Coming off their best season since 2012, when they lost to Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game, head coach Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame are looking to take the next step: Winning their first title since 1988.
The Fighting Irish won 14 games last season, taking down powerhouses Indiana, Georgia and Penn State, before falling in the final game to Ohio State.
Why Joel Klatt Ranked Notre Dame No. 6 in his Post-Spring Top-25
In his Post-Spring Top-25 show Monday, Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt ranked the Fighting Irish number six, with a big question at quarterback.
“Big question for me is at quarterback, alright,” Klatt said. “It looks like CJ Carr is going to be there and starting at quarterback next year after Steve Angeli – backed up Riley Leonard last year – entered the portal, transferred to Syracuse in the spring window. So, again, CJ Carr? Looks like it’s his deal.”
And while Carr is likely going to line up under center, their identity should still be there with the run game expected to be elite and the defense among the top in the nation.
“Notre Dame is going to be able to pound the rock, alright. So this style that they’ve been able to lean on with Marcus Freeman is largely going to be able to play forward because their offensive line. Their offensive line is stacked – five guys who started at times last year. They’ve got Jeremiyah Love behind them. I think this run game is going to be dynamic.This guy is phenomenal. He’s one of my best players in the country, one of the most explosive players in the country,” Klatt said. “When you put him behind an offensive line, with the experience that Notre Dame’s offensive line is going to have? I think they’re going to have a big year.”
“You go to the defensive side? Notre Dame should be really good again. Marcus Freeman brought in Chris Ash to replace Al Golden. Chris Ash, in my estimation, has been one of the more, what’s the word, underappreciated, undervalued coordinators in college football for a long time.”
With the Fighting Irish having a front-loaded schedule, Klatt thinks a 2-0 start to the season could be enough to propel the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff — barring some unexpected losses.
“What I love about Notre Dame is their schedule. It’s not a difficult schedule and it’s actually front-loaded so we’re going to see and learn everything that we need to learn about Notre Dame early in the year, not the dissimilar from what we saw last year when they were able to go and beat Texas A&M early in that season,” Klatt said.
“They’re going to open at Miami. If they win that game, they’re going to the playoffs. Then they get a bye week before hosting Texas A&M. If they beat Miami, it doesn’t even matter what they do against A&M. But, if they win those two? Watch out. They could be undefeated. I’m just saying. Like, there’s not a ton left on that schedule. Now, it’s more difficult than last year but it’s definitely front-loaded and their difficulty is in the front end of that schedule.”
In year four under Freeman, the Irish are right back where they belong: contention.
KEEP READING: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
“Marcus Freeman is a dynamic coach. He has elevated Notre Dame’s program from a program that we thought was kind of topped out for where college football was – 10 wins, Brian Kelly was doing a heck of a job. And Marcus Freeman came in and put his stamp on it and he got more electric players, more speed, more athleticism,” Klatt said. “I really love the Freeman culture that he’s built at Notre Dame.”
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
