3recruiting class
Notre Dame10-2CFP #11Notre Dame's faithful can't agree on where this is headed.
belief cooled ↓ 14.3vs prior week
Fanbase belief
Mixed
48/100 · 1,482 mentions
~ our readGrounding
about average
7% cite a stat · 7% typical ✓ counted
~ our readVolatility
Chaotic
σ 35 pts
~ our readThe model
#3
CFB Zeitgeist · +18.5
✓ measured3The experience
Notre Dame is a program that knows what it is, and still asks the question.
Offense: EliteTempo: Explosive, big-playDefense: Elite
The forecast
Opens Sep 6
vs Wisconsin · neutral site
Season line11.5 winsover +150
EliteExplosive, big-playElite
✓ fact on line · ~ our read on style
National spotlight
11 games with TV coverage: 9 national broadcast, 2 ESPN
Kickoff windows: 2 noon, 4 afternoon, 5 primetime
Fumble luck
33% recovery rate on the fumbles they've forced — below the ~49% league baseline.
2 of 6 forced fumbles recovered; 5 of 9 own fumbles recovered themselves, 2025 only.
Takeaway conversion
28% of tipped/broken-up passes have turned into picks — running hot vs. the ~19% league average.
21 interceptions of 74 disrupted passes (53 deflected, 21 intercepted), 2025 only.
Penalty battle
66 penalties committed, 79 drawn on opponents — netting a 52-yard field-position edge.
637 penalty yards committed vs. 689 drawn on opponents, 2025 season total.
Voter spread
66 of 66 AP voters have them ranked, final AP ballot (2025) — from #4, Dylan Sinn (The Journal Gazette), to #16, Chad Bishop (Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
Individual AP Top 25 ballots, final AP ballot, 2025 — 66 voters tracked.
Approaching
31 days
until kickoff · vs Wisconsin · Sun Sep 6 · 23:30 UTC
Notre Dame's 2026 Season Projected to Reach CFP First Round with #10 Recruiting Class
With a #5 recruiting class and a high-confidence base path of 10-3, Notre Dame is positioned for a strong season. The team's heavy reload and transfer activity suggest volatility but also significant upside.
- RecruitingNotre Dame secured a #10 recruiting class (#5) with a score of 299.28, indicating strong talent acquisition.
- Roster reloadThe team faces a heavy reload with only 37% of returning players and significant portal losses, but it also benefits from 7 incoming transfers and a #10 recruiting class.
- ScheduleNotre Dame's base scenario projects a 10-3 record with a CFP first-round appearance, reflecting high confidence in their path.
Data as of 2026-08-01
·
Validated against program evidence
The story
Under the Golden Dome the quiet is structural — the program is listening.
Notre Dame · the story right now
10 storylines developing
What Notre Dame's coordinator hires is really about
the open questiondo the new coordinators fit the roster?
coordinatorsthis cycle~readnew
Marcus Freeman's 4th season opens with a 10-2 record and a #9 AP finish, yet the flat fan confidence suggests the question remains — can this program sustain its national power status?
what happenedNotre Dame: coordinator change reshaping a unit. ✓ fact
narrative tension · our read
recruitingthis cycle✓ fact★new
Notre Dame signed a top-5 recruiting class.
the contextthe program's best recruiting class in at least five years
narrative tension · our read
program_outlookthis cycle~readnew
Notre Dame enters 2026 — the gap between its No. 5 SP+ ranking and 10-2 record is the story Marcus Freeman has to answer in the ACC this year.
what happenedNotre Dame enters 2026 rated No. 5 in 2025 SP+ (+24.4). ✓ fact
narrative tension · our read
garbage timethis cycle✓ factnew
Jadarian Price does NOT see a usage spike in garbage time -- his workload holds steady regardless of score, and he's also efficient in competitive snaps -- the production isn't just garbage-time padding.
narrative tension · our read
garbage timethis cycle✓ factnew
Jeremiyah Love does NOT see a usage spike in garbage time -- his workload holds steady regardless of score, and he's also efficient in competitive snaps -- the production isn't just garbage-time padding.
narrative tension · our read
money downthis cycle✓ factnew
Malachi Fields is a legitimate money-down target -- his 3rd-down conversion rate ranks among the position's best, and his per-target value holds up in that spot too.
narrative tension · our read
recruitingthis cycle~read★new
Will Black (OT, #26 nationally) arrives as Marcus Freeman's fourth top-12 class in four years, but with just 6% QB production returning and USC outrecruiting them for the first time.
what happenedNotre Dame signed a top-12 recruiting class. ✓ fact
the contextthe No. 1 recruiting class in the FBS Independents
narrative tension · our read
closerthis cycle~attributednew
Aneyas Williams: a closer signal screened this season.
narrative tension · our read
deep threatthis cycle~attributednew
Malachi Fields is a real deep-ball threat -- a high share of his targets come on throws past the sticks.
narrative tension · our read
coordinatorsthis cycle~readnew
Marcus Freeman enters his fifth season with a 10-2 record, but a fanbase uneasy about sustaining elite-tier consistency amid coordinator changes and a top-9 AP finish last year.
what happenedNotre Dame: coordinator change reshaping a unit. ✓ fact
narrative tension · our read
How past storylines here turned out
ReplacedNotre Dame's defensive coordinator spot turned over again the following season. See who's next →
Died downNotre Dame's offensive coordinator change has died down — no clear next chapter yet.
Hope-Doping·Offseason
Notre Dame is the national independent that won ten in a row to end 2025, watched the committee hand the last Playoff seat to the team that beat it in Week 1, and skipped a bowl rather than pretend that was good enough.
AP Poll#9 AP
The fanbase's read is simple and bitter: ten straight wins were worth less than a Week 1 result the committee chose to weight, and a program with no conference title to wave gets judged on a standard…
offseason · quiet
The Offseason Ledger · Notre Dame
6 verified updates · portal · recruiting · staff · news- Recruiting
4-star DL Brayden Parks commits to Notre Dame
Six starters gone to the draft and the D-line rebuild isn't waiting — Parks is Freeman's 2027 answer to a depth hole that opens every time a scout shows up in South Bend.
- Recruiting
Roman Igwebuike commits to Notre Dame
Safety room was already under pressure with 6 players gone to the draft — Igwebuike doesn't just fill a depth slot, he addresses the one position where Freeman couldn't afford to wait on development.
- Recruiting
QB Trey Tagliaferri decommits from Notre Dame
Freeman locked in long-term and the class sits at #12 nationally — losing a QB commit mid-build stings less about the player and more about whether the pocket depth behind Riley Leonard's eventual successor is actually settled.
- Recruiting
Trey Tagliaferri decommits from Notre Dame
Safety room already sweating six draft departures and zero net portal adds — losing Tagliaferri before he ever enrolls punches another hole in a depth chart Freeman can't afford to bleed right now.
- Recruiting
2027 5* IOL Albert Simien commits to Notre Dame
Freeman locks up the 2027 class anchor early — Simien is the kind of interior presence that makes replacing six NFL Draft departures a solvable problem instead of a four-year rebuild.
- Recruiting
Tagliaferri commits to Notre Dame
Safety room is under pressure after 6 draft exits and the class still had a gap there — Tagliaferri is Freeman plugging a structural hole, not just stacking depth on a #12 board.
Roster Reload - Notre Dame
2026 snapshot - 2026-08-06Returning Production37%Low continuity / heavy reload
Talent Composite#9 nationally247 composite 912.1
Portal Additions7Primary repair: DL
Portal Losses15Primary pressure: S
Draft Loss6Heavy NFL Draft loss (6) — 2 with a next man up identified below
Recruiting Reload#5Top-10 recruiting class
CBin 2 - Jayden Sandersout 3 - Cree ThomasDowngrade
current room: 186 lbs avg (2025 roster)
DLin 3 - Francis Brewuout 1 - Armel MukamNeed Filled
current room: 278 lbs avg (2025 roster)
WRin 2 - Quincy Porterout 2 - Scrap RichardsonEven
current room: 197 lbs avg (2025 roster)
Sin 0out 3 - Ben MinichStarter Risk
current room: 198 lbs avg (2025 roster)
EDGEin 0out 2 - Joshua BurnhamStarter Risk
LBin 0out 2 - Anthony SaccaStarter Risk
current room: 230 lbs avg (2025 roster)
Next man up
Transfer portal snapshot
-18.0 net portal points
(raw ledger: -25.8 — unweighted, no position adjustment)S-11.5
starter risk
DL+9.1
need not filled
EDGE-7.4
starter risk
LB-7.1
starter risk
QB-4.2
low confidence
RB-3.5
low confidence
CB-2.5
WR+1.3
Top 3 commits
2026 class
★★★★★
Rodney Dunham
#7 national
★★★★★
Ian Premer
#21 national
Blue-chip pedigree, profiling early as a prototypical tight end — 16 of his 25 closest recruiting profiles since 2018 shared the Complete TE archetype.~our read · projection from recruiting profile — no college snaps yet
★★★★★
Khary Adams
#24 national
Recruiting Footprint · 2026
Recruiting Footprint · 2026
29
FL · 4NC · 4TX · 4GA · 3MI · 3PA · 3OH · 2AZ · 1+5 more
FL leads the 2026 class with 4 commits. National footprint reaching 13 states.
Where they recruit · 2023-2026
101 signees across 23 states, 2023-2026. NC leads the pull.
Recruiting & portal buzz
2027 5* IOL Albert Simien commits to Notre Dame
2027 4* WR Julius Jones commits to Notre Dame
2028 QB Trey Tagliaferri decommits from Notre Dame
Top r/cfb community posts · last 12 months
Notre Dame · Next-Season Outcome Band
Notre Dame · Next-Season Outcome BandFloor / Base / Ceiling
Floor 8-5
Base 10-3
Ceiling 16-0
floor8-5Bowl game.
base10-3CFP first round.
ceiling16-0National champion.
Final-season-aware projection: floor / base / ceiling include conference title and CFP games where the model supports them, so a ceiling can exceed a 12-game regular season.
Market outlook
Season expectations
Win total3 booksO/U 11.5
CFP championship#2 in field+550
Sportsbook consensus · best odds across multiple books · 2026-08-06
Recent Form · last 10 games
Hot
Five straight. The momentum tier on every blog right now.
Streak W10Last 5 · 5-0Last 10 · 10-0
Belief EKG
WinLoss · hover for scorePrior seasonsWire eventStory arc
↓
Fan confidence lower than any point since 2025
12th percentile among FBS programs
Fan vs. market↓
12th
Fan percentile
(FBS mood rank)
(FBS mood rank)
11.5
Vegas O/U wins
(100th among FBS)
(100th among FBS)
Market 88pp more optimistic than fan mood
Win total consensus · 3 books
How the room reacted
Following now · Notre Dame · Developing Confidence
Notre Dame: coordinator change reshaping a unit.
Notre Dame: coordinator change reshaping a unit.
bullish — but with real dissent
where the takes land · dot = how loud
DOUBTBELIEF
Skeptics1 doubt take
Believers4 bull takes
💬 fans: 10% volume · negative overall
The saga so far~1 month old
2 weeks ago4-star DL Brayden Parks commits to Notre Dame — Reported
3 weeks agoRoman Igwebuike commits to Notre Dame — Official
Jul 2QB Trey Tagliaferri decommits from Notre Dame — Reported
Jul 1Trey Tagliaferri decommits from Notre Dame — Reported
Jun 262027 5* IOL Albert Simien commits to Notre Dame — Reported
CFB Zeitgeist Read · our take
Marcus Freeman's 4th season opens with a 10-2 record and a #9 AP finish, yet the flat fan confidence suggests the question remains — can this program sustain its national power status?
Source of record: Notre Dame: coordinator change reshaping a unit.
How each room is reacting — tap to expand
📣Believers4 bullish items -- the case it's working.›
The optimistic read: momentum, and the 'this is real' takes.
“Lucky Charms: Notre Dame gaining momentum for top 2028 WR recruits”
Lucky Charms · On3 · 2026-08-06 · read ↗
“Notre Dame trending to land 2028 5-star Texas WR, son of NFL star”
Fighting Irish Wire · 2026-08-05 · read ↗
“Notre Dame commit Abraham Sesay pushing for No. 1 EDGE ranking”
On3 · 2026-08-05 · read ↗
🧐Skeptics“Marcus Freeman Has No Concerns About Notre Dame’s Defensive Tack” — the real counter.›
The analytical counter: rankings, results, and 'the hype is ahead of the tape' takes.
“Marcus Freeman Has No Concerns About Notre Dame’s Defensive Tackles”
UHND.com · 2026-08-06 · read ↗
💬The boards10% of recent board volume — quieter than the headlines. Board mood this week: negative overall · anger notable (77%).›
This event was in 264 of 2600 board posts (10%) over the last 60 days — engaged but not consumed. Fan text shown verbatim, attributed to the community not the individual poster.
"# Does Notre Dame have receiver depth? With Jordan Faison back after leading the Irish in receptions (49) and yardage (640) last season, it appears CJ Carr will have a legitimate N"
r/notredamefootball ~ fan take
"OUT: Chris Burgess (left tibia stress fracture) Tiki Hola (right ACL) Charles Jagusah (left humerus fracture surgery) Peter Jones (right shoulder/pectoral strain) Ko'o Kia (left sh"
r/notredamefootball ~ fan take
Board health this week (1590 posts): 14% positive · 50% neutral · 36% negative. Team-level weekly mood — not specific to this event. The boards ≠ the fanbase: a self-selected vocal slice.
Following now · Notre Dame · Recruiting Confidence
Notre Dame signed the top-5 class. Talent in the door isn't the same as talent on the field.
Notre Dame signed a top-5 recruiting class. It is the program's best recruiting class in at least five years. Top 5 means the talent case is made. Whether the staff develops it is the open question. The bulls are loud — the coverage treats this class as a program-level statement.
near-unanimous belief
where the takes land · dot = how loud
DOUBTBELIEF
Believers20 bull takes
💬 fans: 7% volume · negative overall
Developing3 new this week
todayLucky Charms: Notre Dame gaining momentum for top 2028 WR recruits — On3
yesterdayNotre Dame commit Abraham Sesay pushing for No. 1 EDGE ranking — On3
yesterdayWhere Notre Dame stands for four-star EDGE Tristian Henderson despite brother signing elsewhere — On3
2 weeks ago4-star DL Brayden Parks commits to Notre Dame — Reported
3 weeks agoRoman Igwebuike commits to Notre Dame — Official
The cast who's driving the story · latest headline on each, attributed
Jackson Vaughn Recruit
“Notre Dame commit Jackson Vaughn makes a unique change” — A to Z Sports · 2026-07-29
Marcus Freeman Head coach
“Notre Dame football 2028 wide receiver recruiting: Early targets to know for Marcus Freeman and Mike Brown” — A to Z Sports · 2026-07-30
Albert Simien Recruit
“Notre Dame has recruit Albert Simien on major top 10 list” — Yahoo Sports · 2026-07-31
CFB Zeitgeist Read · our take
Near-unanimous belief in the class — which means the expectations bar just moved up before a single snap.
Next · what to watch
The obvious read is 'more talent.' The non-obvious one: a big class intensifies the depth-chart squeeze, which is itself a portal pressure the signing-day headline never mentions. Watch attrition and portal balance once camp opens — early enrollees and portal departures will tell you which of these names actually stick.
Source of record: Notre Dame signed a top-5 recruiting class — the program's best recruiting class in at least five years.
How each room is reacting — tap to expand
📣Believers20 bullish/recruiting items -- the case it's working.›
The optimistic read: the class is real, the program is a destination again.
“Lucky Charms: Notre Dame gaining momentum for top 2028 WR recruits”
Lucky Charms · On3 · 2026-08-06 · read ↗
“Notre Dame commit Abraham Sesay pushing for No. 1 EDGE ranking”
On3 · 2026-08-05 · read ↗
“Where Notre Dame stands for four-star EDGE Tristian Henderson despite brother signing elsewhere”
On3 · 2026-08-05 · read ↗
🧐SkepticsNo prominent dissent — the coverage runs one way.›
The 'rankings don't tell the whole story' counter -- development gaps, position holes still open.
Nothing in our corpus yet — this door stays open for when there is.
💬The boards7% of recent board volume — quieter than the headlines. Board mood this week: negative overall · anger notable (77%).›
This event was in 184 of 2600 board posts (7%) over the last 60 days — engaged but not consumed. Fan text shown verbatim, attributed to the community not the individual poster.
"I'm going to run 2-3 of these per week until the season kicks off, and up today is Wisconsin. Just to introduce things overall, I'm going to use FEI (ND's own Brian Fremeau's analy"
r/notredamefootball ~ fan take
"This is an extremely premature question and nobody can predict what will happen within CFB the next 10 years since its changing so fast but I have a question that id love to hear t"
r/notredamefootball ~ fan take
Board health this week (1590 posts): 14% positive · 50% neutral · 36% negative. Team-level weekly mood — not specific to this event. The boards ≠ the fanbase: a self-selected vocal slice.
Rival pulse
Stanford
Hopeful+15
Legends Trophy
Fan mood index · most recent r/cfb data
The Pulse on Notre Dame
48
Δ -14.3 vs last wk
1,482
mentions this week · conversation velocity
What moved it — fall camp · last 14 days
Camp
Fall camp open — install + scrimmage cycle
ongoing
Kickoff
Season opener in 16 days
kickoff
"The Irish don't wait to be invited to the conversation — they walk in."
— Notre Dame fanbase · recurring line
Fanbase Signals
Cohort Divergence5 pctSpread between sub-fanbase cohorts in the Pulse window.
The Fever Year
Position = mood · width = volume · color = the kind of feeling
Notre Dame – USC
Fan mood across the 2025 season, both sides — our read
Hover a week for both sides’ game
Shaded weeks show whose fanbase read warmer, our measure of what fans actually said, not a poll.
Season storylines
Week 5
“Fun fact: with this win, ND becomes the only program with a win over every other team that has made the playoff”— r/CFB
Week 8
“Gonna be so funny to see Brian Kelly's last 3 defensive coordinators at Notre Dame leading their teams into the CFP while BK himself is on the unemployment line”— r/CFB
Week 4
“CJ Carr: very impressive Kenny Minchey: also solid ND defense: hmm maybe getting better? Arky offense: not great Arky defense: 404 not found”— r/CFB
Week 6
“CU had low key played well last two games. This win was coming. Great to see. Deion >>> Belichick”— r/CFB
Week 7
“Thankful that we are somehow winning the games where Carr remembers he is just a freshman”— r/CFB
Inside the fanbase — all 12 corners
Cr/CFB
GGoogle News
LLocked On
OOne Foot Down
CCampus paper
NNDNation
BBluesky
YYouTube
The split, staged
Warmest corner+0.00
Boomers & Gen X
most bought-in cohort our read
vs
Coldest corner−0.00
Bettors
most skeptical cohort our read
How Notre Dame fans actually talk real · top-upvoted
The crowd’s loudest take by upvotes — read for mood, not as a side. The cohort read is the measured part.
Loudest in the room this week real · by engagement
All 12 corners of the fanbase
skeptical
buying in
Boomers & Gen X+0.08
Bettors−0.08
Cohort sentiment is a source-weighted model read — never a quote pinned to a person.
What this fanbase keeps coming back to our read · topic model
Topics are model-labeled from Reddit — a rough signal of what this fanbase is circling right now.
2883 mentions · 8 sources · week 2026-01. Counts, sources and the divergence rank are measured (fact). Cohort labels and sentiment are a source-weighted model read (our read) — never a quote attributed to a person.
What fans are saying
Fan claims · every quote verified verbatim
nil resourcesLimited signal that season
fans believe Notre Dame's ability to pay players has significantly improved its recruiting and competitive standing
Money is a massive driver in college sports with the revenue sharing and NIL. The creation of legal ways to pay players has IMO (can't prove it) allowed ND and the B1G get to even ground compared to the SEC in recruiting. It all costs more money.
The answer to the question is simple. The SEC is no longer the only conference paying players…. Now everyone is paying players.. look at Notre Dame. Notre Dame is no longer fighting SEC teams with one hand tied behind its back you give Notre Dame the license to pay players and provide them the opportunity to play on the most famous historic team in college football history and to get an elite degree, it’s no coincidence that Notre Dame is recruiting at a higher level than almost everyone and is on the verge of a top two recruiting class again… I’ll say it right now. Notre Dame might be the next Dynasty in college football.
Based on 3 comments from 2 posters across 3 threads · Jul 10, 2026–Jul 31, 2026 · via ESPN College Football, Josh Pate's College Football Show, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
program directionEarly signal — few voices
fans think the team should overpower opponents decisively
After last season though, I think I'd be very worried to take the field against this team because I think we're going leave absolutely no doubt about how great we are.
GO IRISH LEAVE NO DOUBT ☘️☘️☘️!!!
Based on 2 comments from 1 poster across 2 threads · Jul 13, 2026–Jul 31, 2026 · via notredamefootball
player performanceLimited signal that season
fans believe Keon Keeley has the potential to change the game
If Keeley lives up to his original HS potential, and this defense with this strong of a LB/Secondary adds a pass rush… we will be deadly.
Prediction: Keon Keeley will be the most impactful new addition this year May get dragged for this after ND got 2 massive WR transfers that could be important to Carr and the passing game, but I think Keeley will be a star.
Based on 2 comments from 1 poster across 1 thread · Jul 5, 2026 · via notredamefootball
coaching decisionLimited signal that season
fans think the team's performance has declined under his leadership
This season is absolutely over if we can't stop those big plays after half. What a shame. This team is really good, but Chris Ash has let them down.
Based on 2 comments from 1 poster across 1 thread · Sep 14, 2025 · via CFB
Show all 6
recruiting resultWidely held among fans that season
fans believe Notre Dame is becoming a top destination for elite edge players
Incredible pick up for the Irish!!! Is Notre Dame the new DL/EDGE-U?
Based on 2 comments from 2 posters across 2 threads · Jul 27, 2026–Jul 28, 2026 · via notredamefootball
schedule expectationEarly signal — few voices
fans believe Notre Dame gets easier opponents in CFP games
Conference teams have no choice in their schedules, but independents do. Notre Dame's cupcake schedule and their favorable treatment by the CFP Committee virtually guarantee them a playoff slot.
Based on 1 comment from 1 poster across 1 thread · Jul 15, 2026 · via ESPN College Football
Belief checkmiddle of the pack
~ our readNotre Dame fans are down on the program, and they're backing it with about as much hard evidence as anyone.
backed by facts
the mood
✓ counted We read 1590 posts from Notre Dame fans this week.
Five Lenses
What people are saying right now
Radio, beat writers & editorial11 posts
The broader fanbase7 posts
News & campus coverage15 posts
CFB analyst takes9 posts
Bluesky · @onefootdownsbn.bsky.social
1d ago
Who covers this team
No financial relationship with any outlet listed. If we have a reporter wrong or missing, please let us know.
From the booth
Rent free · r/cfb fan posts, last season
Notre Dame fans this offseason 50% of posts bring up another team▼4pp quieter#3 of 43 saltiest · mostly about USC
The Lexicon
581 posts and articles vs the field · 2026 season
Word of the Weekfreeman×51.0wk 1
freeman
×51.0 the field
Signature — ≥10× the rest of college football
freeman×51.0n=48
marcus×58.3n=42
marcus freeman×163.5n=36
carr×19.2n=30
brayden parks×40.4n=21
parks×37.5n=21
brayden×22.0n=22
roman×47.3n=18
Characteristic — 3–10×
rivalry×4.0n=68
igwebuike×424.7n=17
““Everybody needs a reminder, I think every once in a while. ... We got to make sure we leave no doubt.” - Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman speaks on the mindset after missing the CFP in the 2025-26 season”
reddit/notredamefootball · fan post, verbatim
Fans using FREEMAN (8 examples)
5 Stars players and 5 Stars parents trust 5 Stars Coach Marcus Freeman mentorship.
Marcus Freeman evolution into Lou Holtz II elite recruiter and national power.
I'm really hoping Gilbert shows out this season. It's nice hearing coach Freeman say he's had a great summer.
Freeman to know what’s ahead for the position that could take Notre Dame from national championship
In Marcus Freeman we trust. We are ND
Good q's asked. imo,HC,Marcus Freeman wins a title oebtwon id and before he goes to the NFL.IBTHINK WE COULD HAVE had
I can’t imagine being lucky enough to sit in that room and ask Coach Freeman a question only to ask him the same freaking question someone else just asked. Do
Freeman's DC year. He spurned ND for UNC then transferred to Wisconsin where he played
Fanbase Voice
2,108 fan mentions
Doomers
vs the 28 highest-volume fanbases - 2026 season
Season Vocabulary
2026SCHEDULE
scheduleaccrivalryconferencessecusc
Even if Notre Dame is undefeated, I don't think their schedule would allow them to be ranked that high.
2025DEFENSE
defenseoffensegooduconntouchdownlove
Gonna be a long day for KSUs run defense
2024LEONARD
leonardrileyniupennpsuriley leonard
RILEY leonard IS A COMPETENT QUARTERBACK
Your Vocabulary Clustercamp / fall camp / fall
campfall campfall
with 19 other fanbases
Words of the season
how the conversation changed, year to year
2026
schedule×2.5acc×2.6rivalry×2.6conferences×5.3sec×2.4
2025
defense×4.9offense×4.7good×1.9uconn×9.1touchdown×4.5
2024
leonard×14.1riley×12.3niu×14.5penn×4.5psu×8.3
Fanbase Health Index · Notre Dame · high confidence
Fanbase Health Index · Notre Dame · high confidenceGrowing (70)
DecliningStableGrowingSurging
On-Field — 10-2 (83% win rate)75
Volume — 7723 effective signal-N100
Cohort Engagement — Divergence 0.05 — quiet35
Key stats — 2025 — FBS rank
Points/game#2 / 138 · 99th pct42.0
Pts allowed/game#9 / 138 · 94th pct17.6
Total yards/gm#31 / 136 · 78th pct459.5
Rush yards/gm#30 / 136 · 78th pct204.4
Pass yards/gm#59 / 136 · 57th pct255.1
Yards allowed/gm#9 / 136 · 94th pct313.1
Rush yds allowed/gmT-#5 / 136 · 96th pct99.7
SacksT-#22 / 136 · 83rd pct34
Interceptions#4 / 136 · 97th pct21
3rd-down conv#13 / 136 · 91st pct48.1%
All 98 stats
Offense / Defense
Total yards
Team5514459.5/gm7.45/play#31 / 136 · 78th pct#20 / 69 · 72nd pct#9 / 12 · 33rd pct
Opp3757313.1/gm4.62/play#9 / 136 · 94th pct#6 / 69 · 92nd pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Rush yards
Team2453204.4/gm3.31/play#30 / 136 · 78th pct#14 / 69 · 80th pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct
Opp119699.7/gm1.47/playT-#5 / 136 · 96th pct#5 / 69 · 93rd pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Rush carries
Team41834.8/gm#91 / 136 · 33rd pct#47 / 69 · 33rd pct#12 / 12 · 8th pct
Opp40033.3/gm#12 / 136 · 92nd pct#11 / 69 · 85th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Rush TDs
Team383.2/gmT-#5 / 136 · 96th pct#3 / 69 · 96th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Opp80.7/gmT-#4 / 136 · 97th pctT-#4 / 69 · 93rd pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Net pass yards
Team3061255.1/gm4.14/play#59 / 136 · 57th pct#36 / 69 · 49th pct#8 / 12 · 42nd pct
Opp2561213.4/gm3.15/play#39 / 136 · 72nd pct#20 / 69 · 72nd pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
Pass attempts
Team32226.8/gm#116 / 136 · 15th pct#66 / 69 · 5th pct#12 / 12 · 8th pct
Opp41334.4/gm#94 / 136 · 31st pct#45 / 69 · 36th pct#7 / 12 · 50th pct
Completions
Team21718.1/gm#99 / 136 · 28th pct#57 / 69 · 18th pct#10 / 12 · 25th pct
Opp23019.2/gmT-#52 / 136 · 62nd pctT-#24 / 69 · 65th pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct
Pass TDs
Team252.1/gmT-#38 / 136 · 72nd pctT-#25 / 69 · 64th pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct
Opp141.2/gmT-#20 / 136 · 83rd pctT-#15 / 69 · 75th pct#5 / 12 · 67th pct
Passer rating
Team159.8159.8#9 / 136 · 94th pct#5 / 69 · 93rd pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Opp116.1116.1#19 / 136 · 86th pct#11 / 69 · 85th pct#5 / 12 · 67th pct
Interceptions thrown
Team60.5/gmT-#115 / 136 · 11th pctT-#60 / 69 · 10th pct#10 / 12 · 25th pct
Opp211.8/gm#133 / 136 · 3rd pct#68 / 69 · 2nd pct#12 / 12 · 8th pct
Sacks (def)
Team342.8/gmT-#22 / 136 · 83rd pctT-#13 / 69 · 80th pct#5 / 10 · 60th pct
Opp121.0/gmT-#8 / 136 · 94th pct#4 / 69 · 95th pct#1 / 10 · 100th pct
Tackles for loss
Team695.8/gmT-#64 / 136 · 52nd pctT-#34 / 69 · 51st pct#8 / 10 · 30th pct
Opp534.4/gmT-#15 / 136 · 89th pctT-#8 / 69 · 88th pct#2 / 10 · 90th pct
First downs
Team27022.5/gmT-#54 / 136 · 60th pctT-#32 / 69 · 54th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Opp22218.5/gmT-#20 / 136 · 85th pct#13 / 69 · 82nd pct#3 / 12 · 83rd pct
3rd-down conv
Team655.4/gmT-#82 / 136 · 38th pctT-#42 / 69 · 37th pct#12 / 12 · 8th pct
Opp635.2/gmT-#36 / 136 · 71st pctT-#18 / 69 · 70th pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
3rd-down att
Team13511.2/gm#135 / 136 · 1st pct#68 / 69 · 2nd pct#12 / 12 · 8th pct
Opp17814.8/gmT-#70 / 136 · 49th pctT-#36 / 69 · 48th pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
4th-down conv
Team171.4/gmT-#33 / 136 · 74th pctT-#19 / 69 · 72nd pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Opp141.2/gmT-#68 / 136 · 45th pctT-#33 / 69 · 48th pct#10 / 12 · 25th pct
4th-down att
Team312.6/gmT-#38 / 136 · 71st pctT-#18 / 69 · 72nd pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Opp322.7/gmT-#107 / 136 · 21st pctT-#54 / 69 · 22nd pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Time of possession
Team351:3429:18/gm#105 / 136 · 23rd pct#53 / 69 · 24th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Opp368:2630:42/gm#40 / 136 · 71st pct#16 / 69 · 78th pct#3 / 12 · 83rd pct
Kicking & Punting
Field goals#129 / 135 · 5th pct5/9 (55.6%)
Extra points63/67
Punting#42 / 136 · 70th pct44.6 avg · 25 punts
Turnovers & special teams
Turnovers
Team100.8/gmT-#129 / 136 · 5th pctT-#63 / 69 · 9th pct#12 / 12 · 8th pct
Opp231.9/gmT-#113 / 136 · 16th pctT-#60 / 69 · 13th pct#7 / 12 · 50th pct
Fumbles lost
Team40.3/gmT-#112 / 136 · 14th pctT-#53 / 69 · 19th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Opp20.2/gmT-#2 / 136 · 96th pctT-#2 / 69 · 94th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
INT return TDs
Team30.2/gmT-#4 / 135 · 93rd pctT-#3 / 69 · 91st pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Opp10.1/gmT-#61 / 136 · 40th pctT-#30 / 69 · 38th pct#5 / 11 · 64th pct
INT return yards
Team27022.5/gmT-#9 / 136 · 93rd pct#6 / 69 · 92nd pct#3 / 12 · 83rd pct
Opp927.7/gm#55 / 136 · 60th pct#31 / 69 · 56th pct#5 / 12 · 67th pct
Punt ret yds
Team21217.7/gmT-#35 / 136 · 74th pct#24 / 69 · 66th pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
Opp110.9/gm#3 / 136 · 98th pct#2 / 69 · 98th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Punt ret TDs
Team20.2/gmT-#5 / 135 · 94th pctT-#5 / 69 · 90th pct#1 / 11 · 100th pct
Opp00.0/gmT-#1 / 135 · 64th pctT-#1 / 69 · 63rd pct#1 / 9 · 100th pct
Kick ret yds
Team53144.2/gm#45 / 136 · 67th pct#18 / 69 · 75th pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct
Opp32427.0/gm#44 / 136 · 68th pct#29 / 69 · 59th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Kick ret TDs
Team20.2/gmT-#1 / 136 · 98th pctT-#1 / 69 · 99th pct#1 / 11 · 100th pct
Opp00.0/gmT-#1 / 135 · 64th pctT-#1 / 69 · 62nd pct#1 / 9 · 100th pct
Penalty yards
Team63753.1/gmT-#83 / 136 · 39th pct#38 / 69 · 46th pct#5 / 12 · 67th pct
Opp68957.4/gm#81 / 136 · 41st pct#46 / 69 · 34th pct#8 / 12 · 42nd pct
Other
Punt ret (opp)#1 / 136 · 99th pct#1 / 69 · 99th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct20.2/gm
Fourth down go rate#2 / 135 · 99th pct#1 / 69 · 99th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct0.70.1/gm
H2 epa per play opponent#4 / 135 · 97th pct#2 / 69 · 98th pct-0.0-0.0
H2 epa per play#4 / 135 · 97th pct#3 / 69 · 96th pct0.40.0/gm
Interceptions (def)#4 / 136 · 97th pct#2 / 69 · 98th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct211.8/gm
Passes intercepted opponentT-#9 / 136 · 89th pctT-#5 / 69 · 90th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct60.5/gm
H1 epa per play#9 / 135 · 94th pct#7 / 69 · 91st pct0.40.0/gm
Recruiting rating#12 / 136 · 92nd pct#12 / 69 · 83rd pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct270.222.5/gm
Fumbles rec (def)T-#13 / 136 · 87th pctT-#9 / 69 · 83rd pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct40.3/gm
Kick ret (opp)T-#40 / 136 · 70th pctT-#26 / 69 · 62nd pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct151.2/gm
H1 epa per play opponent#40 / 135 · 71st pct#25 / 69 · 64th pct0.10.0/gm
Punt returnsT-#44 / 136 · 66th pctT-#27 / 69 · 59th pct#9 / 12 · 33rd pct191.6/gm
Kick returnsT-#68 / 136 · 48th pctT-#26 / 69 · 60th pct#8 / 12 · 42nd pct211.8/gm
Penalties (opp)T-#79 / 136 · 41st pctT-#47 / 69 · 31st pct#8 / 12 · 42nd pct796.6/gm
Penalties#101 / 136 · 26th pct#45 / 69 · 36th pct#9 / 12 · 33rd pct665.5/gm
First down pass rate#84 / 135 · 38th pct#45 / 69 · 36th pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct0.40.0/gm
Red zone pass rate#114 / 135 · 16th pct#62 / 69 · 11th pct#12 / 12 · 8th pct0.30.0/gm
Fumbles recoveredT-#128 / 136 · 4th pctT-#63 / 69 · 6th pct#12 / 12 · 8th pct20.2/gm
Situational
3rd-down conversion
Off48.1%#13 / 136 · 91st pct#11 / 69 · 85th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Def35.4%#39 / 136 · 72nd pct#21 / 69 · 70th pct#8 / 12 · 42nd pct
4th-down conversion
Off54.8%#68 / 136 · 50th pct#43 / 69 · 38th pct#9 / 12 · 33rd pct
Def43.8%#25 / 136 · 82nd pct#13 / 69 · 82nd pct#3 / 12 · 83rd pct
Turnover margin#7 / 136 · 95th pct#6 / 69 · 92nd pct#3 / 12 · 83rd pct+1.08/gm
Sack rate (def)#26 / 136 · 81st pct#16 / 69 · 78th pct#5 / 10 · 60th pct8.2%
Red Zone & Drive Efficiency (2014– , play-by-play derived)
Red zone trips
Team554.6/gmT-#24 / 135 · 81st pctT-#15 / 69 · 78th pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
Opp262.2/gm#8 / 135 · 94th pct#6 / 69 · 92nd pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Red zone score %
Team74.5%74.5%#96 / 135 · 29th pct#56 / 69 · 20th pct#12 / 12 · 8th pct
Opp76.9%76.9%T-#59 / 135 · 56th pctT-#29 / 69 · 57th pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
Points / drive
Team3.30.3/gm#4 / 135 · 97th pct#3 / 69 · 96th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Opp1.40.1/gm#16 / 135 · 89th pct#12 / 69 · 83rd pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct
Yards / drive
Team43.93.7/gm#45 / 135 · 67th pct#28 / 69 · 60th pct#3 / 12 · 83rd pct
Opp39.53.3/gm#52 / 135 · 62nd pct#29 / 69 · 59th pct#12 / 12 · 8th pct
Plays / drive
Team6.00.5/gm#124 / 135 · 9th pct#66 / 69 · 5th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Opp7.00.6/gm#125 / 135 · 8th pct#64 / 69 · 8th pct#12 / 12 · 8th pct
Three-and-out rate
Team8.8%8.8%#29 / 135 · 79th pct#16 / 69 · 78th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Opp15.2%15.2%#45 / 135 · 67th pct#28 / 69 · 60th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Scheme Identity (2014– , play-by-play derived)
Rush rate over expected#44 / 135 · 68th pct#15 / 69 · 79th pct+1.8%+1.8%
Havoc rate
Team18.2%18.2%#27 / 136 · 81st pct#20 / 69 · 72nd pct
Opp13.4%13.4%#39 / 136 · 72nd pct#20 / 69 · 72nd pct
Standard-downs success
Team52.7%52.7%#18 / 135 · 87th pct#16 / 69 · 78th pct
Opp43.1%43.1%#21 / 135 · 85th pct#14 / 69 · 80th pct
Passing-downs success
Team42.6%42.6%#2 / 135 · 99th pct#2 / 69 · 98th pct
Opp27.1%27.1%#24 / 135 · 83rd pct#16 / 69 · 78th pct
Line yards / carry
Team3.13.1#36 / 135 · 74th pct#20 / 69 · 72nd pct
Opp2.72.7#32 / 135 · 77th pct#18 / 69 · 75th pct
Stuff rate
Team19.8%19.8%#93 / 135 · 31st pct#49 / 69 · 30th pct
Opp17.7%17.7%#83 / 135 · 39th pct#45 / 69 · 36th pct
Power success rate
Team57.9%57.9%#122 / 135 · 10th pct#65 / 69 · 7th pct
Opp72.2%72.2%T-#83 / 135 · 37th pctT-#42 / 69 · 38th pct
Efficiency
Completion %
Off67.4%#18 / 136 · 87th pct#13 / 69 · 82nd pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Def55.7%#15 / 136 · 89th pct#5 / 69 · 93rd pct#5 / 12 · 67th pct
Yards / attempt
Off9.5#2 / 136 · 99th pct#1 / 69 · 99th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Def6.2#20 / 136 · 86th pct#12 / 69 · 83rd pct#5 / 12 · 67th pct
Yards / completion
Off14.1#8 / 136 · 94th pct#2 / 69 · 98th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Def11.1#51 / 136 · 63rd pct#37 / 69 · 47th pct#7 / 12 · 50th pct
Yards / carry#2 / 136 · 99th pct#2 / 69 · 98th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct5.9
Yards / play#2 / 136 · 99th pct#2 / 69 · 98th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct7.45
Scoring margin#3 / 136 · 98th pct#3 / 69 · 96th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct+24.4/gm
FBS rankings · 2025 season · all stats vs 136 FBS programs
Team identity · competitive snaps only
How Notre Dame actually scores
99th percentile quality, 20th percentile boom-dependency. Garbage time excluded from both axes — the same correction that changes the Q4 story below.
View all FBS teams as a table
| Team | Quality percentile | Boom-share percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 86th | 12th |
| Akron | 12th | 89th |
| Alabama | 58th | 17th |
| App State | 35th | 47th |
| Arizona | 64th | 37th |
| Arizona State | 41st | 62nd |
| Arkansas | 90th | 12th |
| Arkansas State | 18th | 66th |
| Army | 57th | 43rd |
| Auburn | 47th | 53rd |
| BYU | 78th | 19th |
| Baylor | 69th | 25th |
| Boise State | 66th | 21st |
| Boston College | 37th | 54th |
| Bowling Green | 2nd | 98th |
| Buffalo | 12th | 88th |
| California | 28th | 48th |
| Central Michigan | 52nd | 64th |
| Cincinnati | 88th | 16th |
| Clemson | 51st | 48th |
| Coastal Carolina | 17th | 83rd |
| Colorado | 18th | 84th |
| Colorado State | 16th | 82nd |
| Delaware | 38th | 58th |
| Duke | 79th | 15th |
| East Carolina | 63rd | 36th |
| Eastern Michigan | 49th | 42nd |
| Florida | 30th | 67th |
| Florida Atlantic | 62nd | 59th |
| Florida International | 42nd | 50th |
| Florida State | 82nd | 32nd |
| Fresno State | 26th | 73rd |
| Georgia | 81st | 3rd |
| Georgia Southern | 73rd | 21st |
| Georgia State | 36th | 70th |
| Georgia Tech | 84th | 5th |
| Hawai'i | 64th | 41st |
| Houston | 27th | 65th |
| Illinois | 75th | 26th |
| Indiana | 94th | 1st |
| Iowa | 44th | 40th |
| Iowa State | 68th | 22nd |
| Jacksonville State | 54th | 38th |
| James Madison | 65th | 44th |
| Kansas | 85th | 28th |
| Kansas State | 71st | 49th |
| Kennesaw State | 56th | 30th |
| Kent State | 21st | 86th |
| Kentucky | 15th | 85th |
| LSU | 14th | 81st |
| Liberty | 43rd | 56th |
| Louisiana | 19th | 73rd |
| Louisiana Tech | 39th | 61st |
| Louisville | 48th | 64th |
| Marshall | 55th | 39th |
| Maryland | 30th | 74th |
| Memphis | 80th | 24th |
| Miami | 76th | 6th |
| Miami (OH) | 34th | 67th |
| Michigan | 67th | 33rd |
| Michigan State | 27th | 75th |
| Middle Tennessee | 39th | 52nd |
| Minnesota | 29th | 76th |
| Mississippi State | 22nd | 77th |
| Missouri | 61st | 30th |
| Missouri State | 55th | 46th |
| NC State | 85th | 23rd |
| Navy | 94th | 18th |
| Nebraska | 48th | 57th |
| Nevada | 3rd | 97th |
| New Mexico | 58th | 60th |
| New Mexico State | 9th | 87th |
| North Carolina | 13th | 88th |
| North Texas | 98th | 7th |
| Northern Illinois | 9th | 92nd |
| Northwestern | 52nd | 36th |
| Notre Dame | 99th | 20th |
| Ohio | 67th | 18th |
| Ohio State | 93rd | 4th |
| Oklahoma | 20th | 79th |
| Oklahoma State | 5th | 95th |
| Old Dominion | 83rd | 45th |
| Ole Miss | 89th | 2nd |
| Oregon | 91st | 10th |
| Oregon State | 3rd | 97th |
| Penn State | 73rd | 33rd |
| Pittsburgh | 60th | 39th |
| Purdue | 25th | 78th |
| Rice | 6th | 94th |
| Rutgers | 70th | 27th |
| SMU | 74th | 42nd |
| Sam Houston | 4th | 96th |
| San Diego State | 24th | 76th |
| San José State | 45th | 69th |
| South Alabama | 36th | 58th |
| South Carolina | 24th | 85th |
| South Florida | 87th | 24th |
| Southern Miss | 40th | 55th |
| Stanford | 10th | 90th |
| Syracuse | 6th | 94th |
| TCU | 72nd | 35th |
| Temple | 70th | 34th |
| Tennessee | 96th | 11th |
| Texas | 45th | 55th |
| Texas A&M | 82nd | 14th |
| Texas State | 91st | 8th |
| Texas Tech | 76th | 31st |
| Toledo | 50th | 61st |
| Troy | 15th | 80th |
| Tulane | 79th | 15th |
| Tulsa | 21st | 70th |
| UAB | 61st | 45th |
| UCF | 33rd | 82nd |
| UCLA | 23rd | 79th |
| UConn | 95th | 13th |
| UL Monroe | 11th | 91st |
| UNLV | 88th | 9th |
| USC | 97th | 3rd |
| UTEP | 1st | 99th |
| UTSA | 77th | 51st |
| Utah | 97th | 6th |
| Utah State | 46th | 63rd |
| Vanderbilt | 100th | 0th |
| Virginia | 59th | 27th |
| Virginia Tech | 32nd | 71st |
| Wake Forest | 42nd | 72nd |
| Washington | 92nd | 9th |
| Washington State | 33rd | 52nd |
| West Virginia | 7th | 93rd |
| Western Kentucky | 53rd | 29th |
| Western Michigan | 31st | 68th |
| Wisconsin | 0th | 100th |
| Wyoming | 8th | 91st |
Fourth-quarter reliability, corrected
Notre Dame's 4th-quarter offense, before and after garbage time
Raw Q4 EPA/play ranks 73rd percentile in FBS. Strip out snaps taken with a blowout margin and it climbs to the 82nd — the correction is the finding, not a footnote.
Standard downs vs. passing downs
Does Notre Dame hold up once the down-and-distance turns against them?
88th percentile success on standard downs, 99th on passing downs — little dropoff between the two — a schedule-independent identity.
View all FBS teams as a table
| Team | Standard-downs percentile | Passing-downs percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 81st | 69th |
| Akron | 20th | 36th |
| Alabama | 47th | 76th |
| App State | 41st | 79th |
| Arizona | 54th | 54th |
| Arizona State | 40th | 37th |
| Arkansas | 90th | 96th |
| Arkansas State | 51st | 40th |
| Army | 38th | 44th |
| Auburn | 73rd | 25th |
| Austin Peay | 56th | 13th |
| BYU | 91st | 46th |
| Ball State | 5th | 3rd |
| Baylor | 70th | 77th |
| Boise State | 42nd | 63rd |
| Boston College | 56th | 54th |
| Bowling Green | 10th | 17th |
| Bryant | 7th | 2nd |
| Buffalo | 29th | 20th |
| California | 25th | 66th |
| Central Michigan | 57th | 11th |
| Charlotte | 7th | 7th |
| Cincinnati | 89th | 65th |
| Clemson | 49th | 34th |
| Coastal Carolina | 17th | 22nd |
| Colorado | 8th | 48th |
| Colorado State | 29th | 35th |
| Delaware | 67th | 31st |
| Duke | 82nd | 62nd |
| East Carolina | 63rd | 91st |
| Eastern Michigan | 46th | 67th |
| Florida | 52nd | 45th |
| Florida Atlantic | 44th | 60th |
| Florida International | 50th | 26th |
| Florida State | 65th | 90th |
| Fresno State | 22nd | 72nd |
| Georgia | 94th | 69th |
| Georgia Southern | 64th | 83rd |
| Georgia State | 23rd | 75th |
| Georgia Tech | 92nd | 89th |
| Hawai'i | 33rd | 87th |
| Houston | 60th | 29th |
| Idaho | 30th | 77th |
| Idaho State | 92nd | 14th |
| Illinois | 79th | 95th |
| Indiana | 96th | 98th |
| Iowa | 74th | 19th |
| Iowa State | 79th | 58th |
| Jacksonville State | 58th | 56th |
| James Madison | 77th | 52nd |
| Kansas | 98th | 81st |
| Kansas State | 37th | 58th |
| Kennesaw State | 44th | 67th |
| Kent State | 15th | 6th |
| Kentucky | 62nd | 29th |
| LSU | 18th | 51st |
| Lafayette | 0th | 12th |
| Liberty | 65th | 53rd |
| Lindenwood | 4th | 2nd |
| Long Island University | 24th | 78th |
| Louisiana | 25th | 23rd |
| Louisiana Tech | 42nd | 24th |
| Louisville | 83rd | 32nd |
| Maine | 3rd | 18th |
| Marshall | 71st | 62nd |
| Maryland | 11th | 86th |
| Massachusetts | 6th | 9th |
| Memphis | 75th | 68th |
| Merrimack | 1st | 83rd |
| Miami | 80th | 64th |
| Miami (OH) | 33rd | 39th |
| Michigan | 73rd | 74th |
| Michigan State | 48th | 40th |
| Middle Tennessee | 69th | 47th |
| Minnesota | 35th | 33rd |
| Mississippi State | 52nd | 35th |
| Missouri | 75th | 50th |
| Missouri State | 32nd | 50th |
| Murray State | 2nd | 6th |
| NC State | 58th | 72nd |
| Navy | 95th | 72nd |
| Nebraska | 78th | 51st |
| Nevada | 17th | 16th |
| New Mexico | 38th | 60th |
| New Mexico State | 16th | 33rd |
| North Carolina | 14th | 30th |
| North Texas | 100th | 97th |
| Northern Illinois | 9th | 5th |
| Northwestern | 48th | 88th |
| Notre Dame | 88th | 99th |
| Ohio | 69th | 75th |
| Ohio State | 99th | 98th |
| Oklahoma | 39th | 41st |
| Oklahoma State | 15th | 8th |
| Old Dominion | 72nd | 79th |
| Ole Miss | 83rd | 94th |
| Oregon | 93rd | 55th |
| Oregon State | 54th | 25th |
| Penn State | 76th | 72nd |
| Pittsburgh | 35th | 56th |
| Purdue | 46th | 88th |
| Rice | 21st | 0th |
| Rutgers | 71st | 85th |
| SMU | 50th | 57th |
| Sam Houston | 26th | 4th |
| San Diego State | 84th | 1st |
| San José State | 68th | 70th |
| South Alabama | 53rd | 28th |
| South Carolina | 31st | 8th |
| South Carolina State | 10th | 4th |
| South Florida | 86th | 46th |
| Southern Miss | 27th | 38th |
| Stanford | 12th | 12th |
| Syracuse | 19th | 10th |
| TCU | 62nd | 82nd |
| Temple | 85th | 23rd |
| Tennessee | 97th | 81st |
| Texas | 27th | 61st |
| Texas A&M | 88th | 59th |
| Texas State | 60th | 93rd |
| Texas Tech | 45th | 65th |
| Toledo | 67th | 42nd |
| Troy | 19th | 27th |
| Tulane | 81st | 85th |
| Tulsa | 43rd | 43rd |
| UAB | 34th | 94th |
| UCF | 40th | 21st |
| UCLA | 28th | 48th |
| UConn | 96th | 38th |
| UL Monroe | 13th | 14th |
| UNLV | 77th | 85th |
| USC | 94th | 90th |
| UT Martin | 2nd | 42nd |
| UTEP | 4th | 10th |
| UTSA | 67th | 92nd |
| Utah | 87th | 96th |
| Utah State | 31st | 49th |
| Vanderbilt | 90th | 100th |
| Virginia | 36th | 73rd |
| Virginia Tech | 59th | 21st |
| Wake Forest | 21st | 31st |
| Washington | 98th | 92nd |
| Washington State | 61st | 44th |
| West Virginia | 12th | 19th |
| Western Kentucky | 55th | 80th |
| Western Michigan | 85th | 17th |
| Wisconsin | 7th | 27th |
| Wyoming | 23rd | 15th |
Halftime identity
Notre Dame by half
1st-half offense ranks 94th percentile in FBS; 2nd-half, 97th — competitive snaps only, garbage time excluded from both halves.
Schedule mirage
How much of Notre Dame's number is the schedule?
Raw EPA/play through week 21 is 0.34; 95th percentile once opponent strength is stripped out, it's 0.11. The widest gap came in week 5: 0.37 raw vs. 0.12 adjusted.
Player stats — 2025 season
Quarterbacks
| Player | # | G | Cmp/Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | TD | INT | Rate | QBR | Adj ANY/A | Sack% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket Passer · +0.38 EPA/play | 13 | 12 | 195 / 293 | 66.6 | 2741 #51 FBS | 9.4 | 24 #24 FBS | 6 | 168.1 | 75.9 | 9.4 | 3.6 | |
Yards by week → Pocket Passer· Money-downBalanced passer who operates within the system, without one standout number carrying the profile. Watch-list name — on at least one major award watch list, no hardware yet — trending, not yet confirmed. The rare part: he can push it deep — and he finds the end zone, too 97 of 183 QBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / attempt10.2 97th percentile · FBS QBs, min. 80 attempts TD rate8.2% 98th percentile · FBS QBs, min. 80 attempts — the part the label misses Trait fingerprint Plays like View CJ Carr's full player page | |||||||||||||
| 8 | 5 | 20 / 26 | 76.9 | 196 | 7.5 | 0 | 0 | 140.2 | 92.4 | — | — | ||
Yards by week → | |||||||||||||
Running Backs
| Player | # | G | Car | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | 3rd Dn Use | Pass Dn Use | Stuff% | 10+% | Tgt Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Merchant · +0.26 EPA/play | 4 | 12 | 199 | 1372 #8 FBS | 6.9 | 18 #3 FBS | 94 | 18.6 | 23.6 | 18.3 | 17.3 | 11.5% (33/286) | |
Yards by week → Speed Merchant· Boom-or-bustCuts upfield fast. Designed to find the crease, not run through the line. Unanimous All-American — 1st team on all five NCAA-recognized selectors. The rare part: he hits the hole fast — and he punches it in, too 48 of 349 RBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / carry7.4 94th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Rush TD rate9.0% 96th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries — the part the label misses Trait fingerprint Plays like View Jeremiyah Love's full player page | |||||||||||||
| Balanced Back · +0.27 EPA/play | 24 | 12 | 113 | 674 | 6.0 | 11 #38 FBS | 58 | 13.6 | 10.5 | 17.6 | 21.3 | — | |
Yards by week → Balanced Back· Return threatPlays within the scheme — consistent production without a dominant dimension. a house-call threat every time he fields it All-American — named 1st team by at least one NCAA-recognized selector. 186 of 349 RBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / carry6.1 73th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Yards / reception14.5 98th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Trait fingerprint Plays like our readthe ball security is the one real worry — 2.52 fumbles per 100 touches (top-decile concern) | |||||||||||||
| +0.51 EPA/play | 22 | 6 | 24 | 224 | 9.3 | 5 | 54 | 7.1 | 4.5 | — | — | — | |
Yards by week → | |||||||||||||
Receivers
| Player | # | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | 3rd Dn Use | Pass Dn Use | Tgt Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Technician · +0.59 EPA/play | 6 | 12 | 49 | 640 | 13.1 | 4 | 54 | 8.6 | 7.2 | 20.6% (59/286) | |
Yards by week → Slot Technician· Money-downRuns precise routes in tight quarters. Volume player who keeps chains moving. lives on the sticks and moves the chains Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. 97 of 558 WRs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Reception volume49 78th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions Plays like our readUnranked recruit — top-quartile production against his own recruiting profile our readAscending: his CFB Index score climbed from the 40th percentile to the 79th among FBS WRs | |||||||||||
| Deep Threat · +0.47 EPA/play | — | 12 | 36 | 630 | 17.5 | 5 | 66 | 11.4 | 9.7 | 20.6% (59/286) | |
Yards by week → Deep ThreatStretches the field vertically. Every snap is a potential big play. 100 of 558 WRs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / reception16.5 80th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions TD rate13.9% 81th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions Trait fingerprint Plays like View Malachi Fields's full player page | |||||||||||
| Move TE · +0.62 EPA/play | 9 | 9 | 32 | 482 | 15.1 | 0 | 65 | 7.1 | 7.7 | 14.3% (41/286) | |
Yards by week → Move TELined up out wide as often as inline. Creates mismatches downfield. 34 of 223 TEs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / reception17.5 97th percentile · FBS TEs, min. 8 receptions TD rate0.0% bottom 10th percentile · FBS TEs, min. 8 receptions Trait fingerprint Plays like our readAscending: his CFB Index score now sits at the 86th percentile among FBS TEs, up from the 16th | |||||||||||
| Deep Threat · +0.41 EPA/play | 2 | 11 | 26 | 381 | 14.7 | 6 #62 FBS | 44 | 8.9 | 10.6 | 14.3% (41/286) | |
Yards by week → Deep ThreatStretches the field vertically. Every snap is a potential big play. 100 of 558 WRs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / reception17.4 85th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions TD rate23.1% 99th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions Trait fingerprint View Will Pauling's full player page | |||||||||||
| +0.87 EPA/play | 11 | 5 | 8 | 123 | 15.4 | 2 | 34 | 1.6 | 3.8 | — | |
Yards by week → | |||||||||||
| +1.66 EPA/play | 14 | 5 | 9 | 93 | 10.3 | 1 | 26 | 5.2 | 6.5 | — | |
Yards by week → | |||||||||||
| +1.41 EPA/play | 7 | 3 | 5 | 34 | 6.8 | 1 | 14 | 7.1 | 2.7 | — | |
Yards by week → | |||||||||||
Defensive Line
| Player | # | G | Tot | Solo | TFL | Sack | Hur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 5 | 10 | 37 | 23 | 10 | 6.5 #55 FBS | 8 |
3-Tech PenetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. Starter — over 60% of the snaps, holding the job. 269 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate27.0% 90th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like our readBreakout: his CFB Index score now sits at the 79th percentile among FBS IDLs, up from the 5th | |||||||
| Two-Gap Base | 47 | 11 | 26 | 14 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 4 |
Two-Gap BaseStout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number. Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. 388 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate5.8% bottom 18th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like our readBreakout: his CFB Index score climbed from the 5th percentile to the 48th among FBS IDLs | |||||||
| Two-Gap Base | 56 | 9 | 21 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Two-Gap BaseStout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number. The most common profile in its group this season — 388 of 809 classified this way. Played in 9 of 21 games this season · junior View Elijah Hughes's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 93 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 4 |
3-Tech PenetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 269 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate17.5% 62th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Jared Dawson's full player page | |||||||
| Two-Gap Base | 12 | 8 | 20 | 10 | 1.5 | 1 | 2 |
Two-Gap BaseStout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number. The most common profile in its group this season — 388 of 809 classified this way. Played in 8 of 21 games this season · senior · 4-star, 2020 class View Jordan Botelho's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 95 | 12 | 20 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
3-Tech PenetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 269 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate10.0% bottom 31th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like our readBreakout: his CFB Index score moved from the 22nd to 69th percentile among FBS IDLs | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 40 | 8 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
3-Tech PenetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 269 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate37.5% 99th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like our readAscending: his CFB Index score climbed from the 16th percentile to the 32nd among FBS IDLs | |||||||
| Nose Anchor | 97 | 6 | 13 | 5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 |
Nose AnchorThe heaviest frame on the interior. Sack production is intentionally not the point of this profile. 152 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Weight322 lb 92th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Gabriel Rubio's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 41 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
3-Tech PenetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 269 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate8.3% bottom 25th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like our readFading: his CFB Index score moved from the 57th to 12th percentile among FBS IDLs | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 44 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 3.5 | 1 | 6 |
3-Tech PenetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 269 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate29.2% 94th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Junior Tuihalamaka's full player page | |||||||
| 88 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | |
Linebackers
| Player | # | G | Tot | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sack | PD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced Linebacker | 34 | 12 | 67 | 33 | 34 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 0 |
Balanced LinebackerSolid in every phase without a signature dimension. Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. The most common profile in its group this season — 362 of 660 classified this way. Played in 12 of 21 games this season · junior · 4-star, 2023 class our readSustained Ascent: his CFB Index score shows two real climbs in a row — 0th to 55th to 80th percentile among FBS LBs | |||||||||
| Balanced Linebacker | 4 | 12 | 51 | 20 | 31 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Balanced LinebackerSolid in every phase without a signature dimension. Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. The most common profile in its group this season — 362 of 660 classified this way. Played in 12 of 21 games this season · sophomore · 4-star, 2023 class View Jaiden Ausberry's full player page | |||||||||
| Balanced Linebacker | 27 | 11 | 48 | 25 | 23 | 7.5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Balanced LinebackerSolid in every phase without a signature dimension. The most common profile in its group this season — 362 of 660 classified this way. Played in 11 of 21 games this season · sophomore · 4-star, 2024 class our readAscending: his CFB Index score now sits at the 83rd percentile among FBS LBs, up from the 57th | |||||||||
| Sideline-to-Sideline | 3 | 12 | 35 | 23 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Sideline-to-SidelineRanges from hash to hash and makes his own tackles. 102 of 660 LBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Solo tackle rate0.7 93th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Sack rate8.6% 87th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Trait fingerprint Plays like View Jaylen Sneed's full player page | |||||||||
| Thumper | 19 | 6 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
ThumperDownhill striker who fills the run lane and blitzes off the edge. 97 of 660 LBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate18.8% 91th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Sack rate12.5% 98th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Trait fingerprint Plays like View Madden Faraimo's full player page | |||||||||
| 43 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Defensive Backs
| Player | # | G | Tot | PD | INT | TFL | Sack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Nickel | 8 | 12 | 52 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Hybrid Nickel· Takeaway threatMoves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB. the kind of DB who takes it back the other way Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. The most common profile in its group this season — 419 of 801 classified this way. Played in 12 of 21 games this season · sophomore · 4-star, 2023 class View Adon Shuler's full player page | |||||||
| Centerfielder | 9 | 10 | 48 | 3 | 4 #23 FBS | 0.5 | 0 |
Centerfielder· Takeaway threatSingle-high range who erases the deep middle of the field. the kind of DB who takes it back the other way Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. 133 of 801 Ss we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate6.2% bottom 41th percentile · FBS safeties, min. 15 tackles Plays like View Tae Johnson's full player page | |||||||
| Hybrid Nickel | 7 | 9 | 37 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Hybrid Nickel· Takeaway threatMoves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB. the kind of DB who takes it back the other way The most common profile in its group this season — 419 of 801 classified this way. Played in 9 of 21 games this season · senior View Jalen Stroman's full player page | |||||||
| Ball Hawk | 15 | 10 | 31 | 7 | 5 #6 FBS | 0 | 0 |
Ball Hawk· Takeaway threatReads the quarterback's eyes and takes the ball away. the kind of DB who takes it back the other way Unanimous All-American — 1st team on all five NCAA-recognized selectors. 44 of 270 CBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate22.6% 82th percentile · FBS corners, min. 10 tackles Plays like our readAscending: his CFB Index score went from the 88th percentile among FBS CBs to the 98th | |||||||
| Centerfielder | 28 | 11 | 25 | 3 | 3 #56 FBS | 1 | 0 |
CenterfielderSingle-high range who erases the deep middle of the field. 133 of 801 Ss we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate12.0% 70th percentile · FBS safeties, min. 15 tackles Plays like our readAscending: his CFB Index score climbed from the 15th percentile to the 58th among FBS Ss | |||||||
| Cover Corner | 14 | 7 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Cover CornerSteady in coverage; doesn't get beat deep and rarely gives up the big play. 141 of 270 CBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate9.1% bottom 32th percentile · FBS corners, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Dallas Golden's full player page | |||||||
| Cover Corner | — | 7 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Cover CornerSteady in coverage; doesn't get beat deep and rarely gives up the big play. The most common profile in its group this season — 141 of 270 classified this way. Played in 7 of 21 games this season · senior View DeVonta Smith's full player page | |||||||
| Ball Hawk | 6 | 9 | 18 | 10 #20 FBS | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Ball HawkReads the quarterback's eyes and takes the ball away. 44 of 270 CBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate55.6% 100th percentile · FBS corners, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Christian Gray's full player page | |||||||
| Cover Corner | 24 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 0 |
Cover CornerSteady in coverage; doesn't get beat deep and rarely gives up the big play. 141 of 270 CBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate20.0% 75th percentile · FBS corners, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Mark Zackery IV's full player page | |||||||
| 21 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Kicking
| Player | # | G | FG M/A | FG% | XP M/A | Pts | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 9 | 0/3 | 0 | 40/41 | 40 | 0 | |
| 98 | 6 | 5/6 | 83.3 | 21/23 | 36 | 48 |
Punting
| Player | # | G | No | Yds | Avg | Long | In20 | TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinner | 16 | 10 | 25 | 1114 | 44.6 | 55 | 13 | 1 |
Net average is unavailable — CFBD's punting feed carries gross yards only, with no return-yardage or touchback deduction.
Kick Returns
| Player | # | G | No | Yds | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced Back · +0.27 EPA/play | 24 | 12 | 12 | 450 | 37.5 | 2 | 100 |
Punt Returns
| Player | # | G | No | Yds | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Technician · +0.59 EPA/play | 6 | 12 | 15 | 153 | 10.2 | 0 | 23 |
How They Play · 2025
How They Play · 2025Notre Dame fields an elite explosive, big-play offense behind an elite defense.
Percentile vs all FBS, based on this season's per-game production. Bar = where this team ranks — right is better.
What changed
Notre Dame’s play-calling, before and after the change
Offense: Gerad Parker (2023) → Mike Denbrock (2024–2025)
The biggest shift: red-zone pass rate moved down 8 points. The rest held closer to steady.
1st-down pass rate
Red-zone pass rate
Defense: Al Golden (2022–2024) → Chris Ash (2025)
The biggest shift: red-zone pass rate moved down 6 points. The rest held closer to steady.
1st-down pass rate
Red-zone pass rate
Season by season
How Notre Dame’s current staff calls plays, year over year
Offense: Mike Denbrock (2024–2025)
1st-down pass rate
2024: 40% → 2025: 41% · 1-pt range · #169 of 171 · less than most
Red-zone pass rate
2024: 30% → 2025: 28% · 2-pt range · #170 of 171 · less than most
4th-down go rate
2024: 33% → 2025: 67% · 33-pt range · #16 of 171 · more than most
Notre Dame reads strongest in explosive plays (top 1%) and epa / play (top 5%); the crux lives in explosive plays allowed, where Notre Dame sits at the 50th percentile.
offense · strengths lead
defense · higher bar = harder to play against
hidden math · special situations
ELITE · 90+STRONG · 70+AVERAGE · 40-70CONCERN · 10-40BOTTOM · <10
Notre Dame · 2025 schedule & results10-2Brutal slateAverage opponent win rate 51% · 6 AP top-25 opponents on the schedule. 2 ranked wins banked (time-of-game rank).
| Wk | Date | Us | Opp | Line | Opponent | Result | Record | Conf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 31 | #2 | #14 | -3 | @Miami | L 24–27 125 | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| 3 | Sep 13 | #1 | #14 | -6.5 | Texas A&M | L 40–41 140 | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| 4 | Sep 20 | #2 | #184 | -24.5 | Purdue | W 56–30 126 | 1-2 | 0-0 |
| 5 | Sep 27 | #3 | #52 | -5 | @Arkansas | W 56–13 132 | 2-2 | 0-0 |
| 6 | Oct 4 | #3 | #37 | -21.5 | Boise State | W 28–7 122 | 3-2 | 0-0 |
| 7 | Oct 11 | #3 | #31 | -24.5 | NC State | W 36–7 127 | 4-2 | 0-0 |
| 8 | Oct 18 | #2 | #14 | -11 | USCTop 25 win | W 34–24 141 | 5-2 | 0-0 |
| 10 | Nov 1 | #3 | #99 | -31 | @Boston College | W 25–10 133 | 6-2 | 0-0 |
| 11 | Nov 9 | #3 | #59 | -30.5 | Navy | W 49–10 112 | 7-2 | 0-0 |
| 12 | Nov 15 | #2 | #30 | -13 | @PittsburghTop 25 win | W 37–15 132 | 8-2 | 0-0 |
| 13 | Nov 22 | #2 | #144 | -36.5 | Syracuse | W 70–7 119 | 9-2 | 0-0 |
| 14 | Nov 30 | #2 | #99 | -33.5 | @Stanford | W 49–20 144 | 10-2 | 0-0 |
Advanced box score (EPA, success rate, explosiveness)▼
| Date | Opp | Result | Yds | TO | TOP | EPA/play | Success% | Explosive% | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 30 | @Stanford | W 49–20 | 524 | 0 | 30:35 | +0.437 | 44.7% | 160.9% | Blowout win |
| Nov 22 | Syracuse | W 70–7 | 396 | 0 | 18:10 | +0.638 | 47.6% | 199.5% | Season-high EPA/play |
| Nov 15 | @Pittsburgh | W 37–15 | 387 | 2 | 35:17 | +0.089 | 40.8% | 149.5% | Season-low EPA/play |
| Nov 9 | Navy | W 49–10 | 502 | 0 | 30:37 | +0.587 | 48.3% | 170.3% | Blowout win |
| Nov 1 | @Boston College | W 25–10 | 458 | 1 | 24:33 | +0.332 | 43.1% | 194.7% | |
| Oct 18 | USC | W 34–24 | 442 | 1 | 32:58 | +0.175 | 49.3% | 104.1% | |
| Oct 11 | NC State | W 36–7 | 487 | 2 | 31:13 | +0.192 | 43.7% | 133.3% | Blowout win |
| Oct 4 | Boise State | W 28–7 | 392 | 0 | 24:14 | +0.186 | 45.5% | 130.1% | |
| Sep 27 | @Arkansas | W 56–13 | 643 | 0 | 32:47 | +0.590 | 55.6% | 158.3% | Best success rate |
| Sep 20 | Purdue | W 56–30 | 539 | 1 | 32:00 | +0.501 | 51.6% | 145.1% | |
| Sep 13 | Texas A&M | L 40–41 | 429 | 1 | 33:07 | +0.198 | 40.8% | 148.2% | Defense's roughest night |
| Aug 31 | @Miami | L 24–27 | 315 | 2 | 26:03 | +0.181 | 44.8% | 123.9% | One-score loss |
| Season average (12 games) | 460 | 0.8 | +0.342 | 46.3% | 151.5% | ||||
2025 stat leaders
final
2025 stat leaders
1.
C.J. Carr
QB
2,741 yds (pass)
2.
Drayk Bowen
LB
67.0 tot (def)
3.
Jordan Faison
WR
640 yds (rec)
4.
Adon Shuler
S
52.0 tot (def)
5.
Jaiden Ausberry
LB
51.0 tot (def)
Roster
2025
24
players carry a qualified CFB Index Score this season.
Jeremiyah Love
RB
#4 of 326
Leonard Moore
CB
#11 of 364
Tae Johnson
S
#67 of 544
Christian Gray
CB
#51 of 364
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
LB
#112 of 583
Jadarian Price
RB
#63 of 326
+18 more
Positional competition · RB room
The carries are split. The job isn’t.
Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price split the carries (197/306 vs 109/306) -- but Jeremiyah Love leads on every measured axis. This isn't a split role, it's a hierarchy with a change-of-pace back behind it.
Jeremiyah LoveJadarian Price
Carries
the baseline -- every row below is tested against this split, not a flat 50/50
Inside the 5
p = 0.003 -- real, not noise
Q4, leading (competitive)
shared -- dots touch, this room really is a committee here
Targets
p = 0.007 -- real, not noise
Top-5-carry share
concentration alone -- EPA/carry doesn't corroborate, read with caution
See it develop week by week
Inside-the-5 share, week by week (weeks both players actually played the role)
Screened 4 claims, 2 survived, 2 falsified
Positional competition · WR/TE room
The targets are split. The job isn’t.
Jordan Faison (WR) and Eli Raridon (TE) split the targets (59/100 vs 41/100) -- but the job isn't split the same way. Eli Raridon is the one who gets the ball in the red zone.
Jordan FaisonEli Raridon
Targets
the baseline -- every row below is tested against this split, not a flat 50/50
3rd-down targets
shared -- dots touch, this room really is a committee here
Inside the 10
p = 0.005 -- real, not noise
Garbage-time share
shared -- dots touch, this room really is a committee here
Top-5-catch share
concentration alone -- EPA/target doesn't corroborate, read with caution
Screened 4 claims, 1 survived, 3 falsified
Defensive identity · pass zones
What this defense gives up, by zone.
On short passes, Notre Dame’s defense allows a completion rate below the FBS mean (62.9% vs 65.9% league-wide, shrunk toward the mean for its 135-play sample) — mid-pack, 18 of 133 qualifying defenses.
We won’t show a deep-ball leaderboard here: at the defense level, most teams face well under 30 rich-feed deep targets all season — too thin to tell a real tendency from noise, so we won’t guess.
Screened 133 claims, 133 survived · 2025 only, in the 399 games with the detailed play-text feed; n=135 short-zone plays faced, raw rate 60.0%
Most Similar Programs · Notre Dame
Most Similar Programs · Notre DameReads Like
ClemsonTier 1 · Prestige T5 · Similarly-sized rosters up frontUSCTier 1 · Prestige T5 · Roughly similar size up frontLSUTier 1 · Similarly-sized rosters up front
Static-attribute similarity across tier, archetype, conference, and voice. Not a prediction — a calibration.
Home-Field Advantage · Notre Dame · 2018-present
Above-Average
88% home win rate vs 79% on the road. margin runs +7.1 better at home. Notre Dame Stadium seats 80,795, averaging 96% full (77,292 attendance, 26 games reported).
Home46-6Away27-7
Venue texture
60°F average kickoff temp; 12% of games had measurable precipitation; 10 mph average wind.
Based on 77 home games with weather data.
Zeitgeist staturePower Program I
THE RIVALRY · NOTRE DAME × USC
2026 preview
2026 preview
2026 preview
2026 preview
THE ERA · 2014 THROUGH 2025
CHAPTERS · 12 seasons · tap to open the archive
scores like a Blue Blood — held without a national title in over a decade
Program résumé
13Nat'l titles
7Heismans
3CFP apps
38Bowl apps
1887Founded
All-Time Record
923-334-36
since 1893 · 130 seasons · .713 win rate
HOME
519-125-26
AWAY
362-184-10
NEUTRAL
42-25
1890s
1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
The program, in full — read the essay
Notre Dame won ten straight games to end 2025, finished 10-2, and watched the committee hand the last Playoff seat to the team that beat it in September. The Irish declined a bowl rather than accept the verdict. Now they come back with CJ Carr and a mandate so clean it doesn't need a slogan.
Notre Dame is the only program that doesn't need a conference to tell its story. Eleven consensus national titles, seven Heisman trophies — more than any program in the sport — an NBC broadcast contract that predates cable television, and a fanbase of subway alumni who follow the Irish by faith and geography has nothing to do with it. The program Knute Rockne built in the 1920s out of immigrant Catholic devotion became the country's team for people who have no other team, and the independence that gave it that reach is also the thing that makes the modern postseason a structural problem no recruiting class can fully solve.
Marcus Freeman turned down NFL interest to stay, and the room is all-in on what comes next. CJ Carr — 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, a 168 passer rating in 2025, and the first returning primary starter at Notre Dame since 2020 — enters 2026 as a Heisman frontrunner, and preseason polls have the Irish at or near No. 1. The grievance is real and specific: the committee elevated Miami over Notre Dame on a Week 1 head-to-head tiebreaker after Notre Dame went 0-2 and then won ten straight, many in routs. The fanbase's read is not conspiratorial; it's arithmetic. Going it alone means no conference title to wave when the tiebreakers land. The 2025 snub was the price of independence, paid in the most visible way possible.
The 2026 season will try to remove that variable. The mandate Freeman has built into the program — 'leave no doubt the committee can use against it' — means the Irish need a regular season clean enough that independence becomes an advantage again rather than a liability. The specific question: can Notre Dame run the table the way the 1988 Holtz team did, before a committee existed to second-guess it? The schedule will adjudicate that starting in September, under a quarterback who, if the signal holds, will be the most talented passer South Bend has seen in the Freeman era.
How they play
Dynastic-with-a-question-mark: pro-style, disciplined, academically gatekept football that expects to win without performing humility about it. Freeman runs a physical scheme built around a strong offensive line, a run game that sets up play-action, and a secondary that recruits at blue-blood levels. The roster construction is deliberate — Notre Dame draws from a national talent pool but applies an academic filter that narrows the field and, in theory, raises the floor. The 2026 defense returns enough to be elite; the offense runs through Carr.
Program memory
What this program never forgets
Most weeks vanish. These didn’t.
1949
The Leahy years
Four national titles in seven seasons under Frank Leahy — 1943, 1946, 1947 and 1949, the last three of them unbeaten
1977
Parseghian and Devine
Three more titles in a twelve-year window — 1966 and 1973 under Ara Parseghian, 1977 under Dan Devine
The 1988 national title
Lou Holtz's 12-0 team wins the program's last consensus championship
1988
Catholics vs. Convicts
The No. 1 vs No. 4 win over Miami that defined the era
The 2025 Playoff snub
A 10-2 team on a ten-game winning streak is left out of the 12-team field; Notre Dame declines a bowl
Wound
CFP Era · Notre Dame
12 seasons on file
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
down middle peak CFP year
Steady
Notre Dame 2016–2025. Holding the line. The 10-year slope (+0.10 rungs / yr) doesn't tilt either way — the program lives at roughly Tier 6.
Coaching Era · Notre Dame
Coaching Era · Notre DameMarcus Freeman
Marcus Freeman has held the program for 5 seasons — the era is established.
Era Marcus Freeman · 2022–presentPrev: Brian Kelly (2014–2021)OC: Mike DenbrockPrev OC: Gerad Parker (2023)DC: co-Aaron Henry / Chris AshPrev DC: Chris Ash (2025)
5
years · era
Unit lineage
Notre Dame’s offense and defense, by coordinator
FBS-relative efficiency percentile per season (2014–2025), same population as the Coordinator Mirror board. Dashed vertical lines mark a coordinator change.
Offense2014–2025
2014 · Mike Denbrock2015–2016 · Mike Sanford2017–2019 · Chip Long2020–2022 · Tommy Rees2023 · Gerad Parker2024–2025 (ongoing) · Mike Denbrock
Defense2014–2025
2014–2016 · Brian VanGorder2017 · Mike Elko2018–2020 · Clark Lea2021 · Marcus Freeman2022–2024 · Al Golden2025 · Chris Ash
Hired for 2026: co-Aaron Henry / Chris Ash — not yet reflected in on-field data.
Elite (≥70th pct)AveragePoor (≤30th pct)
Notre Dame – USC
Jeweled Shillelagh 96 meetings since 1926 See the whole history →
Heat trajectory
Week-by-week rivalry heat isn't tracked yet for this matchup — check back as the 2026-27 season approaches and real fan-intel signal accumulates.
Fan Heat Index
Who's more worked up right now
Cross-fanbase rivalry sentiment for this matchup hasn't been measured yet this week — both sides show as neutral until real signal comes in.
Notre Dame
Awaiting
USC
Awaiting
Notre Dame
—
USC
—
THE LAST 5 · year-by-year
- W 2025 Win 34–24
- W 2024 Win 49–35
- W 2023 Win 48–20
- L 2022 Loss 27–38
- W 2021 Win 31–16
Rituals
Things this fanbase does every Saturday — none of them invented in the last decade.
Play Like a Champion Today (the sign)
since 1980s (Lou Holtz era)
The blue-and-gold sign hangs above the tunnel from locker room to field. Every Notre Dame player taps it on the way out. Origin is contested (Holtz says he brought it; Devine claims earlier). The sign is now a national archetype — copied at every level of football. The original survives, scuffed by 40 years of palm taps.
Victory March (the fight song)
since 1908
'Cheer cheer for old Notre Dame...' Written by Michael and John Shea in 1908. The most recognizable college fight song in America. Plays through Notre Dame Stadium PA after every score. The trumpet quartet's a cappella version before kickoff at the Grotto is its own sub-ritual.
Trumpet Quartet at the Grotto
since 1990s
Four trumpeters from the band play the Alma Mater and Victory March at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. Spiritual/musical sub-ritual that draws hundreds of fans. Distinctly Notre Dame — no other program has a Marian shrine in its pre-game flow.
Touchdown Jesus
since 1964
Mural of Christ with raised hands, painted as 'Word of Life' (1964). Visible from inside Notre Dame Stadium until the 1997 expansion partially obscured it. The Christ figure's pose mirrors a referee signaling touchdown — hence the universal nickname. The mural is sacred art that became sports iconography by geometric accident.
The Shillelagh and the Leprechaun
since 1965
The student-portrayed Leprechaun mascot was formally adopted in 1965 (replacing the previous 'Fighting Irish' iconography). The shillelagh — the gnarled walking stick — is wielded during games. The Megaphone Game vs USC and the Jeweled Shillelagh Trophy connect this to specific rivalry pageantry.
Chronicle Visuals
A heavy-turnover 2025: 37% returning (below average), with the qb room the biggest question.
The portal upgraded the WR room but opened a hole at S.
The 2026 draft hit RB hardest — and the portal hasn't replaced it yet.
Notre Dame sits where recruit talent and draft yield largely match.
NFL Draft Pipeline
2022–2026
NFL Draft PipelineStrong
24 picks last 5 cycles. 4 first-round picks. Recruits with NFL ambitions notice.
24
picks · 4 R1
#3
Jeremiyah Love
Running Back · 2026 · Arizona · #4/326 final season
Succeeded by Kedren Young · 4★
#5
Joe Alt
Offensive Tackle · 2024 · Los Angeles
#14
Kyle Hamilton
Safety · 2022 · Baltimore
#4 all-time · 72 first-round picksthe talent factory →
Bowl / Postseason Ledger
Bowl / Postseason LedgerRecent postseason (2014-2024): 8-5
Most recent: 2024 — loss 23-34 (home). Last 5 postseason: 4-1.
20242024202420242023
Featured in The Canon
Season Standing · 2025 · 10-2 · CFP #11 / AP #9
Season Standing · 2025 · 10-2 · CFP #11 / AP #9Top 15
Notre Dame: Top 15 nationally. NY6-bowl conversation.
R0R1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9
Sub-FBSBuildingBowlRankedContenderPlayoff
Moment of the Year · Notre Dame · 2025
Moment of the Year · Notre Dame · 2025Won 28-7 vs Boise State
Week 6 of 2025. A statement margin. Recruiting boards re-rendered overnight.
The CFP Era
3 CFP appearances, 1 title game across 12 seasons — the era the program argued for.
TRAJECTORY · quality-score line · AP rank dotted · CFP bids marked · coach regimes ribboned
Program Quality
AP Rank (inverted)
CFP Appearance
Notre Dame's 2014–2025 record is 119-35 with 3 CFP appearances. The era has written the program's modern identity into the CFP field — not always from the inside of a title game, but into the room.
r/cfb moments
6.3k
[Postgame Thread] Notre Dame Defeats USC 48-20
3k
[Postgame Thread] USC Defeats Notre Dame 38-27
2k
[Postgame Thread] Notre Dame Defeats USC 34-24
All-time top community posts · ranked by upvotes
This page may include content derived from public news sources, social media, and fan communities. We relay these sources as-is — we are not reporting them. Sources may be summarized or quoted imperfectly; for anything that matters, go look at the original source directly. The original source may also be wrong. AI-generated content is labeled and may contain factual errors. All analysis is editorial opinion, not professional reporting. Data sources · About this site