JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Dec. 10, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Dec. 10, 2025

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Jeff from Phoenix

2:45

Hey Eric! I did fact-check chatter Scott from Greenville and there is a Westminster Dog entrant named Miami. I Shitzu not. (I couldnt resist, please dont ban me).

Eric Hansen

2:44

Tom, if you're going to do a manifesto, that's the way to get it done. I don't see a question in there, so I will let it stand on its own. Thank You!

Tom from Toronto

2:44

Hi Eric, Sad times. No questions. Just a few thoughts. First, life is unfair. The team and coaches deserved better but did not get it. Second, some people can not be relied on to do the right thing. Third, the sun will come up tomorrow. When I think about how the players and coaches must feel, I don't know why, but the movie Casablanca comes to mind. In the scene at the train station waiting for Ilsa to show up, when Rick finds out that she is not coming and does not want to see him again. Rick says that he feels like his insides had just been kicked out. That may be an appropriate description for the way many of the players and coaches feel. The good news is that the team will have another shot at the playoffs and the national championship next year. The bad news is that many of this year's players will not be around to take part and will be missed. There will be a lot of hard work between now and then and they will be up to it. I appreciate you and the chatters, What a great opportunity to take part. Thanks

Eric Hansen

2:42

John, for someone who's never asked a question in the chat, you fired one off like a veteran. I wrote about the conference championship issue in my Behind The Ballot column this week ... Behind The Ballot: On league title game losers, Heisman winners and Jadarian Price’s value
So let me give you the short version of it. If there is a potential reward for winning those conference titles games — either inclusion into the playoff or improved seed, then there ought to be consequences for the loser, particularly if they are as non-competitive as Alabama was in its game. And if the conferences don't want to play by those rules, then get rid of those games. That's my take.

John from Chatham, NJ

2:38

Eric- I have read all the recent chats but not posted a question, though I could not resist on back of the recent news regarding CFP. Your view of the general picking and choosing of data to support a certain argument is spot on and that was quite obvious in the chatter on Sunday afternoon. My own view is that ESPN and Greg Sankey have an outsized influence on every aspect of college football and many times to the detriment of the overall product on the field and governance of the sport. I also think the much more obvious argument for ND was versus Bama and not Miami once we finished the games on Saturday. I really felt that Bama was forced into the field by those same powers that be. It left me thinking what an absolute waste of time the conference championship games have become. The SEC does NOT get penalized for Bama's performance? Byu does? The ACC somehow can not get the best team to even make the championship game? OSU and Indiana swapped place in the rankings? What's your take?

Eric Hansen

2:37

Hey there NWI. Glad our paths crossed again. Haven't run into you in a while ... NWI, if we had unlimited questions and/or unlimited time, I'm sure it would have come up. We had neither. We had 30 minutes (and didn't know it at the time) and many people didn't ever get to ask a question. So you have to prioritize. And I think, as a group, we did a good job of balancing what happened and where does ND go from here. It IS a good question, though, and one I'd like to ask myself the next time we get access to PB, but that doesn't come around very often.

NWI_Irish 96, Munster, IN

2:31

During Pete's press conference yesterday, he was asked about the damaged relationship with the ACC, but he was not asked about how the committee cited strength of schedule as a reason for ranking Alabama ahead of Notre Dame and how the quality of competition in ND's ACC opponents has declined. Why didn't anybody think to ask about that and what do you think about it?

Eric Hansen

2:31

Hey Matt, this is closer to the 17-part question violation than the manifesto threshold. Hopefully, you were at least wearing shoes when you asked. Let me go rapid fire with these. As far as Hunter Yurachek, I don't think this is revenge for being Arkansas, but do I think he has integrity? If he does, then he's in serious need of a public speaking class to not sound like he's gaslighting. 2) It should be all about Jeremiyah Love. If he does address it, it will be in a classy, limited manner. What good would it do? 3) I don't think so, I I am getting your drift on this. .. like will ND schedule differently? 4) I love that the players made the decision and Marcus made sure that they made a measured decision, not a knee-jerk one.

Matt from Austin

2:25

Hello Eric. Tough weekend! As I feared in last week's chat, Arkansas AD Yurachek got his wish to get Miami and Alabama in the CFP. If you recall, he fired his friend and coach after ND dismantled his Hogs. I'm curious if you feel that was HIS intention all along? Secondly, I assume Coach Freeman will accompany J. Love to the Heisman ceremony this weekend. Do you anticipate that he will say anything regarding the snub, or will he again take the high road and allow all the focus to be on Love? Lastly, do you have any thoughts on whether there will be any long term fall out from this debacle in terms of conference or scheduling? Sorry, one more, should we have gone to a bowl in your opinion? I hope this doesn't qualify as a dreaded manifesto!!!!! Thank you Eric. Bless you this week!

Eric Hansen

2:25

That's not to say don't examine the options, but it also means being smart and realistic about those options.

2:24

Hi Bob. That is not a given in regard to the ACC. I believe ND thought its other sports on TV and other revenue streams gets roughly $17 million a year from the ACC. And I remember talking to Jack Swarbrick about the agreement years ago, and there is not get-out-of-jail free card. It's entangled. Now, maybe not as entangled as other members, but it's not what perhaps was explained to you. I'd really have to look at the Big East other than basketball. And then if you're completely shedding the ACC, are you still going to go through with the Clemson series. And what Power 4 conference schools are you going to get that want to play in South Bend in November? Or play an independent the caliber of Notre Dame in November period at any venue? (more)

bob gorman oak park, il

2:18

Hi Eric...no exclamation points. While I am in a good place, there is a lack of exuberance for obvious reasons. If it is given that it would not be a financial obstacle to get out of the ACC grant of rights because there is no TV component, how would you evaluate potentially joining the Big East for all sports but FB. Or perhaps exploring with Michigan and USC to join ND as Independents since they are unhappy with pension fund deal that Big 10 is discussing? Given that ACC 5 game FB slate is weak, couldn't ND find equivalent teams to play? (not my ideas...heard them mentioned elsewhere.)

Don in Scottsdale

2:18

Eric, Forgot to mention. ESPN rules the roost. ND is NBC. Pete is NBC. Ties will always go to ESPN......

Eric Hansen

2:16

Len!!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently BYU needed to go for it on fourth down against a 5-7 team and win by 7 points on the road? Nothing stops it. That's why ensuring integrity is the No. 1 priority this offseason in terms of the selection process and who's in change of it. It's never going to make everyone happy. What it should be able to do is exude fairness and be able to explain it so that it doesn't sound like my kids did when they were little and a lamp broke and they said it was the wind.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:13

Hello Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!! Theoretical, if this is next year and the Memorandum of Agreement if ND is 12 or above will make the playoff is in place, and all records and outcomes are the same as in 2025, what would stop the committee on selection day from moving ND behind BYU, Texas and Vandy and move them out of top 12 ?

Eric Hansen

2:13

The other storylines have to do with team stuff ... will any assistant coaches leave, who's coming and going in the portal, who's going pro, what's the next evolutionary steps for CJ Carr as a QB. And how this team channels the disappointment. We'll have plenty of intel stories of what's going on behind the scenes plus scads of recruiting. Did I get your question answered?

2:10

Hi Don, your preamble was so entertaining and well-written, I feel stupid in telling you I'm not sure I understand the question at the end. I will take a stab and then you can let me know if I picked up what you were putting down. There's a couple of tracks to follow. The first one is the big-picture storyline that largely follows Pete Bevacqua, which I laid out in my column Tuesday afternoon: AD Pete Bevacqua’s next steps will define him and redefine Notre Dame football
So that's ACC relationship, the future of the CFP and its selection process, etc. (more)

Don in Scottsdale

2:04

Eric, "May you live in interesting times". This week certainly qualifies. I know at some point when you have more clarity you will write a cogent piece on what this means for ND, the ACC and the college playoffs. The way I see this is the committee needed to mollify the SEC and get Alabama in the tournament after missing last year. Had they 3 in season losses they would have missed it but once it was left to the playoffs the SEC powers that be controlled the outcome. If Auburn could catch a pass or hold on to the ball, ND is in. Lesson for ND, be ready for the first game. Yes, Ash and crew fixed the issues, but the team had to outrun the first two games for the rest of the season. It seemed they would until they didn't. I'd prefer ND in the playoffs, but I can only imagine the fire burning inside coach Freeman. Now a question. How will this impact the ND story line for you and the crew this off season.

Eric Hansen

2:03

Hey Matt. I asked someone yesterday at the press conference about it, and they were pretty sure they can't have formal practices. That doesn't mean that can't do some stuff on their own. Remember, between final exams and time with family, there's not a ton of time before January. And there will be 24 of the 27 members of the just-signed recruiting class coming in and enrolling early. I think had ND played in a bowl and had actual bowl practices, young players I think that could have benefitted would be D-lineman Christopher Burgess Jr., who will likely move inside, freshman O-linemen Will Black and Matty Augustine, TE James Flanagan, safeties Ethan Long and JaDon Blair, guys like that.

Matt from DC

1:59

Hi Eric, does ND forfeit any of their practice time now that they’re not participating in a bowl game? If they can practice, do you see this as a good opportunity for development and getting a jump on position battles for next year now that they don’t have to worry about preparing for a game? Can you name 2-3 players you think this might benefit the most? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:55

I think I hit on the ACC's future, so let me skip that one here. As far as what does ND need to do next before spring practice? I talked and wrote about what Pete Bevacqua needs to do. What the coaches and players need to do, take advantage of his more flexible schedule. Recover, renew, refocus. Focus on what needs to be done when the transfer portal opens. And start the re-evaluation of the August self-scouting process to make sure ND addresses things it can fix in August before they're exposed in games.

1:52

Marie!!!! Three screens that's got to be a record for a question. I'll try to unpack it. No I do not think that this is a ploy to get Notre Dame to join a conference. BYU is in a conference, and it didn't help them. And you make a good point about what's to keep the committee from moving Notre Dame to 13th next year when they are guaranteed in at 12. That's what needs to be fixed ... the transparency, the integrity and a system where everyone can agree are the most important principles to lean into in a process that lends itself to being extremely subjective. Integrity trumps all of that. I don't know ND representation helps, because those members have to be recused when ND is being discussed. (more)

Marie from atlanta

up with the ACC still be in place in three years? Moving on, what are the most important things that Notre Dame needs to accomplish in the off-season between now and spring practice to help propel them to national championship next year? Thanks for hosting the chat during what I’m sure is an incredibly busy week for you. We all really appreciate it.

I know, next year, reportedly if they are in the top 12 they are automatically, however, clearly, there is no accountability to this committee, so what’s to stop them no matter what the situation of moving Notre Dame to 13? In your opinion, will there be any changes in the selection process by next season?. Also, in past seasons, it feels like Notre Dame has been better represented on the committee, do you think that this year being one of the years where they were not well represented affected the final outcome? I know Pete B has a pretty good working relationship with Greg Sankey but after this past weekend is that someone who can really be trusted? Do you think eventually the selection process will involve a combination of computer programs with the parameters used by the program, being completely transparent and also a committee? Apologies for so many parts of this question. What honestly do you think Notre Dame will do moving forward with regards to the ACC? If you had to predict, will the current set

1:47

Hi Eric, what a disappointing weekend on multiple levels. Do you think, the dye has been casted and basically the committee is telling Notre Dame until you join a conference unless you’re 11 and one you’re not getting in? I know

Eric Hansen

1:47

2) The cartoon anvil is the best idea I've heard yet! But we also remember that the one who dropped the anvil was usually the one it landed on as well. I actually think that part of it -- the social media stuff -- should be easy to work out. It's more stuff like ... should ND be playing certain ACC opponents more than others? Will the Clemson series count against the five required games per year? Would the Stanford games fall into that category as well if that series is renewed? And I think the ACC needs to fix its own tiebreaking procedure so that it ensures its best team is playing for the title. The unevenness of the conference schedules is going to create the potential for this chaos every year theoretically.

1:43

So this year, you have as many as 18 starters coming back. A very experienced team. In other years, you might have more roster turnover where that developmental time is more important. But for this team? Having missed Christmas with families last year, having the season extend all the way to the start of spring semester, maybe dialing it back and getting everyone healthy makes more sense. You'll be able to have a normal winter conditioning schedule this year and a normal start to spring practice and one that's not so compressed in a small window. So there are positives. Not sure if that stops the whining or if there's a need to consider that. (more)

1:40

Hi Tony, doing good here. It just feels very surreal. I feel for the Notre Dame players, who deserved better. 1) As far as forfeiting bowl practices, the number 15 is always thrown out there, but I can't remember a bowl season where it actually got up to 15. But there is value to them. But there's also a cost, and Notre Dame needed to weigh those against each other. Every year is different. (more)

2581

1:35

Tony from Lexington, KY, by way of western PA --- Hope you're doing okay, Eric ! Sorry that we won't get to see you in Oklahoma or elsewhere on the road during this CFP season ...

My 1st question: After Notre Dame whips Wisconsin next September 6th at Lambeau, how many of the football analysts who are whining about ND forfeiting 15 December practices (Joel Klatt, Greg McElroy, Cole Cubelic, etc) are going to say on air, "If only Notre Dame had had those 15 extra practices last December"... ? My prediction is zero. My 2nd question: What can ND do behind the scenes to pay back the ACC for mounting the media campaign against us? I appreciate Pete Bevacqua publicly stating that the ACC damaged its relationship with ND, but more needs to be done than simply public criticism. Something with concrete financial repercussions is needed in my opinion. To quote a friend, I wouldn't mind seeing the ACC go over a cliff like a cartoon anvil !

Looking forward to the 2026 football season! Go Iri

Eric Hansen

1:35

As to other options than the ACC, I think Notre Dame owes itself to find out legally and logistically if there's something else that's a better fit. Not out of spite, but out of what's best for the school going forward.

1:33

The relationships between the ACC and ESPN, and the SEC and ESPN certainly set up for a potential of conflict of interest. And after listening to former ND QB and FOX sports personality on a podcast yesterday, in addition to everything else I've heard, I'm inclined to believe enough of that to keep digging. At the very least, I am suspicious of it. If it were simple incompetence or a smile difference of opinion, I trust myself to be able to decipher that. But what happened on the last two ESPN reveal shows was , well, revealing. Stunning. It felt corrupt. And again part of fixing the problem is digging deep and finding out exactly what the problems look like.

1:30

Hi Jack. If you have 20 questions and they didn't get answered today through other chat-heads' questions, we're going to do this on a weekly basis while the news cycle is still hot. So keep 'em coming. But let's get to these. I hate to throw around the accusation of bias, because I think people do so too carelessly when they disagree with someone or things don't go their way. I experience that as an AP voter. Not most, but a lot of people who get butt-hurt by where I place their team, try to invent reasons why I "hate their school and should have my voting right revoked." But in this case ... (more)

Jack, Strongsville, Oh

1:18

Hi Eric. I have about 20 questions for you this week but I will hold back. I have the utmost respect for Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbsreit, and Pete Thamel and disdain for Paul Finebaum and Pat MacAfee. That being said do you think there is a bias at ESPN for the SEC? ESPN does own the SEC and ACC networks. Secondly, Pete Bevacqua said Sunday and yesterday in his press conference the relationship between ND and the ACC was strained. Does ND have any real options other than this arrangement with the ACC? It needs a place to park all the other sports and to keep football independence. You and Tyler will get some well deserved rest this holiday season. Thanks for the great work.

Eric Hansen

1:18

Hey there Larry! I'll give you one exclamation point for later on. I don't believe this will hinder Notre Dame's ability to be competitive through revenue share/NIL especially after last year's windfall. And in future years, ND will get some guaranteed money whether the Irish are in the playoff or not, and then be able to build on that if they are in and make a deep run. So, good question there. And I like how you framed the second one as well. I think the administration needs to handle the big-picture questions as to the ACC partnership, fixing the CFP selection process, etc. And the players need to recover, refresh and refocus and take advantage of what an opportunity lies ahead in 2026. And thanks for the compliments!

Guest

1:14

Larry from Topton, PA. Hi Eric. Sorry, but I have no exclamation points today. Two questions for THE Notre Dame authority. 1) Will missing out on playoff money significantly hinder ND’s ability to participate in the NIL game? 2) I am a believer that it is not what happens to you but how you answer that setback. So how should the ND program (AD, coaches, players) respond to their CFP snub, and learn and grow from it? Thanks Eric. I look forward to you and Tyler (and the BG staff) keeping us informed during the offseason.

Eric Hansen

1:13

So you've got a team that overall is probably going to be deeper and more talented than both the 2024 and 2025 teams. Is it worth the risk NOT to do what you suggested and look at an FCS or D2 player willing to come in and be a safety net. I think that's the smart move.

1:11

Hi Mike/Mo !^! If you're wondering if Mike/Mo and Eric/I are trying to communicate in some alien lingo, it's just our not-so-secret handshake. ... To your question, and I was just talking to Chris Wilson about this on his podcast. It's another must-browse kind of situation but not one you necessarily follow through on to the end. Notre Dame will have CJ Carr, a redshirt freshman with zero experience in Blake Hebert, and a true freshman in Noah Grubbs. There's a good chance 2027 commit Teddy Jarrard reclassifies and joins the 2026 class. So that gives you optimum numbers but zero experience. And while I think all four of them are promising for the future, I think that promise isn't baked into things yet for 2026. (more)

Mike AKA Mo from Maumee OH

1:05

Hi Eric !^! First a comment: I listened to AD Pete Bevacqua's press conference today- what a class act! Notre Dame certainly chose the right man for the job. And now to my question- with the portal entry of Minchey, I would assume ND might look for an experienced QB as a backup in case Carr was injured. On the other hand, I suspect many/most QB's in the portal would be looking for a starting gig. In scanning the portal entrees so far, QB's from Harvard and from William & Mary both have quite impressive stats for 2025, albeit against lesser competition than ND faces. I'd assume both would more than meet the STUDENT part of ND's student-athlete requirements. What are your thoughts about bringing on board an experienced FCS QB with the understanding he is pretty much only there if there is a "break glass in case of emergency" situation? I'm thinking that earning a Masters from ND might soften the blow of limited playing time. Thanks!!

Eric Hansen

1:04

George I know we covered a similar question, but I cracked up at the use of the word Politburo. Hadn't heard that in a LONG time.

George from El Segundo

1:03

Do you know if the Chairman of the Politburo, I mean CFP Selection Committee, asked any members to watch the tape of the Alabama v Florida State game or the tape of Notre Dame embarrassing his own Razorbacks?

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