JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat August 20, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat August 20, 2025

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Denny from Bullard, TX

1:41

Eric, How many points do you think we need to beat the Canes? Do you agree that a bye week be for the Aggies game turns out to be be very well placed this year?

Eric Hansen

1:40

Hi Charlie. If you are a Blue & Gold subscriber, I'd encourage you to read: Intel: Inside the QB1 decision at Notre Dame and where CJ Carr and the Irish go from here

I lay out all the dynamics in that story. The abbreviated chat version is MInchey improved in leaps and bounds. Carr also improved and was better in a very critical area when it came down to splitting hairs. So in a quarterback duel, it was the best-case scenario you could hope for.

Charlie from Palm Desert

1:36

We sometimes forget Minchey was 3rd string behind Angeli last year. Did he get a lot better in the offseason or is he the same guy---with Carr being just an ounce or so better?

Eric Hansen

1:36

Hi Samuel. These questions are very tough to answer in a vacuum. I do think there will be two-loss teams in the CFP field. There were six of them last year and a three-loss Clemson. Some of those were automatic bids. Generically speaking, I think it would be less likely that ND would make the field at 10-2, because there aren't a lot of redemption opportunities on the schedule in November IF all the teams are as good or bad as expected - which, of course, never happens. The difficult part about losing those two games is ND might be competing against those two teams for an at-large spot, and it would be hard not to weight heavily the head-to-head outcome. So not impossible, but a steep climb.

Samuel from woodbridge va

1:29

If Notre Dame starts the season 0-2 (God forbid) what are their chances of still making the playoffs? I assume they would have to win out, but would that be enough? Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

1:28

Hi Tom. Notre Dame was contractually obligated, as they are to play the other teams that were members of the ACC when they joined the ACC in most sports other than football and hockey. In fact, ND is pushing to play Miami more often than the required games. I understand your security concerns after 2017, but I have confidence int he ND leadership that they've addressed that with Miami. The part about a defeat waiting to happen? ND is favored, right? I don't understand. This isn't Indiana University and the Curt Cignetti school of scheduling cupcakes. It's Notre Dame.

Tom from Lansing, MI

1:25

Miami on the road at night in humid South Florida. Given recent disasters down there why was this game scheduled? I could see a neutral site, but this seems like a defeat waiting to happen. Especially with the security issues that have happened there, why??

Eric Hansen

1:25

Jack, my head just exploded. Thanks for the compliment and for the question, but you really picked two guys I've covered who are about as different as any two that I have come across. That's not an indictment of either, but it's hard to come up with even a few parallels, except both have a recipe for success they very much believe in.

Jack, Strongsville,Ohio

1:22

Hi Eric. Hope your week is going great. Different eras and different sports but since you have covered both what are some of the common characteristics of Bob Knight and Marcus Freeman? Thanks as always for your great work.

Eric Hansen

But I don't see that transpiring, if not injury-driven, in 2025.

1:22

SCOTT!!!! Five star use of the shift key and punctuation. You are fight. The concept of Hump Day is foreign to me. The rhythm of my life is very different but one I love and that the people around me at least pretend to tolerate. You are right about Joe Rudolph picking the best five. So it kind of makes your question more difficult to answer. Is a healthy Jagusah in that 1-5 range. I would say yes. He might be No. 1. when he gets his rhythm back. So then who exits the starting lineup. Right now it would be Absher or Lambert. Would that still be the answer in October? Schrauth and Wagner aren't going anywhere. And center might be the one spot that would be hard to play Jagusah into. So that leaves Knapp or Lambert/Absher. Knapp has really improved and is the only freshman in Notre Dame history (in 2024) to start more than eight games at left tackle. So I think he stays put. Now could Lambert be a future tackle and Knapp be an interior player in 2026 and beyond? That's possible. (more)

Scott, Greenville, SC

1:15

ERIC!!!! I hope you are doing well enjoying hump day! Although I suspect you don't get one since you work seven days a week. I'm sure you're going to get a ton of QB questions and editorials so I won't pile on. I'm actually more interested in the oline. Very exciting to see Lambert getting a shot but what happens when Jagusah returns? Rudolph has been great putting the lines together the past couple years and he goes with the best five. Far be it from me to 2nd guess Rudolph, but thats what fans do, would Lambert be a better fit at left tackle and move Knapp to guard? I just see a player with good lateral movement, powerful upper and lower body, and I mean come on, he can slam dunk a basketball. I need a cherry picker. I trust your thoughts....and, I definitely trust Joe's oline decisions. Oh yeah, I hope CJ stays healthy and Kenny hungry! Be safe Eric!

Eric Hansen

1:14

Will know more Tuesday. It didn't sound serious.

Bob (Oxnard CA)

1:13

Eric, Do you expect Ty Washington to be able to play @ Miami despite his somewhat injured wrist? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:10

Hi Andy. You may be right about Penn State, and that's the beauty of voting every week. We are not tethered to a preseason vote in which there's no data to base anything on. But I thought Penn State returned some really key pieces and I think they'll be pretty good. Not necessary a likeable team as far as ND fans go, but a very good one. I considered Navy for my preseason top 25, but beyond ND, they're schedule is so light, it was too hard to put them in it. Perhaps they can earn their way in, but it'll be tough without beating ND or coming close. And that game isn't until November. But I like them a lot. I saw The Athletic, in their ranking of all 136 FBS teams, had Navy one spot ahead of USC.

Andy (NWI_Irish96) Munster, IN

1:08

Based on your AP vote, it looks like you disagree with my assessment that Penn State is going to miss Warren and Carter enough to not be a Top 5 team. Also, what do you think about my belief that Navy is the best G5 team?

Eric Hansen

1:08

Hi Kevin :) I expect it to be spread out a bit more in terms of variety. And Kadren Young would have been an interesting option. I would not rule out CJ Carr running. I think he'll prove to be better at that than people realize.

Kevin-Sleepy Eye, MN

1:06

Eric:):):):) So now we have our QB. What do you expect 3rd and short or 4th and short? Will Denbrock run CJ? I'm excited to see what we do.

Eric Hansen

1:06

Thanks Paddy!!!! Keep those multiple exclamation points coming!! 1) He's not a fan of that concept, but he is open-minded enough to consider it. So while he doesn't have a history of doing so, if he thought it was something that would mess with Miami or be a good long-term staple, you'll see it. 2) Bothered with a minor wrist injury. The prognosis is positive. We'll get an update next Tuesday. Marcus Freeman usually talks to us on Mondays, but everything is pushed back a day next week because the game itself is on Sunday. 3) I have never had Malort, but I am a fan of trying one with you sometime if you're ever in town on a non-game day. Thanks.

Paddy from Chicago

1:02

Keep up the good work Eric!!! (1) What's Coach Denbrock's history of utilizing backup QBs situationally (if any)? (2) What is the status of Ty Washington's injury, and how does he rate as a pass-catcher and as a blocker? (3) Are you a fan of Chicago's Malort (perhaps aptly monikered, the Champagne of Pain)? Keep on keepin' on................

Eric Hansen

1:02

Hi Jeremy. I don't think it's quite that cut-and-dried. The concise version is: Carr came in with a perceived high ceiling and for a young guy a high floor as well. MInchey came in very unknown with both, particularly after missing so much time with an injury his high school senior season. What changed over the spring and the summer was the unknowns with Minchey. His surge was real. The flaws in his game shrank dramatically. The assets were more apparent. His demeanor, a quiet confidence, became his trump card. So ND went from having one QB with a high floor and a lot of promise, to two of them. Which one is the best option may always be Carr, and it could flip flip at some point. And they thrive on that competition. They don't run from it.

Jeremy From Goshen, IN

12:57

HI Eric, Is it safe to say that CJ Carr as the higher ceiling but Minchey might have the higher floor as of today?

Eric Hansen

12:57

Manny!!!!!!!!!! Are you going to asking me because you're volunteering to make these for me and hang out? I NEVER get to tailgate, but I walk by some good ones. I'd try to keep it simple and not something I'd have an overwhelming chance to splattering on my shirt. So I'd go with beer brats, jalapeno poppers and wings. .. the spicier the better.

Manny from san pedro

12:54

Eric!!!!!!!! I know there will be plenty Carr questions and shirts with Irish Carr Bombs when CJ completes 30 yard tds. I know you’re a press guy who loves a reporter taco bar. But if you went to a tailgate… what is the three must have food wise ?!?!?

Eric Hansen

12:53

Probably the No. 1 concern would be ND's pass rush. I expect it to be good. But new coordinator, new pieces on the D-line, experienced Miami QB and a very good Hurricanes O-line. Thanks for your challenging questions, per usual, and only minimal math for me to screw up!

12:50

Hi Marie. Very busy and very fun week this week. Loving every minute of it. ... Probably the same level of confidence. What I am less confident about is how low scoring of a game I picked it to be. But I am going to not waffle: Notre Dame 24, Miami 17. ... On your scale of Minchey getting into the Miami game at all. I'd say 9. On your scale whether that would be in a high-leverage situation? I'd say 6. If I'm Miami, it would be foolish not to prepare for that possibility. Mike Denbrock is a flow-of-the-game kind of guy, so I don't think he'd commit to that come hell or high water, but I do think it's in the holster. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

12:45

Hey Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week. It’s hard to believe the Miami game is just over a week away. I know you have picked Notre Dame to beat Miami, now that camp is over, are you more or less confident in that pick than you were at the start of camp? On a scale of one to 10, 10 being very likely and one not at all, what are the chances we see Minchey in the Miami game? Finally, besides inexperienced quarterback, what is your number one worry for the Miami game? Thanks so much for taking the time to host the chat this week, we all know how busy you are, especially with the news of the QB 1 breaking yesterday.

Eric Hansen

12:44

Hi Fred, well what took your so long???

Seriously, thanks for stepping forward today. To your question, I'm going to twist it a bit, because if all you did was run, you'd see a loaded box to stop that. And I think early on especially, you will see opposing teams load up against the run to try to force ND to pass. If ND does have an improved passing game, it'll be D-coordinators in a predicament. Without getting too deep in the X's and O's, I think what you're getting at is does ND have better receivers that in recent years and is Denbrock willing to flex that? To those questions, I say yes and heck yes.

Fred

12:34

Eric, this is Fred from Richmond, Va. It's been a long time since I've submitted a question so hear it goes. After watching tape on Carr from high school I absolutely love the way he moves in the pocket. Do you see the running game opening up the passing like we have not seen in years. We have several exciting receivers' who can really help opening up this offense into a high scoring machine. How do you see Coach Denbrok's approach offensively. As always thank you for your informative platform.

Eric Hansen

12:30

At defensive end, I think Boubacar Traore and Josh Burnham will start, with lots of Bryce Young and Junior Tuihalaka mixed in. Loghan Thomas should see some spot duty, maybe even an early return for Jordan Botelho. We'll see about that one, but he's way ahead of his timeline on that torn pec recovery.

12:29

Hi Jonathan. Right guard is a battle between Sullivan Absher and Guerby Lambert, and I think is a dead heat right now. Both really strong options. I usually don't say this, but I think there might be rotation at that spot in this game of some kind. Eventually, I think Lambert overtakes Sullivan, who is really valuable and can play anywhere on the line. WLB is Jaylen Sneed, but it's a four-man rotation among those four inside spots, so all four will play a lot Sneed, Bowen, Viliamu-Asa and Ausberry. NG. Hinish with Dawson rotating on a lot. Behind them, I'd say Sean Sevillano Jr. Onye and Rubio are the top two DTs and have the flexibility to play either inside spot. Safety, I think because of the emphasis on being a great communicator and experience. Jalen Stroman starts next to Adon Shuler, but there will be plenty of Luke Talich and Tae Johnson in a deep rotation. (more)

Jonathan in Addison, TX

12:23

Eric!!! Thanks for the QB news and insight! How bout the same for RG, WLB, NG, and S? Even starting DE has some question marks, no?

Eric Hansen

12:23

I think Denbrock will simply the calls but give Carr options. ... As far as the heat, up until yesterday it's been extremely hot and humid here in South Bend ... maybe not Miami oppressive, but pretty muggy and miserable. They had the same challenge last year in College Station, Texas, and leaned into sports science and it worked well.

12:20

So I could see the game plan evolving and maybe looking quite different from half 1 to half 2. A big reason Carr won the job was the ability to quickly process defenses at the line of scrimmage and post-snap as well. For me, it makes the most sense early to spread Miami out defensively and let CJ read his options. Will that mean more pass than run or vice versa? Depends on how Miami responds, and ND will be looking for mismatches.(more)

12:15

Hey Matt. I appreciate you. Whoever was going to be QB1, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock was going to lean into that QB's strengths. And both he and CJ Carr will get a better feel for what he's comfortable with in each passing week. I mentioned some of this in my intel piece yesterday afternoon and will share a little bit of that here ... and add to it to best answer your question. Remember, ND is facing a first-time defensive coordinator, where in-game adjustments BEFORE halftime are going to be critical. Layer that over what's anticipated to be a very loud crowd and difficult communications. (more)

Matt from Austin

12:10

Hi Eric. Appreciate you greatly. I know Carr getting the nod at Quarterback will generate all of the headlines. I am curious as to your thoughts on how his selection will affect the way the ND staff will coach the games, especially against Miami on the road. Do you anticipate a more run heavy, short pass game plan with reliance on a strong defense? Also, has the staff been able to do anything to prepare the team, especially the OL and DL, for the heat and humidity in Miami and do you think it could impact the outcome of the game? Thank you Eric!

Eric Hansen

OK, enough prattling on... let's chat.

12:07

But I am being nice today. Only violating the no spitting rule will be enforced.

Here are the traditional rules as well:

12:06