The upcoming Orange Bowl between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is generating a lot of excitement, especially since it marks their first meeting in 18 years. For Notre Dame, this game is particularly significant under head coach Marcus Freeman, as the team has maintained an independent status without the protection of a conference affiliation. Freeman’s leadership has caused a split among college football analysts: some believe he can lead the team to a national championship, while others remain doubtful.
Freeman’s tenure has already been marked by notable victories, including a tough win over Indiana in the first round and a 23-10 upset of Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. However, some analysts, such as Paul Finebaum, remain unconvinced, pointing out that Notre Dame has not won a national title since 1988 under coach Lou Holtz. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has weighed in on this skepticism, bringing up Notre Dame’s historical status as an independent school with its own lucrative television deal, a deal credited to Freeman’s leadership. Smith draws comparisons between Freeman and Freeman’s predecessor, Brian Kelly, who coached the team from 2010 to 2021 but never won a national championship despite leading the team to a title game.
Smith believes Freeman is positioning the program for greater success, noting that a national championship would change the landscape of college football. With the introduction of the 12-team playoff, Smith argues that if Freeman leads Notre Dame to a title, it would cement the program’s relevance in a new era. He contrasts Freeman’s accomplishments with Kelly’s, emphasizing that Freeman has already achieved something Kelly didn’t: winning a New Year’s Six bowl game, specifically against Georgia.
Freeman has maintained a clear focus on the present and future, not dwelling on past achievements or criticisms. He believes in preparing for the task ahead, which means focusing on defeating Penn State’s high-powered offense. Freeman’s work could potentially lead to a financial reward, with a hefty $14 million at stake for winning, highlighting the financial implications for Notre Dame’s independent status. Freeman’s vision and leadership continue to push the program toward change, which, according to athletes like Travis Hunter from Colorado, could have far-reaching benefits for those involved, from career opportunities to supporting families.
With Freeman now in his third year as head coach, the question remains: Can he deliver the long-awaited national title to Notre Dame, or will skepticism persist?