Notre Dame, for the second consecutive year, endured a loss to a MAC school last Saturday. The Northern Illinois Huskies upset the Irish with just seconds on the clock, kicking a field goal to win the game 16-14. For ND and Marcus Freeman, time is running out to get this program back on track.
Notre Under Freeman
Since taking over the Irish in December 2021, Marcus Freeman has been at the helm of one of the most storied programs in all of College Football. As he enters his third year, there may be room to question whether or not he is the man to bring Notre Dame a decent season, let alone a National Championship.
A former Defensive Coordinator for ND, Freeman was hired with high expectations. Known for his aggressive style and dynamic defensive schemes, his evolution to Head Coach was only seen as the next logic step following Brian Kelley’s departure. In his first season, he showcased his potential while also foreshadowing some growing pains that would continue to plague the program.
The 2022 season began with a shocking loss to Ohio State, which set the tone for the rest of the season, one marked by inconsistency. Despite a strong finish, including a hyped victory against Clemson and a thrashing of South Carolina in the Gator Bowl, the season never seemed to be going anywhere. Ultimately, the Irish finished 9-4, far below the standard for one of CFB’s premiere programs.
Freeman’s second season in 2023 showed signs of stability. Notre Dame began the year 4-0, losing to Ohio State only by a late second touchdown, which is famously remembered for ND’s defense only having 10 players on the field. The offense, now led by transfer quarterback Sam Hartman, showed significant improvement in terms of both scoring and efficiency. But, like before, the Irish ultimately fell short of any preseason goals, finishing 10-3
Key Areas of Success and Challenges
Successes:
- Recruiting: One of Freeman’s standout achievements has been his ability to attract top-tier talent. His recruiting classes have ranked among the nation’s best, bringing in high-profile prospects who are expected to contribute significantly in the coming years.
- Player Development: Freeman has shown a knack for developing players, particularly on defense. Several of his recruits have made immediate impacts, and the overall defensive unit has become one of the more formidable in college football.
- Culture and Leadership: Freeman has worked diligently to build a strong team culture and foster leadership within the program. His energetic and motivational style has resonated well with players, contributing to a positive atmosphere in the locker room.
Challenges:
- Consistency: One of the ongoing challenges for Freeman has been achieving consistency. The Fighting Irish have struggled with maintaining peak performance across all games, which has led to some disappointing losses.
- Big Game Performance: Notre Dame’s ability to compete at the highest level in marquee matchups has been a point of concern. While the team has had notable victories, they have also faced criticism for underperforming in critical games against top-ranked opponents.
- Game Management: Freeman’s in-game decision-making has occasionally come under scrutiny. Some analysts have pointed to strategic questionable decisions during pivotal moments as areas for concern
What Notre Dame Must Do to Salvage the Season
There’s not much room for error the rest of the year for the Irish, if any. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum spoke on the issue after the shocking upset saying,
“It’s panic. You can’t look at a game against NIU and think anything other than the season is on the brink. They had the narrowest path. They can’t lose again, and if they do, they’re gone.”
Finebaum mirrors what much of the College Football World is saying. If Notre Dame wants any chance whatsoever of making the College Football Playoff, they can’t lose another game. That is the price you pay for not joining a conference.
The glaring issues that this team must stare down the barrel are fixable issues, at least in theory. The Irish have scored a grand total of 39 points through two weeks, less than some teams scored in the first half of Week 1. These offensive woes have been glorified after Veteran QB Sam Hartman left for the league (Commanders). Freeman’s inability to develop after recruiting is the key takeaway from this, with the defense being a different story. In today’s world of CFB, you must be able to develop NFL Talent at the QB position without significant drop-off. Otherwise, you risk falling behind, with recruiting and on-field results.Â
The only possible scenario where ND becomes a force yet again this season is if they can figure out the offensive struggled. They have to return to their roots, playing smashmouth football, as God intended it. Although this may contradict my previous preaching about the importance of the QB position, there’s an old saying. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Michigan has reinvented the running game (and completely abandoned it in 2024 but that’s beside the point). If physicality and mental toughness can be returned to South Bend, the talent is there for this team to succeed in 2024.Â
If no changes are brought and the season ends in disappointment like the many before it, Marcus Freeman could be well on his way out the door. Patience is running out and there’s no time to lose in this fast-paced game.
It’s a dog-eat-dog world, but as of right now Leprechauns are on the menu.