Notre Dame made it all the way to the National Championship Game earlier this year, and it has many Fighting Irish fans looking forward to this 2025 season. However, the question on the minds of many is if the team could even make it to the College Football Playoffs this year?
ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum believes that the team can have a deeper run because of head coach Marcus Freeman, who he calls an “elite” coach.
“Yes, and the reason is the head coach. Marcus Freeman is elite,” Finebaum said.
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Finebaum, a controversial analyst for many fans, has the comments section divided. Some were surprised that he said something positive about Notre Dame, while others still blasted him over this take and did not took him seriously.
“Smartest thing he said this year,” said one fan.
“Cupcake schedule,” another fan noted, pointing out Notre Dame’s rather “easy” schedule this year.
“It’s crazy how Freeman is “so elite” but he hasn’t done anything Kelly didn’t do at nd. Did I miss the nd championship run,” another fan pointed out.
“Can we get rid of Paul like he goes at anyone who has a different opinion than him like the SMU coach and is really close minded. I’m sorry but it’s getting old and hard to watch,” another fan noted.
“Of course they will. They MAKE their own schedule every year. Road games are at neutral sites so they get their own fans in there. There is no conference schedule. No opponents that are unavoidable. Its a joke,” said another person.
“Finebaum finally coming to his senses,” one fan replied.
Notre Dame begins its 2025 campaign on the road against Miami Hurricanes on Aug. 31.
Analyst Believes Notre Dame Schedule Is Not That Easy
While many are bemoaning Notre Dame’s seemingly easy schedule heading into the 2025 season, On3 analyst J.D. PicKell believes believes it is quite the opposite.
“This is anything but easy for Notre Dame in 2025,” he said. There’s no ramp-up process for Notre Dame. There’s no FCS West that you play to get the ball rolling.”
“Whoever your starting quarterback is, you better be ready from game one because you go play a team in Miami who is, I think, pissed off from how last year went. It’s not going to be any training wheels for either of those quarterbacks to get rolling,” he added.
This is in reference to the season opener against Miami, which has a new quarterback in former Georgia standout Carson Beck and is hungry to prove itself after missing the CFP last season.
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