Coach Marcus Freeman has achieved a 49-13 record with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish since he took the helm in late 2021. This performance appears respectable. However, closer analysis reveals certain weaknesses, especially concerning the team’s success against formidable opponents.
The 2024 season was notable for Notre Dame, where they finished the regular season at 11-1. They amassed ten consecutive victories after an early home loss to Northern Illinois. Unfortunately, they couldn’t secure the national title, falling to Ohio State. This season might be considered successful, but when focusing exclusively on regular-season achievements, it fails to stand out as extraordinary.
Notre Dame’s recent loss on the road to BYU in Week 7 has reignited discussions regarding their inability to secure significant regular-season wins. These discussions aren’t without merit. Notre Dame’s challenges against top-tier opponents are evident under Freeman.
Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica from Fox Sports delved into Notre Dame’s performance under Freeman, highlighting concerning trends. The data reveals that Notre Dame’s victories since the start of the 2025 season came against teams with a collective record of 62-91 against FBS foes. Furthermore, the record against Power Four schools is a troubling 32-78.
While this data indicates the strategic softness of Notre Dame’s schedule, the insights become even more concerning. Of Freeman’s 44 regular-season wins, just five were against teams that concluded the season with a ranking. Alarmingly, two of these victories were against service academies.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame faces No. 1 Miami on November 7 and No. 23 SMU two weeks later. If the Irish manage a 10-2 finish, they could secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame’s potential placement in the Top 12 of the final CFB Playoff rankings ensures automatic qualification for the Playoff, irrespective of rival resumes.