fault”, per se, it’s just that this is a very unique job with a unique feel that must be present to make it click. Let’s go over some key things to keep in mind about this move and how may impact your viewing experience next fall.

Notre Dame Footbal: Winds of Change Blowing for Fighting Irish

The times are a changing in a good way…

Notre Dame football fans have been collectively holding their breath for the last couple of months regarding Al Golden and his Irish contract extension from the Irish. Rumors of a contract offered but not yet signed were abound. An eerily similar dynamic to the one that ended with Mike Denbrock heading back to South Bend from LSU. Much to Notre Dame fans’ delight, the speculation has ended as Golden has agreed to terms on a 4-year deal with Notre Dame.

As Marcus Freeman enters his 3rd year, the staff is led by two of the best coordinators in the country and recruiting is going very well. Notre Dame feels to be at the end and the beginning of something. This is the end of the beginning of the Freeman era. After a rocky couple of years to start, things have leveled out. Locking Golden long-term in has initiated the beginning of the next phase for the Irish.

Winning.

And winning big.

Let’s discuss why the timing suggests the Irish are about to crank it up a notch and truly compete for glory in the modern CFP era.

Notre Dame Football: 10 Ways Marcus Freeman Has Modernized the Fighting Irish

How has the Freeman Era changed things at Notre Dame?

College Football has always adapted and changed over time. It has never done so as quickly and in as many ways as it has in the last handful of years. Many “old school” fans do not like the way the sport has begun to feel much more like some version of professional football rather than collegiate.

Too bad as the proverbial “horse has left the barn”.

With these changes, such as pro-NIL court rulings, no sit-out transfers, expanding the CFP, and major conference reshuffling, the Marcus Freeman era started at Notre Dame with me asking a simple question:

Can and will Notre Dame adapt in enough ways and do so quickly enough to stay competitive with other “football factories” that do not prioritize school in any way?

I believe they are genuinely trying to. Let’s examine 10 ways the Irish program has changed since Freeman has been at the helm.