Pod of Gold: Notre Dame Football

The 12-team College Football Playoff field is set. Notre Dame gets a No. 7 seed and a home game against No. 10 Indiana. Did the selection committee get it right? How could the format be tweaked, even now, to better improve the process/product? What about the weather? Tickets? Hotels? We discuss everything that surrounds the first-ever CFP post-season game at Notre Dame Stadium on Friday, December 20 game - but not the game itself. That hype train will pick up serious steam next week. For now, we look back on the 2024 regular-season finale against USC and take a peek and what the next week holds for the Irish.

We go Army heavy in this week's Pod as No. 6 Notre Dame (9-1) hosts No. 17 Army (9-0) at Yankee Stadium as part of the Shamrock Series game. We talk with Ken Kraetzer of the West Point Football Report on what makes the Black Knights so dangerous this season - it's more than just quarterback Bryson Daily, who's really good. We also talk former Granger, Indiana resident Richard Cacioppe, author of the book “Black Knights and Fighting Irish: A Rivalry, a Game, and America One Year After the End of World War II” about what this rivalry once was so many years ago. We briefly review the Virginia game (particularly the fake punt call), muster up a Pod of Old that included a memorable escape against Army in the Meadowlands in 1995 (the Ivory Covington game), and close with one hot take and one prediction for this weekend's game.

NDI's Tom Noie and Mike Berardino and WNDU's Jackson Neill preview this week's game against Virginia, review the win over Florida State, talk College Football Playoff rankings, take a trip down Memory Lane with our Pod of Old segment, answer the question of the week and spend some time with former Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush on a variety of topics. Wimbush touches on life in the spotlight as the Notre Dame quarterback, on if he had as much play-calling/changing freedom as Riley Leonard and how Leonard has adjusted to being the Irish starting quarterback. We close with one hot take and hot prediction from each of the three hosts heading into Senior Day at Notre Dame Stadium. 

NDI columnist Tom Noie, beat writer Mike Berardino and WNDU sports coordinator open this episode by recapping what the first College Football Playoffs rankings show means to Notre Dame and its chances of possibly even hosting a first-round playoff game. We (somewhat reluctantly) preview this weekend's game against a Florida State team that has the look of a team that long gave up trying to compete. Why are the Seminoles this baaaaaaad? We recap Notre Dame's previous game against Navy and take a trip down Memory Lane in our latest Pod of Old, which really isn't that old. Keep listening to our Pod of Gold question of the week before we close the show with our hot takes (for what will be a cold night) and a prediction for Saturday's game. 

In this episode, South Bend Tribune columnist Tom Noie, beat writer Mike Berardino and WNDU sports coordinator Jackson Neill preview Saturday's matchup with No. 24 Navy and the problems the Midshipmen present as an undefeated and ranked opponent. They also recap the Georgia Tech game, including the out-of-left-field commentary/opinions offered by the ESPN crew about how Notre Dame needed to score style points for College Football Playoff consideration. This week's Pod of Old segment looks back on a big road win over Florida State, 22 years to the day on Saturday which got the Irish thinking of a national championship. Our guest interview is Don Doxsie, author of “Elmer Layden: Notre Dame's Quiet Hero.” The question of the week centers on, what else, the Irish quarterback situation. We close the show by offering one hot take (or two or three) and a prediction for Saturday's game against Navy at MetLife Stadium.

NDI columnist Tom Noie and beat writer Mike Berardino and WNDU sports coordinator Jackson Neill open the show by previewing Saturday's neutral-site game against Georgia Tech, and what it means in terms of a possible path back toward a College Football Playoff berth. We also bury the lead by discussing a possible season-swinging injury to a key Notre Dame captain. The Stanford game is recapped - briefly - because this one wasn't much of a game after Notre Dame trailed 7-0, then scored 49 unanswered points. Our Pod of Old is a look back at a classic - Notre Dame 31, Miami 30 in 1998. Our special guest Gene Watson, director of player devleopment for the Chicago White Sox, stops by to talk his love for Notre Dame football and his 25 years spent in baseball. We close the show with each of the three hosts offering one hot take and a prediction for Saturday's game against Georgia Tech in downtown Atlanta.  

In this special edition of Pod of Gold, NDI columnist Tom Noie and Irish beat writer Mike Berardino and WNDU sports coordinator Jackson Neill stray from the usual pod script. The three preview Stanford (a little bit) and touch on the Notre Dame football news of the week (injuries, depth chart, Georgia Tech kick time, etc.) before welcoming former NFL defensive lineman Marc Spindler, the father of Irish offensive guard Rocco Spindler, for a special conversation. Marc Spindler touches on his role as a father to a college football player, what college football player looks like now (he doesn't recognize it), his son's touching promise to his Marc's father (Rocco's grandfather) and what his son attending Notre Dame means to him every time Marc Spindler steps on campus. We asked Marc Spindler for 15 minutes, but talked with him for 30. It could've gone 90. The pod closes with each reporter offering one hot take and one prediction for Saturday's game.

NDI's Tom Noie and Mike Berardino and WNDU's Jackson Neill preview a critical/key (big) home game against Louisville for Notre Dame, which has won two straight. They recap the less-than-appealing home win over Miami (Ohio) and recap the latest depth chart changes, injury news and roster movement. In the weekly Pod of Old segment, they look back on the 2019 Notre Dame victory at Louisville, the first game the program ever played in the state of Kentucky. Finally, it's hot take and prediction time. Does anyone think Notre Dame won't win this one? Tune it and find out.

In this episode, Tom Noie, Mike Berardino and Jackon Neill set the stage for Notre Dame's home game against Miami (Ohio) - can the Irish handle success two weeks in a row. They look back on the wipeout of Purdue and rewind to this week's Pod of Old - Notre Dame's road win in 1996 at Texas in the final seconds thanks to the right leg of Jim Sanson. Author Mark O. Hubbard joins them to discuss his authorized biography on Notre Dame legend Ara Parseghian. They close with the question of the week before hot takes and predictions for the Miami (Ohio) game.

SOUTH BEND — How does Notre Dame football pick itself up from the canvas after a stunning blow from Northern Illinois last Saturday. Well, it starts with taking out that frustration from its unthinkable 16-14 loss to the Huskies on Purdue Saturday. Kickoff on CBS is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette. South Bend Tribune Notre Dame football beat writers Tom Noie and Mike Berardino, along with WNDU sports director Jackson Neill, unpack the stunning loss to NIU and breakdown Saturday's game against the Boilermakers (1-0) on this week's Pod of Gold Notre Dame football podcast. Special guest this week is Sam King, Purdue football beat writer for the Lafayette Journal & Courier. This week's show was recorded in the studios of news gathering partner WNDU. 

SOUTH BEND — Coming off the biggest win in Marcus Freeman's three years as head coach, Notre Dame football is favorably positioned for a run at the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Yes, there's still 11 more regular-season games to play, but Saturday's 23-13 win over No. 20 Texas A&M in front of 107,000-plus at Kyle Field, stands as a benchmark for what this Irish team is capable. So, what's at stake this week when the seventh-ranked Irish (US LBM Coaches Poll) host Northern Illinois of the Mid-American Conference? Pretty simple: Avoid a Marshall repeat (home-opening upset loss in 2022), avoid injuries and keep on improving, especially along the offensive line. South Bend Tribune Notre Dame football beat writers Tom Noie and Mike Berardino, along with WNDU sports director Jackson Neill, unpack the win in College Station and breakdown Saturday's game against the Huskies on this week's Pod of Gold Notre Dame football podcast. Special guest this week is college football recruiting guru Tom Lemming. This week's show was recorded in the studios of news gathering partner WNDU.

SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football opens its 2024 season Saturday night at No. 20 Texas A&M in College Station. Kickoff is scheduled 7:30 p.m. EDT. It's a challenging situation for the seventh-ranked Irish to start in front of 105,000 Aggies fans at Kyle Field. It's also the perfect barometer for a team with College Football Playoff aspirations in search of its first national championship since 1988. The storylines are abundant. New graduate transfer quarterback Riley Leonard makes his first ND start in new offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock's first game in front of a new offensive line with a combined six collegiate starts between them. Lenorard will also go against new defensive-minded Aggies coach Mike Elko who was his head coach last season at Duke. Oh yeah ... it will be hot, to. So what does that all mean? South Bend Tribune Notre Dame football beat writers Tom Noie and Mike Berardino, along with WNDU sports director Jackson Neill, break it all down on this week's Pod of Gold Notre Dame football podcast before setting off for East Texas. Special guest this week in Aggies beat writer Alex Miller of the Bryan-College Station Eagle. This week's show was recorded in the studios of news gathering partner WNDU.

SOUTH BEND — Will Notre Dame football's defense be dominant enough to pave the way to and through the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024? Can the Irish offense under the presumed direction of transfer quarterback Riley Leonard look like "polished glass?" Will the special teams be, well, special? South Bend Tribune Notre Dame football beat writers Tom Noie and Mike Berardino, along with WNDU sports director Jackson Neill, breakdown those questions and many more in this season's first Pod of Gold podcast of the 2024 season This week's show was recorded in the studios of news gathering partner WNDU.

SOUTH BEND — There's plenty of Notre Dame football news to unpack on this week's Pod of Gold podcast. South Bend Tribune and NDinsider.com beat writers Tom Noie and Mike Berardino size up the Irish transfer portal finds, their 2024 early signees and of course what to expect from the Dec. 29 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl matchup with No. 21 Oregon State in El Paso, Texas. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. It's the 90th Sun Bowl contest and marks the third post-season battle with the Beavers who won both the 2001 Fiesta Bowl and 2004 Insight Bowl by a combined average score of 39.5-15.

SOUTH BEND — How did this happen? How did No. 15 Notre Dame football land in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl opposite No. 21 Oregon State? How do Irish fans get excited about this? South Bend Tribune and NDinsider.com beat writers Tom Noie and Mike Berardino chat with equally surprised Sun Bowl Executive Director Bernie Olivas to scratch at those answers on this week's Pod of Gold podcast. Kickoff on Friday, Dec. 29 is set for 2 p.m. It's the 90th Sun Bowl contest and second for the Irish, who topped Miami (Fla.) 33-17 on New Year's Eve 2010. The game also marks the third post-season matchup between Notre Dame and Oregon State, with the Beavers winning both the 2001 Fiesta Bowl and 2004 Insight Bowl — both in Phoenix — by a combined average score of 39.5-15.

SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football didn't have the benefit of an opponent last week to help eradicate the taste of its flop at Clemson Nov. 4. Senior Day against Wake Forest Saturday can't seem to get here fast enough. Kickoff at Notre Dame Stadium Saturday is 3:30 p.m. with a ceremony honoring 31 Irish seniors shortly beforehand. Notre Dame (7-3) still has a 10-win season in its sights even though a New Year's Six Bowl is off the table. On this week's Pod of Gold Notre Dame football podcast, hosts Tom Noie and Mike Berardino unpack the Irish disappointment in South Carolina, assess how the ND can get its offense back on track and monitor transfer portal percolations. They also breakdown the Wake Forest game with Learfield sideline reporter Dave Goren.

SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football landed at No. 15 in the first College Football Playoff rankings unveiled Tuesday night. The Irish need to win their final three games starting Saturday against a struggling, but still very dangerous Clemson team in Death Valley, in order to have any chance at a New Year's Six Bowl invitation. As are South Bend Tribune Pod of Gold hosts Tom Noie and Mike Berardino unpack Notre Dame's impressive win over Pitt last Saturday and breakdown what it needs to do against the Tigers this Saturday. They are joined this week by Eric Mac Lain, a former Clemson football captain and current analyst for the ACC Network. Kickoff Saturday at Memorial Stadium is noon ET.

SOUTH BEND — Even with Louisville's convincing upset of Notre Dame football last Saturday zapping some "Big Game" energy this week, the annual Irish rivalry game with USC still packs a punch. Just ask former Notre Dame defensive end and two-time Super Bowl champion Justin Tuck (2001-04) who accumulated 19 tackles — including four for a loss and a sack — in three games against the Pete Carroll-led Trojans at their prime. Or ask former running back Eric Penick, whose 85-yard touchdown run help propel Notre Dame past the sixth-ranked Trojans and onward to the 1973 national championship. South Bend Tribune ND beat writer Mike Berardino and columnist Tom Noie are joined on this week's Pod of Gold podcast at the WNDU Studios by both Tuck and Penick who offer perspective to just how special this series — now in its 94th installment — is to the two programs.

SOUTH BEND — Another week, another undefeated opponent, another night game. And another episode of Pod of Gold as we breakdown Notre Dame football vs. Louisville. Kickoff Saturday at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium is 7:30 p.m. on ABC South Bend Tribune ND beat writer Mike Berardino and columnist Tom Noie take us through the final moments at Duke from the sidelines, talk the emergence of tight end Mitchell Evans and "freakin" Rico Flores Jr. And when will QB Sam Hartman throw his first interception since the Gasparilla Bowl? He's had his struggles against the Cardinals Tom and Mike are joined by former Major League manager and Notre Dame enthusiast Dave Trembley on how Marcus Freeman has adapted to the spotlight under the Golden Dome.

SOUTH BEND — It's time to move on. We all know what happened down the stretch in Notre Dame football's last-second 17-14 loss to Ohio State last Saturday. Now it's time to look ahead to an Irish schedule that suddenly appears more challenging than at the beginning of the season with road games at undefeated No. 17 Duke (4-0) and Louisville (4-0), and at home against No. 8 USC (4-0). South Bend Tribune ND beat writer Mike Berardino and columnist Tom Noie wrap-up the Buckeye debacle and turn to what the Blue Devils bring to the table for Saturday's 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C.

SOUTH BEND — This was suppose to be Notre Dame football's proclamation to the college football world. And in many ways it was, except for the painful finish. South Bend Tribune ND beat writer Mike Berardino and columnist Tom Noie unpack what went wrong in Notre Dame's deflating 17-14 home loss to Ohio State Saturday night. And to nobody's surprise, it starts with arithmetic. This special edition of Pod of Gold was recorded live at the WNDU Studios in South Bend, home of the Countdown to Kickoff pregame show before each Notre Dame football game.

  SOUTH BEND — There's a special energy on and around Notre Dame's campus the week of a big game. This week is no exception as the ninth-ranked Irish prepare to host No. 6 Ohio State at Notre Dame Stadium Saturday. Kickoff on NBC is set 7:30 p.m. But before the game, and before ESPN's College GameDay crew sets up residency with Touchdown Jesus as its backdrop, South Bend Tribune ND beat writer Mike Berardino and columnist Tom Noie break down the Irish chances at a signature victory that would propel them into the College Football Playoff conversation. They are joined this week by former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire, who says this is a "can't miss" opportunity and a chance to "change the narrative" moving forward.  

SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football has a huge game coming up. And it's not this weekend. As the ninth-ranked Irish (3-0) prepare to take care of its housekeeping at home Saturday against Central Michigan (1-1), it's the Sept. 23 matchup with No. 6 Ohio State at Notre Dame Stadium that casts a shadow over the Chippewa's trip to South Bend. South Bend Tribune ND beat writer Mike Berardino and columnist Tom Noie are joined on this week's Pod of Gold podcast by Columbus Dispatch sports columnist Rob Oller, to NOT talk about Central Michigan. Instead Oller helps breaks down the Irish vs. Buckeyes matchup that is expected to have College Football Playoff implications. This week's Pod of Gold was recorded live at the WNDU Studios in South Bend, home of the Countdown to Kickoff pregame show before each Notre Dame football game. Kickoff Saturday against the Chippewas is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.  

SOUTH BEND — After impressive and appropriate blowout wins against Navy and Tennessee State, Notre Dame football (2-0) gets its first true road test of the 2023 season when it visits N.C. State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C. Saturday. The Irish are 0-1 in Raleigh, losing to the Wolfpack in 2016. South Bend Tribune ND beat writer Mike Berardino and columnist Tom Noie are joined on this week's Pod of Gold podcast by Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer to breakdown an Irish defense yet to give up a touchdown, how Notre Dame is perceived in the ACC and what the Wolfpack brings to the table Saturday. Kickoff Saturday on ABC is scheduled for noon EDT.  

SOUTH BEND — We brush off the jet lag following Notre Dame Football's season-opening 42-3 "Irish invasion" victory over Navy in Dublin, Ireland with another edition of Pod of Gold. South Bend Tribune ND beat writer Mike Berardino and columnist Tom Noie break down how good this Notre Dame team is (best since 2012?), discuss Irish quarterback Sam Hartman's ceiling after tossing four touchdown passes and look ahead to Tennessee State in Saturday's home opener. Kickoff for the first ever Notre Dame matchup with an Historically Black College or University is 3:30 p.m.

  SOUTH BEND — The 2023 Notre Dame Football season is upon as thousands of passport-holding Irish fans make the trek across the Atlantic for a Week Zero matchup with Navy Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. ET. On this edition of Pod of Gold, Notre Dame football beat writers Mike Berardino, and Tom Noie set the stage for Game Week and talk depth chart surprises, sight seeing on the Emerald Isle and throw out a prediction of two. They are joined by special guest — direct from Ireland — Column Cronin, co-host of the Irish NFL Show, "Ireland's Premier American Football Outlet.. This week's Pod of Gold was recorded at the WNDU-TV studios in South Bend, home of the "Countdown to Kickoff" Notre Dame football pregame show on NBC. Cheers!  

  SOUTH BEND — As Notre Dame football prepares to fly across The Pond next week for its season opener against Navy in Dublin, Ireland, this week's Pod of Gold podcast implores the expertise of Len Clarke for getting around and enjoying The Big Smoke ahead of the Big Game. Clark assembled a 100-page guide to Dublin for Irish Illustrated ahead of the Saturday, Aug. 26 game vs. the Midshipmen at Aviva Stadium. The two teams last played at The Pale for 2012's season opener, a season that ended with the Irish losing to Alabama in the BCS National Championship game. Beyond Clark's guide to Ireland, Notre Dame football beat writers Mike Berardino, and Austin Hough talk through South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com staff predictions regarding Notre Dame's upcoming 2023 season, as well as this year's choices for team captains. This week's Pod of Gold was recorded at the WNDU-TV studios in South Bend, home of the "Countdown to Kickoff" Notre Dame football pregame show. Cheers!    

  SOUTH BEND — Could a Notre Dame win over Ohio State on Sept. 23 come to be known as "The Green Pants Game?" In this week's South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com Pod of Gold podcast, Notre Dame football beat writers Mike Berardino, and Tom Noie talk Irish fashion, Jerry Maguire and what's to be gleaned so far from Irish fall camp. They are also joined in the WNDU-TV studios by special guest John Brice of Footballscoop.com, who provides insight on Notre Dame's place in conference realignment, the reported Under Armour apparel extension and narrowing the speed gap.   

Notre Dame football officially begins its 2023 campaign with the opening of fall camp Wednesday, July 26, 2023. ND Insider's "Pod of Gold" podcast previews what to look for in head coach Marcus Freeman's second season. South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com Irish beat writers Mike Berardino and Tom Noie, along with WNDU-TV sports director Matt Loch, delve into grad transfer QB Sam Hartman's impact, who's going to catch his passes and how the defensive front is going to bring the pressure. Plus the South Bend Tribune's Austin Hough points out the trap games on Notre Dame's schedule. 

ND Insider's "Pod of Gold" podcast is back. South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com Irish beat writers Mike Berardino and Tom Noie, along with WNDU-TV sports director Matt Loch, unpack Saturday's soggy Blue-Gold Game, address QB's Tyler Buchner's defection to the Alabama Crimson Tide, break down Notre Dame players in the NFL Draft and even chat a little Irish basketball and baseball.  0:25 - Former Notre Dame QB Tyler Buchner headed to Alabama and what are ND's options to backup Sam Hartman 6:20 - Other Notre Dame players in the transfer portal 12:55 - How is the portal changing college football 17:50 - Blue-Gold Game recap 21:40 - How many Notre Dame players will be picked in the 2023 NFL Draft 28:15 - How is Micah Shrewsberry's ND men's basketball staff and roster shaping up? 33:10 - Florida State baseball coach Link Jarrett returns to South Bend to face his former Irish squad      

Much has changed since Bob Chmiel was Notre Dame football's recruiting coordinator in the 1990s under former head coach Lou Holtz. Chmiel joined South Bend Tribune and ND Insider “Pod of Gold” hosts Mike Berardino and Fernando Ramirez this week to discuss the current Irish recruiting push, his reverence for the University growing up as a Catholic kid from Chicago, and the direction of the program under first-year coach Marcus Freeman.

Disregard that football in the Pod of Gold logo today. Imagine instead a baseball. Because that's what ND Insider and South Bend Tribune columnist Tom Noie is talking about on this episode as the Irish are set to play in their first College World Series since 2002. That's two decades for those scoring at home. Joining Tom is Footballscoop.com'sJohn Brice, a college football and baseball expert who used to cover University of Tennessee athletics. Notre Dame punched its ticket to Omaha with a three-game Super Regional upset of the No. 1 Volunteers in Knoxville. The Irish open CWS play Friday at 7 p.m. (ET) against Texas.

Former Notre Dame graduate transfer and linebacker Adam Shibley joined South Bend Tribune and ND Insider “Pod of Gold” host Mike Berardino and Fernando Ramirez this week to speak on his business that helps put on football camps. His company, TUFF, only charges a donation of at least $1 for young athletes to attend. This helps kids learn from some of the best players in the nation and the camp isn't charging ridiculous prices.

Former Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush and his MOGL co-founder Ayden Syal joined “Pod of Gold” this week to lend their perspective on how their fast-growing, compliance-centric company can help restore sanity to the Name, Image, Likeness process.  Wimbush, who went 13-3 as the starter in 2017-18 before moving on to Central Florida as a graduate transfer, also weighed in on several Irish football topics, including the potential (on and off the field) of freshman quarterback Steve Angeli; the advantages of being a cold-weather quarterback once you get to South Bend; and the pressure of starting a season opener under center with little prior experience. 

Former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire knows a thing or two about QB battles. Nicknamed The Lucky Lefty, Zaire, now lives in California. He joined Pod of Gold hosts and Notre Dame football beat writers Fernando Ramirez and Mike Berardino Wednesday for a wide ranging conversation that touched on the state of the QB position for the Irish, recruiting and life in the NIL and cryptocurrency world.

We know for sure now that Garth Brooks has friends in low places. Just kidding.  The music megastar and hall of famer, chatted with South Bend Tribune and NDInsider Pod of Gold hosts Fernando Ramirez and Mike Berardino prior to Saturday's 7 p.m. concert at Notre Dame Stadium.

NFL Hall of Famer and former Notre Dame fullback Jerome Bettis is back on campus to complete his degree and help mentor the current football program under the direction of first-year head Marcus Freeman. "The Bus" recently joined South Bend Tribune and NDInsider Pod of Gold hosts Fernando Ramirez and Mike Berardino to reminisce about his Irish playing days, Lou Holtz, NIL, the NFL Draft and much more. 

ND Insider and South Bend Tribune Notre Dame football beat writers Fernando Ramirez and Mike Berardino break down Notre Dame's 93rd annual Blue-Gold Game with South Bend Tribune Columnist Tom Noie.

ND Insider's "Pod of Gold" podcast makes it return with new hosts Fernando Ramirez and Mike Berardino. Meet the team as they talk Notre Dame Spring football practice with ND Insider and South Bend Tribune columnist Tom Noie.

Former Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis joins the podcast to discuss the significance of Marcus Freeman winning his first game in the Fiesta Bowl, what challenges await him as a first-time head coach, the importance of recruiting and how to balance that workload, if he was surprised by Brian Kelly's move to LSU, Ian Book's future in the NFL and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make Fiesta Bowl predictions in the "Place Your Bets" segment (25:56) before answering questions from Twitter (34:19).

Jaden Mickey, a four-star cornerback recruit from Corona (Calif.) Centennial, joins the podcast to discuss his reaction to head coach Brian Kelly leaving Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman becoming the new head coach, why he decided to stick with his commitment to the Irish, playing against former ND commit C.J. Williams and other talented players in California, his expectations as an early enrolled freshman and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen answer questions from Twitter (15:20).

Tyler James and Eric Hansen catch up with a wild few days for Notre Dame football as head coach Brian Kelly departed for LSU and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman is expected to replace him. Was Freeman the right choice? Why did Kelly leave? What does so many assistant coaches staying mean for the Irish? Then 247Sports director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong joins the podcast to discuss the recruiting ramifications of Freeman's promotion and the road ahead for Kelly (24:39). Finally, James and Hansen answer questions from Twitter (43:10).

Former Notre Dame left tackle Mike McGlinchey joins the podcast to discuss watching the 2021 Irish, how the program and Brian Kelly evolved during his time at Notre Dame, former teammate Hunter Bivin's impact on the program, Notre Dame's offensive line play this season, McGlinchey's recovery from a season-ending injury, the legendary tackles he's played with for the San Francisco 49ers and more.  Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-Stanford predictions in "Place Your Bets" (31:35) before answering questions from Twitter (42:20).

Bruce Feldman, a college football reporter for FOX Sports and writer for The Athletic, joins the podcast to discuss where Notre Dame fits in the College Football Playoff discussion, what the playoff committee should focus on with the top teams in the country, how head-to-head games should matter, what the head coaching market for ND defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman will look like this offseason, if schools are gaining an advantage by firing their coaches early, how much he tracks his "Freaks List" during the season and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen and make ND-Georgia Tech predictions in "Place Your Bets" (26:55) before answering questions from Twitter (34:51).

Eric Mac Lain, college football analyst for the ACC Network, joins the podcast to discuss Notre Dame's improvement this season, how to slow down Virginia QB Brennan Armstrong, why the Cavaliers have struggled on defense, who he thinks will win a wide-open ACC, what's wrong with Clemson this season, which team he'd nominate to play the Irish in the Peach Bowl and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-Virginia predictions in "Place Your Bets" (24:55) before answering questions from Twitter (34:51).

Rick Minter, a two-time defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, joins the podcast to discuss the challenges of stopping Navy's triple-option offense, how a defense can create a scheme specific for this week, if it's harder on defensive linemen or linebacker, how Marcus Freeman has done in his first season as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator, the impact of safety Kyle Hamilton's injury, what it takes to improve two-minute defense and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen makes ND-Navy predictions in "Place Your Bets" (31:13) before answering questions from Twitter (40:12).

Dane Brugler, NFL Draft analyst for The Athletic, joins the podcast to discuss if safety Kyle Hamilton has secured a high draft position, why he anticipated a big season from defensive end Isaiah Foskey, what makes Jarrett Patterson an attractive center prospect, why running back Kyren Williams will be coveted, which Notre Dame player has surprised him, what the Irish are facing in North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-UNC predictions in "Place Your Bets" (30:05) before answering questions from Twitter (39:01).  

Former Notre Dame quarterback Rick Mirer joins the podcast to discuss how Tyler Buchner has played as a freshman quarterback, his expectations for Buchner as he continues to develop, the difficulties Mirer faced as a young quarterback and the challenge of playing on the road, how the Irish can be successful playing multiple quarterbacks, what's keeping Mirer busy now and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-USC predictions in "Place Your Bets" (24:33) before answering questions from Twitter (31:15).

ESPN's Mike Golic Jr. joins the podcast to discuss Notre Dame's offensive line improvement against Virginia Tech, if it's sustainable for the rest of the season, how Tyler Buchner helps the Irish offense, who he'd start at quarterback, how his offensive line in 2012 managed shared time between QBs Everett Golson and Tommy Rees, the impact Chris Watt made as a graduate assistant last season, what a team gains from winning so many close games and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make predictions for the rest of the season in "Place Your Bets" (27:47) before answering questions from Twitter (37:42).

247Sports director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong joins the podcast to discuss Notre Dame's loss to Cincinnati, the quarterback talent on ND's roster, how the Irish can improve its quarterback room, if the efforts in the 2022 and 2023 classes at the position are encouraging, how high ND's 2022 class can finish and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-Virginia Tech predictions in "Place Your Bets" (32:07) before answering questions from Twitter (39:29).

Aaron Taylor, a two-time All-American and Lombardi Award winner as a Notre Dame offensive lineman, CBS Sports analyst and founder of the Joe Moore Award, joins the podcast to colorfully discuss what has surprised him about the way the Irish have played on the offensive line, if the issues are fixable this season, what will be required for the line to improve, how the quarterbacks' athleticism impacts the offensive line, why the right side of the offensive line hasn't been able to carry the unit, how to prepare younger players, Jeff Quinn's ability as an offensive line coach and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-Cincinnati predictions in "Place Your Bets" (33:18) before answering questions from Twitter (42:28).