JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Dec. 23, 2025 | 12/23/2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Dec. 23, 2025

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Eric Hansen

3:36

OK that's going to do it for today. I really apologize for not getting close to cleaning out the queue. We WILL be back next Wednesday at noon, which is New Year's Eve day. Thanks for all the great question. Happy Holidays to all!

3:35

9. They will be ranked No. 2 10. Big time.

3:34

Merry Christmas Tony (and family) and thanks so much for the card! We've got to do this rapid fire, so let's roll. I am soooo late for my next assignment. 1) Answered earlier. 2) Portal guy or Dallas Golden, I'll say portal. 3. Aneyas Williams. 4) 113 to negative-5. Just kidding. 31 to 13. 5. Of course. 6. before during and after. 7. Not unless there's an injury, but he'll find a role and play a lot ... maybe even on offense in the red zone. 8. Heck yes. (more)

2581

3:30

Tony from Lexington, KY --- Howdy, Eric! And Merry Christmas to you & yours ! You've had an impactful first Fall with B&G ! I have never asked you for a prediction before, but here goes. Please predict the following for the 2026 football season: (1) ND's starting offensive line; (2) our starting nickel back; (3) who will be RB#1; (4) the score of Wisconsin v. ND on 9/6; (5) will our home game v. Miami on 11/7 be at night; (6) will Texas Tech's coach criticize the fact that ND isn't in a conference in the week before we play at BYU; (7) will Joey O'Brien crack the starting lineup at some point next season; (8) will ND make the CFP; (9) if your answer to #8 is yes, where will ND be ranked entering the CFP; and (10) will Jeremiyah Love be a star in the NFL during his rookie season? Since you don't allow 17-part questions, I reckon I could have asked 6 more, but 10 is enough! I know that it is impossible to make many of these predictions in 2025, but that is why you are the greatest! Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

3:30

I apologize for everyone I can't get to today. Hopefully, what we missed we can revisit on the chat next Wednesday. One more before I head to my next assignment.

3:29

Hi Jack. I think it's a great question that kind of falls out of the way I process things. But let me give it a shot. I think Notre Dame needs the game more for schedule strength in November every other year. But I think the ND game is more valuable than the USC leadership realizes it. To me it makes USC just another Big Ten team, and one that doesn't particularly travel well.

Jack, Strongsville, Oh

3:27

Hi Eric. Happy Holidays to you and family. Does Notre Dame need the game more with USC or does USC need the game more with ND from a national perspective? BYU is a good team but it definitely does not have the pizazz as an USC.I think you pointed out on FNS that USC has not been successful in the Eastern and Central time zones and with the move to the Big Ten do they really need another game in the Midwest. Thanks for the great work throughout the year.

Eric Hansen

3:26

Don, Happy Holidays to you. Appreciate you. This is a bit too much for me to bite off without giving it some deeper thought, but I appreciate that you assess my intellect to be at a level to answer that off the fop of my head! There is more change coming to the sport. Not sure if it will look like what you laid out, but those concepts are being talked about. What I will say is Congressional guardrails and support need to be part of any solution/evolution that is lasting and meaningful.

Don in Scottsdale

3:24

Eric, first and foremost, Merry Christmas to you and yours. Hope Santa delivers the goods to you and the team at B&G. As an older alum the independence of ND has always been a point of pride. Times have certainly changed, and it might be time for ND football to question independence. I think the top 60 teams need to be in a league that operates outside the current conferences. Basically, CFB would be outside the traditional athletic conference domain. What has to happen to create real change in this crazy sport? By the way, Happy New Year!

Eric Hansen

3:23

I'm doing a piece on this tomorrow. If everyone is healthy and there are no further NFL declarations or transfers on the line, I'd say Jagusah, Schrauth Knapp/Craig, Black, Lambert.

Matt from DC

3:21

Merry Christmas Eric! If you had to put in a prediction (accounting for who you think will declare early or transfer), what will ND’s offensive line look like in week 1 next season from left to right?

Eric Hansen

3:21

I think Joey McGuire is an excellent coach who makes very little sense and has little to gain from making remarks than make him look like a rube. And speaking of schedule strength, Texas Tech's non-conference schedule consisted of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Kent State and Oregon State, and next year consists of Oregon State, Abilene Christian and Sam Houston State, so not sure he is pontificating from a position of strength. But the Red Raiders did have a hell of a year. I'll give them that.

Smitty, Tempe

3:15

Eric - I'm admittedly biased on ND's independence, but I don't understand why other schools and coaches (and fans!) say that ND has an unfair scheduling advantage being independent. While this year was a weak schedule, they still played 4 ranked teams, which is competitive with most of the other playoff teams. They didn't play any FCS schools, which I equate to a week off. With the size of the Big 10 and SEC, the difficulty of those schedules seem to vary wildly from team to team. The ACC and Big 12 are weak. Then you have teams like Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Miami that didn't even make it to their conf championship games but still made the playoffs. So why do coaches (ie Joey McGuire) continue to harp on ND not being in a conference as being unfair? It's certainly a risk on ND's part. Some years they reap the benefits, other years it might bite them. But I don't think, from a scheduling perspective, it inherently makes their schedule easier. Your thoughts?

Eric Hansen

3:15

But I know where you're coming from. I just saw a story the other day on a quarterback who will be at his seventh school in seven years. I wonder if he's a sophomore academically.

SOUTH BEND, IN – The University of Notre Dame leads all NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision institutions, along with Northwestern University, with a 99 Graduation Success Rate (GSR), as released by the NCAA on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. The 99 rating for Notre Dame and Northwestern leads the way among football competing schools in the country, followed by Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke and Stanford all with a 97 rating.

3:14

Buon Natale, Al. For those who don't speak Italian and don't want to run it through a translator, that line about Paul only drinking water at the table is pure gold! But untrue, I bet. Yes, it's a more complicated formula, but Notre Dame — not surprisingly excels in the new(er) academic accounting system. Here's is the first part of a news release we received last month on the topic ...

Al from Vicenza

3:08

Buon Natale, Eric! Non rispondere più a Paul di Knoxville. È furbo, disonesto e beve solo l'acqua a tavolo. Nah, he's a good guy, actually. We were roomies in Flanner in the '80s. Eric, my question has to do with academics. Does the NCAA or any other body the oversees college athletics still keep track of how many players actually graduate? Do they even care? With so many players being able to transfer and play immediately elsewhere, and then potentially transfer any number of subsequent times prior to exhausting eligibility, how does some organization responsible for tracking graduation rates, access what institution has responsibility for trying to ensure academic success? And, on a completely different academic topic, why doesn't Notre Dame list the academic majors of it's athletes like they used to up until about ten years ago?

Eric Hansen

3:08

OK, we've hit the bewitching hour, so let me try to get to a few more of those, so I don't get any coal for you all.

If you joined a conference in football, think again. They'd find a new reason not to like Notre Dame. Merry Christmas.

3:07

Hi George. Love the compliments, thank you. I think one of the hardest parts of being a Notre Dame football fan is being media savvy. And that's in no way an insult to you or anyone else. It's hard to know what is someone with actual legit intel and some guy in his mom's basement running our stories through an AI platform to come up with a YouTube show script. And then there's blowhards on TV who feel like it's their job to entertain, not t being journalistic principles to their work. So much or what you are reading is overstated, overblown or fabricated. Not all of it. So let's address what's real. The CFP selection process and format needs to evolve. The ACC relationship needs to be revisited, refined and maybe eventually abandoned if it cannot be improved to help both sides, frankly. The sky is not falling. But there is work to be done. And Notre Dame will always have detractors. Always. That can't be what drives your decisions as a program/school. And if you think those detractors would disappear (more)

George

2:58

From Boston Massachusetts. Love the chats ,the humor , insights and hard work ! But seriously, is it finally over for the mystique of independence being an option for Notre Dame? The loss of USC series (huge loss for all of college ball going forward) ,the weak 2026 schedule, (fallout from Notre Dame public outcry of bowl snub? the rumors ADs no longer willing to play ball with out of conference matchups, the uproar for the special treatment for being ranked 12 in playoffs next year, rumors ESPN and committee members back channeling for the loss of independence, jealousy for the huge singular payout for last year playoff appearance,fued with Acc. Has Notre Dame worn out it's welcome with too many parties and might be forced to take seat in a conference to even survive.? The 2026 schedule feels undefeated or they will have to choke down pop tarts next year or worse. Getting close to 17 parter but does all above lay ground work for freeman jumping to NFL and perhaps justified even with loaded talent

Eric Hansen

2:58

Jack, I don't know those dates, but now that we have all 12 opponents, I'm sure the full schedule will be released soon.

Jack - Rochester, NY

2:57

Merry Christmas! With BYU swapping places with USC as our 12th opponent next season, what is your prediction on the dates of our TBA games? I know Wisconsin - UNC are set, but I am interested where you think our Bye, @Syracuse, Stanford, SMU, and BYU might fall.

Eric Hansen

2:57

Scott!!!!!! I was sipping my coffee while I was reading that, and when I got to the part about the Winchester Dog Show, coffee shot out my nostrils. Fortunately it didn't land on my keyboard or my shirt. Another Christmas Miracle! Ironically, I have two great memories from watching it. One, was when Triumph the Insult Comic Dog crashed the show and the other I'll share another time. Merry Christmas and thanks for the hype for Tyler and me.

Scott, Greenville SC

2:51

ERIC!!! Merry Christmas and happy turkey leg to you! Please give my best to Tyler! You guys bring your best every week and I just want to say its a pleasure to interact with you both. This is my 65th Christmas and I while I cant watch America's team in the CFP, this is still one of my favorite lead up to Christmas years! Family, faith, friends and football. Although I still have Winchester Dog Show on demand. God bless you Eric and enjoy the holidays with the grandkids!

Eric Hansen

2:50

Tom, it was great to exchange notes with you the other day. Thanks for hopping on the chat and thanks for the compliments on the Freeman article: Irish Intel: Why Marcus Freeman’s future still points to Notre Dame
The decline of Stanford football and the pause/cancellation of the USC series makes it harder for Notre Dame to add some needed octane to its November schedule. It's hard to get P4 teams beyond the ACC to schedule November games against the Irish. And it's even harder to get really good P$ teams to do that. I also think it hurts college football to lose one of its most storied rivalries, especially one so unique in so many ways. Merry Christmas, Tom!

Tom Ryan

Hi Eric, and thank you for the excellent article on Coach Freeman’s future. I think as Notre Dame fans we needed to hear your take on where we really are on the complex issue of keeping our Coach in South Bend.Eric, what are your thoughts on the cancellation of ND/USC football games for at least the next two years? In the big picture, how do you see this impacting ND, and in a broader front, National Rivalry’s

2:45

Tom Ryan, Charlotte Hall, Maryland

Eric Hansen

2:45

Hi Skip. Every situation is made individually. So there are not set numbers. There is always context. But think about it, how many academically ineligible football players have you read about in the last 5 years.? So ND must be doing something right with admissions. As far as transfers, it's very easy if you're a grad transfer with degree in hand. If you're an undergrad, it gets tricky with transfer credits.

skip - Houston

2:43

My understanding is that in the past football recruits had to project being able to graduate. With all the changes including transferability and NIL, can you share with us the current academic requirements for football players to be admitted to Notre Dame? Thank you.

Eric Hansen

2:43

Hi Jim. I'm probably going to get a C in math for this question, because I can't answer it accurately without a phone-a-friend or pausing the chat for 20 minutes to research it. What I can tell you is that the payout for the Pop-Tarts Bowl is $3 million per team, with expenses coming out of that. So the financial penalty to Notre Dame is peanuts relatively speaking. The bigger miss was not getting money from the CFP. Next year ND does get a share whether it's in it or not.

Jim from Springfield, IL

2:39

Thanks for continuing to do this every week. Can you clarify the financial cost of ND skipping the Pop Toaster Bowl? I have heard that they still get a share of the ACC non-CFP playoff pool, which leads me to believe they would have needed to share their own non-CFP bowl money with the league. I have also heard that, given the expenses of the trip, it would have been a break even if they had gone. Any insight on this? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

OK, I'm back.

2:39

Geez, I'm getting verklempt ... Talk amongst yourself... I'll give you a topic. ... Rhode Island is neither a Road, nor an island. .. Discuss ....

2:37

Matt, Merry Christmas to you and your family!! I have to tell you, I am blessed and maybe more than ever the past few years. The lights turned back on for me, and I am grateful for every second of that experience. And I am glad you have fun in the chats. I know there are disappointments in sports, but at the end of the day, following sports should be fun. And that's why we have the unwritten NO WHINKING and the very-much written No Manifesto policy. So thanks for all of what you just said. That hit me in a good spot.

Matt from Austin

2:34

Hi Eric. No questions this week. I'll just enjoy the chat. I wanted to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. I hope you have some wonderful family time. As the year ends, I also wanted to thank you for all the chats!!!! They are insightful, honest, and most of all, just plain fun. Be safe over the holidays and I hope Santa is good to you!!! Matt

Eric Hansen

2:34

Dennis. Thank you. And blessings and holiday greetings to you and your family as well!

Guest

2:34

Dennis from Swoyersville Pa. Eric just wanted to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and happy New Year. God Bless

Eric Hansen

2:34

Hi Mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, that's Manny-level punctuation, You're winning that contest today. And great question. It's not always motivation. It's maturity or a combination thereof, or adjusting to college life. Sometimes players are so blessed with talent and so unchallenged at the high school level, they don't understand how hard they have to work to reach their ceiling at the college level. I think the epitome of a player who will find the path to greatness is one who does what Marcus Freeman preaches ... be patient with the process, but do the work while the process is playing out. In other words, be ready for your opportunity. Don't wait for the opportunity, and THEN start to work.

Mark - Memphis, TN

2:30

Hi Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!! Earlier in the chat you used the term “want to be great” with respect to JaDon Blair’s transfer. I recall Brian Kelly using that same term to describe his new players at LSU, giving the layman the impression that his players at ND were not similarly motivated. From your perspective, what specific traits make a player “want to be great” at this level? As always, thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family! 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

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