2025 Fall Practice Thread

[Irish Man3]

Just a bad look for the ND beat all the way around. All of us have our favorites or preferences, but they all looked silly over this fall camp. Desperate for stories and CMF didn’t allow access and this was the spill over.

There’s nothing I dislike from the media more than playing both sides of the fence and then puffing your chest out like you were right during the aftermath. I’d rather have you state your place and it be wrong and move forward. Gross look for most of these “paid sites” for “premium” info.

The ND beat is just not great right now. I roll with ISD because I like their staff for the most part and appreciate JamieU and his film study and take on what he sees. I also think Christian and Matt do a good job in covering recruiting. But even their pods are falling off lately if it’s not being carried by Jamie.

Give me a pod that is less concerned about being right and their bs sources and more interactive in talking about ND football and ND recruiting. This is a great time to be a ND football fan, easily the best since the Holtz years. Capitalize on that shit and give fans what they want without all the in between bs.

 

[lefty5258]

Isnt it Randal?

Rendell*

 

[NDVirginia19]

Just a bad look for the ND beat all the way around. All of us have our favorites or preferences, but they all looked silly over this fall camp. Desperate for stories and CMF didn’t allow access and this was the spill over.

There’s nothing I dislike from the media more than playing both sides of the fence and then puffing your chest out like you were right during the aftermath. I’d rather have you state your place and it be wrong and move forward. Gross look for most of these “paid sites” for “premium” info.

The ND beat is just not great right now. I roll with ISD because I like their staff for the most part and appreciate JamieU and his film study and take on what he sees. I also think Christian and Matt do a good job in covering recruiting. But even their pods are falling off lately if it’s not being carried by Jamie.

Give me a pod that is less concerned about being right and their bs sources and more interactive in talking about ND football and ND recruiting. This is a great time to be a ND football fan, easily the best since the Holtz years. Capitalize on that shit and give fans what they want without all the in between bs.

Generally I find the One Foot Down guys the most enjoyable because they a) don't really pretend like they know everything (and even said as much at the start of fall camp saying "we aren't at these practices, if you want to listen to guys breaking down 5 seconds clips listen elsewhere" and b) they are all actually genuinely ND fans and just bs a good bit for the podcasts

 

[GrangerIrish24]

So when’s the next media viewing?

Check with Arrow

 

[GoldenBoy3]

Arrow and Mercke need a damn pod!!!!!!

What’s everyone opinion of Always Irish???

 

[Dale]

“Sources around the program said Carr was the better quarterback during preseason camp in practice periods, while Minchey was better in scrimmages”

In picking CJ Carr, Marcus Freeman ended Notre Dame’s unexpected QB competition his way

The fact Carr winning the job registered as a surprise says something about both players who battled this month to be Notre Dame's next QB1.

t.co

 

[greyhammer90]

“Sources around the program said Carr was the better quarterback during preseason camp in practice periods, while Minchey was better in scrimmages”

Sources around the program have now said the following in the last 6 days:

1) Both QBs are playing equally and its been too close to call.
2) Carr is playing slightly better.
3) Carr is playing better but is too careless with the ball.
3) Minchey is unquestionably having a better fall camp than Carr.
4) Carr is better than Minchey but only in drills.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

I like how someone in 247 said the team was shocked and posted about it almost immediately after it was announced. Fuck outta here.

 

[ND87]

Can someone please explain the logic of letting Miami know who the starting QB? Would it have not been a lot wiser to let them concentrate on two different QB types?

Watch Minchey take the first 3 snaps...

 

[ND87]

Feels good to be seen

 

[Domina Nostra]

Just a bad look for the ND beat all the way around. All of us have our favorites or preferences, but they all looked silly over this fall camp. Desperate for stories and CMF didn’t allow access and this was the spill over.

There’s nothing I dislike from the media more than playing both sides of the fence and then puffing your chest out like you were right during the aftermath. I’d rather have you state your place and it be wrong and move forward. Gross look for most of these “paid sites” for “premium” info.

The ND beat is just not great right now. I roll with ISD because I like their staff for the most part and appreciate JamieU and his film study and take on what he sees. I also think Christian and Matt do a good job in covering recruiting. But even their pods are falling off lately if it’s not being carried by Jamie.

Give me a pod that is less concerned about being right and their bs sources and more interactive in talking about ND football and ND recruiting. This is a great time to be a ND football fan, easily the best since the Holtz years. Capitalize on that shit and give fans what they want without all the in between bs.

IMO, Mike Frank can be a little frustrating to listen to on occasion (honestly folks, I know a lot of people are saying a lot of things about this guy doing this and that guy doing that, but I think MF has a very selective memory regarding his recruiting evaluations, I really do. He's just selective.),

But he makes sure ISD is very careful to only report (1) what they've seen themselves or (2) are hearing from very reliable sources. They are also good about not telling you more than they should when their sources don't want them to. Matt and Christian are very good and very accurate. Jamie and Greg don't seem to push rumors or breaking info very much at all. So if ISD reported something, I don't think there is any reason at all to doubt that it was reliable or coming from someone who should know.

I also think the guys at Irish Illustrated (O'Malley, Preister, and Brice) are honest and don't seem to peddle much in sensational insider info. I just think they get can caught up in some of the bandwagons based on media reporting with the rest of the fanbase.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I think it's Miami

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Generally I find the One Foot Down guys the most enjoyable because they a) don't really pretend like they know everything (and even said as much at the start of fall camp saying "we aren't at these practices, if you want to listen to guys breaking down 5 seconds clips listen elsewhere" and b) they are all actually genuinely ND fans and just bs a good bit for the podcasts

Bingo. Well said. People like to poke fun at OFD but if you take it for what it is, a subway alum basically just writing in from a plugged-in fan's perspective, it's enjoyable. You're not going to get any breaking news from the site, but you can tell Vowles enjoys his job and loved ND football. I agree with you it's refreshing, but only if you're into that sort of "entertainment" coverage and not looking for sources of intel.

 

[FireJeffQuinn]

It's amazing to me how many dismiss Hinish. He was probably our best defensive lineman in the playoffs and was at a minimum in the top 2-3. I wasn't super high on him out of high school, but he's become a really good D Tackle.

Hmmm, that reminds me of another DT we had a few years ago...

 

[Dale]

Bud Elliott on Cover 3 claiming he has seen screenshots of texts saying of players surprised

 

[NDisme]

Generally I find the One Foot Down guys the most enjoyable because they a) don't really pretend like they know everything (and even said as much at the start of fall camp saying "we aren't at these practices, if you want to listen to guys breaking down 5 seconds clips listen elsewhere" and b) they are all actually genuinely ND fans and just bs a good bit for the podcasts

I do really enjoy those guys, my only gripe is they talk over each other way too much but it’s just friends talking which is usually how that goes.

 

[greyhammer90]

I do really enjoy those guys, my only gripe is they talk over each other way too much but it’s just friends talking which is usually how that goes.

Joshua's inability to let anyone make a point without talking over them almost kills the podcast.

 

[IRISHbluehen]

Bud Elliott on Cover 3 claiming he has seen screenshots of texts saying of players surprised

LOL I love that this is the storyline that they're now going to try to breathe life into. It only becomes a problem if he doesn't perform. And if he doesn't perform, he gets yanked. This is big boy football

 

[BeatSC]

It's amazing to me how many dismiss Hinish. He was probably our best defensive lineman in the playoffs and was at a minimum in the top 2-3. I wasn't super high on him out of high school, but he's become a really good D Tackle.

If he was our best than we weren’t very good. Penn State and Ohio Sate pushed the Dline around. If Allar didn’t suck they win. He’s an overachiever given his size but not someone who requires a double team ever. I hope he steps up to another level this year but I hope Onye is the best we’ve had in a while.

 

[Honey Nut Irish]

The media narrative feels like it is setting this team up for failure (and a false hot seat for Freeman). They are going to be ready to criticize Freeman over the QB choice if ND loses any of the first two games.

Love is a generational talent that every ND team over the last 30 years would need to capitalize on, but I don’t feel that is true for this team. This year is not natty or bust. There is no need to out perform last year.

The real measure of 2025 will be qb development. If ND goes into fall 2026 with a well established QB then expectations truly become sky high.

Personally I think the first five games will have some rough spots, but ND might be the best team in the country by the end of the season. If ND can keep it to two losses and sneak into the playoffs then strap in boys.

 

[sfk324]

The media narrative feels like it is setting this team up for failure (and a false hot seat for Freeman). They are going to be ready to criticize Freeman over the QB choice if ND loses any of the first two games.

Love is a generational talent that every ND team over the last 30 years would need to capitalize on, but I don’t feel that is true for this team. This year is not natty or bust. There is no need to out perform last year.

The real measure of 2025 will be qb development. If ND goes into fall 2026 with a well established QB then expectations truly become sky high.

Personally I think the first five games will have some rough spots, but ND might be the best team in the country by the end of the season. If ND can keep it to two losses and sneak into the playoffs then strap in boys.

My sense has been that they have been waiting to push that narrative since they started it after NIU.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Call my crazy, but I think we blow everybody out in the regular season, like 20+ pt margin of victory. I think this team is that good and the schedule is not that difficult. The toughest game is the first one, and I just feel like there will be a large talent gap. For the record, I am usually not that optimistic. This team feels different.

 

[Dale]

Prister with a solid article. Basically points out much of the discourse being Carr maybe falling a bit short of a lofty expectation more than clear buzz about Minchey’s own play.

Tim Prister’s Point After

So much of pre-season camp speculation outside of the confines of those truly privy to what happened during practice from July 31 to August 17 is scattershot. Thus, this analysis will be dotted with “seems to” and “feels like” references. It’s also grounded in reality.

247sports.com

 

[SDIrishFan]

I did think Sampson mentioned something interesting on one of the pods (can't remember which one). To paraphrase, it was that the offense hasn't been executed in fall camp in a manner that it will be in Miami. The reason being that they've been trying to protect their best player(s). It's not like we're out here grinding Love or Price down in practice trying to maximize our practice offense. This allows the defense to hone on on things because they aren't worried about Love running by them.

Also, when everything has been about "winning the job", and now it can be about executing the game plan without looking over your shoulder every five seconds, I'm imagine it will help improve both QBs play.

 

[Free Manera]

I did think Sampson mentioned something interesting on one of the pods (can't remember which one). To paraphrase, it was that the offense hasn't been executed in fall camp in a manner that it will be in Miami. The reason being that they've been trying to protect their best player(s). It's not like we're out here grinding Love or Price down in practice trying to maximize our practice offense. This allows the defense to hone on on things because they aren't worried about Love running by them.

Also, when everything has been about "winning the job", and now it can be about executing the game plan without looking over your shoulder every five seconds, I'm imagine it will help improve both QBs play.

Yeah those are good points. Once Love and Price are unleashed, and the defense does it what it does, it should be that ND doesn't need Carr to win this game for them. They just need him to not lose it.

I am betting on a shot play early in the game though. I think you show Miami real quick that stacking the box could get your doors blown off in short order.

 

[NotKoon]

Bud Elliott on Cover 3 claiming he has seen screenshots of texts saying of players surprised

And Brice on II is claiming the program was stunned by the decision

 

[Free Manera]

Sounds like they're all doubling down. Bold strategy Cotton!

 

[SDIrishFan]

And Brice on II is claiming the program was stunned by the decision

I know we'll never find out, but to be a fly on the wall when the decision was made and what the determining factors were would be fascinating.

 

[Ophiocordyceps]

Did Carr's camp threaten to transfer if not named starter? Is it just sour grapes by talking heads? Something doesn't add up.

 

[Free Manera]

Did Carr's camp threaten to transfer if not named starter? Is it just sour grapes by talking heads? Something doesn't add up.

You have to assume QB2 was always going to transfer, whoever it was. That's just the way it is. Somebody will pay Kenny a couple million next year to start.