Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast

The battle for the Old Oil Can, a key American clash and the Big 12 race stays hot. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Sam Werner of the Three-Point Jesus podcast joins to spend some more time discussing Notre Dame's 34-24 victory over USC and where the team stands after seven games. Then the discussion turns to the future of the Fighting Irish-Trojans rivalry, some conventional wisdom about the series that isn't so wise, stress-testing our playoff beliefs and a lot more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish's soggy and satisfying victory over the Trojans to retain the Jeweled Shillelagh. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

A big Saturday in the Sun Belt, a monster Friday night and SEC title elimination games. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Our USC Insider Nick Tresnowski joins to break down Saturday night's monster clash as we reach Round Four of Lincoln Riley vs. Marcus Freeman with playoff and contractual drama swirling. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish notching their fourth straight win via another great performance from the defense. Then we had to discuss James Franklin being let go by Penn State following the Nittany Lions' third straight loss. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Big games on Thursday and Friday night, the Big 12 race stays tight and a rare but needed Rutgers appreciation. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana and Lucy Rohden join to discuss Lucy's first visit to Notre Dame, what the campus and game day experience were like around Boise State's visit and how that compares to other schools. Also discussed: The Big Ten, James Franklin and when preseason projections go wrong. Off Rohding report from Notre Dame Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Michael Bryan (Spreadsheets & Tailgates newsletter) and Andrew Smith (Notre Dame, Our Blogger) join to break down the Irish taking care of business in a flag-filled game against the Broncos. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Some sad #goacc, some promising young quarterbacks and a whole lot more highlight the weekend. The SI story on the 1982 Aloha Bowl. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish rolling into Fayetteville for the blowout win, including another nearly perfect day from the offense. We also hit on a fun weekend of college football and then just as we were wrapping up

A monster weekend awaits, with ranked teams in danger, American teams trying to keep rolling and a whole lot more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to break down the Fighting Irish getting their first win of the season against the Boilermakers, including an incredible offense and still so many questions about the defense. Then (50:50) a look at the Paige Bueckers-Sonia Citron WNBA Rookie of the Year and some light schadenfreude. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

A stacked noon slate kicks off what looks to be another fun Saturday that ends in Boulder and with some more potential Golden Bear magic. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Sam Werner of the Three-Point Jesus podcast joins to file a report from the Irish's second loss of the 2025 season. Chris Ash, C.J. Carr, what the next ten games might look like and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Start your Saturday in the City of Brotherly Love and end it at the Golden Bowl in Berkeley. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

The Spreadsheet and Tailgate newsletter's Michael Bryan joins to judge the severity of concerns about the Fighting Irish after their opening loss with another big game ahead of them on Saturday night. We also take a look at lessons learned from the first two weeks of the college football season. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

GigEm247's Carter Karels returns to preview the Aggies' upcoming trip to South Bend. Topics include the improvement of Texas A&M's passing attack, optimism about a run game that started slowly and a whole lot of questions about Mike Elko's defense. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

There isn't a lot of sizzle this weekend but if you dig there's plenty of steak. Dave Campbell's Texas Football on Scott Abell Lawrence Journal-World on Bert Coan Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish losing their season opener to the Hurricanes. A real loopy one trying to work through this so apologies for that. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to close out the offseason with our annual discussion of things to be excited about for the upcoming Fighting Irish campaign.  Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Recommending some of the most interesting games of the opening weekend, from an important G6 clash to Top Ten tilts. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Alex Herrmann and Andrew Smith of Notre Dame, Our Blogger join to preview all 12 opponents on this fall's Fighting Irish schedule. A spicy start, the murky middle and some sad scenes. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Irish Sports Daily's Jamie Uyeyama joins to run through every scholarship freshman on the Fighting Irish offense. A tight end and running back who could make an instant impact, a crop of promising linemen, three receivers trying to work their way into the mix and a quarterback who needs to be ready for action as soon as next season. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Irish Sports Daily's Jamie Uyeyama joins to run through every scholarship freshman on the Fighting Irish defense. Corners set to carry on the Mike Mickens tradition, an elite lineman and options alongside him, promising safeties and a trio of intriguing linebackers. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

The Spreadsheet and Tailgate newsletter's Michael Bryan and Irish Sports Daily's Greg Flammang join to rank the top units on this year's Fighting Irish roster. Why it's nice to have the best players in the country, a debate about which line is better, safety life post-Xavier Watts, can wide receiver finally deliver and the continuing quarterback race. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Blue and Gold's Eric Hansen joins to run through the transfer additions that could have a major impact for the Irish this fall, from Malachi Fields and Will Pauling juicing the passing attack to DeVonta Smith stepping in at nickel and Jared Dawson helping to hold things down along the line. Also included general camp thoughts, including a starting quarterback prediction, Eli Raridon hype and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Irish Sports Daily's Jamie Uyeyama joins to talk about a big weekend of news, both good (recruiting successes) and bad (Charles Jagusah's injury), as well as a look at how Notre Dame is using NIL and how to best go about handling the wide receiver position. Then Jamie explains his schedule tiers for this fall's dozen Irish opponents. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to file a report on her visit to campus over the weekend. Then: Recruiting successes, how new jersey numbers could affect the season, a long look at the House settlement/what the future of NIL might look like and best movies of the 21st century. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to rank the best coaches in college football, including where we place Marcus Freeman among his peers. (The Top 25 coaches newsletter referenced during the discussion.) Then (42:20) The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant joins to discuss the state of the Notre Dame women's basketball program, how there's a star void to be filled for the 2025-26 season and how Irish alumnae are thriving in the WNBA this season. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana and the Spreadsheets & Tailgates newsletter's Michael Bryan join to take a look at what preseason win totals might mean for a long list of college football teams. Topics include but are not limited to: Freedom from the Big Ten West, Cignetti Year Two in Bloomington, Clemson hype vs. reality, the cowardice of the USC Trojans, a big year for LSU, sad times in Palo Alto and Stillwater, interesting times in Miami, expectations for Deion, Narduzzi purgatory, the circus in Chapel Hill and potentially tough years for both Clark Lea and Steve Angeli. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

We're dusting off a few of our old conversations with Irish Sports Daily's Jamie Uyeyama to remember what we thought about C.J. Carr and Kenny Minchey before their freshman seasons at Notre Dame began. Also including a bonus Steve Angeli Frosh O report out of respect. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Irish Sports Daily's Greg Flammang and the Spreadsheets & Tailgates newsletter's Michael Bryan join to review our depth chart power rankings from last season and to look ahead to who might stand out on this fall's roster. Plus, a review of Reacher Season 3 (56:45). MB's wildly specific prediction newsletter. The August 2024 depth chart power rankings. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to talk about big news for the Notre Dame quarterback room and to appreciate Steve Angeli, plus the WNBA and NFL Drafts. Then (32:40) the Report Medical Team joins for a lengthy discussion of the excellent television series "The Pitt," focusing on our favorite characters from the deep ensemble. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to talk about where Notre Dame football stands as spring practice winds down. Updates on the quarterback race and a how the projected 2025 depth chart compares to last year's team as well as a look at The Shirt and what a couple major transfers mean for for college sports. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana and Irish Sports Daily's Jamie Uyeyama join to discuss what Jamie learned on his visit to campus over the weekend. A quarterback race with no obvious leader, reflecting on Riley Leonard, new faces at wide receiver, the defensive tackle situation and a vibe check on the new front office and coaching staff members. Then (53:30) a spoiler-filled discussion of the most recent season of The White Lotus. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Inside ND Sports' Eric Hansen joins to talk about the battle between Steve Angeli, C.J. Carr and Kenny Minchey as well as new additions to the coaching staff and front office. Then (32:00) a look at how Niele Ivey pulled her team out of the late-season slump, an appreciation of Sonia Citron and what it will take for the Fighting Irish to get to the Final Four. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana and Notre Dame, Our Blogger's Andrew Smith join to discuss Niele Ivey's squad dominating the Wolverines to advance to their fourth straight Sweet Sixteen. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Strap in for a deep dive on the upcoming NCAA Tournaments.   Segment 1: Jessica Smetana, Paul Coletti (The Irish Alert newsletter) and Alex Carson (The Green Nails Newsletter) discuss potential causes of Notre Dame's late-season struggles and potential fixes that could lead to a deep tournament run.   Segment 2 (47:00): The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant talks about the Fighting Irish's corner of the bracket, why she picked them to make the Final Four, why UConn is her title pick and other assorted tournament thoughts.   Segment 3 (1:21:00): Sam Werner of the Three-Point Jesus podcast on Micah Shrewsberry's second season at the helm and what to watch for in the men's bracket.   Segment 4 (1:51:00): Jess returns to talk about her experience at the Unrivaled final and give a brief hater's guide to the women's tournament. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Celebrating Mike Brey, Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton's run to the ACC championship via the Duke and North Carolina games in Greensboro. Topics include Zach Auguste and Bonzie Colson vs Jahlil Okafor, ACC regional broadcasts, the excellence of Demetrius Jackson, sad Coach K, crafty Steve Vasturia, the 2015 NBA Draft, the Tar Heel crowd, patiently waiting for the 26-3 run to start, hugs, perfect basketball and what this team means. Guests: Mike Laskey (AMDG Podcast), Joe Schueller (18 Stripes), Sam Werner (Three-Point Jesus Podcast) Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to talk about the Notre Dame women's basketball team's troubling two-game losing streak, the state of the football offseason, the war on spring games and some of this fall's opponents. Then (25:00) a discussion of Sunday's Oscar ceremony with Priya Desai, starting with a Best Picture draft. (FYI: The explicit tag is earned on this one.) Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport  

Jessica Smetana joins for a potpourri edition discussing Chris Ash, Chad Bowden, Top 100 games, transfer portal entries, an Atlanta field report, Excitement Draft recap, "The Americans" and much more. Then (53:00) The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant joins to talk about how Niele Ivey has built a team that is one of the nation's top title contenders. The best backcourt, how new faces are fitting in, threats in the ACC and beyond plus some Paige Bueckers Narrative Watch and potential WNBA CBA repercussions.   Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins for initial thoughts on the College Football Playoff final, this past Fighting Irish season and what the future may hold.  Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to rank all 14 of Notre Dame's wins that have taken them to the cusp of a national championship, from the opener in College Station to the thriller in Miami Gardens. Remembering some games, some touchdowns, some announcers and a whole lot more from a special season. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport