Is Notre Dame the team to beat next year (If Marcus Freeman returns)?

[Gerry Hamilton]

Here is the reason ND is a maybe headed into next year ...

Notre Dame is absolutely loaded with scheduled returnees on defense ...

11 of the top 13 leading tacklers are likely to return, to start. 

That doesn't include EDGE Bryce Young, starting CB Christian Gray, backup EDGE Joshua Burnham , etc...

If Drayk Bowen returns, top 5 LB's are all likely back. Multiple NFL draft picks

5 of top 6 DB's likely to return, including Leonard Moore and Shuler. S Tae Johnson. Multiple NFL draft picks in that group.

EDGE's Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young, Burnham all solid, with Traore a budding star and Young a high-NFL upside guy

Note: Eight likely returning starters from last game of the season, and majority of backups.

And on O ...

QB CJ Carr a year under his belt, and very good. Future NFL Draft pick. 

Four of five OL starters (at various points, as ND had some injuries) are likely back. In fact, they could get 8 of top 9 in program back if none portal.

Majority of WR's return. 

Lose a tremendous RB in Love, and a NFL caliber backup for sure ... and solid TE.

Note: Seven likely returning starters from last game of the season, and majority of backups.

Coming in ...
top 5 recruiting class ... very talented class on D and at RB IMO

and ND would add from portal

 

[CHorn427]

Nope. We are. 🤘

[Gerry Hamilton]

2 minutes ago, CHorn427 said:

Nope. We are. 🤘

lol

Portal will be so big for Texas, Oregon, Miami, Texas A&M and 3-4 others 

 

ND may well have the most roster continuity returning among the top ranked teams, should Marcus Freeman stay.

[LonghornLegends]

9 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

Here is the reason ND is a maybe headed into next year ...

Notre Dame is absolutely loaded with scheduled returnees on defense ...

11 of the top 13 leading tacklers are likely to return, to start. 

That doesn't include EDGE Bryce Young, starting CB Christian Gray, backup EDGE Joshua Burnham , etc...

If Drayk Bowen returns, top 5 LB's are all likely back. Multiple NFL draft picks

5 of top 6 DB's likely to return, including Leonard Moore and Shuler. S Tae Johnson. Multiple NFL draft picks in that group.

EDGE's Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young, Burnham all solid, with Traore a budding star and Young a high-NFL upside guy

Note: Eight likely returning starters from last game of the season, and majority of backups.

And on O ...

QB CJ Carr a year under his belt, and very good. Future NFL Draft pick. 

Four of five OL starters (at various points, as ND had some injuries) are likely back. In fact, they could get 8 of top 9 in program back if none portal.

Majority of WR's return. 

Lose a tremendous RB in Love, and a NFL caliber backup for sure ... and solid TE.

Note: Seven likely returning starters from last game of the season, and majority of backups.

Coming in ...
top 5 recruiting class ... very talented class on D and at RB IMO

and ND would add from portal

 

All the have to do is be in the top 12 anyway they just gotta beat all their cupcakes and they’ll be in so. I can’t stand them, starting to hate them as much as BlowU and lil bros.

[CHorn427]

20 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

lol

Portal will be so big for Texas, Oregon, Miami, Texas A&M and 3-4 others 

 

ND may well have the most roster continuity returning among the top ranked teams, should Marcus Freeman stay.

Jerimiyah Love and JaDarian Price will be harder to replace than you’re suggesting. Carr isn’t that great. 
 

Notre Dame might sail through the regular season due to their easy schedule, but they will be an early exit from the playoffs due to not being battle tested. That’s my prediction.

 

Edited 4 hours ago by CHorn427

[Kevin C]

Merry Christmas OTF Family!   When I’m not crazy swamped with work or family priorities, I love taking in some Coffee & Football with Bobby, Gerry, Blake and others.   Always enjoy the perspectives and passion, even when I don’t agree.  

That said…..Of all the topics @Gerry Hamiltoncould have written on Christmas Day, this one is a real head scratcher.    Why give any attention to the classless gutless organization called Notre Dame?   When schools like Texas lean into playing the best (in conference and out of conference) risking losses will keep us out of the CFP, Notre Dame is cancelling longtime series against USC and continuing as an independent so they have 100% control over who they play each season,  they are doing everything possible to maximize the facade of their bull$41+ 10-2 record this season and going even further in seasons to come. 

Everyone on ESPN, Saban included. keeps coming to their defense this December saying ND got screwed that they deserve to be in the playoffs?    Why?   Notre Dame lost their only two games against teams currently ranked in the Top 15 (Miami and A&M) and they have a whopping 1 win against a Top 25 team (USC) whom they’ve cancelled going forward to further water down their schedule.

Be comparison, Texas beat 3 Top-15 teams (OU, A&M and Vandy), two losses to 2 of the clear top-3 programs in the country plus the bad loss to Florida.   Even as bad as Texas was at times this season, we’d likely be 12-0 or 11-1 (at worst) against ND schedule for 2025.   It’s a cupcake.  

Texas was a rollercoaster team that was maddening to watch at times but they got better on offense through the season, showed grit, made no excuses and will be 100% improved next season with stronger OL and QB play.   I love what Sark is building and believe 2026 is going to be Texas’ year to win it all (not Notre Dame), due to our choice to play the best, grow from it, build on the lessons from 2025, stronger top to bottom coaching staff with key upgrades in coaching on both sides of the ball, best QB in the country, explosive offense, dominating defense with the best edge in the country (setting new Texas record for sacks) and a fight in next years team that no one can match.

i believe Texas will be the team to beat next season (not cowardly ND) and it’s the road they’ve taken on the way to 2026 that’s prepared them for one of the toughest schedules any team will play.    Character, grit, explosiveness, QB leadership, WR length, athleticism on both sides, depth of talent, coaching, play calling…..all of this and more are reasons why the Longhorns are the team to beat.    Time for @Gerry Hamilton to rethink his Christmas morning mindset.    In the immortal words of Chris Carter on Monday Night Countdown in the day…”Come On Man!!!”

 

Hook em!! 🧡🐂🤘🏼

Edited 4 hours ago by Kevin C

[Gerry Hamilton]

Was going through teams to see who had the most portal needs @Kevin C... when I got to ND... they will very likely have the most returning starters on both sides of the ball vs. any other serious contender. 

Was definitely noteworthy

[Gerry Hamilton]

And also, how quickly ND's roster could fall apart in ways should Freeman go to the NFL. There are a lot of players that would be coveted by major programs.

[Burnt Orange Horn]

Notre Divas is a corrupt program that only plays weak schedules.  Best outcome for CFB is for the NCAA to roll back their special compensation and let them compete for the CFB like everyone else.

Remember this roster told the team captains so many players would opt out of their bowl game that Freeman whimpered and canceled it.  A real 🐔💩 program.

Edited 3 hours ago by Burnt Orange Horn

[FatherofMinky]

Not a ND fan… not ashamed to admit my disdain for them. The MOU for the playoff is unacceptable. Frankly, I don’t believe they deserve any CFP Consideration until they join a Conference and play a Competitive Conference schedule like every other team. I don’t believe Texas or any other team should be scheduling them out-of-conference either to give them more “Strength of Schedule”…that is simply being an enabler to a Spoiled program … Here’s to Hoping Freeman jets to the NFL! Merry Christmas!🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[Here for the Wins]

I find it a bit humorous that there’s frustration allowing a 12th ranked Notre Dame into a 12 team playoff.

And as long as the committee is in charge they can always rank them 13th or worse.  Some people weren’t smart enough to realize they could manipulate the old BCS when they had the human voting component.

 

Each year is a bit different but Miami and Ole Miss schedules were comparable this year.

[SpaceCityWrangler]

 

yeah, they may go undefeated…

 

Edited 2 hours ago by SpaceCityWrangler

[Texas fan in Georgia]

With the schedule they play they ought to be a favorite until playoff time when they get smoked.

[TexasMDcoach]

Easy 2026 schedule makes them a CFB playoff lock so there is that.

[Texas fan in Georgia]

I think they let the USC deal fall through to take another potential L off their schedule.

[Jester101]

It has been said on OTF many times that Texas will go big game hunting in the portal. So will the Aggies, Miami, Oregon, etc. I’m not convinced that Texas will have the stomach to outbid these other teams for the portal players that are difference makers. Jerry, tell me I’m wrong.

[Casey67]

51 minutes ago, Here for the Wins said:

I find it a bit humorous that there’s frustration allowing a 12th ranked Notre Dame into a 12 team playoff.

And as long as the committee is in charge they can always rank them 13th or worse.  Some people weren’t smart enough to realize they could manipulate the old BCS when they had the human voting component.

 

Each year is a bit different but Miami and Ole Miss schedules were comparable this year.

Miami?  They beat Notre Dame (and just beat A&M (who beat ND to put a further stamp on the decision).  You can't possibly think they should have been higher  than Miami right?

Ole Miss played an SEC schedule including going  1-1 vs. CFP teams.  Notre Dame went 0-2 vs. CFP teams.

It's almost as if you're saying "If ND has a comparable schedule with another team (instead of stronger) they should get the nod..."

If I'm misreading your overall point, apologies in advance.  If you actually do think ND should have been in based on their schedule........I'm laughing.

Edited 2 hours ago by Casey67

[LonghornLegends]

36 minutes ago, SpaceCityWrangler said:

 

yeah, they may go undefeated…

 

They’ll lose to Miami and the get in because everyone outside of that should be an easy win 😂😂

[Thailand T Sip]

2 hours ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

Here is the reason ND is a maybe headed into next year ...

Notre Dame is absolutely loaded with scheduled returnees on defense ...

11 of the top 13 leading tacklers are likely to return, to start. 

That doesn't include EDGE Bryce Young, starting CB Christian Gray, backup EDGE Joshua Burnham , etc...

If Drayk Bowen returns, top 5 LB's are all likely back. Multiple NFL draft picks

5 of top 6 DB's likely to return, including Leonard Moore and Shuler. S Tae Johnson. Multiple NFL draft picks in that group.

EDGE's Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young, Burnham all solid, with Traore a budding star and Young a high-NFL upside guy

Note: Eight likely returning starters from last game of the season, and majority of backups.

And on O ...

QB CJ Carr a year under his belt, and very good. Future NFL Draft pick. 

Four of five OL starters (at various points, as ND had some injuries) are likely back. In fact, they could get 8 of top 9 in program back if none portal.

Majority of WR's return. 

Lose a tremendous RB in Love, and a NFL caliber backup for sure ... and solid TE.

Note: Seven likely returning starters from last game of the season, and majority of backups.

Coming in ...
top 5 recruiting class ... very talented class on D and at RB IMO

and ND would add from portal

 

Egg nog really special this year?  A bit of the Irish whiskey... Merry Christmas 🎄 wish I could disagree, but they are one I have tagged. Plus they have a chip on their shoulder that makes their issues with the English look like a school boys' scrum.

[ArizonaLonghorn]

Miami could be tough if they get a good portal QB but who knows if they will.  Next toughest game?  SMU or BYU or ?

Compare this to any SEC schedule and it's a joke.  12-0 and I say let them in to the playoffs.  Drop one and then we'll listen to the same arguments as this past season.

 

Edited 1 hour ago by ArizonaLonghorn

[cdibbs]

ND needs to be undefeated with that schedule or they should be outside the top 12

[Tuco Ramirez]

2 hours ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

lol

Portal will be so big for Texas, Oregon, Miami, Texas A&M and 3-4 others 

 

ND may well have the most roster continuity returning among the top ranked teams, should Marcus Freeman stay.

Never thought I’d be a giants fan. 

[Cujonation83]

53 minutes ago, SpaceCityWrangler said:

 

yeah, they may go undefeated…

 

Man that's 12-0 easy if Marcus Freeman stays. 

[Here for the Wins]

1 hour ago, Casey67 said:

Miami?  They beat Notre Dame (and just beat A&M (who beat ND to put a further stamp on the decision).  You can't possibly think they should have been higher  than Miami right?

Ole Miss played an SEC schedule including going  1-1 vs. CFP teams.  Notre Dame went 0-2 vs. CFP teams.

It's almost as if you're saying "If ND has a comparable schedule with another team (instead of stronger) they should get the nod..."

If I'm misreading your overall point, apologies in advance.  If you actually do think ND should have been in based on their schedule........I'm laughing.

That wasn’t my point, but I’ll address it for fun.  Yes.  First game.  At Miami.  Brand new QB versus Veteran QB.  They kicked a FG in the  last minute to win.  

At a neutral site, that’s a toss up.

And if the concept of improvement is lost , see Bama versus Georgia.  Bama versus OU.

Miami played 8 home games, never left home until October.  They played quite a few same opponents.  Two examples.  Syracuse, Stanford.  Nd was up 84-3 at halftime.  Miami was up 14-0 and tied at 7 half against those two .  Nevermind that Miami allowed a mediocre Duke into the championship game.

That was advantage Miami but very slight.  In game 1.  At home.  An advantage that Miami gave up when they lost to Louisville at home.  And further lost when they lost to SMU.

If someone argues that Texas is out because of the number of losses, then to argue that Notre Dame and Miami comes down to a single data point from game 1 because of total losses is interesting.

—————————————————

But my point is that it’s off base to whimper about a #12 ND getting invited to a 12- team party.  The top 12 should be in.   I don’t particularly view that as favoritism.
 

Then overall this year Miami, ND, and Old Miss all had similar strengths of schedule. All better than Techs. The wow of a conference schedule for this particular year was not impactful given that metric.  Ole Miss and Miami both played 8 games at home.  This year is merely an example to show that being in a conference does not guarantee a more difficult schedule.