The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have been steadily on the rise under head coach Marcus Freeman. In his first full season as head coach, Freeman led the team to a respectable 9-4 record, followed by a 10-3 season in 2023. While these achievements were solid, they weren’t enough to secure a spot in the 4-team playoff bracket. However, the introduction of the 12-team playoff format in 2024 marked a turning point. Freeman guided Notre Dame to an impressive 11-1 record, earning them the 7th seed in the playoff picture—a significant accomplishment for the program.
In recognition of his success, Notre Dame extended Freeman’s contract by four years, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football at over $9 million annually. This move signals the university’s confidence in Freeman’s ability to continue leading the team to greater heights. However, the timing of the announcement has sparked debate. Critics argue that extending the contract before the playoffs might have been premature. Ryan Roberts, a commentator on the matter, posed an important question: “What if Notre Dame loses in the first round?”
The Irish are set to face Indiana in their playoff opener, and while Notre Dame appears to be the favorite, unexpected outcomes are always possible in college football. Indiana, under head coach Curt Cignetti, has been a formidable opponent this season, finishing with a 10-0 record before losing to Ohio State in a lopsided 15-38 game. This defeat raised questions about Indiana’s credibility, as their schedule was ranked 67th in strength. However, Indiana’s offense, built around quarterback Kurtis Rourke, remains the second-highest-scoring unit in the country, showcasing their ability to dominate weaker opponents.
Despite Indiana’s offensive firepower, Notre Dame’s strengths lie in its balance and defensive prowess. Under Freeman, the Irish have developed one of the nation’s best run defenses, which quarterback Riley Leonard described as “organized chaos.” Notre Dame excels at wearing down opponents with its physicality and unpredictable defensive schemes, a key advantage heading into their matchup with Indiana.
While Indiana’s offense has been highly effective against less challenging opponents, their lack of physicality was exposed in their loss to Ohio State. Freeman and his team are well-equipped to exploit these weaknesses, making Notre Dame the likely favorite. Still, college football is unpredictable, and a surprise outcome can never be ruled out.
The timing of Freeman’s contract extension has drawn mixed reactions. Some see it as a vote of confidence in a coach who has steadily improved the program, while others worry it could backfire if Notre Dame falters in the playoffs. Regardless, the Irish’s current trajectory under Freeman’s leadership suggests a promising future, and their upcoming playoff performance will be a defining moment in his tenure.