Marcus Freeman won’t admit the Irish defense is playing perfectly, but it has produced more points than USC and Pittsburgh did in the last two weeks. That may be a version of perfection.
Notre Dame loses its most consistent passing-game target, now needing the Irish receivers to shoulder more of the offensive work load as they head to Clemson on Saturday.
Notre Dame made Pittsburgh’s life miserable all Saturday afternoon in all three phases, a blowout of 58-7 an appropriate final score for the complete rout.
Early mistakes only delayed Notre Dame’s rout of Pittsburgh, the No. 14 Irish using two special teams touchdowns and an interception return for a score to thoroughly embarrass the Panthers.
How to watch Pittsburgh vs Notre Dame football, with the Irish as three-touchdown favorites and likely to dominate the Panthers on both sides of the ball, most dramatically on defense.
Marcus Freeman may find great success at Notre Dame. Another transfer quarterback could become a star. But no one will have a greater impact on Irish football in the decade to come than the next university president.
Pittsburgh has benched the familiar name at quarterback, now relying on Penn State transfer Christian Veilleux instead of Phil Jurkovec, and Veilleux has found some success. Nonetheless, the Irish defense should be able to keep him in check on Saturday.
If Notre Dame finishes this season 4-0 after its first idle week, it should be in position to reach a New Year’s Six bowl. What hurdles stand between the Irish and that opportunity? Four teams with bounties of troubles.
Notre Dame nearly grabbed Marcus Freeman’s second signature win a month ago. Beating USC on Saturday provided that moment and validated September’s confidence. It wasn’t wrong; it was just early.
How to watch college football on Peacock: USC hasn’t pulled into Notre Dame with an unbeaten record since 2005, arguably the most famous rendition of this storied rivalry.
USC hasn’t been favored at Notre Dame in 14 years, a field-goal underdog tonight. Included in that, the Irish have won five straight at home against their biggest rival.
No opponent defines Notre Dame football as much as USC does. That should spark the Irish plenty this weekend, coming off a deflating loss but now going against the defending Heisman Trophy winner.
Notre Dame’s offense has stalled for three straight weeks, but USC’s defense has spent that same time making opponents look good. Which will reverse course this weekend?
Caleb Williams shredded Notre Dame’s defense last season, and the Irish did not have the firepower to keep up with him. USC looks more vulnerable right now, even if it hasn’t lost yet. Can Notre Dame halt Williams? If not, can it outscore him?
The scoreboard may have looked like a rout on Saturday night, Louisville beating Notre Dame, 33-20, but the Irish were a few mistakes away from winning, the kinds of mistakes that mostly traced to one long-known roster deficiency.
Notre Dame hung with Louisville for three quarters Saturday, things falling apart first when Irish head coach Marcus Freeman opted for a field goal rather than a touchdown in a two-score game
Three Sam Hartman interceptions, a struggling Irish offense and multiple explosive Louisville touchdowns dashed Notre Dame’s lingering College Football Playoff hopes on Saturday night.
