JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Nov. 12, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Nov. 12, 2025

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Eric Hansen

2:06

Hi Marie. Great week and cold and busy busy, and loving every minute of it. You do make a good point. The five defenses Pitt freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel has faced are ranked 124th-24th-122nd-120th and 101st in total defense. In fairness, by season's end, ND will have played the four ranked 101st or worse. Florida State is No. 24, which is better than ND's current rank in total defense. But the Irish are by far the best pass defense he will have faced to date. And yes, I expect Chris Ash to dial up different coverages, looks and pressures to try to rattle him. (more)

Marie from atlanta

1:58

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week. I know Heintschel has done a lot of good things in the games he’s played, but, how good have the defenses he’s played against been? Has he played against a defense the level of Notre Dame? Given the fact that he’s a true freshman, do you think Ash will give him some different looks and/or be a little more aggressive early on in an attempt to rattle him get him to make some early mistakes and lose confidence? What are the other key matchups versus Pitt? Do you think it helps that Max Bullough played for Narduzzi at Michigan State, I know Beullough has always been considered an excellent mental player. Do you think he has a pretty good feel for how Narduzzi thinks? As always, thanks for hosting the chats and all the great insights.

Eric Hansen

Sorry for the delay there, had a phone call I had to take ...

1:58

Manny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think players are as focused on those kinds of decisions as they used to be before there was enough financial incentives to stick around in college for another year. So, Love is an obvious one. Right now Jadarian Price is ND's No. 2 prospect. We had The Athletic's Dan Brugler, NFL Draft analyst, on our podcast a couple of weeks ago. Based on conversations with him, I would think Billy Schrauth, Aamil Wagner and, yes Christian Gray might have decisions to ponder. There are others, but again, I don't see them as NFL leans at the moment or necessarily the ones I mentioned.

Manny from San Pedro

1:43

Eric!!!!!!!!!! Big week!!!!! Which players besides love with eligibility is expected to enter the draft?!?!? Feel if Freeman can keep this together. We should be a top five team next year too!!

Eric Hansen

1:42

Mike/Mo/!^! There is no one 6-3 or taller at the moment, but the thought is 6-2 Micah Gilbert, 6-2 Cam Williams especially and 6-1 Jerome Bettis Jr. can profile that position well as their bodies mature even though there's less height. Recruit Devin Fitzgerald is 6-2 but doesn't yet have the physicality of a boundary receiver, but could down the road. There's two more options -- the portal next cycle OR steal 6-5 JaDon Blair from the defense.

Mike AKA Mo from Maumee OH

1:35

Hi Eric !^! VERY impressed with big-bodied, tall wide receiver Malachi Fields. I think back to ND guys Jeff Samardzija, Maurice Stovall, Miles Boykin and probably others- all tall (6'3" or taller) and able to muscle their way to contested catches. It doesn't look like ND has any future WR's of Fields' height/weight, either currently on the team or being recruited (I might be wrong about the recruits). Your thoughts on having a tall & big-bodied wide receiver to compliment Faison, Greathouse, Gilbert, KK, et al in 2026 & beyond? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:35

I do think there's some stuff with multiple-tight end sets we haven't seen just because of Cooper Flanagan's lack of availability, for instance.

1:34

Hi Denis. All of them are must wins, but I get your drift. I don't think it's so much about emptying the playbook as it is recognizing fronts and coverage and pressures at the line of scrimmage, then checking into the best-possible plays. Point No. 2, Mike Denbrock offenses intentionally evolve over time, and so -- especially with a young QB -- he's adding to the inventory as Carr shows he's able to handle it. So there's some newness that way. You can also specifically add plays or use plays that you feel create mismatches from watching tape of Pitt. Now Pitt had a week off ahead of this game -- only practiced twice in the off week -- but it game their staff a chance to self-scout and maybe put in something specific for ND. (more)

Denis from Niagara Falls, Canada

1:30

Hi Eric. The Pitt game is the most difficult one left on the schedule. A must win to have a chance at the playoffs. ND has to empty the playbook if needed to win the game. Do team's really hold back plays until needed? Is there something you suspect ND still has in its arsenal? Is there something you'd like to see to catch Pitt off guard? Thanks very much.

Eric Hansen

1:30

Hi Adam and thank you. Here are your rapid-fire answers: 1) Their front 7 with blitzes, and elite rush defense, And their quarterback has a knack for overcoming the offense's other flaws. They're also the best overall special teams team the Irish will face this regular season. 2) Both, but more Pitt this time. 3) Some of it is matchups. Right now, as the No. 9 seed, I think that side of the bracket has more unfavorable matchups than the other side does. Not that either side is a picnic or series of picnics. But yes this team -- if it can get its O-line to the next level, could have a higher ceiling. 4) I can't have both? I think it depends who else I have around them. But if you asked if I would make a straight-up trade and all the rest of the personnel stayed the same, I could take Love by just a tad.

Adam (Dayton, OH)

1:21

Eric, thanks for being one of the best there is! A few questions. 1.) Many expect Pitt to be the toughest remaining test...what about them exactly could present problems? Their young qb and the passing game? 2.) Is the challenge more Pitt, or more of the "Navy Hangover"/adjustment? 3.) It is hard to have a higher ceiling than last year's team considering they made it to the championship game, but I think that this team actually might. Do you see anything that makes you agree with me, or am I being silly? 4.) Who is the better Jeremiah/Jeremiyah/who would you take...Smith or Love?

Eric Hansen

1:21

Hi Mike. It's been a while since I've had the chance to talk to Marcus Freeman's wife, Joanna, but those conversations stayed with me in terms of what's important to their family. Now situations and goals can change over time, but I don't think we've reached that time where the grass is greener anywhere than it is in South Bend, unless of course you're talking about actual grass and not the figurative kind. That Marcus Freeman is in demand is a good thing. But I wouldn't waste time worrying and even clicking during this coaching carousel. He has so much to keep him at ND, including what he considers unfinished business.

Mike From MI

1:16

Eric, thanks for your incredible insight into all things ND. This year's coaching carousel will be one of the craziest we've seen in a while and heightened by all of the "hot boards" and social media personalities looking for clicks. I've spent far too much time worrying about Coach Freeman leaving, but have made myself feel better by telling myself Coach Freeman won't leave for another college program. But now the New York Giants job is open! Do you see Coach Freeman having any interest in the NFL and a pressure cooker media market like NY? Is there anything big that he feels he doesn't have at ND that could either make him want to leave or for ND to give him to prevent his departure?

Eric Hansen

1:15

Ryan, if I remember correctly, you used to live in Pennsylvania, so this is probably an even bigger game for you. The O-line has come a lone way with its pass blocking. The run blocking improvement needs to be the next stage.

Ryan Frankfort Illinois

1:14

Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the play of The Offensive Line i think They have all looked good especially Anthony Knapp and everyone else My score prediction this week is going to be 42-28 ND or something like that GO IRISH beat Pitt ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈💪💪💪

Eric Hansen

1:13

Gisela Sanchez has shocked me. I still don't think she matches up well in post defense, but she is a problem for opposing teams to defend, because she can play out on the perimeter and make 3s. She passes the ball well and doesn't turn it over. Malaya Cowles and Iyana Moore both likely will make their ND debuts tonight, against Akron.

1:12

Hey Paul, il mio paisano! There were some common threads in those losses and some that didn't align. Both games Pitt lost the turnover battle, and in the Louisville game it was profound -- 5 TOs to 1. Both games Pitt really struggled to convert on third and fourth downs -- a combined 2-for-14 vs. Louisville. Sacks hurt in both games, but WVa. got 6. The big difference the Mountaineers ran the ball very well. Louisville won, despite struggling to run the ball. Yes, there are elements from both games ND can use, even though Pitt has a different starting QB. (more)

Paul from Knoxville, TN

1:03

Ciao Eric: Che bella partita!!! What a difference a week makes. I'm hopeful it is sustainable into this Sat. I saw that Pitt has close losses to WVA and Louisville, each by only 7 points and with their previous QB. Are you aware of similarities in those losses that ND has the capability to exploit? Also, it looks like the Lady Irish may not be as offensively challenged as it appeared on paper, but I do wonder about our post play, especially against higher caliber teams. It seemed Cass or KK was playing down low with Sanchez. Do you think that can be successful long term, and do you know the status of Malaya Cowles and when she may be able to play?

Eric Hansen

1:02

Roger, 54 players saw action on offense or defense in that game, and that's not counting guys who played exclusively on special teams. So, that was good to see. But let me get to your questions. Yes, Notre Dame is very competitive in that rev share/NIL space. That does not prevent other teams from overpaying for market value, but given all the other things Notre Dame offers, the Irish can be ambitious when it comes to roster building and roster retention.

Roger from Peoria

12:57

Eric: Great to see significant time for Aneyas Williams, the pride of Hannibal, MO. likely #2 after Mark Twain, and Kenny Minchey, from Hendersonville, TN, from whence one Golden Tate also matriculated to the Irish. Other current reserves also got significant playing time which can be crucially important when that injury bug bites! I am not seeking your opinion on whether either Aneyas or Kenny are likely Transfer Portal candidates. I would not expect ND to try to block anyone from transferring (such an effort would likely not be proper and would certainly impact the culture Freeman seeks for the Irish), but in todays' environment with big $$$ on the table, does ND compete financially with potential transferee destinations seeking to retain players? schoolsand desires for

Eric Hansen

12:56

Bill!!! Love the compliments AND the exclamation points. Thanks for being here this week. I think you nailed it perfectly. I think there was a stretch of Notre Dame football pre-Freeman, where the Irish defenders got SO focused on calculating and recalculating precision and angles that they slowed down and became less-physical, less-effective versions of themselves. And it was basically, here's what Navy does on offense, now ND's defense needs to react to it. What Marcus wants to do is let ND's defense do a lot of the dictating and have Navy's offense have to react to the Irish fronts and movements and pressures. And I love that approach.

Bill from Denver

12:48

Eric!! Love the chat transcripts and have been reading them for many years, but can’t seem to join live very often. I have a question this week that may be obvious to others, so I apologize in advance… When MF answered one of your questions this week he talked about playing football not fit-ball. It sounds like playing fast and aggressive and maybe not over thinking things, while still being assignment correct. What is your take on what he means by not playing fit-ball? Thanks for all your hard work. I followed you and Tyler over from Rivals and really have enjoyed the added Blue and Gold content and YouTube shows!! Thanks again!

Eric Hansen

12:48

Hey Don. Thanks, and other than the games themselves, this is my favorite part of my week -- the chat. So, thanks for being here. Beyond kicking, which did get a boost vs. Navy but is still largely unproven, batting injury I think we're past the problematic stages. But the position groups that will be tested the most and also have opportunity for growth on Saturday and in the postseason are the offensive and defensive lines.

Don in Scottsdale

12:45

Eric, Another week, another win, another chat. Let's keep it going. Was going to ask about Bryce Young and his weight gain but Freeman talked to it in his press conference Monday. My question this week is aside from place kicker what position group could be problematic in the next 3, or is it 7, games?????? Thanks for the chats!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing how you do this every week.

Eric Hansen

12:44

Yes, I think Pitt will be run defense first. That's coach Pat Narduzzi's DNA. And the beauty of this Notre Dame offense is, they're equipped to deal with either approach.

12:43

I had this in my Behind The Ballot column on Sunday, so it was easy for me to reference. The first set of numbers is where ND stood after three games on Sept. 21 and the next set is where they are now, heading into game 10 against Pitt:

Rush offense: 70th to 26th
Pass efficiency: 26th to 3rd
Rush defense: 47th to 15th
Total defense: 104th to 45th
Turnover margin: 87th to 4th

And they are trending upwards in all five. (more)

12:38

Hi Shane. Thanks for that. It's funny Marcus' kids' ages are almost exactly the same ages as my 6 oldest grandkids (the twins aren't old enough to know what monsters are yet). Maybe Marcus is watching film when the monster stuff happened at his house? My cure at my house (and we are past that stage) was build a fort in the living room and sleep in that, which they still often do for nostalgia, I suppose. Yes, I can give you that data ... and these are the five metrics that teams in the BCS and Playoff Eras tend to excel in if they're going to be serious championship contenders. That's rush offense, pass efficiency, rush defense, total defense and turnover margin. (more)

Shane from White Deer, Texas

12:31

Hey Eric, I liked your “monster under the bed” analogy question. Surprised with Coach Freeman having six kids he didn’t pick up on that. Anyway, you may have posted this recently, but how is Notre Dame looking using the metrics of how you see a championship team performing? They should be trending upward I think. Also, do you think Pitt will try to stop the run, i.e., BC and Navy, or the pass ala USC? Of the two, which would be better for ND’s offense? Thanks for the chat. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

12:31

Hellooo back to you Pete! And thanks for the compliments. I think given Notre Dame has lost three starters between July and October on the O-line, including its two very best linemen, I give them credit for what they've become. And that's an offensive line that's in the top 20 percent of college lines. Now is there another level? To me, we're going to get that answer on Saturday against a Pitt team that's third in the nation in rush defense, 5th in tackles for loss, 18th in sacks and loves to blitz. What Sullivan Absher has done in his first two college starts, though, is very encouraging. That the tackles have improved incrementally is signficant too. I've got a feature on Anthonie Knapp coming up soon, and I think it'll be very telling about their process and their potential. And come playoff time, they could be as healthy as they've been in a long time. But again, let's reassess after Saturday's game. That will tell us a lot about how they've progressed, particularly with run blocking.

Pete from Erie, PA

12:25

Hellooo Eric! Thanks for the chat hall-of-famer!!

Great job by youz guys! So, this is he BIG one! The one we've been waiting for, eyeing it for a year and from a mile away, an obvious pitfall, Pitt at Pitt is always tough! I'm wondering your evaluation of the offensive line? I think ND will go as far as the O-Line takes them and I'm not super confident right now. Too many blown up plays allowed, many only saved because of the outstanding skill talent around them. They've improved as time has gone on but not as dominant as you'd like considering the competition. Pitt's front-7 will be a good test. Maybe they'll take another step up if/when Billy comes back if they can keep winning until then. What do you think? Do they have another level in them? If not, they might have to rely solely on CJ "Austin" Carr's arm to pull this on out. Thanks Eric! You're the best! Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

12:23

Ced, yes he is off the injury list and scheduled to play on Saturday at Pitt. It will be the first time since the Aug. 31 game at Miami in which ND's entire secondary was healthy and available for a game.

ced

12:22

ced walker Saginaw michigan aka sagnasty Saginaw pride will christian gray play at Pitt this Saturday God Bless This Football Team here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd god country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

Eric Hansen

12:22

With an offensive coordinator as seasoned as Mike Denbrock is, there's a method to what might seem random to fans and media. There are plays that set up other plays as well as stand on their own merit. You're also trying to take advantage of what the defense is giving you. So let's say as ND runs inside run plays, the opposition creeps more and more tightly to the middle of the field. Then Denbrock pops a quick pass to the outside and Jordan Faison has nothing but green ahead of him, or one move and a lot of green. So again sequencing of plays matter, within a drive or sometimes much later in the game.

12:19

Twenty years ago, we might never even have heard what a coach had to say at a press conference in Lubbock, Texas, after a game ion any context. Now? It's viral. But your question is can this bleed into the selection College Football Playoff selection committee's thinking? No. Full stop. They're used to whining, pleading, begging — and not just from their kids. It's white noise. Now to your Mike Denbrock play-call question. (more)

12:13

When Notre Dame football did join a conference for the 2020 season, due to the pandemic, they won all nine of their ACC regular-season games, knocked off the No. 1 team in the country and made the four-team College Football playoff. The Irish also tied Clemson that year for the most All-ACC selections (1st, 2nd and 3rd teams) with 12. It's a small sample size, but a sample size, nonetheless. The irony about this "join a conference" drumbeat is that when things are not going well, Notre Dame's own fans have suggested it as an elixir. For me, I don't believe they're choreographed or connected this time, but we are these days — by social media — more connected than ever in everything we do. (more)

12:09

Hi Kevin. Love the fall, though it has felt more like winter these past few days. My email box is loaded with some different suggestions about the motivations of these kinds of comments, specifically about the "injustice" and "unfairness" of Notre Dame not being a full-time member in football. First, let me point out a couple of things before I get to my interpretation of intent and/or how connected these comments are. (more)

Kevin from Calgary

12:05

Eric, hope you’re having a wonderful fall as we get down to crunch time in college football!!! Couple questions for you. First, do you think all the anti-ND chatter (Joey McGuire, Pat Narduzzi’s backhanded slight and the ACC suggesting the Irish are overrated) will have an adverse effect on how the committee views them? Seems like that’s exactly what is being attempted. Second, do you know why Denbrock apparently just wants to pound the ball up the middle? Seems the only time our backs go wide is when they bounce outside on inside runs. Have they forgotten how to run a sweep? (Sorry, that makes three). Anyway, thanks for the chats and keep up the (always) great work!!!

Eric Hansen

12:05

All right, LET'S GO!!

12:04

As cold as it is, only the no spitting rule will be enforced.

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