I want to add, if the staff are playing mind games with Carr.... that's concerning as hell to me. I don't see any long term positives from fucking with your players' heads to test them. It breeds mistrust and encroaches on setting them up for failure. I would be shocked if that is what was happening. I think there are better ways.
For me, it will come down to Carr and being able to make the throws he thinks he can make. If he starts hitting those tiny windows with consistency, ND should be able to maximize this team's potential. If he isn't hitting those windows and cannot adjust his decision making, then ND may be in for some devastating TOs and Carr isn't ready to be Freeman's QB.
If Minchey knows the offense well enough to audible and if he isn't turning the ball over, ND can make the playoffs. If his reported inability to run the offense as well as Carr is accurate, will he be trusted to make changes at the line? Wimbush against Georgia wasn't allowed (didn't know the check) to make changes at the line and it severely hampered the offense. He has to consistently show that he is the safer QB. If he is doing that, I think he starts because ND is about winning, right now.
I just hope the guy who wins the job won't miss wide open WRs too often. I'm mentally preparing for a lot of "check with me" play calls