Tag: ND Football Recruiting

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.

Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Legacy? Depends Who You Ask

What is John Harbaugh’s legacy at Michigan?

What a long and winding road it has been for current Chargers and former Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh. From the early struggles at the Wolverine helm and continuous battles with Big Ten and NCAA leadership, Harbaugh leaves the college ranks as the champion. For now, anyway.

How will he be remembered? To the Michigan faithful, he exits as a martyr standing for all that is right and just with the world of college football. The victim of a witch hunts out to nail one of the country’s most recognized programs for no apparent reason. To others, he will be viewed as a cheater who pulled a “Carroll” and took off to the NFL before sanctions could hit.

Let’s examine each side of this issue to gain a clearer understanding of the vast differences in how this man is viewed and why.

 

What Does Notre Dame Need To Get Over The Hump?

How can Notre Dame take the step from being a very good program to a really good or great program in 2024?

Notre Dame has been one of the most consistent football programs in the country from 2017 until now in terms of overall record. This in itself is an accomplishment, but not the ultimate one.

Notre Dame fans want trophies.

Major bowl wins.

Playoff wins.

A national championship.

This leaves the Irish in an interesting spot. A perennial top “tenish” team but not much to brag about beyond that point.

Notre Dame’s program is on a stable foundation. Jack Swarbrick and Brian Kelly deserve some credit for that. The mission now is pushing this operation to higher highs. What is keeping Notre Dame from making the jump from really solid to elite or borderline elite?

Let’s examine some obvious answers to this important question.

Notre Dame Football: Adjusting Scheduling for New CFP?

Will Notre Dame’s scheduling look different in the expanded playoff era?

College football as we know it is over. What comes next is a grand experiment known as the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

What will it look like in practicality and not just concept? How will it alter the value of the regular season? How will teams set themselves up to best navigate the new system?

These are all questions everyone who enjoys college football will be asking themselves until the answers are revealed in time.

What about Notre Dame’s unique place in the new system? Ineligible for a first-round bye due to their independence, the Irish’s road to hoisting the ultimate trophy will surely be tough. Irish fans may wonder if anything about the regular season scheduling model will be adjusted once this new era is upon us.

Let’s examine this question in more detail.