General team info

[HolyCross87]

I may have to call a doctor in 4 hours.....I'll be embarrassed to say I didn't take anything.

 

[CoachB]

Man, as an o-line coach myself, that was probably my favorite video of the offseason. Our guys are nasty. Including the 2's. I am thinking our 2's might pour the score on people this season.

 

[RudyVerse]

Man, as an o-line coach myself, that was probably my favorite video of the offseason. Our guys are nasty. Including the 2's. I am thinking our 2's might pour the score on people this season.

Certainly feel really good about Styles Prescott and am grateful he’s still on the roster. Got beat once in spring game by Keon Keeley.

 

[NDPhilly]

ESPN's preseason FPI is up - We're starting the season at #3, with a 25.9 rating.

We ended 2024 #3 at 25.2 and 2025 again at #3 at 25.3 (lol)

2025 College Football Power Index - ESPN

View the 2025 College Football power index on ESPN. The FPI is the best predictor of a team's performance going forward for the rest of the season.

www.espn.com

 

[Crazy Balki]

A 1 hour breakdown of 7 of our OL for this year:

Watching that play by Jagusah at 22:28

Man...Jags ended that dude's lineage.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Certainly feel really good about Styles Prescott and am grateful he’s still on the roster. Got beat once in spring game by Keon Keeley.

May he go down as the next in the line of great ND players whose names we consistently misspelled.

 

[Irish#1]

Watching that play by Jagusah at 22:28

Man...Jags ended that dude's lineage.

Reminded me of the play where Q took care of his guy in pass pro. 2:10 mark

<iframe width="1667" height="938" src="" title="Quentin Nelson &quot;The Finisher&quot; |Notre Dame | OL #56 NFL Draft 2018" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

I may have to call a doctor in 4 hours.....I'll be embarrassed to say I didn't take anything.

 

[CoachB]

Its annoying seeing all these Miami/ND previews bragging saying they shut down the ND run game with Love/Price so they will again. The main reason they slowed down the run game was an uncharacteristically bad game plan by Mike and staff. They tried to protect CJ too much, so all they threw is short screens to the flats on RPOs. The result of that was 10 Hurricane Defenders in the box and flying up every play. When they finally allowed CJ to open it up, ND started scoring. Later we all know that CJ was one of the best throwing downhill shots. That would have opened up J Love and JD without a doubt. Cannot run block with 9/10 defenders in the box, no matter how good you are. I think Miami may be a bit surprised by our run game this year.

 

[NDMatt91]

Its annoying seeing all these Miami/ND previews bragging saying they shut down the ND run game with Love/Price so they will again. The main reason they slowed down the run game was an uncharacteristically bad game plan by Mike and staff. They tried to protect CJ too much, so all they threw is short screens to the flats on RPOs. The result of that was 10 Hurricane Defenders in the box and flying up every play. When they finally allowed CJ to open it up, ND started scoring. Later we all know that CJ was one of the best throwing downhill shots. That would have opened up J Love and JD without a doubt. Cannot run block with 9/10 defenders in the box, no matter how good you are. I think Miami may be a bit surprised by our run game this year.

Miami fans have been so cocky this offseason. It's a shame that Jim Phillips, the ACC Commissioner, was a coward and did nothing to stop or call out Miami from tampering with Mensah, who was under contract with Duke and wasn't even in the portal, at the 11th hour. If he showed some backbone and worked to stop it, like the Big 10 Commissioner did when LSU tried to poach Demond Williams, Miami's season would be cooked and their fans would get a slice of humble pie.

 

[smw6230]

Its annoying seeing all these Miami/ND previews bragging saying they shut down the ND run game with Love/Price so they will again.

Hetherman called a good game against ND but I could have called a good game as DC with a 1st time QB under center in his first game as a starter along with a rebuilt OL that included a couple of 1st time starters. Going in Hetherman knew that Denbrock would lean run and give his QB A/B options outside the hash to protect him. So Hetherman kept numbers in the box and took his chances with a 1st time starter beating him.

Safe bet.

He couldn't and wouldn't have called the same game by week 4 of the season.

The biggest reason Miami won that game was they absolutely abused ND's slot CB who got torched for IIRC 130yds. Toss in Adon Shuler freezing and waiting on a Beck pass in the EZ and that was just enough of a margin for victory.

 

[allenm5333]

Hetherman called a good game against ND but I could have called a good game as DC with a 1st time QB under center in his first game as a starter along with a rebuilt OL that included a couple of 1st time starters. Going in Hetherman knew that Denbrock would lean run and give his QB A/B options outside the hash to protect him. So Hetherman kept numbers in the box and took his chances with a 1st time starter beating him.

Safe bet.

He couldn't and wouldn't have called the same game by week 4 of the season.

The biggest reason Miami won that game was they absolutely abused ND's slot CB who got torched for IIRC 130yds. Toss in Adon Shuler freezing and waiting on a Beck pass in the EZ and that was just enough of a margin for victory.

I really don't think you could

 

[Fbolt]

Yep, Hetherman absolutely crushed his game plan and had that D rolling. All with a high amount of transfers. I was impressed-he certainly outperformed Ash IMO.

 

[Irishokie]

Yep, Hetherman absolutely crushed his game plan and had that D rolling. All with a high amount of transfers. I was impressed-he certainly outperformed Ash IMO.

Is it true we kind of had locker room turmoil aka players/position coaches not bought in to Ash until after the Purdue game?

 

[Fbolt]

No idea.

 

[Irish8248]

Is it true we kind of had locker room turmoil aka players/position coaches not bought in to Ash until after the Purdue game?

There was certainly enough smoke and implied messaging to assume that. MFMF hinted to it during an interview/team talk after the TAMU loss. I don't think we ever got confirmation on where the disconnect was but I'm pretty confident it was not just players who didn't buy in yet, coaching staff politics were a culprit too.

 

[arrowryan]

Miami fans have been so cocky this offseason. It's a shame that Jim Phillips, the ACC Commissioner, was a coward and did nothing to stop or call out Miami from tampering with Mensah, who was under contract with Duke and wasn't even in the portal, at the 11th hour. If he showed some backbone and worked to stop it, like the Big 10 Commissioner did when LSU tried to poach Demond Williams, Miami's season would be cooked and their fans would get a slice of humble pie.

Miami is the ACC’s only chance at a CFP run. The rest of the conference is pretty much dog shit, At this point. So, no, I’m not surprised Phillips turned his cheek at that.

 

[arrowryan]

Its annoying seeing all these Miami/ND previews bragging saying they shut down the ND run game with Love/Price so they will again. The main reason they slowed down the run game was an uncharacteristically bad game plan by Mike and staff. They tried to protect CJ too much, so all they threw is short screens to the flats on RPOs. The result of that was 10 Hurricane Defenders in the box and flying up every play. When they finally allowed CJ to open it up, ND started scoring. Later we all know that CJ was one of the best throwing downhill shots. That would have opened up J Love and JD without a doubt. Cannot run block with 9/10 defenders in the box, no matter how good you are. I think Miami may be a bit surprised by our run game this year.

I don’t blame Miami fans for feeling confident about this game. They played a great game and made some of Notre Dame’s offensive linemen look really really bad. In fact, that game made me realize Wagner would never be able to play against CFP level competition.

There’s a few differences in the 2026 matchup, versus the 2025 matchup:

1.) Miami has a bunch of NFL players to replace on the OL and DL. Specifically, three first round talents. Not saying they don’t have talented players to replace them with, but Reuben Bain and Francis Mauigoa don’t grow on trees.

2.) As you stated above, Mike Denbrock’s chicken shit, “play not to lose” game plan was awful. I’ll never say no to giving the ball to Love and Price. But when the OL is getting their shit kicked in up front in the run game, it’s time to find something else. A much experienced Carr, better OL, and better WR group should help a lot here.

3.) Miami was the better team in many facets last year. But it’s hard to ignore they had some incredibly lucky bounces go their way, and they also benefited from terrible personnel decisions made by Chris Ash and our favorite Mike Mickens.

Carr’s interception happened because it bounced off the receiver’s foot. Why Denbrock called an RPO on 3rd and 1 was also dumb. He made his first time starting QB have to think and make a decision. Just give the ball to Love and hope he can get a yard.

What Adon Shuler was doing on that touchdown pass before halftime will always remain a mystery. That should’ve ended with one of 3 possible outcomes: an interception, a pass breakup, or he should’ve knocked that WR into next week. Instead, he did none of the three and gave up a touchdown.

Karson Hobbs should’ve never never never never been in that game. There is zero chance he showed anything in Fall camp to warrant him sniffing the field. That’s a coaching failure that played a large roll in them starting 0-2.

 

[pumpdog20]

I don’t blame Miami fans for feeling confident about this game. They played a great game and made some of Notre Dame’s offensive linemen look really really bad. In fact, that game made me realize Wagner would never be able to play against CFP level competition.

There’s a few differences in the 2026 matchup, versus the 2025 matchup:

1.) Miami has a bunch of NFL players to replace on the OL and DL. Specifically, three first round talents. Not saying they don’t have talented players to replace them with, but Reuben Bain and Francis Mauigoa don’t grow on trees.

2.) As you stated above, Mike Denbrock’s chicken shit, “play not to lose” game plan was awful. I’ll never say no to giving the ball to Love and Price. But when the OL is getting their shit kicked in up front in the run game, it’s time to find something else. A much experienced Carr, better OL, and better WR group should help a lot here.

3.) Miami was the better team in many facets last year. But it’s hard to ignore they had some incredibly lucky bounces go their way, and they also benefited from terrible personnel decisions made by Chris Ash and our favorite Mike Mickens.

Carr’s interception happened because it bounced off the receiver’s foot. Why Denbrock called an RPO on 3rd and 1 was also dumb. He made his first time starting QB have to think and make a decision. Just give the ball to Love and hope he can get a yard.

What Adon Shuler was doing on that touchdown pass before halftime will always remain a mystery. That should’ve ended with one of 3 possible outcomes: an interception, a pass breakup, or he should’ve knocked that WR into next week. Instead, he did none of the three and gave up a touchdown.

Karson Hobbs should’ve never never never never been in that game. There is zero chance he showed anything in Fall camp to warrant him sniffing the field. That’s a coaching failure that played a large roll in them starting 0-2.

Miami had all that and still just won by 3.

 

[stlnd01]

Miami had all that and still just won by 3.

At home. Against a QB starting his first game.

I would think Miami's confidence stems more from their playoff run than from narrowly beating us at the start of last season. I don't really know what last year's game means for this year's game. Both teams will have played 20+ other games in between the two contests, turned over key players, all that. Going into the season, I think Miami is good. I think we are better. We also will be at home, in November, and (I'd assume) highly motivated. I would not bet on Miami to win. But let's see what the first eight weeks of the season bring.

 

[irishandy]

Man, as an o-line coach myself, that was probably my favorite video of the offseason. Our guys are nasty. Including the 2's. I am thinking our 2's might pour the score on people this season.

100% agree about the o-line. ND has depth at many positions on this year's team, a lot of guys are going to make plays for ND this season.

 

[NDPhilly]

FYI ND is preseason #1 for Phil Steele. He’s the mad I typically buy. Ton of info.

Phil Steele releases 2026 preseason poll, ranking all college football teams, 1 to 138

Phil Steele has released his 2026 preseason poll as he ranked all teams in college football from No. 1 to 138.

www.on3.com

Home - Phil Steele

[...]Read More... from Home

philsteele.com

 

[jprue24]

What Adon Shuler was doing on that touchdown pass before halftime will always remain a mystery. That should’ve ended with one of 3 possible outcomes: an interception, a pass breakup, or he should’ve knocked that WR into next week. Instead, he did none of the three and gave up a touchdown.

Stop overthinking it. He was expecting to catch the ball against his chest. The wr made an amazing catch.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Stop overthinking it. He was expecting to catch the ball against his chest. The wr made an amazing catch.

Exactly. There was probably a 5% or less chance that a WR makes that catch.

The same people that scream at Adon for not trying to blow up the receiver and forget about going for the ball -------- are the same people that would've been screaming at Adon "why didn't he go for the interception, the ball was clearly overthrown".

Dude just made a nearly impossible catch.

 

[CoachB]

Yeah, it was quite possibly a pick six.

 

[jprue24]

Exactly. There was probably a 5% or less chance that a WR makes that catch.

The same people that scream at Adon for not trying to blow up the receiver and forget about going for the ball -------- are the same people that would've been screaming at Adon "why didn't he go for the interception, the ball was clearly overthrown".

Dude just made a nearly impossible catch.

Only seem to see comments about Shuler, too. Never/few comments about the top 5 draft pick biting on the double move.... because it was a great catch.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Stop overthinking it. He was expecting to catch the ball against his chest. The wr made an amazing catch.

View attachment 3064045

View attachment 3064044

First thing I see this morning 😢

 

[Pete]

 

[Blazers46]

Amazing those SEC games just seem meh to me.

 

[greyhammer90]

Amazing those SEC games just seem meh to me.

UGA vs Ole Miss is a rematch of their playoff game last year, and UGA has had a weirdly horrible time against Ole Miss lately. I'll be interested in it.

LSU Bama is meh beyond the brands, though I suppose an SEC championship game appearance has a good chance to be on the line.