sorry Fellas, I have to root for UT to beat UGA this weekend, it will all work itself out for ND and I'm perfectly happy staying the 10 seed and getting to play IU or A&M/Bama in the 2nd round
I'm not sure who we should root for in the Bama / Georgia games. I think I'm just rooting for Bama and Georgia to win and stay in front of us vs. risking that after like a close UT win over Georgia they both stay above us. Texas winning out would put us in a weird position where TAMU, Georgia, UT, and Bama probably all are above us
UT beats Georgia, ATM beats UT and ND can get to 6. I think Ohio St is elite, and there’s about 6-8 schools after that. ND, ATM, UGA, Bama, Ole Miss as tier 1 and IU, TT and Oregon as tier 2. I don’t think there’s really a title contender outside of these teams.
I’m rooting for the chaos. As many 2 loss SEC teams as possible. Texas beating Georgia I don’t think jumps ND but probably drops Georgia below ND and Texas. Texas then beating A&M probably is enough to jump ND.
He’s a cartoon character and I actually find him very entertaining and good for CFB, despite his clear hatred for everything ND related
I remember when VA sat their QB against ND (he was recovering from injury) because it wasn't a conference game and it didn't matter to them - I never thought being an Independent would be an advantage in this way
I wanted to say that I loved the different redzone calls against Navy, especially along the goal line that pass to Ty Washington is going to make all teams think twice about having everyone crash on the run (and that throw in the rain was not easy) the call to Faison was awesome too and Fields did a great fake to pretend he was going to pick the DB to completely free up Faison 4-4 in the red zone against Navy
Loy's recruiting update Spoiler Over the weekend, Notre Dame improved to 7-2 on the season with a 49-10 victory over Navy. The Fighting Irish, led by head coach Marcus Freeman, hosted plenty of top targets in South Bend, as the staff looked to make a move on the recruiting front. Notre Dame made a move with multiple prospects from the 2026, 2027, and 2028 classes. Let's dive into the buzz. TOP247 SAFETY MATT SIEG (2026 PENN STATE COMMIT) McDonald (Pa.) Fort Cherry Top247 safety Matt Sieg made his way to campus. The 6-0, 190-pounder is the No. 80 overall player in the 2026 class. He remains committed to Penn State. "Getting the full gameday experience was awesome for me and my family," said Sieg. "It was a snow game too, which was really cool. Everybody took a lot of time to make sure my family and I were all good as well, which meant a lot to us. I spent some time with Coach Freeman, Coach Mickens and Coach Codlin, and the General Manager, Mike Martin. Everybody was great, answering our questions and making us know we're a priority. They made it a point that I'm obviously going to get developed as a great football player, but getting a degree from the school is even more powerful than what you can accomplish on the field. "They definitely have a great future," added Sieg. "Notre Dame is a school that kind of just speaks for itself academically and athletically." TOM'S TAKE This battle is really, really tight. Notre Dame put its best foot forward. Recently, Indiana and Pittsburgh did the same. West Virginia will get a shot at the end of the month. You can't even rule out Penn State yet, as he remains committed to the Nittany Lions. I will say this - the Panthers are doing a very good job here and are giving him a lot to think about. The Pitt staff is very confident right now, which has given other staffs some pause. A source at Notre Dame mentioned to me that they hope he makes it to the game this weekend. "We'll gladly show the difference between Notre Dame and Pitt." All that said, this battle remains one to watch. It's heating up and will be a ton of fun. TOP247 CB XAVIER HASAN (2027) Raleigh (NC) Cardinal Gibbons Top247 cornerback Xavier Hasan was back once again at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish laid out the red carpet for the 6-0, 180-pounder, who is ranked No. 61 overall in the 2027 class. TOM'S TAKE Although I haven't caught up with Hasan quite yet, I spoke to a source about his visit. Call it confident, call it cocky, but Notre Dame believes this one is over. The Irish believe they are setting the bar in this one, and it'll eventually result in a commitment. Defensive backs coach Mike Mickens is spearheading this recruitment, which bodes well for Notre Dame. I feel great about their chances here. TOP247 LB KADEN HENDERSON (2027) Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit Top247 linebacker Kaden Henderson was in town. The 6-2, 215-pounder is the country's No. 49 overall player from the class of 2027. "My favorite moment was meeting with coach Freeman before the game. What made it a great visit was that everything felt natural. It felt like I belonged there," said Henderson. "I spent the majority of my time with coach Bullough. He really was just telling me I can be that piece that they need in the linebacker room. "What stands out to me is I get a top-tier education and can compete for a national championship every year." TOM'S TAKE Notre Dame needed to make a move this weekend. Box checked. The Irish have always been a contender, but there is buzz right now that they might actually lead for Henderson. After this weekend and after talking with him, I get it. He's a big fan of head coach Marcus Freeman, and he looks at him as someone he can play for. We'll see where things go from here, but watch out for the Irish. TOP247 SAFETY KHALIL TERRY (2027) Tustin (Calif.) High Top247 safety Khalil Terry had a great time in South Bend. The 6-0, 185-pounder is the No. 246 overall talent in the 2027 class. "I think just entering the stadium and seeing it full for a regular game," said Terry, when asked for the highlight of the trip. "There were actual shuttles taking people to the stadium from our hotel. It kind of gave me an idea of how big Notre Dame football really is. "Post-football opportunities are what were hammered home to me this weekend," added Terry. "I'm learning how important that is. At Notre Dame, I'm going to get a great education and play big-time football. It's really exciting. Coach Mickens really has me excited to come in and learn, develop, and compete at the highest level." TOM'S TAKE Notre Dame is in a very, very good spot… TOP247 OL LAYTON VON BRANDT (2027) Middletown (Dela.) Appoquinimink Top247 offensive lineman Layton Von Brandt, following his decommitment from Penn State back on Oct. 12, was at Notre Dame over the weekend. The 6-6, 270-pounder is the No. 65 overall prospect in 2027. "The player-walk to the stadium, from pregame mass, was a surreal experience for sure," said Von Brandt. "Just seeing the tradition they have was really cool. Coach Rudolph and Coach Freeman were really great to spend time with, but the whole staff, from the assistants to the personnel staff, it takes a huge group to do what they do. Everyone was great. "The tradition and history of development are huge factors," he said, when asked about what appeals most. "What really stood out to me was everything they do, down to the smallest of things, is intentional with a bigger picture in mind." TOM'S TAKE I think Notre Dame is the team to beat for the former Penn State commit. This one feels far from done, and he wants to take multiple visits, but the Fighting Irish are in a great spot. Von Brandt wants to get to Tennessee, Ohio State, Stanford, Alabama, and a few others before he shuts things down. Look for him to visit more programs between now and the spring, before making a commitment next offseason. TOP100 EDGE JAYDEN BELL (2028) Bloomfield Hills (Mich.) Brother Rice Top100 edge rusher Jayden Bell is an elite class of 2028 recruit. The 6-4, 210-pounder is ranked as the No. 18 overall player nationally. "My favorite moments were the fans and the environment," said Bell. "When it was snowing, the fans were taking off their shirts and getting excited. It was amazing. I spent a lot of my time with the recruiting guys like Justice Bathas, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, and Carter Auman. They were all cool and very welcoming, and were telling me how I would fit into the defense." "Their freshman quarterback, CJ Carr, had a great game," he continued. "He was throwing dots in the rain and snow. I didn't get to see the defensive ends really rush because Navy just ran the ball all day. "What stands out about Notre Dame is how strong it is in both football and academics," he added. "I like how it feels like a real family and pushes me to be my best in everything." TOM'S TAKE Notre Dame offered and officially became a major player in this recruitment. Ohio State and Michigan State round out his Top 3 from what I've gathered. The Irish needed a great visit, and that's exactly what took place. This kid is elite. TOP247 WR TYLER FRYMAN (2027) Fort Mitchell (Ky.) Beechwood Top247 receiver Tyler Fryman was in town. The 5-11, 180-pounder, who is the No. 193 overall recruit in 2027, holds an offer from the Fighting Irish. "Meeting a bunch of great people, and the atmosphere of the game," said Fryman, when asked for his favorite part of the trip. "The recruiting guys and former players, they talked about the academics and made me feel at home and wanted." TOM'S TAKE Fryman is looking for a program with a strong blend of academics and athletics. This is a Hoosier State native, one with a great deal of interest in Notre Dame. If the Irish continue to push, they will be tough to beat. Good, early offer by Notre Dame here. THREE-STAR ATH GARYON HOBBS (2027) Louisville (Ky.) Atherton class of 2027 three-star athlete Garyon Hobbs, likely a linebacker in college, enjoyed his time at Notre Dame. The 6-0, 215-pounder is the No. 24-ranked athlete in the class. "Being in the locker room and seeing the genuine bond and brotherhood that Notre Dame has," said Hobbs. "I spent time with both the linebackers and safeties coach. During the game, coach JB [Jourdan Blake], and the General Manager [Mike Martin], they all told me how versatile of player they think I am and think I'm a perfect fit for what they do on the field, and the culture of people there trying to bring in. "I paid attention to Adon Shuler and how they used him," Hobbs added. "I watched all the linebackers play. I really wanted to see the communication on defense and how they used different personnel in their nickel and dime packages. "Overall, the ability to compete for a national championship, while being able to get the best education," said Hobbs, when asked about the biggest appeal of Notre Dame. "Also, join a network as an alumni that has a national reach." TOM'S TAKE Notre Dame is in Hobbs' Top 2 along with Michigan. Those two programs are battling it out. Tennessee is also in the mix. He'll be in Knoxville later this month. But right now, it's the Fighting Irish and Wolverines battling at the top for his commitment. UNRANKED TE MAX HUNT (2027) Covington (Ky.) Holy Cross District class of 2027 tight end Max Hunt had a blast in South Bend. The 6-5, 235-pounder is still waiting for an offer from the Irish. "The highlight of the game was definitely when Jeremiyah Love took it to the house after sitting on someone. Another thing is that even though it was snowing, 90% of the stadium stayed, even though they were still up by a ton. I also like that they have a team mom who does all the planning for parents, so I also wouldn't have to stress about that. "The atmosphere really stood out for me. Just the fans being into the game and not leaving during a blowout, shows a lot about this community. I love the school and the high standard they hold their athletes to, on and off the field. Also, there are a lot of great tight ends who have gone there. TOM'S TAKE Notre Dame hasn't offered yet. They, along with many others, are taking a wait-and-see approach with Hunt. They are looking to have him back on campus in the summer for camp. Hunt will likely camp in South Bend and a few other spots. He'll be on offer watch at that time. UNRANKED RB RAYSHAWN DUNCAN JR. (2028) Bedford (Ohio) High class of 2027 running back Rayshawn Duncan Jr. also made the trip to South Bend. The 5-8, 195-pounder doesn't yet hold an offer from the Irish, but they are keeping tabs on him. "My favorite moment from the visit was talking to Jeremiyah Love and getting tips from him and the coaches. Jeremiyah is a great person to talk to, and just watching him play and seeing his play style is different from every other running back. Ja'Juan Seider is a great person. He's a great coach. He was saying that I could be a great running back if I played for him. He likes the way I run the ball. He likes how I have moves in open space. "I just like the program, the environment, the facilities, the uniforms, the history they got at the school, and the players and the staff. They show real love. They recruit good players, so they are a family after school." TOM'S TAKE Notre Dame hasn't offered yet. The productive back is someone worth tracking. The Irish like him a great deal, but will be patient with him. He's a guy they are tracking and someone they will likely work out over the summer at camp. Notre Dame is in a great spot with a few top-of-the-board targets in 2027, but they are doing their due diligence and making sure to keep tabs on other talented backs in the class.
Keeping defenses off balance and unable to just shoot inside gaps is all we need to do on the goalline to open up some holes here and there.
LSU's going to end up making BK a sympathetic figure. Freeman wasn't lying when he spoke about the importance of gratitude towards the opportunity and position he's in.
Crazy they are projecting Maimi to be ACC conference champ when they have 2 conference losses. Quite a bit has to happen to even make it to that game let alone win.
I don't really want to have to face OSU in round 2 but there are some advantages to this - OSU might be a little rusty having not played for 1 month and that seemed to hurt many of the bye teams in Rd 2 last year I think in particular this could affect a young QB for the first time in the playoffs a little bit more than usual
I don't know who this guy is but this is the most well written unbiased (either direction) article on ND independence that I have read in a long long time https://bleacherreport.com/articles...om&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial
Pitt will be starting a true freshman quarterback with no pass protection against Notre Dame's defense. Good luck! Opponent-adjusted numbers: Pitt - ranked 126th in pressure rate allowed ND - ranked 9th in pressure rate generated Check out the rest of my matchup preview here:— Ryan McCrystal (@ryanmccrystal.bsky.social) 2025-11-12T21:19:42.663Z