GO IRISH!

Burton leads Notre Dame against Miami (FL) after 26-point showing

We don’t need to wait until the end of Aug to beat Miami! Let’s Go Irish!

8p ET ESPN2

As a wrestling fan this was cool to see. Though I did hear some boos when he was shown…must be some angry IU fans in attendance.

Found this scrolling through old pics

Obviously it’s a ways off so not many people are talking about it, but I love that we start out next season at the location of our final win this season. I am certain Freeman will use this fact to remind the team that every game is a playoff game and hopefully put them in the right mindset to dominate the Hurricanes.

I know I'm going to get downvoted for having these feelings, but...Blake Corum. I love RBs, and undersized ones even more so. I first saw him when he scored on the goal line against OSU last year. I remember saying "who is this midget?" Eventually I looked deeper into his background, and the work ethic and dedication this guy has are amazing. I love his play style too...he has great speed and cutting. Just an electric player. And now he's with 5'9" stud Kyren Williams in the league.

2nd is probably Marcel Reed for the reason that he's just exciting to watch on the field, and the story about how he took the starting job midseason. How about you guys?

Edit: I shouldn’t have mentioned ESPN with all the (warranted) anti-ESPN bias lol and it looks like 16 is too low, but Rivals, 247, and on3 all have us at 11 or 12th. Still not top ten. We had a strong start recruiting-wise in the 2025 class that appeared to fizzle out a bit. I know part of that was Deuce Knight’s de-commitment but it overall was a little concerning imo.

And yes, I was purposely being extreme with the “off the ledge” part but seriously the teams who win the title typically are ranked year in and year out in the top 10 if not top 5 of the rankings with multiple 5 stars every year. I love Leonard Moore and I love what Mickens/Freeman have done but 3 stars that pan out as superstar freshmen corners typically are not the norm. Texas A&M seems to be the ultimate outlier, but you look at where Ohio State has been ranked or Georgia or Texas or Alabama/Clemson,etc they have always been close to or at the top in these lists.

Now, with 2025 recruiting basically behind us, I would like to see the recent on-field success start to lead to these top (idk at least 7?) classes and more stars in 2026 and beyond. Pair that with “minoring in the transfer portal” each year, and we’re Golden (pardon the pun). That’s what I was trying to say in a nut shell.

Welcome to the Free Talk Friday Thread!

You can post just about anything here. Maybe you don't feel like creating a new post but have a question about the team, maybe you just graduated or got a new job and want to share. All is welcome here. Go Irish!

ALSO JACK KISER PICKED OFF MILROE LETS GOOO

https://preview.redd.it/jt9mbilia9ge1.jpg?width=2449&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7cf834648edf5e661997df887646c17c1ddc968

As I was deep in thought doing dishes tonight (funny how this task gets you really thinking about things lol), I was thinking about these rumors about how the NCAA may grant another year for all players and if I would want Leonard coming back for another year. I had always hesitated with confidence in him throughout the season as I’m sure a majority of the ND fans did. However, the more I really think about it, this kid is the definition of a leader and warrior at QB like i haven’t seen at ND in a long time. I understand he does not pass the ball well but leadership, toughness, and experience should never be undervalued here. What if Leonard was to get with a QB guru all off-season and get his passing skills honed in, especially if he could do it with all his receivers as well? If Leonard could just simply improve his passing even just a little bit, I think he is easily our QB1 and a potential Heisman candidate. I honestly kinda hope it happens. It’s weird but I’m already missing watching the kid play and we are only a couple weeks out.

And my second thought about him was if he does try and make it to the NFL this year, being a Saints fan, I could see him potentially being the next Taysom Hill of the league. Leonard is a big, strong, and super athletic kid. I think he could transition into that hybrid role that Hill plays, mainly as a TE but with the ability to line up as a RB, pass with his QB background, etc just like Hill. I get Taysom is a freak himself and not many could do what he does but Leonard’s style reminds me of Hill a lot. I dont feel he would just be able to make it as a QB alone so why not try something like this with him too?

What do you all think?

It has been already reported that ND will play 2 of 3 of FSU, Clemson and Miami every year. This will help create better games for ND but what isn’t being massively reported is there’s another benefit that could come with this.

According to Pete Sampson, “The next CFP contract is expected to include automatic qualifiers from the Power conferences. But there's a good chance Notre Dame also carves out automatic selection criteria, whether that's finishing in the Top 12 in a 12-team field or in the Top 14 in a 14-team field.”

“That would give Notre Dame more grace to lose a game and still make the cut. And by playing more games against the better ACC teams (historically), Notre Dame would benefit from playing the game (and often winning it). Fewer off-brand ACC teams is a better for the fan experience.”

“This is what being a "good partner" means. Notre Dame is helping the ACC, but there's a benefit for Notre Dame too. Better schedule. The ACC having your back in CFP voting, etc. "The stronger the ACC, the better it is for Notre Dame” -Pete Bevacqua”

It seems like the ACC will back a ND rule so we auto qualify as long as we rank inside the field. Right now that’s not a guarantee as we saw Alabama get left out because Clemson’s auto bid just this year. A better schedule and an automatic bid in the CFP would be huge for the future of Notre Dame football.

Is this a position we are filling with a student that wins a contest? Get those ladies with the clicker from the dining hall, they know you've got to keep your finger on the button.

Edit: immediate down vote from the clock operator. See, you can do it quickly?

He's a great kid. Heart of a lion and guts to match the best, but on the field, he was just decent. He was good enough, he learned and got better, we rebuilt our system around him, but he was a mediocre passer at best, and a lot of the running was on volume, he's good for sure, but this season was a full team effort. Throw another QB in there and we do just as well. Also that Orange Bowl MVP should've gone to Greathouse, regardless of whether you agree with me about Leonard or not.

Looking for the Orange Bowl hat from 47 brand. Anyone know where to find one or if they will restock? Thanks

[Link] (https://www.47brand.com/products/notre-dame-fighting-irish-oran-event-47-clean-up-w?variant=40500831354952)

I actually loved this documentary but it really didnt end like I thought it would. Should've ended after the championship game. I would have loved to see the behind the scene after the team got back to south bend. Im sure the locker room was full of emotions. Then the transfers and coaching moves would've been a nice cliffhanger.

I need a new computer background.

Currently sitting at 9-10 and I wasn’t sure how often a team with 10 losses makes the tournament.