JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 1, 2025 | 10/1/2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 1, 2025

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Eric Hansen

3:16

On that note, I am being chased by another commitment, so we'll end here. Thanks for all the great questions, for not making me regret rolling back the No Drinking rule, for not being tempted to ask 17-part questions. We'll be back next Wednesday at noon ET to do it all over again.

3:15

Tom. I think I got turned around on your question and not sure who has the ball in this scenario. I'm guessing you are asking if the Irish can defense the run? I think they are just OK at that facet and getting incrementally better, but there's room for improvement.

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

3:11

Eric, speaking of defensive adjustments, my question involves complimentary football. If the offense get out to a big lead and has to pass a lot, do we have a defensive scheme to take advantage of that? The Colts with Peyton Manning were built that way for the defense to play with the lead. With that said, then do we have Plan B if it is a tight game and the opponent is not so pass happy, like Boise might be? Thanks. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

3:11

Hi Ryan, do I need to write a note for your boss to excuse you for some very high-level football conversation. I'm willing to do that. The cook at our frat house, Winona Jean Winfield, used to write doctor's notes for some of the guys on occasion and sign it Dr. W. Winfield. ... in any event, to your question ... the talent has just upgraded that much. And there's more on the way coming in 2026 in Javian Osborne and Jonaz Walton. Payne is playing pretty extensively on special teams, so there is a role for him there.

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Ryan (Berkeley)

3:06

Eric, thank you always for your weekly chats (and reasons to briefly blow off work). It was encouraging to see Gi’bran Payne get a few touches last week after a year-long injury and sticking it out with ND. He’s still not listed on this week’s depth chart, with freshman RB4 James ahead of him. I remember Payne being a kind of short-yardage, gadget player, but is his place on the depth chart a reflection of his injury recovery and niche role and/or is James (and RB3 Williams) just that much better? Does Payne still have a viable path to playing at ND?

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Eric Hansen

3:06

His coverage grade is roughly 35 points lower than last year per Pro Football Focus. And his tackling grade is way, way down as well. I will add Madden Faraimo has earned a spot in the now five-man rotation, and he and KVA have been the best coverage linebackers consistently so far this season.

3:04

Bo, not only did you find your way here, you found your exclamation point key!!!!! Welcome! I don't think it's a matter of swapping out Bowen every time you anticipate pass, which also changed who's communicating with Ash through the helmet communication and tips off the opposing offense on what you are anticipating and how you might defend them. I think your observation, though, is spot on. And I think the solution is to get Bowen comfortable in this scheme. He seems to be one of those who is struggling with it the most. (more)

Bo Johnson

2:54

Michiana!!! Will Chris Ash start using different linebacker sets for run plays vs. pass plays? It sure seems like Bowen is out of place on a lot of pass plays or is this a learning curve teaching moment for Bowen? And it's great to have found my way back to these chats!

Eric Hansen

2:54

Hi Don. Arkansas wasn't struggling on offense before ND played them. In fact, they had chances to beat both Ole Miss and Memphis if they didn't turn the ball over late. I'm telling you Taylen Green is a really, really good QB. I am optimistic the progress will continue on defense, but again they are playing some very high-powered offenses from now until they play Angeli-less Syracuse on Senior Day.

Don in Scottsdale

2:50

Eric!!!!!!!! Hope all is well. What do we need to see this week to believe the D is on the road to recovery? The D performed better against a struggling Arkansas team. What should we expect against a better coached team? Keep up the good work and thanks for the chats!!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

2:50

Hi Jim, since, as I mentioned before that timeline got disrupted by the setback, let's wait until he's back practicing then, because the state of the line might look a lot different at that point. If it were this week -- and it definitely is NOT, I'd plug him in at left tackle.

Jim from Shelburne, Vermont

2:48

Eric, happy to see you on more podcasts now. What do you think will happen on the o line when Jagusah is back?

Eric Hansen

2:48

Nicknames? There are all kinds of bad puns, I'm sure. I think that's wide open, so maybe you could suggest one? Thanks ... not lame questions at all. But you're right, the chat-heads are amazing with the questions they come up with, that lots of times create great story ideas for me. So, I am grateful.

2:46

Andy this is Eric from South Bend via Cleveland/Columbus, Ohio/Columbus Ind./Cedar Lake, IN ... and really great question. The Kenny Minchey surge was real. And yes I think what the elongated QB competition did was not just produce one QB that could help ND get to a playoff, it produced two of them. I do think Minchey is that talented. But one of the things that separated CJ is what he can do presnap at the line of scrimmage. And that's showing up big time. (more)

Andy from Wilmette via South Bend

2:43

Hello Eric!!+! Thanks for answering our questions and squashing our worries. CJ Carr looked pretty good and is looking better every game. Was the QB competition really that close? If so, we probably have the best backup QB in the country. Also, are you aware of any nickname for CJC? Sorry for my lame questions. My good questions usually come after reading your other chatters...they are really wise as are you. Peace and Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

2:43

3) An administration for many of those years that acted like headwinds for football but has now found the middle ground on some things to really get behind it. ... Now to your BK question. I liked working with BK and I also thought the way he left and his stated reason for doing so was pretty crappy and not entirely true. But his exit led to Marcus Freeman, who I do think will eventually lead ND to a title.

2:40

Michael, thanks for taking the question-portal plunge! So your first question is really good, but it is almost like asking me the meaning of life. It's hard to boil that down to a short chat answer, so here's my best stab at that: 1) The wrong coach for the years between Holtz and Kelly. 2. The wrong QB for most of the time between Mirer and Carr (not all, most), and when there were elite QBs, there wasn't an athletic enough defense to pair with it. (more)

Michael

2:37

Michael from Hooksett, New Hampshire. Hi Eric-first time questioner here. Being one million percent honest, and being blunt, can you tell me what you think are the top 3 reasons why our beloved ND has not won a National Championship since 1988? And just a quick one. Are you happy that Brian Kelly left Notre Dame? I sure am!!

Eric Hansen

2:37

Hi Shane. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you view it, I'm part of a 3-plus hour pregame show myself and it started last weekend at 8 a.m., so not a lot of time to take in other pregame content for me. I heard it was very good. So, let me get to questions I can answer from you ... This is part of who CJ Carr and the Notre Dame offensive is becoming. And while it might make you nervous now, the more-refined version, more-polished version is coming. But his arm talent matches his confidence, and the ability of the Irish receivers to get separation and/or win 50-50 balls is growing with him. His coaches do NOT want him to tap the brakes.

Shane , White Deer Tx

2:32

Hey Eric, I hope all is well in your part of the world. I don’t know if you got the chance to see the story that was done on J Love. If you did, do you think some of the story lines they hit on may explain why he did not nominate himself for team captain? I know when he wasn’t named a captain. Anyway, I thought that was a very nice piece. Also, it seems like there were times Carr was going for a TD on two or three occasions when he could have played it safe and got the first down. Has Denbrock given him this much leeway, or are these decisions all his own? Personally, I like the confidence, but it makes me nervous. Thanks for the chat. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

2:32

Oh Scott, did you come to the right place! Both, and leave a place at the table for me. Unless, or course, that results in pushing one of those aforementioned wrong buttons being pushed. Then leave me out of it. But Happy Birthday to you or whoever's birthday it is.

Scott, Greenville. SC

2:30

Eric, thanks for answering my questions earlier. But I have a bigger one, birthday bash this weekend. Do I make "post lightning storm green beans" or fettuccine Alfredo or both? Any other suggestions?

Eric Hansen

2:29

HI Jack, thank you! I just did a point-counterpoint with colleague Jack Soble on this topic, which is yet to be published, and I picked Pitt. Why? It's on the road. The Panthers match up well with some of ND's vulnerabilities ... and because of schedule sequencing. It's very tough to go from defending Navy's modified triple-option one week at a high level, and then dive back into defending a pass-happy offense the next week without a bye. ND faced that last year going from Army to USC, and Al Golden was very candid afterward about how difficult that was.

Jack, Strongsville, Oh

2:20

Hi Eric. From the home of the American League Central Division champs Cleveland Guardians but by the time this chat is concluded their season may also be concluded. At 10-2 Notre Dame has no wiggle room and there should be no "trap game". That being said, other than USC what are the most dangerous teams remaining on the schedule? Thanks as always for your and Tyler's great work.

Eric Hansen

2:20

Hi Len!! Thanks for the question and the excessive punctuation. Always appreciated. I am going to have to give you a hard no on your question. If you're going to factor in that missed call, then you need to go back over the tape and factor in EVERY missed call. No thanks and no bueno. And who's to say, the way the ND defense was playing in that game, that A&M wouldn't have still converted after the penalty was assessed from 10 yards further away? Now I think what's fair to wonder if ND keeps improving is wondering if ND would win a rematch against the Aggies or Miami. I think that's a fair scenario, but those wins still count and still matter.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:14

Hello Eric!! As always, thanks for hosting. You, as well as others at B & G, have pointed out all the things that need to happen for a potential 10-2 ND team to make the CFP playoffs. ND needs to win, show that they are a top 10 team to the eye test (this allows two lower ranked conference champions to not leap frog them) and have a myriad of teams lose multiple times and in a way to show they are not worthy of a top 10 ranking. This one I have not heard any discussion on. In your opinion, using your reasoning as an AP voter, should the committee take into consideration the ridiculous referee call on the A & M winning TD. Should of been replayed as 4th and goal from the 21. I think they should. Maybe coaches on the committee will think the same way. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Eric Hansen

2:13

Hi Jonathan! That's actually happened the other way as well. I can remember having breakfast with then-ND athletic director Kevin White the day before ND played USC in 2004. And White assured me that Tyrone Willingham was coming back in 2005. One hundred percent. The problem was he wasn't making that decision. And after ND got blown out by USC, Willingham was gone, and White had to answer questions by himself at a press conference about a decision he was AGAINST. I don't think any of the other coaches on the schedule will make in-season changes, though that is becoming more and more prevalent across college football. You are on point with Reich. He was named interim coach for this season only.

Jonathan in Addison, TX

2:08

Eric!!! Do you think it’s a measure of dominance when the opposing team lets its head coach go after a blowout win? Can you remember, when has ND tipped that domino before? Any opportunities to do it again this season? I’m thinking interim Frank Reich is a gimme. Pat Narduzzi at Pitt seems like a possibility. How about Lincoln Riley?

Eric Hansen

2:07

Steve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I kid. I kid, Barry. No wine here today. Just coffee. I love my Keurig machine. You are forgiven. You are right Al Golden was VERY good at the in-game adjustments. Ash has been pretty good at halftime. I'd say that he needed to be graded on a curve, due to the difficulty of defending Arkansas, but Boise, NC State, USC, Boston College... the strong offense and really good QBs keep coming. But last week in totality was progress, even with all the yeah-buts. It was. So let's see if there is more this week and then we can drill deeper on this.

Barry from Napa CA

2:02

Eric, first apologies for calling you Steve on my Q a few weeks back. Might have been the Napa wine but actually have a friend who shares your last name but obviously not your first! Thinking back to last year, our defense would often struggle the first series or two and then clamp down. I assume that was great adjustments by Golden. Seems to me Ash wasn’t able to do likewise until Arkansas. Do you agree and why do you think that is? Am sure if we had solutions we’d be coaching but how utterly frustrating if this apparent “fix” or in-game adjustments aren’t real.

Eric Hansen

2:02

Not all of it, and not collectively mind you. I still think there's some good self-scouting ahead for Marcus Freeman and the coaching staff to refine that preseason process to get a better gauge of what needs fixed next August.

2:01

Hi Tim, and thanks. What we all miss from the outside looking int sometimes is the fact that these players are real people with real lives and problems and not video game avatars. And when I say "we", I included myself as guilty of that. Jason Onye missed a ton of football last season, worked his way back from mental health issues and I think legitimately had a strong spring and August. But progress isn't always a straight line, especially when the bright lights come on again. This happens with injuries too, sometimes immense mental hurdles in coming back from those Eli Raridon, who finally transcended his, shared that with me this summer. But it was a long process for him. And sometimes these human elements under the spotlight of increased scrutiny and stakes, sometimes take more time to work through and contribute to the mirage, (more)

Tim from Atlanta

1:57

Hi Eric! Appreciate your question about the fall camp "mirage" to Freeman last week. That was a great way of putting it. What were they seeing if not a mirage? I'm wondering about his specific comments at the time regarding Jason Onye-- as well as the defensive line as a whole-- which were incredibly bullish especially for Freeman. What's your take on this misapprehension combined with the uncommon praise? Is Onye hurt? Or is he more of a practice standout rather than a "gamer" given his lack of meaningful snaps? Seems like more praise should have been directed to Mullens, Rubio, and Hughes!

Eric Hansen

1:56

Not that I think the defense will be a long-term liability, but ND faces way better offenses week to week than it does from opposing defense. In a playoff scenario, they'll start to see teams that do both very well. I appreciate the compliments and like that you didn't compare me to Seuss!

1:54

Scott, if you are asking me how to push the right buttons in your initial reference, that is above my pay grade and will probably get your demoted to the couch! To your football questions. The injuries to both DeVonta Smith and Leonard Moore, I believe, will help ND in the long run, because Golden and Zackery will be able to provide quality depth. Now in terms of turning the corner, the answer is more kind of than yes. There's still work to be done, but I think given the matchups with the remaining teams, this is going to be a team still driven by the offense. (more)

1:50

Guten Tag Scott, and a Gluten-free Wednesday to you too!

Scott, Greenville. SC

1:49

Hey Eric, sorry I hit the wrong button. I usually push all the wrong buttons for my wife too. Hopefully ND hits all the right buttons on Saturday! Do you think ND made the turn last week, like they did against Purdue last year? There is still a lot of growing on both sides of the ball to be done. Mostly defensive. Do you see continued growth this week by the dline? Also, do the young guns in the secondary continue to make strides and allow Ash and Freeman the luxury of taking Moore and Gray out for a series or more to rest? I hope October starts the way September ended. Love your work Eric. You keep writing and I'll keep reading. Way better than Dickenson or Checkov.

1:48

Guten Tag Eric!

Eric Hansen

1:44

At the start of 2026, I think Tae Johnson is a future All-American, so he stays No. 1. Zackery and Golden are 2A and 2B. Really impressed with all of them. Interviewed Zackery last night for a feature. VERY impressive kid. 3) Johnson becoming a starter is the key move here. Talich is now the third safety and playing well. Shuler is surging. Stroman is productive, needs more consistency. Remember he missed almost all of last season, so I expect him to improve as well. I like that position group a lot. And Blair and Long aren't even in the rotation yet.

1:41

Hi Tom. Thank YOU. 1) Carr has been very good when teams blitz and pressure him, which is why my answer to Jeremy reads like Gibberish. I still think it's the best approach, or at least mixing it in, but where CJ has gotten very good very fast is sliding protections at the line of scrimmage. Redshirt freshmen usually can't do that by themselves and to that level. 2) Oh man, talk about upside for all three. In terms of today's snapshot: 1) Tae Johnson, 2) Mark Zackery, 3. Dallas Golden. (more)

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