JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Oct. 14, 2026

Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Oct. 14, 2026

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Eric Hansen

3:14

Ok out of time, thanks for all the great questions. As I mentioned at the top of the chat, we WILL be chatting during the bye weeki, next week at the regular day and time -- Wednesday at noon ET!

3:13

OK "Guest" ... your exclamation points saved you. Next time, please name and hometown too, Please. You do not need to include your 40 time and there will be no medical questions. ... Bear Bachmaier, statistically, will be the best at No. 26 in pass efficiency individually. Ryan Brown of Purdue is No. 36 and the best of the rest so far. As far as scout team guys, I'll have to ask that question and It's a good one. I might use it in the Zoom Thursday with Marcus Freeman.

Guest

3:07

Hi Eric!!! Well, our first real test is here. Anxious to see how the team plays. Who is the best QB we have played thus far? How do you expect BYU to attack our D??? Freeman and staff always talk about Bloody Tuesday and competition. Who are some of the players on the scout teams that are providing the starters with the toughest play and thus helping them to get better??? Ara always felt that this was a very important part of his teams getting better as the season progressed. They may not ever see game time but they are definitely a very important part of the team. Go Irish!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

3:07

Hi Joe, I've touched on this a bit, but TCU had a really good game plan. They took away the pass big time. BYU only scored 15 points and only had 62 yard passing and 216 total yards. I suspect Notre Dame will have all kinds of tactics and looks. They'll bring pressure. They'll hit Bear hard when he does run. They'll guard against explosive plays. If with KVA back, you add so much big-play potential to the defense in terms of negative-yardage plays and creating turnovers.

Joe Valparaiso, IN

3:04

I'm very late to the chat so perhaps the question has already been covered but how would YOU try to defend BYU's QB given his size, ability to throw on beat you with his legs. Contain him and you win the game.

Eric Hansen

3:04

But he does have a point about playing winning football. It's not a statistical beauty contest. So sometimes as a coordinator, you choose to take away something from an offense that leaves you exposed in another area. It might not look pretty stat-wise, but it was the right tactic to win the game. I think that was his point. I enjoyed getting a chance to be in on that discussion.

3:02

I was there for the Chris Ash exchange, although I didn't ask the question. I think I can give the exchange context. Chris kind of jumped the route, before the questioner had a chance to fully paint he picture. I think another coach may have heard it out and finessed it a little more. That's not Chris Aash's style, but I get where he's coming from. I think he was more on a rampage about Pro Football Focus' film grades and was pushing back at that. (more)

3:00

Finally, and these are all offensive observations, defenses are going to have to scheme differently against ND's offense, if Jonaz Walton continues his rampage. It will open up other opportunities. As far as defensively, BYU and Miami both present different challenges than the six teams ND has played. Those teams may have had elements that BYU and Miami have on offense, but not the full arsenal. So I don't think it's as much about surprising those teams as it is matchup up to them. (more)

2:56

Hi Nick!!! Thanks again for the new tagline, I'm going to require my kids address me with going forward. Then again they are adults with kids of their own, so that might not work. ... I think there tends to be a mixture of plays you haven't needed to use that you'd like to spring in games like that, but also plays you've put on tape that you have no intention of using later, but are happy if teams have to practice to defend it. I also think it's an offense that's evolving, that is capable of executing plays that it would have labored at earlier. (more)

Nick from New York (New York Nick, as it were)

2:51

Death, Taxes… and Eric Hansen’s ND insights. The only sure things I know of. Thanks as always for making time to mix it up with this tribe of ND faithful. Secret highlight of my week. At this point in the season, how much do you think ND has “saved” schematically on offense and defense for big games against BYU and Miami? Is it just new wrinkles in key moments or is it possible could see some major changes on either side of the ball that could catch opponents completely off guard? Secondly, what did you make of Chris Ash’s comment about pass efficiency defense (which didn’t seem to be a point of emphasis/concern)? Does that align with your view on the stats that characterize championship football teams of the modern CFP era?

Eric Hansen

2:50

Hi Damian. I think that's a signficant improvement, but I think No. 1 is how improved Notre Dame is in short yardage. I'm going to dig into that during the bye week, so thanks for the idea. But they are No. 2 nationally in that metric after being middle of the pack last season.

Damian Becker, Lynbrook, NY

2:43

Would you agree that the FG/EXP is Notre Dame's most important improvement this season, why or why not? Or, is it another area, QB, depth on defense, WR depth and overall production, etc.?

Eric Hansen

2:43

Nick. I love it. Thank you. If you have a question, I'll take that too.

Nick from New York (New York Nick, as it were)

2:43

Death, Taxes and Eric Hansen’s ND insights… the only sure things I know of.

Eric Hansen

2:43

Hello G-Smooth!!! I'm not sure it's an advantage, but it's a nice piece of history to have in your pocket. There are so many variables beyond them being big, physical runners, including the proficiency of the offensive line, the blocking scheme, what kind of running back is in the backfield with him and what does the passing game look like if you load the box. They also recruited Bear to ND, so they know his strengths very well.

Gabe from Walkerton

2:34

Hello E-Train!! In regards to Bear Bachamier, is it an advantage that ND just recently had a very similar quarterback, big and physical runner, in Riley Leonard? I realize Ash was not there at the time, but Freeman will have a great idea of what was effective against Riley and what wasn't. Even the defensive players who practiced against him daily

Eric Hansen

2:34

Hi The Beave. Yes, CJ Carr is smart. He knows how to slide. He has been coached to play smart. He also knows really good run defenses are coming up on the schedule and he's going to have to judiciously run without sliding at times to counteract how the Irish are being defended. It's football. Tackle football. You don't want these guys playing scared. I commend CJ for his smarts and for working so hard this offseason to be a better runner and physically more resilient to absorb hits and keep in ticking.

The Beave. Grand Rapids

2:30

Eric: CJ Carr is obviously an elite athlete. And clearly very bright. Can we assume the ND coaching staff is teaching him how to slide this week? And maybe talking a little about time and place for QB runs? (Not when up 44?).Or is all this out the window b/c his competitive nature trumps all? Does BYU’s offense set up the need for an ND defensive player to really step up? Who should we be watching on D? Thank you for making Wednesdays the best days.

Eric Hansen

2:30

BYU rush offense 17th, pass efficiency 30th, rush defense 10th, total defense 8th, turnover margin 26th. BYU isn't good in the red zone on either side of the ball. They were a high-volume throwing team against Iowa State, but mostly not against other teams. TCU found some offensive vulnerabilities and held BYU to 216 total yards. I think the Irish are a deeper team. BYU has the night mojo, 41-4 in their last 45 at any venue after dark.

2:27

Len!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was amusing. You funneled me into that question like my kids do when they're getting ready to casually ask me for money. ... Well at least you didn't do that literally -- at least not yet. Notre Dame has been elite in four of the areas it was most critical to be elite in and extremly improved in the fifth area. So ND is No. 3 in rush defense, No. 1 in total defense, No. 3 in turnover margin and No. 8 in pass efficiency. The royal flush in championship metrics would be a top 10 ranking in rush offense. However, from game 2 to game 6, the Irish have improved from 116th out of 138 to 37th. BYU in the same categories: (more)

Len from the Jersey Shore

What do you see as ND's biggest strength and weakness in this game? And what are BYU's?

2:23

Hello Eric !!!!!! Through six games the team has followed a plan to become the best versions of themselves and, in the process, improve as a team (and win all their games to date). On Saturday night we get to see how far they have come. Along the way I have seen three dinks in the defensive armor Two are allowing too many yards on QB runs and having difficulty covering tall strong receivers. BYU has both and the QB is hard to tackle. The third is having periodic coverage breakdowns, which is perplexing. On offense, despite the O line improvement, there are still too many plays with penetration. BYU D-line does that well . BYU also does a good job at disguising zones and jumping on short patterns that appear open. CJ has missed a few of those reads recently. Both teams allow opponents a smaller than average # of plays. ND allows an opponent 55 plays a game. BYU allows 62. That tends to lead to a battle in the trenches with penalties, turnovers and periodic big plays winning the day. (more)

Eric Hansen

2:22

Hi Angus. I see value in the three-headed monster still at this point. As Jonaz Walton's game continues to round out beyond the running, maybe that changes at some point, but right now I like it -- and more important, since I am not being consulted, the coaching staff sees that value. I don't think CJ has an opinion. He trusts the coaches to make those decisionss. I don't think we'll see a designated third-down back like old RBs coach Deland McCullough used to like to designate.

Angus from Hingham, Ma

2:17

Hi Eric- now that ND is getting to the meat of their schedule- do you still anticipate the RBs to continue to be a 3 headed monster? Or, are we going to see more of a 1-2 with a 3rd down back? Does Carr have a preference in your opinion? It’s a great “problem” to have I suppose. Thank you!

Eric Hansen

2:16

You are on point with the academic calendar. Midterms this week, followed by no class next week during the bye week. I think you make a good point about the choose hard culture. Why then make a stink about it, when that's what you had chosen. I also think Notre Dame's academic supports and structure is so elite during the Freeman Era that midterms -- and exams before the 2024 playoff game vs. Indiana -- just become part of life and not something to have a grievance about and sweat it. Just transcend it.

Phil - Litchfield, CT

2:13

Hi Eric, my 2nd off the field question is about the fall academic calendar. I think this week is mid-term exam time followed by fall break next week. I prior regimes (Weis and/or Kelly?) we used to hear a lot about the academic burdens on the players in mid-term week like staying up until 2:00 AM working on 2 exams, 2 papers, and a lab report. I haven’t heard anything about that with Coach Freeman’s program. Is it a conscious decision not to talk about it or is it part of the emphasis of the student-athlete at Notre Dame and choosing hard?

Eric Hansen

2:13

But it's just kind of a feel for the situation. I think with Niele Ivey, I've used both coach and Niele depending on the setting maybe.

2:12

Hi Phil. thank you for participating. I've broken these up into two separate exchanges, so we'll deal with this one first. I don't really pay attention to what everyone else is doing or wish to be in charge of that even if I were paying attention, to be honest. For me, it's intentional, but it just feels right with Marcus Freeman. Your chemistry with different head coach varies. I have a feeling if I called Brian Kelly coach, he would call me Journalist and then make fun of me for not calling him Brian. That was our chemistry. Charlie was Charlie. Lou was coach. Not sure what I called Bob Davie or if I could repeat it here. (more)

Phil - Litchfield, CT

2:07

Hi Eric. Thanks for the great chats each week. I always appreciate your perspective on ND football. I have 2 questions for off the field topics. 1st one is the etiquette in the head coach’s press conferences. It seem as though you and only one or two other beat writers address MF as “Coach” or Coach Freeman. It’s typically “Hey Marcus”. All me old fashioned, but it always trikes a nerve with me when I hear what sounds like a a lead in that is way too comfortable and lacking proper respect. Wondering what your take is on that?

Eric Hansen

2:07

As far as the spy concept, maybe not on every down, but intermittently. I could see Jaylen Sneed doing that. I'd want KVA free to roam sideline to sideline. The young backs replacing LJ Martin all have good per-carry averages, so while there is a dropoff, it's not like you can ignore them schematically. OK back to the turkey legs and lasagna. Yum.

2:05

Scot!!!!! I got stuck on the potential menu at your house and forgot the original question. Turkey legs and lasagna at the same table? What kind of world is that and why am I not living in it? BYU has faced mostly pass-heavy offenses to this point, or at least teams that do it more and do it better than their running games. Notre Dame's balance could be a problem. And then it becomes a real game of Carr making decisions at the line of scrimmage, especially in the 15 seconds before the snap when the defense can't communicate with the sideline. The Irish will be the first rushing offense ranked in the top 45 BYU has faced, so consider that. (more)

Scott, Greenville SC

1:52

Hey ERIC!!!!! I hope you're enjoying the October weather, wins, and writing about ND football! I know enjoy reading your articles! Obviously lots to talk about Saturday's game with BYU. Will this be a game that ND continues to moves forward with its run game (like the way I phrased that), or will CJ need to throw 30 plus passes for the offense to control the game? For the defense, to keep the BYU QB in check, will Ash use KVA to spy him during the game? I think ND has the better talent but winning in Provo is difficult, especially at night, and their QB looks really good. I count on MF to game plan and get the players mentally ready for a big game. Turkey legs (I'm going to try and make a couple), chili, frosty beverages, and if I can talk the boss into it, maybe some lasagna to watch the game! Looking forward to reading Tyler's, Jack's, Mike's, and your articles after a big win on Saturday. Be safe and all the best! Go Irish!!!!

Eric Hansen

1:52

I'm not sure you're implying there could be hurt feeling involved or you expected seniority to rule in these situations. But the players who earn the playing time get to play. And I appreciate Marcus' comments reflect the behind-the-scenes reporting I have been doing and reporting on for months. Now can players change their trajectory radically? Yes, I have seen that happen. Javon McKinley is one who comes to mind. But until that happens, I appreciate Freeman's thoughtful and honest answers.

1:49

Hi Lorne. If Blake Hebert is still on the roster next srping and makes the improvement necessary to get into that competition, then Marcus will include him in the discussion. But it seems disingenuous to throw that in there if it doesn't reflect the current reality. Should he have mentioned Tyler Buchner last year when he was discussing backup QB options? Should have mentioned all six tight ends, including undersized freshman Preston Fryzel this week? And Fryzel may turn into a heck of a player and probably will at some point. But it's not happening in Provo on Saturday night. (more)

Lorne

1:44

Lorne from Reno. Thanks, as always, for the chats. Super happy about Kenny Minchey; having LSU and Kiffin on the other sideline just made it that much sweeter. Huge game: win vs. BYU and Miami is for seeding, lose and it's for survival. My question is about this CMF quote: “We got two really good quarterbacks that are improving and that will be in a competition as we get ready to go for next year.” Has Blake Hebert just been discarded as an option -- I understand that he's likely third of three, but it seems odd the way he's being ignored. Am I missing something?

Eric Hansen

1:44

Hi Ed, and thank you. BYU has had that advantage for years in a sense. But it's also mitigated by a few things. 1) They don't get a lot of five-star players. 2) The players who take those missions are completely away from football for two years. 3) Teams that used to have holes they had to fill with youth now can plug those with portal transfers. But the maturity factor is real. BYU has been a consistently strong program for the entirety of my career covering college sports, which is a long time.

Ed from Sayville NY

1:38

Hi Eric. You have a flair for providing extra detail regarding the Irish and opponents alike. This week it was number of married players at BYU, the number that take missions, the number of brothers on the team etc.. Some of these facts align with an higher average age within their program. Might this provide a physical advantage that the Irish will need to account for, in addition to the altitude, when determining substitutions on Saturday? I’m thinking Coach Landow will be of help here.

Eric Hansen

1:38

I think Jason Onye coming back is a bigger deal that people think. He deepens the rotation immediately when the Irish really need him (and I should note he has yet to be officially fully cleared) and then getting him back in the groove for the November push is huge. I think we all forget what a strong August he had. No concerns about the altitude, because ND's strong sports science lean and a team built to flex its depth.

1:36

Hi Marie. Great week here. And women's basketball is starting its overlap period for me, so more work and more fun. I think BYU's balance on both sides of the ball make the Cougars a chalenge for anyone on their schedule. They don't throw in high volume, but they do it well. I like their O-line a lot, their ability to convert third downs. They don't get rattled. I think ND is better, but this is a really legit test that the Irish need. As far as RB carries, my sense is Walton the most, then James, then Aneyas. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

1:31

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week. I think everyone is really excited to see how ND will handle the step up in competition this weekend. What part of the BYU defense and what part of the BYU offense are most likely to give the Irish problems this weekend? Are there any position groups on offensive or defense, where you feel that BYU is significantly better than Notre Dame? of the three running backs, who will have the most carries second most carries and least amount of carries this weekend? How much of a difference do you think it makes having Jason Onye back? Finally, do you have any concerns about the altitude in Provo? Thanks so much for hosting the chat and for all your fantastic insights.

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