Notre Dame

2-0AP #3
Latest
Notre Dame Updates Depth Chart for Rice Amid Injury Concernsour readNotre Dame’s Marcus Freeman says he doesn’t see himself ‘coaching anywhere else’ as NFL looks on - The New York Timesour readThe USC rivalry

FBS Independents · Marcus Freeman, year 6 (45-12) · Notre Dame Stadium · 80,795 · 77,622 avg in 2026

The nationAP #3 · Coaches #3no change
The model#2 CFB ZeitgeistSP+ #3 (+26.8) · FPI #3
The marketNotre Dame by 30vs Michigan State · our model 98% Notre Dame · a number, not a pick

LastW 52–0 vs Rice · Sat Sep 12 · CJ Carr 253 pass yds, 4 TD

Nextvs Michigan State · Sat Sep 19 · 7:30 pm ET · Notre Dame Stadium · Notre Dame by 30 · series 44-28-1 · Game preview

Updated Tue Sep 15 · through week 2

Notre Dame's faithful can't agree on where this is headed.

Marcus Freeman's year 5 (2026): 2-0, behind Brian Kelly's 12-1 in the same spot.

Most Notre Dame fans liked what they saw — but a real minority isn't convinced.

Thank God we hired Marcus Freeman and NOT Luke Fickell

▲ 217r/CFB

The refs fucked WMU over so bad…. That clock was absolutely at zero… then they get another play…

▲ 161r/notredamefootball
✓ verbatim
belief warmed ↑ 2.9vs prior week
Fanbase belief
Mixed
52/100 · 1,798 mentions · top 31% of FBS
~ our read
Grounding
about average
5% cite a stat · 6% typical ✓ counted
~ our read
Volatility
Chaotic
σ 33 pts
~ our read
The model
#2
CFB Zeitgeist · +15.0
✓ measured
Explore all 12 corners of the fanbase ↓

The Pulse on Notre Dame

Archive · Wk 2 · 1,798 mentions · medium confidence
52
Δ +2.9 vs last wk
1,798 mentions this week · conversation velocity

What moved it — last 14 days

— Awaiting next signal window
"Every season here is measured against the ones people name after coaches." — Notre Dame fanbase · recurring line
The Fever Year

Position = mood · width = volume · color = the kind of feeling

Inside the fanbase — all 12 corners

Cr/CFB
GGoogle News
LLocked On
OOne Foot Down
CCampus paper
NNDNation
BBluesky
YYouTube
8 outlets & communities talking

The split, staged

Warmest corner+0.00
Boomers & Gen X
most bought-in cohort our read
vs
Coldest corner−0.00
Bettors
coolest cohort our read

How Notre Dame fans actually talk real · top-upvoted

Rr/CFBthe room

First American Football player in history to get sent back down to the minor leagues

▲ 2.4k ▼open ↗

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

▶

Locked On

Sunday Night Live: Notre Dame-Rice Takeaways, Running Game Concerns & Week 2 CFB Reaction

listen ↗

All 12 corners of the fanbase

skeptical
buying in
Boomers & Gen X+0.13
Bettors+0.05

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

fan energy
29%
recent results
16%
where the program is headed
16%
the schedule
14%
the rankings
8%

Topics are model-labeled from Reddit — a rough signal of what this fanbase is circling right now.

3160 mentions · 8 sources · week 2026-02. 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.
Belief checkmiddle of the pack

~ our readNotre Dame fans are leaning negative, and they're backing it with about as much hard evidence as anyone.

backed by facts
5% cited a stat or resultleague 6%
the mood
23% optimistic34% down

✓ counted We read 1798 posts from Notre Dame fans this week.

Forum Pulse

via NDNation · Domer Domain

Press Pulse

16 quotes collected this season

What the beat said, in their own words.

We took six times the amount of bets on Michigan moneyline compared with Western Michigan
Horne · FOX Sportsthe day after Notre Dame's 2026 opener
Customers found the most success with LSU-Clemson, Wisconsin-Notre Dame, Texas State-Texas and pretty much every other big favorite easily covering
Horne · FOX Sportsthe day after the 41–13 opener
Bettors had the most difficulties with Washington State vs. Washington, Colorado vs. Georgia Tech, Oregon vs. Boise State and Baylor vs. Auburn
Horne · FOX Sportsthe day after the 41–13 opener

Five Lenses

What people are saying right now

Radio, beat writers & editorial13 posts
One Foot Down
“The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are off to a great start in 2026. The Irish are 2-0 and are coming off of a home opener that had them as a 45 point favorite only…”
1d ago
Diehard fan boards2 posts
NDNation · Domer Domain
“Notre Dame plays host to the Rice Owls on Saturday in the first on-campus game of the season. The Fighting Irish are contending with a short week of practice…”
4d ago
News & campus coverage9 posts
News
“How Notre Dame’s opponents fared in WEEK 2 of the CFB season One Foot Down”
1d ago
CFB analyst takes9 posts
Bluesky · @onefootdownsbn.bsky.social
“How Notre Dame’s opponents fared in WEEK 2 of the CFB season www.onefootdown.com/notre-dame-f...”
1d ago

Fanbase health · Notre Dame

Notre Dame's fanbase is surging — 77 of 100.

Loud (136 weighted voices in the latest week) and winning on the field (10-2 last season, 2-0 so far).

On the field — 10-2 last season, 2-0 so far82
How loud — 136 weighted voices in the latest week73

2 of 3 signals · on-field reading uses last season until 4 games are in · 0–100, bands at 26 / 51 / 76

More in this tab

Recurring takesThe takes and theories circulating about this team right now.

Fan reads

What's in the air

The Fighting Irish are building their defensive line but must now find a new quarterback for the 2028 class.

Can Notre Dame stabilize its quarterback situation after Trey Tagliaferri's decommitment?

Aug 5→ 54
~ our read
Why does Notre Dame always get the easy path. Theyre the 🧃 of college footballYouTube · Josh Pate's College Football Show
Once again, Lincoln Riley will not beat Notre DameYouTube · Josh Pate's College Football Show

Florida's heavy NFL Draft losses make its talent pool a key battleground for Notre Dame.

Can Notre Dame sustain its recruiting momentum in Florida?

Jun 22→ 20
~ our read
TV money will not leave Notre Dame out with two losses, much less one loss. That’s why the committee was making up rules to avoid comparing them to Miami — until the ACC was about to be left out of the playoffs. That’s the perfect storm it took to…YouTube · Josh Pate's College Football Show
I don't give a rats azz about Notre Dame. They need to either join a conference and play real competition, or shut up.YouTube · Josh Pate's College Football Show
Rivalry moodBoth fanbases' moods, side by side, week by week.

Notre Dame – USC

Fan mood across the 2025 season, both sides — our read

◆★◆13456781011121314Notre DameUSC
Hover a week for both sides’ game

Shaded weeks show whose fanbase read warmer, our measure of what fans actually said, not a poll.

ArgumentsRecurring arguments this fanbase keeps returning to.

What fans are saying

Fan claims · every quote verified verbatim

scheme identityEarly signal — few voices

fans believe Notre Dame's defense has practiced against mobile quarterbacks

ND vs Rice - 28-10 Rice is a huge underdog so I expect them to use that spread triple-option to play keepaway most of the game.

Rice running the option makes me less scared than if it was another G6 team. ND has been nails against Navy since Freeman took over and implemented Navy specific practice during fall camp.

Based on 2 comments from 2 posters across 2 threads · Sep 7, 2026–Sep 10, 2026 · via CFB

scheme identityOne fan's take

One fan believes Notre Dame's defense stops triple-option offenses well

The way ND’s defense always seem to dominate these triple options so well since Freeman has been coach

Based on 1 comment from 1 poster across 1 thread · Sep 12, 2026 · via CFB

program directionOne fan's take

One fan thinks 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 performanceOne fan's take that season

One fan believes 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 decisionOne fan's take that season

One fan thinks 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 9
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

recruiting resultLimited signal 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

program directionOne fan's take

One fan believes Notre Dame starts games slowly

Notre Dame had a VERY sluggish first half, but made some great adjustments in the second half and dominated the rest of the game. Go Irish, beat Rice. Wisconsin bros, good luck this year

Based on 1 comment from 1 poster across 1 thread · Sep 7, 2026 · via CFB

schedule expectationOne fan's take

One fan believes 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

Beat writersThe reporters whose scoops move this fanbase first.
Who covers this teampress coverage
TAThe Athleticsubscriber

Pete Sampson

Notre Dame football beat writer

theathletic.com →@PeteSampson_

No financial relationship with any outlet listed. If we have a reporter wrong or missing, please let us know.

PodcastsThe shows this fanbase actually listens to.

From the booth

a recent episode about this team
The obsessionThe rival this fanbase can't stop bringing up.
Rent free · r/cfb fan posts, last season
Notre Dame fans this offseason 65% of posts bring up another team#15 of 70 saltiest · mostly about Wisconsin
Who Notre Dame fans can’t stop bringing up
  1. Wisconsin14%
  2. Michigan11%
  3. USC7%
  4. Ohio State7%
  5. Alabama6%
share of Notre Dame’s football posts that mention each team
Notre Dame lives rent-free in
  1. Wisconsin13%
  2. Miami8%
share of each rival fanbase’s football posts that bring up Notre Dame
Who they talk aboutThe people this fanbase names more than anyone else does.
Who they talk about 1,440 posts and articles vs the field · 2026 season

The names this fanbase says more than anyone else does — players, coaches, the places they keep coming back to. Not slang: these are the people carrying the conversation.

Marcus Freeman
×113.7 the field
Signature — named ≥10× as often as the rest of college football
Marcus Freeman×113.7n=116
Lambeau×23.4n=23
Faison×39.8n=16
Jeremiyah Love×117.6n=14
Adon Shuler×73.3n=12

“With NIL and Notre Dame they had a choice. Step up and spend big or risk losing Marcus Freeman to the NFL.”

youtube/CFB ON FOX · fan post, verbatim
Fans on Marcus Freeman (8 examples)
  1. Marcus Freeman best real college football HC
  2. Marcus Freeman is the coach everyone thought Riley was going to be. And that makes me sad. Every
  3. I mean neither is Marcus Freeman yet his name will be floated again this winter for several openings
  4. Marcus Freeman said fuck a September curse
  5. Best Week 2 win in Marcus Freeman head coaching history.
  6. Marcus Freeman’s Irish hope to hit the ground running after a  virtual first half stalemate
  7. Marcus Freeman in particular have to make great halftime adjustments before they understand they
  8. Yeah, but Marcus Freeman an ND took his loss and we celebrate NIU's win. They won fair and square. UM on
Voice profileHow this fanbase sounds vs. every other fanbase.
Fanbase Voice 9,680 fan mentions
Measured
Optimism
62nd
Joy
69th
Anger
45th
Doom
27th
Sarcasm
87th
vs the 94 highest-volume fanbases - 2026 season
Vocabulary by eraThe words that defined each chapter of this program.

Season Vocabulary

2026SCHEDULE
schedulewisconsinmichiganriceindianaoregon
Defense and OL are way too good for that to happen, and having an easy schedule helps.
2025DEFENSE
defenseoffenseuconnpittposrating
Gonna be a long day for KSUs run defense
2024LEONARD
leonardrileyniupennpsuriley leonard
RILEY leonard IS A COMPETENT QUARTERBACK
Defining termsThe handful of terms that carried this season.
Words of the season how the conversation changed, year to year
2026
schedule×2.3wisconsin×3.8michigan×2.4rice×10.1indiana×3.0
2025
defense×3.1offense×2.9uconn×6.8pitt×8.8pos×18.4
2024
leonard×14.1riley×12.3niu×14.5penn×4.5psu×8.3
Fanbase clusterWhich other fanbases talk the way yours does.
Your Vocabulary Clustercluster 0
with 63 other fanbases
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