JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Aug. 26, 2026

Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Aug. 26, 2026

This chat is available to members only. Please log in to participate.

Eric Hansen

3:07

OK, I have run out of time with some really good questions still percolating in the question portal. I blame my slow fingers, but the problem might be above the eyebrows. In any event, thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET.

3:05

Hi Ryan. We haven't written about Will Black much, because he has been so steady. We've been writing about the moving parts. Freshman cornerback Ayden Pouncy has played very well in a very, very deep cornerbacks room. There is something about him that I really like in terms of finding some kind of role this year and being a standout down the road.

Ryan Frankfort Illinois

3:03

Good afternoon Eric how has Will black and Ayden Pouncey looked during practice I’m excited to see how both look during the season GO IRISH ☘️☘️🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

3:02

Don't usually do my predictions until game week and my grandkids hid my magic 8-ball, so I will go with one I reserve the right to amend. Notre Dame 31, Wisconsin 10.

ced

3:01

ced walker Saginaw Michigan aka sagnasty Saginaw pride what is your early prediction vs Wisconsin my prediction 31-17 God Bless This Football Team here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd God country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

Eric Hansen

3:01

Ciao Paul. 3 Times since 2015, Notre Dame went into a season with its backup quarterbacks having yet to throw their first collegiate pass — which will also be the case in 2026. The Irish went 10-3 in each of those seasons — 2023, 2017 and 2015. The No. 2 quarterback made at least one start each of those years — DeShone Kizer took over for an injured Malik Zaire in Game 2 of 2015 and started the 11 games that followed. Ian Book started and won at North Carolina for an injured Brandon Wimbush in 2017, and Steve Angeli started and won the Sun Bowl matchup with Oregon State when Sam Hartman opted out. I owe you more Italian lingo or some lasagna, just running out of time LOL.

Paul from Knoxville

3:00

Ciao Eric: I enjoyed your article on CJ Carr's evolution, and have a few related questions. Has there been more emphasis during camp on CJ adjusting protections in passing situations, or is he already highly adept in this regard? Since the BK era, do you recall when a QB2 had less game experience than is likely this season, or has this been the case more often than not? In the same timeframe, do you recall how many times a QB1 was injured and QB2 had to play multiple games? I think I remember Dayne Crist, Everett Golson, and Malik Zaire getting hurt for extended periods but any others? Btw, mi piace molto la tua idea cambiare il nome a "Notre Dame Football Live Chiacchierata." Forse per la prima partita di pallacanestro per le donne Irlandese in Roma? It could add a touch of Italian flair for the game!

Eric Hansen

2:58

I am up against the clock here, Jules, but I don't share that what bad happened in the past to Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame teams are destined to repeat itself, because of the way he approaches coaching. Challenge everything. So it it's broken, he fixes it. If it's not broken, he fixes it. There is always a drive to improve and evolve and I think helps break those patterns.

Jules, Joliet, Il

2:56

Other than injuries, I have two concerns about the 2026 season: 1. Under CMF ND has had September losses some which were to bad teams. Will this season be different? 2. I have doubts about the passing game. Specifically the WRs. Are they good enough to take them deep into the playoffs? Any thoughts on this??

Eric Hansen

2:56

Hi Jim, these hypotheticals are difficult not knowing what you are comparing them to. If I am understanding you correctly, Notre Dame is 12-0 in this scenario, right? Then yes, that's a top 4 resume. If they lost to Miami in a close game, not it's not.

Jim in Anthony TX

2:53

Eric,Greetings from the center of the heat dome or darn close to it. I feel like a kid before Christmas, a young couple waiting for the arrival of their first child, a politician on election night!! The wait for this first game is making my palms sweat. First off, what a cool article by Tyler James about all the things going on for this game in Green Bay, WS, especially the history between the Packers and Notre Dame. This is a what if question: What if Notre Dame runs the table this year and beats everyone by double digits except for Miami and the teams on our schedule don't have very good years (heavy dose of 7-5, 6-6 records). Do you think we could still get a top 4 seed? I realize a lot depends on how the other 11 teams do also. Also, when will you give us a score prediction for Wisconsin ?

Eric Hansen

2:53

Hey Ed. I like him. Very much a dual-threat guy and ran all over Indiana in a semi-close game (27-14 IU win) last season when he was at Old Dominion. He did not pass well against the Hoosiers, throwing 3 picks. Does Wisconsin have enough offensively around him. I think Chris Ash has the personnel and the scheme to give him problems, but I do like who he could turn out to be for Wisconsin as the season progresses.

Ed from Sayville NY

2:48

Hi Eric. Traveling this week so getting my question in early. What can you tell us about Colton Joseph, the transfer from Old Dominion, and projected starter at QB for Wisconsin? My understanding is he is seen as a “dual threat.” How might the Irish defense choose to respond to his varied skill set?

Eric Hansen

2:46

On Micah Gilbert's surge, it's real and it's spectacular and started with a long stretch of good health that he took advantage of.

2:45

Hey Tony, is that like Where in the World is Carmen San Diego? If so, I'm in. ... The messaging with the team isn't as hard as you might think. They had a scar from Dec. 7. Remember "Keep the Pain" and Leave No Doubt"? There's even a cool song about the latter. But it's how Freeman lives his life and conducts practices. Even when everything appears to be going just fine, "challenge everything" and push limits. I wrote a column actually about that pretty recently: Playing 'Follow the Leader' with CJ Carr inside Notre Dame football’s national title push
(more)

Tony, Lake Mary, FL

Well got cut off. Because of the enter button. Anyway, for my questions. The number of pundits picking the Irish feels like a bad omen and when Herbie and Joey Galloway said they will get on a group text with Freeman, I hope he can manage that messaging with the team. They are still college kids. How does he manage the messaging? Unrelated, how has Micah Gilbert's growth played out. He does not seem to be simply the best remaining boundary not named Quincy Porter but actually has earned that trust.

2:40

Hey Eric, it has been a while since I have been in the chat. Been too busy studying for the daily maptap geography competition on the LSB!!! Got a solid group of daily posters; you should try it

Eric Hansen

2:40

Hey Berk!! I'll jump right to your question. The guy Premer reminds me most of, and I'm not a big remind me kind of guy, is Tyler Warren, former Penn State All-American.

Berk

2:39

Hey there, Eric. Berk coming to you from the HEAT DOME that is Memphis. Thanks for all the great information that you continuously provide for us. Can I quickly get into a thought I have, I seriously do not see anyone other than Miami or maybe BYU that has the talent to run 12 personal and run right at ND's defense and shorten the game to be competitive in the fourth quarter. I am a big Bill Parcel's fan and I don't think in todays game no one has the patience to run "3 yards and a cloud of dust" and stick to it and be successful. I see us with a good chance to win all the regular season games by double digits. Sorry to ramble, my question is since you have seen some practice time can you give me a former ND or NFL TE Ian Primer reminds you of? Thanks so much and one more week until Game #1 of the Redemption Tour begins!!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

2:38

Hi Robb. Last year's 40 receptions were the lowest since 2016 and the 546 recieving yards the lowest since 2018. And there was 1 TD ... by Ty Washington. So I am going to ride with 45/600/4.

Robb, Edwardsburg

2:36

Hey Eric, What would you classify as a solid season for the TE group as it relates to pass receiving? 30/400/4 TD.

Eric Hansen

2:36

Don, if people are underestimating the Irish wide receivers, I think they are in for a big surprise.

Don from Los Angeles

2:35

Hey Eric…first time post. What’s your take on the real secret to the season being over performance by the receiver corps? I think we have PTSD and we’re not looking at them objectively.

Eric Hansen

2:35

The No. 1 defense and Chris Ash cooking up pressures really helped the backup QBs grow this month and get them prepared in case they were needed. I like your captain picks. This is a team that could have 17 and still might not get all the deserving ones. I'd throw Leonard Moore and Jason Onye into that mix too. But there are others. As far as the point differential, one thing I love about these chat is that I get questions I'd never dream up to ask myself. The bad news is, my mind doesn't gravitate to this specific kind of equation, so it would be like me trying to speak Portuguese. I'll roll with your prediction!

2:31

Hi Tom!!!! The exlamation points at the end of your post got me fired up! Yes more 1s vs. 1s, and couldn't tell you how many exactly, but usually it's not for a whole practice, per see or all the team periods. But that was an emphasis to have the team more camera ready for September. Given the evenness of how those matchups played out, I would say both. But here's a benefit of having your 1s going against the 2s and how that can help: (more)

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

2:21

Hi Eric. Once again, you have managed to get us thru the abyss between football seasons! Thank you. Do you know how often #1 v #1 there was in camp? Once or twice or more? Which side of the ball, O or D, will benefit the most from those match ups when it comes to facing an opponent?? Captains should be announced soon, my guesses are Bowen, Shuler, Carr and either Knapp or C. Flanagan. What do you think??? Do you think 2026 team will surpass '25's Point Differential of 24.4/game??? It will be close, even without a 70-point Syracuse game. Our '66 Championship team, which will honor our 60 Year Reunion at the Rice game, finished with an astounding 36.2/game difference!!!! Now let's Gooooo Irish!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

2:20

Hi Denny, speaking of Landon Tengwall, that might be a fun story to do with him, because I don't think I can do it justice here. Not every lineman can play inside and out, but a lot of them can. Sometimes a tackle doesn't have the bend to play guard. Sometimes an interior player doesn't have the length or athleticism to be on an island at tackle. Let's take Anthonie Knapp. Pretty darn athletic and very technically sound at left tackle, but didn't have the reach and the length. Move him inside to guard and those skills translate to All-America caliber. But let me put in a pin in this for a story I might even try to tackle this weekend.

Denny from Beaverton

2:17

Hi Eric; Many times I wonder how coaches judge what position a guy should play on the offensive line. You often hear of a guy moving from tackle to guard in order to get the best five on the field at the same time. You have spoken with many offensive line veteran players so I am sure you have insight on what factors determine where a guy will play. I am so looking forward to the season and your insights about the team. Thank You!

Eric Hansen

2:17

Hi Tom. I would imagine there is for high school backs. I'm not sure they understand that it might be a good investment at that age. But the good thing is, Ja'Juan Seider is a heck of a position coach, and he demands it. He also teaches his RBs to see the game through the QB's eyes, because it enhances their physical talents, being able to decipher fronts and coverages.

Tom in Evanston

2:14

Hi Eric. Seeing the quotes from Denbrock on the freshmen RB got me to thinking. There is that QB school and all sorts of QB whisperers out there, but is there a similar deal for young RBs so they can learn stuff like pass protection? It seems to take them forever to learn it at ND and earning the coaching staff's trust takes even longer. It's the way to earlier playing time...

Eric Hansen

2:14

Hi Don, thanks. Not yet, and one of the reasons Styles Prescod surfaced as a possible starter is because of how diligent the staff is about rebuidling the depth with Augustine out. Right now you feel pretty good about the depth. One more injury before Augustine comes back would put them in a more fragile situation depth-wise.

Don in Scottsdale, AZ

2:12

Eric, are you ready for some football? Have injuries at the O line moved it from strength to question mark? Keep up the great work and glad they declined a week 0 game with SC.

Eric Hansen

2:11

Not in the rotation at this time. Has the potentional to be, but needs to stack consistent days to get in that conversation.

Terrence

2:11

What is the word on Cam Williams

Eric Hansen

2:11

So they are asking me questions about sports writing and what my life is like and such? Gosh, that would bore anybody to tears. Least want? I like talking to all of them, so that's tough. Maybe Loren Landow, because he'd probably also want me to life something heavy or go run laps if he didn't like my answers?

Playfunky

2:08

Freaky Friday question—if you changed bodies with one of the ND coaches you’ve covered—who would you least want to take questions from and why?

Eric Hansen

2:08

Given Prescod's rating as Notre Dame's 56th-best offensive player out of 58 last season, per Pro Football Focus, I accused Landon or hitting the punch bowl a little too hard. While he didn't deny that, he was impressed by Prescod, so it's been a gradual improvement. Again, I see it as a positive, however it ends up.

2:06

Prescod has NOT won the job, but he has put himself in the mix. And I see that as a positive. And I have to give Landon Tengwall a lot of credit. Landon is a former Penn State O-lineman, who does some YouTube work with Mike Singer and I -- and has his own really good film study channel on YouTube. But Landon texted me on the 4th of July and was raving about Presod's Blue-Gold Game film. (more)

2:03

Hi Andy. It actually happened ahead of the 2024 season, when Anthonie Knapp and Sam Pendleton surfaced at the top of the depth chart at left tackle and left guard, respectively. And remember this is largely driven by a couple of injuries -- Charles Jagusah's long term one and Matty Augustine's broken foot earlier this month. I think Augustine would have won the job. But the ND coaches aren't BSing when they say competition brings out the best, and to shut down a competition early, I think, invites complacency. (more)

AndyC

2:00

Hi Eric - my first chat experience but loooong-time BGI subscriber and 1982 Law alum. Your view of the RG position, please? In your long experience, how often have you seen a situation like this in which some player comes out of nowhere 2 weeks before the first game to challenge for a starting OL spot? Or is Coach Rudolph just testing Prescod for backup role? Thanks much and thank you for all your great contributions. And Go Irish!

Load More Messages

Connecting…

Message History

On Off

Your current subscriptions

None

E-mail Address	Chat Owner	Status	Remove

Enter your email address to be notified when Eric Hansen hosts a chat