JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 6, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 6, 2023

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Eric Hansen

1:18

I started with a very simple goal in this business four decades ago, and that was to be better today than I was yesterday. This is a topic that I could really expand on, but let me stay very specific to what you asked. The biggest transition for me in moving away from newspapers for 40 years — 33 ⅓ at the South Bend Tribune — was that not only were there no guardrails in place for me that we had to live by in that world, there was a demand from some readers to cross lines I wasn’t comfortable crossing. And because there were other websites that played by different rules — some of them very much within ethical and irreproachable lines and some decidedly not — there was a request by some to change and urgency from others to no. So, I found middle ground. If I could present information that was well-sourced, reliable and didn’t compromise my standards or my sources, I’d present it before I had a story written behind a paywall in message board form. (more)

1:15

I never like when coaches give me a word salad or dodge my questions all together, so it would be unfair of me to do the same with such a thoughtful one, even though it’s complicated. So here goes. The sports news ecosystem has become a much more diverse cauldron of different backgrounds, standards, expectations, accountability practices, sourcing dynamics and, sadly, truth/accuracy. And it’s not necessarily a melting pot. Let me start off by saying, I’m lucky to be in the Notre Dame section of it. There are so many people on our beat with impressive talent and integrity, which I not only respect, I’m grateful for the competition because it makes me better. (more)

Steve, Kenosha WI

1:14

As a journalist, and a hall of fame one at that, how do you navigate the waters of reporting on a story and responding to rumors? In an era of rampant speculations and a notorious lack of credible fact checking, how do you respect your sources and balance responses to subscribers who have an insatiable need for both a confirmation of these rumors and a need for information that hasn’t been deemed ready for publication?

Eric Hansen

1:13

Ryan, you packed a lot of interesting stuff in a very short question. After talking to Xavier Watts last night in a Zoom call, he's strongly considering coming back. Hasn't made up his mind, but you can read all about it here: What's next in the compelling journey of Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts? It would not surprise me if he did come back to ND in 2024. Yes, I am surprised that ND didn't end up in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando. According to a source, the Pop-Tarts Bowl was surprised too. But let me say this, ND ended up in a city (El Paso) that loves the Irish. They're playing a ranked opponent in Oregon State with a really good defense and no or few opt-outs on that side of the ball. The game sold out in one day. Obviously, the ReliaQuest Bowl vs. LSU would have been so much fun, but Alabama upsetting Georgia tripped a domino that pushed ND or an ACC team out of that bowl and required a Big Ten team to fill that spot.

Ryan mars pa

1:08

Good afternoon Eric with Xavier winning the trophy and saying he’s playing in the bowl game does he come back next year and are you surprised we didn’t make a different bowl go Irish ☘️☘️🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

1:06

Access to play for a national championship. 2. A national TV contract that brings them a exposure and a revenue stream that keeps them competitive for assistant coaches, facilities, recruiting budgets, etc. 3. They have a place to house their other teams -- MBB, WBB and the Olympic sports. If any of those three pillars are threatened, Notre Dame would need to strongly consider changing its stance. The one that seemingly was threatened and now solved is the NBC extension through 2029. Are the numbers going to be competitive over the long terms with the SEC and Big Ten? If not, THAT is the reason to consider joining a conference.

1:02

Norris, I have been hearing the "Notre Dame needs to join a conference" drum since the Gerry Faust days, in some stretches louder than others, and I've become numb to it. They've done studies on it and had referendums, and I don't think it's about nostalgia. I think it's about identity and control, which is important to Notre Dame. And so it winning. For decades, the three pillars that held up Notre Dame's desire to remain a football independent have been: (more)

12:56

Hi Norris/DA. To you first question, I think ND is in the playoff at 12-0. Remember the committee said the reason for excluding FSU was QB Jordan Travis' injury, not the Seminoles' overall résumé. The Irish would have a win over Ohio State in that scenario. ... ND's schedule on paper in 2024 looks weaker than this year's but there are always surprises in teams being stronger and weaker on the sked. I think it matters when those losses came and to whom. If they lost two November games, to Florida State and USC, it makes it difficult to see them in the field unless those two teams are top 5 and those were very competitive games with maybe key players missing with injuries. (more)

Norris from Singer Island FL

12:47

Let me play devils advocate with three questions. First, even if ND had beaten Ohio State, beaten Louisville, and beaten Clemson, regarding this year’s CFP, would they not be in the same position as FSU now find itself? Second, if ND goes 10-2 in 2024, with such a mediocre strength of schedule, would they not still find themselves outside looking in, at a12 team CFP? Third, with the administrative changing of the guard, has the time not come for ND to give up being an independent and living in a world of nostalgia? If FSU, Miami and Clemson, leave the AAC, that conference would be no better than the MAC and the remaining AAC teams would be the bulk of the ND schedule. The time to join the Big Ten has come, allowing ND to play quality opponents on a regular basis to build their résumé, and even have the opportunity of playing a spotlight game at season’s end for the BIG 10 conference championship.

Eric Hansen

12:46

Hi Shane. I think you mean the College Football Playoff and not the BCS, that died after the 2013 season? Off the top of my head, the only player I can think of was Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He got hurt in the ND game to open the 2022 season and only played in three games that year. The eventual first-round draft pick was healthy enough to play for Ohio State in the playoff last year, but choose not to come back. So technically he didn't opt out, he decided not to opt back in. It's difficult for me to project how that dynamic will play in a 12-team playoff, but my sense is that few if any players would opt out of a playoff game. The timing of the transfer portal window makes me less sure of that projection.

Shane from White Deer, Texas

12:41

Hey Eric. Has there ever been a player opt out of playing in the bowl championship series? I ask this to preface my next question. With the 12 team system coming next year, do you think portal transfers and bowl opt outs will diminish with an extra 8 teams added? Do you see most if not all the players staying with the team at least through the playoffs? I realize players may transfer on the later date. Hope this makes sense. Thanks and Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

12:40

What I can say about the ReliaQuest Bowl matchup that could have been between Notre Dame and LSU had the football gods not interfered and made it impossible, the best way to frame how LSU would have felt about it ... it would have been a circus and they have incredible respect for Notre Dame's defense, ranked 8th nationally in total defense and scoring defense. So they're not sad about not playing against the best defense statistically they would have seen all year.

12:35

If I had to choose between Collins and Kelly, I'd take Kelly, because he gives you more separation on routes and can stretch the defense. Collins would be a tall, possession receiver. ... Not going to go down the alternative QB path yet, because I think Riley Leonard will end up at Notre Dame after his visit. If it doesn't happen, I'll be happy to explore the alternatives. ... As far as the national title, I'm picking a dark horse, the team I've been voting No. 1 most of the season -- Washington over Alabama in the title game. (more)

12:32

Hi Marie. I am holding up great. And thanks for asking such fun questions. Let's do these one at a time. ... I think Notre Dame would like to be at 10-11 WRs for 2024. They've lost four to the portal at this point and will lose Matt Salerno to expired eligibility. They bring in three freshman and retain five. So 2-3 makes the most sense given the four portal losses and a potential multi-year starter in Rico Flores Dr. being one of them. I think it's possible ND takes both Beaux Collins of Clemson and Josh Kelly of Washington State to go along with transfer commit Kris Mitchell of FIU. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

One final question, do you think BK is relieved He is not playing Notre Dame in a bowl game and instead playing a terrible Wisconsin team or do you think he would’ve welcomed the chance to play Notre Dame?

12:25

Hi Eric, I hope you’re holding up during these crazy portal times. At least the portal has become a little friendlier to Notre Dame this week. What is the maximum number of wide receivers Notre Dame will take from the portal? If you had to choose between Beaux Collins, and Josh Kelly who would you choose and why? If for some reason Riley Leonard does not end up at Notre Dame, which other quarterbacks in the portal do you think Notre Dame would seriously pursue? Finally, who are you picking to win the national championship? As always, thanks for all the great insights and for hosting the chat.

Eric Hansen

12:24

Those who disagree with your view will argue college football drew more eyeballs in 2023 than it ever has. But that doesn't mean the charm and character won't eventually change and also change the interest level. We'll see. The very reason I pursued covering college sports out of college was because I loved the college sports dynamics and didn't have interest at all in covering pro sports (though I briefly did at one point). What I can say is there may be schools that are successful with perpetuating the part of college football you like. I just think those concepts may be less universal, from school to school, moving forward.

12:20

And more changes appear to be on the way. This story from Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports details what may be next ... NCAA president Charlie Baker is proposing the creation of an FBS subdivision that permits schools to directly compensate athletes thru a trust fund & NIL, sources tell
@YahooSports ... So i don't think it's possible to go back to the way it was. I do think most of the top-tier schools, including Notre Dame, will try to use the transfer portal to plug holes and not to build a foundation. (more)
.

12:16

Hi Terry. You are, in essence, telling the neighborhood kids to get off your lawn, and you have a lot of company in doing so. It's unsettling for people who love the dynamic of college football as they knew if for so many decades (or months if you're way younger than me). I think the old rule was best for everybody — one year to sit out unless you were a grad transfer or had some pretty extreme circumstances. The problem became, if you had a good lawyer, you could get around the rule ... and the NCAA was tried of losing in court. So the transfer rule changed. (more)

Terry Chicago

12:11

Eric do you feel the current transfer portal rules need revision in order to not encourage roster turnover quite as much and disincentive players to jump ship frivolously/minimize transfer availability without valid cause? I feel the current format is making CFB into NFL junior and robbing the college game of much of its charm and character. What are you thoughts? Perhaps I am yelling at the clouds on this one but curious to hear your stance

Eric Hansen

12:10

Off we go.

The "no gambling" rule has been rescinded this week.

Here are the rules.

12:09

I don't mind a little commentary, but when it overwhelms your question and forces me to up my caffeine intake, I usually pass on those. Just a tip.

12:08

As far as this week's chat, PLEASE include your name and hometown with your question(s).

12:07

► Finally, we’re rolling into bowl season at WSBT radio season, as I have rejoined Darin Pritchett as a co-host on Weekday SportsBeat (960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com) on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the 2023 Notre Dame Football season and during bowl prep. With Darin on vacation, we are off this week. I'm also co-hosting the pregame shows with Darin and Tyler Horka (which is not a clever stage name for Tyler James). The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. This next pregame show will be on the day of Notre Dame’s Sun Bowl game. You can download episodes as podcasts.

12:05

► On this week’s Inside ND Sports Podcast, Tyler James and I tapped WSBT-TV sports director Pete Byrne to discuss the tsunami of Irish football happenings. The topics included the decision to fire wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey, transfer turnover at the wide receiver position, an evaluation of ND's offensive issues, the potential of bringing in transfer QB Riley Leonard, the ND program’s progress under head coach Marcus Freeman, how the Irish should feel about landing in the Sun Bowl, Byrne’s background as a Notre Dame graduate and student manager and more. The podcast can be listened to via SoundCloud or on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podbean and Pocket Casts.

12:04

https://bit.ly/jandr

12:03

► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, it keeps its shelf life long after the live presentation, which is Monday nights at 7 ET. And we’ll roll right through bowl season on a weekly basis. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube. Tyler James and I are also doing a live postgame show of our takeaways after every game. We’re also partnering with WSBT-TV this season, including collaborating on highlights and analysis. We’ll have some collaborative content with them next week after the bowl announcement and on Game Day before the Sun Bowl.

12:02

Some quick programming notes:

12:01

Welcome to the post-bowl announcement/transfer portal frenzy rendition of Notre Dame Football Live Chat brought to you by J&R Solutions.

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