Tag: Notre Dame

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College Football

Notre Dame Has Renewed Its Head Coach’s Contract Until 2030 In South Bend

Notre Dame players in the 1st half

There has been some talk about Marcus Freeman possibly wanting to be the Chicago Bears’ next head coach or even returning to Ohio State if that job became available. However, it always seemed more like speculation than anything serious.

That changed when Freeman spoke about the continued investments Notre Dame has been making in him and the football program.

On Sunday, the decision-makers at Notre Dame made another important investment—this time in Freeman himself.

Inside ND Sports confirmed reports from NBC and ESPN that Freeman signed a four-year contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid college coaches. With the two years left on his initial contract, Freeman is now signed through the 2030 season.

Freeman expressed his gratitude for the support of the people at Notre Dame, including the Board of Trustees, President Fr. Bob Dowd, C.S.C., and Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua. In a statement, he said,

“The investment they continue to pour into our program is invaluable to our student-athletes and staff. This commitment goes well beyond myself, as they are dedicated to ensuring all aspects of our program are competitive within the upper echelon of college football.”

The exact terms of the financial details were not revealed.

Freeman, who is an Ohio State graduate and turns 39 next month, has a record of 30-9 as Notre Dame’s head coach since taking over as defensive coordinator in December 2021, following Brian Kelly.

The Irish, with an 11-1 record, are ranked fifth and seeded seventh, and they are hosting the 10th-seeded Indiana (11-1) on Friday night for a College Football Playoff first-round game.

Ohio State clinches their first CFP title since 2014 with a 34-23 win over Notre Dame

Freeman has often mentioned the various aspects of support that make the Notre Dame job so appealing.

One of these is the Jack and Kathy Shields Family Hall, a 150,000-square-foot football support facility that was announced in April. It is under construction and will open in the fall of 2026.

There are other factors, too, such as Notre Dame’s ability to compete in the NIL space, thanks to a media rights deal negotiated this year.

This deal ensures that Notre Dame can compete financially with programs in the Big Ten and SEC when it comes to hiring assistant coaches and building facilities.

The university has also invested in keeping Freeman as head coach, as well as in retaining two of the best coordinators in college football: Mike Denbrock (offensive coordinator) and Al Golden (defensive coordinator), both of whom were kept on staff last winter.

Additionally, Notre Dame has found ways to balance its admissions and transfer portal policies, giving Freeman and his staff more flexibility in pursuing recruits while still maintaining the school’s academic standards.

Freeman’s main motivation continues to be his players, both current and former. He stated at a press conference on December 6, 2021, “My current and former players, you are my ‘why.’ You are my motivation.

You are the reason I get up every day and work as hard as I can to see you all reach your goals. To see you all set a goal and live out a dream is what gives me my inspiration every day to do what I do.”

In the same press conference, super-senior nose guard Kurt Hinish shared that Freeman’s care for his players is what made him stand out. Hinish said that Freeman cares more about his players as people than as athletes. He added that in the coaching industry, that level of care is rare.

Hinish, one of the Irish captains, even told then-athletic director Jack Swarbrick not to “screw up” the coaching search when Freeman was being considered for the role.

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Notre Dame All-America safety Xavier Watts, from Omaha, Nebraska, declares for the NFL draft

Xavier Watts celebrates in the 2nd half

Two-time All-America safety Xavier Watts has decided to enter the NFL draft instead of returning to Notre Dame for a sixth season.

Watts shared the news on social media on Friday, just four days after the Irish lost to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff championship game in Atlanta.

Watts started his college career as a receiver in 2020 but switched to defense during his second season. Over the past two seasons, he recorded 13 interceptions, the most of any player in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

He intercepted six passes this season, including one that he returned 100 yards to help Notre Dame secure a win over Southern California. Watts was named to the Associated Press All-America first team for two consecutive years.

Xavier Watts celebrates with his teammates

Watts, from Omaha, Nebraska, had the option to return to Notre Dame for another season because the NCAA gave athletes who played during the 2020 pandemic year an extra year of eligibility. Many draft experts believe Watts will be selected late in the first round or early in the second.

“As I begin the next chapter of my football journey, I’m filled with pride as I look back on the many memories and people that I’ll forever cherish,” Watts wrote on X. “I hope that my time in the Irish uniform has helped continue the tradition of those that came before me.”

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College Football

Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison from Phoenix Declares for NFL Draft

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman talks during media day ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game

Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who was named a freshman All-American in 2022 and became a team captain before an October hip injury ended his 2024 season, has declared for the NFL Draft.

Morrison made his announcement on social media Thursday, saying, “This is not just the end of one chapter — it’s the beginning of another. I’ll carry the lessons, memories, and love from Notre Dame every step of the way.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Morrison ranked as the No. 23 overall prospect and the No. 3 cornerback for the draft.

In addition to Morrison’s departure, Notre Dame is seeing several players enter the transfer portal after their loss to Ohio State in the CFP national championship. Starting offensive linemen Rocco Spindler and Pat Coogan, along with backup Sam Pendleton, have entered the portal, with Pendleton listed as “do not contact.”

Wide receivers Jayden Thomas and Deion Colzie are also in the portal.

Notre Dame players in the 1st half

The 6-foot, 190-pound Morrison had six interceptions as a true freshman in 2022, tying for third in the country and earning All-America honors from ESPN and other outlets. His six interceptions were the most by a Notre Dame player since linebacker Manti Te’o had seven in 2012.

In 2023, Morrison recorded three interceptions and led the team with 10 pass breakups. He was a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award and was named a preseason All-America selection. He started the first six games of the 2023 season before suffering the hip injury on October 12 against Stanford, which required season-ending surgery.

Morrison finished his Notre Dame career with 9 interceptions, 27 passes defended, and 84 tackles. He is the son of former NFL safety Darryl Morrison, who played for Washington from 1993 to 1996.

Thomas, a wide receiver, started 12 games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons and accumulated 43 receptions for 838 yards and seven touchdowns with Notre Dame.

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College Football

Notre Dame’s Leonard struggles to maintain the intense pace set during the explosive opening drive in the loss to Ohio State

Riley Leonard runs in the 1st half

Riley Leonard started the national championship game with an impressive drive that made it seem like the Notre Dame quarterback could win the title all by himself.

However, Leonard would need more support from his teammates. His two touchdown passes to Jaden Greathouse in the second half showed the Fighting Irish’s resilience, but their comeback effort came too late. Greathouse’s first touchdown catch came late in the third quarter of Ohio State’s 34-23 victory on Monday night.

Leonard contributed three touchdowns, passing for 255 yards with two touchdowns and running for 40 yards and another touchdown on 17 carries.

He was the star of a long, 18-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to open the game, where Leonard had nine carries for 34 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown run. This drive lasted 9 minutes and 45 seconds.

Nine carries in one drive? That was half of Leonard’s season high for carries in a full game. His previous record was 18 carries for 34 yards and a touchdown in Notre Dame’s 27-24 Orange Bowl victory over Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

Leonard had no complaints about coach Marcus Freeman’s game plan. “If coach wants to call my number and have me run the ball every single time, I’ve got no problem with it,” Leonard said.

However, Freeman knew they couldn’t keep asking Leonard to handle so many carries.

“We couldn’t run Riley every play,” Freeman said. “It’s not right for Riley and it’s not going to sustain the success we needed offensively.”

After the touchdown run to cap the opening drive, Leonard pointed to the Bible verse “Matthew 23:12” on his wristband. The verse reads: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Leonard may have been signaling that it was time for Notre Dame to be praised. Instead, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard and running back Quinshon Judkins proved difficult to stop.

Riley Leonard celebrates after a touchdown in the 1st half

Without more help from his teammates, Leonard and Notre Dame couldn’t keep up with Ohio State. The Buckeyes led 21-7 at halftime, while Leonard’s teammates only managed eight yards on six carries. Leonard himself passed for just 46 yards in the first half.

When Judkins ran for 70 yards to set up a 1-yard touchdown run, Ohio State took a 28-7 lead, and Leonard realized the deficit couldn’t be overcome with more quarterback runs alone.

The three-touchdown gap put Notre Dame in a tough spot. An incomplete pass on a fake punt early in the second half gave Ohio State the ball at Notre Dame’s 33-yard line, which made things worse.

The Fighting Irish were behind 31-7 before they finally scored again on a 34-yard touchdown catch by Greathouse from Leonard with 3:03 left in the third quarter. Greathouse later added a 30-yard touchdown catch, and a successful two-point conversion brought Notre Dame within eight points. But Howard’s 57-yard pass to Jeremiah Smith with two minutes left ended Notre Dame’s comeback hopes.

Leonard took responsibility for not completing the comeback.

“Everything was just clicking,” Leonard said about the drives that led to touchdown passes to Greathouse. “The next couple of drives maybe I got relaxed a little bit and I can’t let that happen.”

Notre Dame’s 14-2 record ended with a loss, and their 13-game winning streak was snapped. The Fighting Irish are still searching for their first national championship since 1988. Coach Marcus Freeman’s attempt to make history as the first African American head coach to win a national title also fell short.

Charles Jagusah started in place of left tackle Anthonie Knapp, who was out with a high ankle sprain. Jagusah was making only his second career start, having missed the regular season due to a torn right pectoralis muscle, but returned for the postseason.

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College Football

Ryan Day leads Ohio State back to college football’s peak, now ready to choose his NFL future on his own terms in Columbus

Ohio State players celebrates in the 2nd half

Please stay, Ryan Day. Give Ohio State the chance to win consecutive national championships. Help the Buckeyes become as successful as Alabama or Georgia.

Please stay, Ryan Day, because right now, you’re too good for Ohio State. This isn’t a jab at the harsh critics who wanted you out 7½ weeks ago after the loss to Michigan; it’s just the truth. After leading Ohio State to a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame for the Buckeyes’ ninth championship and first in 10 years, you’ve proven yourself.

You’re set for life in Ohio now. You won’t have to buy a drink again, whether it’s in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, or anywhere Buckeye fans are.

You’re now a legend in the Buckeyes’ history, or you should be. With a win percentage of .875, you rank second only to Knute Rockne among FBS coaches with at least 50 games. Knute. Rockne.

Now, the power is in your hands. If you’re thinking about moving up, Ryan – and you should be at this point – there’s only one place left for you after Monday’s victory. It’s where you came from, after being recruited by your mentor Chip Kelly to be Urban Meyer’s offensive coordinator seven years ago.

That place is the NFL. It’s where you made your name as an up-and-coming coach. It’s the same place that helped bring you to Ohio State. Now, you can return to the NFL and write your own ticket.

Maybe not immediately. Your son, RJ, still has two years of high school left. The Jags, Cowboys, Jets, Saints, and Raiders are still looking for coaches, but it’s unclear if those would be the best fits. Day is a loyal Patriots fan, but this time the stars didn’t align for a New England job, especially after they hired former Buckeye Mike Vrabel.

Emeka Egbuka celebrates after the win

However, Day’s future in the NFL seems likely, as the rest of the country recognizes what some of your home-state critics forget: you’re an excellent coach, especially when it comes to offense.

If you’re that made man, then Chip Kelly is practically your right-hand man. Just like in the movies, they made the bold decision to go for it with that deep pass to Jeremiah Smith on third down, a high-risk, high-reward play that paid off.

In another symbolic moment, with seconds left in the first half, LeBron James was shown on the video board, watching from a suite, proudly wearing Scarlet and Gray. Feeling the excitement, LeBron took off his hat and waved it to the crowd, almost like he was part of the coronation. By halftime, the Buckeyes were champions.

Ryan Day had been underappreciated for a while, but this championship proved his worth. In today’s playoff format, you don’t have to win your conference to win the title, and at Ohio State, you don’t even have to beat Michigan.

Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, especially since Day and the Buckeyes have lost four straight to Michigan, the “Team Up North.”

But Ryan Day’s legacy as Urban Meyer’s successor looks better every day. He’s 70-10 after his sixth season, making him the winningest active coach. Woody Hayes was 57-19-3 through 80 games. Urban Meyer, the last coach to win a national title, was an incredible 72-8. Jim Tressel was 66-14.

Eighty games is more than just a small snapshot; it’s a solid foundation. And for Ryan Day, it’s just the beginning if Ohio State can keep him. Just last month, Ohio State’s AD, Ross Bjork, said Day would “absolutely” be back in 2025 as the coach, despite some questioning whether Day’s job was safe after the Michigan loss.

Now, it’s up to Ryan Day to confirm that he’ll return in the fall. He’s earned that right. The ball is in his court.

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College Football

Ohio State captures first national title since 2014, defeating Notre Dame in the CFP championship in Atlanta

Ohio State players celebrates after the win

The pass seemed to hang in the air forever. Did it feel like seven weeks? Or ten years?

For Ohio State fans, this moment will always be a topic of debate.

When the teardrop throw from Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard on third-and-11 finally landed softly in the hands of receiver Jeremiah Smith late in the fourth quarter on Monday, Ohio State had secured a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame, earning its sixth national title and its first in ten years.

That 56-yard pass sealed Notre Dame’s comeback attempt and made Ohio State the champion of college football’s first 12-team playoff, just as they had been champions in the first four-team tournament a decade ago.

“They were running man coverage and I said, ‘Hey, I’m gonna let this loose and let him make a play on it,’” Howard said about the play, which felt far removed from Ohio State’s old-style, run-heavy offense.

This victory seemed impossible just seven weeks ago, on November 30, when a 13-10 loss to Michigan led to a near-riot on the field and raised questions about whether coach Ryan Day would keep his job heading into the next season.

“It’s a great story about a bunch of guys who have just overcome some really tough situations,” Day said. “At the point where there’s a lot of people that counted us out, they just kept swinging and kept fighting.”

The victory might have felt even sweeter due to how it unfolded in front of a packed stadium in the middle of SEC territory, filled with fans wearing Ohio State’s red on one side and Notre Dame’s green on the other.

With Ohio State leading 31-7, Notre Dame made a dramatic comeback, scoring two touchdowns and two 2-point conversions to close the gap to just one score late in the fourth quarter. The camera caught legendary Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz in his luxury box, giving a thumbs-up to his team despite the loud boos from Ohio State fans.

Emeka Egbuka celebrates after the win

However, Notre Dame ran out of time. After stopping Ohio State on their first two plays and using up their timeouts, the Irish placed Christian Gray — who had secured the interception that helped Notre Dame win its semifinal against Penn State — in single coverage on Smith.

Smith got behind Gray on the right sideline, and Howard threw his best pass of the season into Smith’s hands.

That play set up a field goal and began the celebration, securing Ohio State’s victory and also helping the team cover the 8 1/2-point spread at BetMGM Sportsbook.

“It was do or die, it was that type of down,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said. “He’s a heck of a player. He’s difficult to cover.”

Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns, but the game-changing play was his throw to Smith when the game was on the line.

Smith, who had been quiet for most of the game after being limited by Texas in the semifinals, finally broke free for the kind of play that had made him a standout all season. He finished with five catches for 88 yards.

“We felt at the end we wanted to give Jeremiah that shot,” Day said. “We really hadn’t thrown it all night, but I thought, ‘You know what, let’s be aggressive, let’s do this and lay it on the line.’”

Before that pass, Ohio State seemed to have the game under control, having scored touchdowns on its first four possessions and adding a field goal on the fifth.

When Quinshon Judkins, a transfer from Mississippi, ran for 100 yards on 11 carries, including a 70-yard run that set up a score to make it 28-7, the game appeared to be over.

But Notre Dame wasn’t done yet, and now Freeman faces tough questions. One is about the failed fake punt in the third quarter, which led to a field goal and a 31-7 Ohio State lead. Another concerns the decision to send Mitch Jeter in for a short field goal attempt while down 16 points and facing fourth-and-goal from the 9-yard line. It could have worked, but Jeter’s kick hit the left upright.

“I know it’s still a two-score game, but you have a better probability of getting 14 points than you do 16 points,” Freeman said.

Ohio State controlled much of the game and the entire playoff series. The Buckeyes were clearly the better team, outgaining Notre Dame by 445 yards to 308. Quarterback Will Howard completed his first 13 passes and was hardly ever stopped. Ohio State punted just once during the entire game.

The Buckeyes powered through the new expanded playoff format, which added more teams this year, with an average score of 36-21 across their four games. Despite being seeded eighth, the seedings didn’t really matter. In every quarterfinal and semifinal game, the lower seed won, and Ohio State dominated in this final showdown between the No. 7 and No. 8 teams.

Ohio State players celebrate in the 2nd half

This victory ended any lingering frustration from the previous November’s 13-10 loss to Michigan, which had been Ohio State’s fourth straight defeat to their rivals. That game had ended in a brawl after Michigan players tried to plant their flag at midfield.

Many wondered if coach Ryan Day, in his sixth season, had reached the end of his time at Ohio State, especially with no national titles in the past ten years.

But now, Ohio State can celebrate its national title. The Ohio State marching band will proudly dot the “I” with the national-title trophy, and Day will join a prestigious list of coaches who have won titles for the Buckeyes, including Urban Meyer (2014), Jim Tressel (2002), Woody Hayes, known for his “Three yards and a cloud of dust” style, and Paul Brown, the coach who later became the namesake of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

Day’s impressive .873 winning percentage coming into the game was the third-best among coaches with 50 or more games, trailing only Knute Rockne of Notre Dame, who is a legend in college football history.

The loss for Notre Dame also meant that college football still hasn’t had a Black coach win the national title. Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame’s coach, was trying to become the first, but it wasn’t meant to be this year.

However, another kind of history was made. This was the first time the Big Ten Conference won back-to-back national titles since 1942. Michigan, last year’s champion, watched the game from home but still played an important role in Ohio State’s redemption story, which no one really saw coming.

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College Football

Will Howard steps up big, leading Ohio State to a championship win in Atlanta

Will Howard in the 2nd half

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard had always wanted the opportunity to show what he could do, and on Monday night, that chance came.

Howard built on an impressive first half, finishing the game by completing 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. His performance helped the Buckeyes secure a 34-23 win over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff championship game in Atlanta.

The turning point came with just 2:38 left in the game, when Howard made a 56-yard pass to Jeremiah Smith. At that moment, reality seemed to set in for Howard, who took a moment to celebrate by throwing his arms up as he ran down the field. Ohio State coach Ryan Day jumped in excitement on the sideline, while Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James celebrated from the box seats.

This kind of moment was always Howard’s dream. A transfer from Kansas State, he had always hoped for a chance to perform on college football’s biggest stage.

Will Howard holds a rose in his mouth as he poses with the trophy after the win

“If you were to ask a 19-year-old or 18-year-old Will Howard if he’d be at Ohio State playing in the national championship, I think he’d probably say, ‘You’re crazy, man,’” Howard said earlier this week.

Now, Howard is a champion, and his teammates believe this is just the start for the 23-year-old quarterback.

“Just the type of quarterback he is, in my eyes he’s a first-round draft pick,” Smith said. “Will’s just a great leader — on and off the field.”

Howard made history in the championship game by completing his first 13 passes. By halftime, he had completed 14 of 15 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State scored a touchdown on all three of its first-half drives, leading 21-7 at the break.

Notre Dame fought back but couldn’t find a way to get past Howard and the Buckeyes. After the game, Howard was named Offensive MVP.

“They’ve changed my life in more ways than I can say, man,” Howard told ESPN, talking about the impact of Coach Day and his teammates. “Coach Day and these guys here have completely, completely changed my life. … I can’t believe God gave me the chance to be a Buckeye.”

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NFL (American Football)

Two key coaches discuss how the national championship will unfold: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, Columbus

Ohio State players celebrates in the 1st half

As the college football regular season came to an end, one team received more criticism than any other: Indiana.

“They played nobody!”
“Their strength of schedule is awful!”
“They shouldn’t even be in the playoff discussion!”

But, as it turns out, the Hoosiers weren’t as bad as some had believed. Their only two losses came against the two teams playing in the national championship game.

“Our two losses were to the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country, on the road, in their own stadiums, and in tough environments,” said Indiana coach Curt Cignetti. “Everyone thought we were a great story until the College Football Playoff rankings came out, and then it became political.”

Cignetti, speaking in downtown Atlanta, just a mile from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium where Monday night’s title game between Notre Dame and Ohio State would be held, perhaps offers the best insight into both teams. He has faced both teams, played them, and lost to them.

In Columbus, Indiana led Ohio State 7-0, before a blocked punt and a return touchdown helped Ohio State pull away, winning 38-15. Against Notre Dame in the first round of the playoff, Indiana was never ahead, trailing 20-3 at one point, before losing 27-17.

Cignetti admits both teams deserved their wins. Indiana struggled on special teams against Ohio State and lacked aggressiveness in South Bend against Notre Dame.

When discussing the matchup, Cignetti points to the statistics, as he is a data-focused coach.

“Great matchup. Two great coaches. No. 1 vs. No. 2-ranked defenses in the country,” he said. “Notre Dame actually scores more points per game than Ohio State, which would surprise 95% of people, but they do. They are No. 1 in the country for defensive touchdowns, No. 1 in blocked kicks with six, and they are +17 in turnover ratio, which leads to points. Notre Dame will need to generate points beyond their offense.”

But Cignetti believes the key to the game lies in Ohio State’s passing game versus Notre Dame’s strong man-to-man defense.

Notre Dame players in the 1st half

“I’m curious to see how Ohio State handles the passing game against Notre Dame,” Cignetti said.

Notre Dame boasts one of the best pass defenses in the nation. Ohio State, on the other hand, has more offensive weapons than almost any other team, which will create a strong battle between the two.

Opponents have thrown for 12 touchdowns against Notre Dame but also thrown 19 interceptions. The opponent QB rating against Notre Dame is 99.5, the best for any pass defense, along with a 50.7% completion rate, which is also the best in the country.

It’s tough to get through against Notre Dame, which plays man-to-man defense better than almost anyone.

However, Northern Illinois, coached by Thomas Hammock, managed to figure out Notre Dame just enough to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season, winning 16-14.

How did they do it?

“It was early in the season for them. They were trying to work in a new QB and new coordinator,” said Hammock. “They were figuring out how to build their offense, and they thought it was a great time to focus on their passing game, but we have a great defense.”

Hammock has watched Notre Dame improve throughout the season and sees a different team than the one that played his squad in early September.

“It starts with the leadership of their head coach,” Hammock said of Notre Dame’s coach, Marcus Freeman. “He has managed to get his players locked in and focused. They play complementary football. It’s been exciting to watch.”

When asked who Hammock was rooting for in the championship game, he didn’t hesitate:
“I definitely hope Notre Dame wins. I’m a Marcus Freeman fan,” he said.

As for Cignetti, who knows both teams so well, he refuses to make predictions. “I don’t make predictions,” he said.

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College Football

Notre Dame Thrives in College Football Independence Amid Conference Realignment and Revenue-Sharing Trends

Notre Dame Thrives in College Football Independence Amid Conference Realignment and Revenue-Sharing Trends
Notre Dame Thrives in College Football Independence Amid Conference Realignment and Revenue-Sharing Trends

In an era where college football programs rush to join larger conferences, Notre Dame stands as a unique outlier. Major moves, such as Texas and Oklahoma heading to the SEC and USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington joining the Big Ten, highlight the growing trend of schools seeking bigger revenue-sharing opportunities. Notre Dame, however, continues to thrive as an independent program, finding this status more rewarding than aligning with any conference.

Competing for Championships Without Conference Ties

Remaining independent means Notre Dame faces a tougher road to national championships, as they lack the advantage of automatic playoff bids granted to conference champions. Despite this, the Fighting Irish consistently prove their competitiveness. For example, after a single loss to Northern Illinois in a recent season, they won every remaining game and secured a top-10 ranking in the College Football Playoff as an at-large team.

Notre Dame Thrives in College Football Independence Amid Conference Realignment and Revenue-Sharing Trends
Notre Dame Thrives in College Football Independence Amid Conference Realignment and Revenue-Sharing Trends

One of Notre Dame’s primary motivations for staying independent is financial control. Unlike teams in conferences that split College Football Playoff earnings with their league, Notre Dame keeps all its postseason revenue. This unique setup maximizes the program’s financial gains while allowing it to remain a major competitor on the national stage. Independence, in this sense, ensures both financial and athletic success.

Exclusive Television Deal Provides Flexibility

Notre Dame’s broadcasting agreement with NBC is another critical reason for its independence. This deal not only provides significant revenue but also gives the program full control over its media rights. Moreover, their independence allows them to design their schedule without constraints. Unlike teams tied to conference schedules, Notre Dame can arrange matchups that strengthen their reputation and avoid criticism over weak opponents.

While many programs seek stability through conferences, Notre Dame thrives by charting its own course. Their approach combines financial autonomy, competitive scheduling, and postseason opportunities without the limitations of conference membership. Notre Dame’s strategy highlights that independence, when managed effectively, can be a successful alternative in the evolving world of college football.

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ESPN Faces Criticism for Handling of Playoff Semifinal Broadcast in Atlanta

ESPN Faces Criticism for Handling of Playoff Semifinal Broadcast in Atlanta

The College Football Playoff semifinals started on Thursday night with an exciting game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

This game had been eagerly awaited for over a week, but ESPN is facing some criticism for how they handled the event.

A lot of fans on social media are upset about Lee Corso, a well-loved college football analyst and former coach, still being featured on ‘College GameDay’ despite the fact that it’s clear he is struggling during his appearances.

At 89 years old, fans don’t want to be harsh, but many feel it might be time for Corso to retire, as it has become evident that he’s having a harder time keeping up.

During the pregame show, Corso had trouble speaking clearly and seemed slow and confused at times.

Ohio State adjusts strategies as Notre Dame tightens the point spread (Ohio State/Notre Dame)

At the end of the show, when it was time for his pregame prediction, Corso came on stage dressed as a leprechaun and danced an Irish jig with the Fighting Irish mascot. However, as the performance ended, Corso started to fall, and the mascot had to catch him to prevent a possible accident.

This situation led to more criticism of ESPN for continuing to have Corso on stage.

It’s still uncertain whether ESPN will bring Corso back for another year of ‘College GameDay’ in 2025, but many fans would not blame the network if they decided it was time for him to retire. At this point, Corso might even decide on his own that it’s time to step away.

Corso, a former coach at Indiana, has been one of the most loved figures in college football for many years, and fans want to remember him in a positive light.

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NFL (American Football)

Fan Polls Pick Ohio State to Win College Football Playoff Title in Atlanta

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day watches from the sideline during the first half of the Cotton Bowl CFP semi-final game

Ohio State will face Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday night.

On Wednesday, BetMGM Sportsbook listed Ohio State as an 8.5-point favorite, which is a point lower than the original line.

The eighth-seeded Buckeyes (13-2) have beaten Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas on their way to the championship game, where they will aim for their sixth national title since the poll era started in 1936. Their most recent championship came in 2014.

The seventh-seeded Irish (14-1) have defeated Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State and are playing for their 12th national title, their first since 1988.

Why Ohio State will win

The Buckeyes are considered more talented and healthier at the moment, which is a strong advantage.

In the 28-14 semifinal win over Texas, Ohio State had a rough offensive performance, which might have caused some concern among fans. Credit goes to Texas, which has one of the best defenses in the country and managed to shut down star receiver Jeremiah Smith. However, Ohio State has many other offensive threats.

Ohio State’s defense is ranked first and has already beaten three offenses in the CFP that, on paper, are stronger than Notre Dame’s offense.

Ohio State and Notre Dame set for a closer clash in the National Championship

Why Notre Dame will win

The Irish have a top-tier defense that is known for forcing turnovers at one of the highest rates in the country. For Notre Dame to win, they will likely need to make a few turnovers in their favor.

On offense, Notre Dame will need to perform well on third downs. They have converted 22 of 44 third-down attempts in three CFP games, including 11 of 17 in their 27-24 semifinal win over Penn State.

The Irish also need to continue improving their downfield passing game. Jaden Greathouse had his first 100-yard receiving game in the semifinal, and quarterback Riley Leonard, who has struggled with passes over 10 yards, completed passes of 32, 36, and 54 yards.

The pick

Ohio State Buckeyes, 27-13.

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NFL (American Football)

Notre Dame and Ohio State Fans Confront Soaring Ticket Costs for CFP Title Game in Atlanta

Ohio State players celebrates after a touchdown in the 2nd half

Notre Dame and Ohio State fans have faced challenging travel demands during the first 12-team college football playoff, especially as they made their way to the national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night.

Given the extended postseason, many fans were worried that the cost of attending the championship might be too high after the previous travel expenses. However, the demand for tickets for this year’s game has driven prices even higher. Resale platforms show that ticket prices start around $1,800, with the average price reaching up to $2,500 for the championship.

“We definitely expected demand to rise,” said Joseph Bocanegra, a spokesperson for StubHub. “But I don’t think we expected it to be as big as it has been.”

According to Bocanegra, the average ticket price for this year’s game is $2,500, which is higher than last year’s $1,800 average for the game between Michigan and Washington in Houston. “It’s on track to be our best-selling CFP national championship game in StubHub history,” he added.

Vivid Seats, another ticket marketplace, has called the game the “hottest college football ticket” since 2009, with an average price of $2,269 and the cheapest tickets available for around $1,452.

Ohio Leads in Sales

Ohio has been the top contributor to sales, accounting for around 17% of tickets sold on StubHub. Illinois follows with 6%, while Indiana accounts for 4%. Despite this, it’s not a guarantee that Ohio State will have the largest fan presence at the game.

Brett Daniels, senior director of communications for the College Football Playoff, explained that both teams have exhausted their 20,000-ticket allotment, aiming to create a “neutral site atmosphere” for the game.

Ohio State and Notre Dame set for a closer clash in the National Championship

Notre Dame, known for its large national fan base, makes it harder to predict turnout by state. Vivid Seats anticipates that Notre Dame fans will make up 55% of the crowd as the Fighting Irish aim for their first national title since 1988.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard expressed his pride in representing the school and leading them to the national championship. “It’s truly an honor and something I don’t take for granted,” he said. “I take a lot of pride in wearing the blue and gold. Our fans have been loyal for a very long time, and it would be an honor to deliver them another one.”

Long Drives Ahead

For fans driving to Atlanta, the trip can be lengthy. From South Bend, Indiana, to Atlanta, it’s about a 675-mile drive that takes around 11 hours. Ohio State fans from Columbus have a shorter trip of about 567 miles, which takes around 8 and a half hours.

Still Not Super Bowl Prices

While ticket prices for the national championship game are high, they’re still lower than those for the Super Bowl. “I don’t think I’ve seen a championship game like this in terms of demand and price for tickets,” Bocanegra said. However, he pointed out that “it’s certainly still lower than the Super Bowl,” where the lowest ticket price is around $4,000 to $5,000.

Ohio State is favored in the game, opening as a 9 and a half-point favorite, with the spread shrinking to 8 and a half points by Thursday. Meanwhile, a betting site called BetOnline.ag found that fans in almost every state were rooting for Notre Dame.

A review of more than 230,000 posts on X showed that Ohio and West Virginia were the only states where a majority of fans supported Ohio State. Fans from other states, including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky, showed slight support for Notre Dame.