JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Oct. 7, 2026

Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Oct. 7, 2026

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Eric Hansen

1:30

Hi D-Omer. I had to do some digging to find it, but I did. Now keep in mind the NCAA had not admitted the mistake and Western Michigan inititally put out a statement supporting the initial report that the ruling was legit. So that was the info we had when we voted. I moved Michigan down in that poll three spots to 21 and debuted Western Michigan at 25. Neither of them were on my ballot this week. They've both played their way out of the poll, which is what tends to happen.

Guest

1:22

D-Omer. Jacksonville. Despite the “2nd loss” how did you initially rank Michigan after the controversial game where even the NCAA admitted the officiating mistake. Should the polls have looked it as a true loss despite the “formal” final score?

Eric Hansen

1:21

Hi Bob, it's an interesting question, but I don't think that's a clean through-line to draw. For instance, this stat would tell a different story. Here are the non-conference records against P4 teams via On3's Brent McMurphy:
SEC 10-2
Big 12 5-7
ACC 6-10
Big Ten 4-10
Mountain West 1-7
American 1-11
MAC 1-16
CUSA 0-9
Pac-12 0-12
Sun Belt 0-15
When we throw out the term P4, playing Rutgers counts the same as playing Texas. So you need to dig into those. But when you look at things like NFL Draft picks and start to stack other measurables, it makes you suspect of the Big 12 as a whole. Not that there aren't Top 25-caliber teams, but I do think this year the conference is getting too much love.

Bob Oxnard

1:17

Do Penn State's struggles with mostly Iowa State starters reflect a gap between the Big 12 and major college football?

Eric Hansen

1:17

Love the question, Ed. The answer is I wouldn't be surprised at all. Jasper Scaife's role in Australian Rules Football was much more American football-friendly than fellow Aussie punter James Rendell's was. Both are outstanding athleties, but Scaife's role is more translatable. So yes, I could see it, although, he did not turn a bad snap on a PAT into a miracle two-point conversion last Saturday, but at least he didn't throw a pick.

Ed from Sayville NY

1:08

Hi Eric. In an effort to be as optimistic as possible so as to see something potentially good coming out of something not so good, I ask with significant trepidation the following question. If Jasper Scaife. at his size, could manage getting a punt off after his bobble, then might we see him involved in some trickery in the coming weeks? Heck, with more sure hands, he might even be able to do some Jasperpalooza!

Eric Hansen

1:07

Ciao Paul, and thanks for your email. I have not had a chance to put together a proper response in either English or Italian, so ti prego, perdonami. ... I think what you pulled from the closeness of the game and how the Irish handled it is a valid takeaway and something Marcus Freeman actually used in his messaging. ... I think the rush offense is on a very good trajectory. Now they have to do it against better rush defenses ... and they're coming up in BYU, Navy and Miami, once the Irish get past Stanford, which is not a good run defense or a good any kind of defense. Maybe eating more lasagna would improve the running game ... here is a rough tranlation of Paul's final comments: "Regarding your question about lasagna last week, I'm not a good cook, I'm sorry, but my mom used to make a delicious lasagna with and without meat, and my wife makes a wonderful tiramisu. I can only eat!" To which I would say, I'd even eat lasgana made out of tiramisu, I think.

Paul from Knoxville

12:59

Ciao Eric: I am more impressed than depressed by the Irish performance against UNC. In particular, I think the response to the 3 gut punches in a row before and after halftime -- UNC goal line stand, followed by long TD drive, and then KO return for TD -- showed remarkable character and confidence. The wheels could have come off but didn't, and I believe this bodes very well for future games. Your thoughts? I also have one question: Our rush offense is getting better each week as reflected in both statistics and rankings; I'm wondering whether our 3rd down efficiency shows similar improvement, though still not where it needs to be. If not, what do you think could improve it? A proposito della tua domanda di lasagna la settimana scorsa, non sono una buona cuoca, mi dispiace, ma la mia mamma faceva una lasagna deliziosa con e sensa carne, e la mia moglie fa un tiramisu meraviglioso. Io solo posso mangiare!

Eric Hansen

12:58

As far as the safeties, once Brauntae Johnson is on the runway to play, I'll dig more into that. I think Talich can play either safety spot, so maybe there is more of a rotation and maybe you use him in more niche packages. ... I think we'll see Premer sooner than later.

12:55

Hi Marie. Having a great week and looking forward to joining someone for a beer on Friday night. Jonaz Walton and Nolan James Jr. would be my top two chocies, but the coaching staff likes Aneyas Williams more than much of the fan base does, and I do believe he brings value to that position group. I think a three-man rotation with a flow-of-the game mentality works for this group rght now. I'm guessing we might see Kedren Young and Javian Osborne this week as well, but not most weeks moving forward. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

12:44

Hey Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week. Thanks for hosting the chat. I know it was probably good to have a closer game against North Carolina and have to figure some things out in a tighter setting, what is the one thing that you are still the most worried about with regard to this team and it’s ability to win a national championship? Do you feel like now Jonas Walton and Nolan James are the top two running backs? Luke Talich has been playing great, when Brauntea Johnson comes back do you think ND will find a way to expand his role from what they believed it was going to be at the start of the season? do you see ND drawing up just one or two plays to utilize Ian Premer’s talant at the tight end position? Thanks so much for hosting the chat and all the great insights.

Eric Hansen

12:43

Hi Angus. Pretty much. That's how much trust they have in him in how he sees the game.

Angus from Hingham, Ma

12:43

Hi Eric- does CJ have the green light to change plays at the LOS at any given time?

Eric Hansen

12:42

Hello Len!!!!!!! Thanks for the compliments and the question. Stanford has the worst among past and future opponents both. Worse than Rice when LB Matt Rose, as he was last week, is sidelined and maybe worst with him as well, Miami is the best. I would put BYU and Wisconsin in the same tier behind Miami. The Badgers have really played well on D post-ND. Then it's a big dropoff to the tier that includes Navy, Syracuse, North Carolina and MSU. BC is probably the best of the bottom tier.

Len from the Jersey Shore

12:34

Hello Eric!!!!! There is so much coverage. It is hard to keep up. Great job by all. I really appreciate your candidness in last week's response to my question. To summarize the O line will hit some in practice but not too much in order to avoid injuries (as you stated). Therefore the O line will need to continue developing during games as the season goes on. Fans know there is always some learning done in every game. For this younger O line loaded with first time starters and players in new positions, even more so. My follow-up question from last week is how do the 5 front sevens Notre Dame O line played against already compare to the front sevens ND will see in the 7 games left to play? Thanks for doing this Eric.

Eric Hansen

12:34

2) I don't think the gap between McKinney and Sanders has been big at all in practice. Investing in Sanders, who can play both corner positions and nickel, is smart in case of an injury this year or to be a starter in 2027. Now if that gap between them widens, then maybe you play McKinney more, and certainly in a situatoin where the game is on the line. 3) Don't pay attention to the official depth chart. They're still listing Aneyas Williams as the No. 1 kickoff returner, etc. We run a Beyond the 2-deeps look at the entire depth chart, which is much more accurate. Graham actually did not play an offensive snap against North Carolina and just two special teams snaps. I addressed that in this story if you want to find out why:

Inside Mike Denbrock's mind: Notre Dame's play-caller vs. his harshest critic

12:28

Hi Dave. It will be cooling off here soon. But not this week! To your questions ... 1) The traits that Christian Gray shows and the work ethic he puts in behind it is why I think the coaching staff hasn't moved on from him earlier in his career. He has been consistently inconsistent, and I can't explain it. But in November, Notre Dame needs to be solid at nickel. And if that means putting Leonard Moore on Malachi Toney against Miami and playing with McKinney and Sanders on the outside, then that may have to happen. (more)

Dave from Mitchell, GA

12:22

Eric, cooler temps here, our team is 5-0, and all is well despite what a lot of ND fans are saying. Yes, our defensive secondary played poorly and our special teams were terrible but the rest of the team played well in bad conditions. Anytime you don't play your best and win, it's a good win! I want to get your thoughts on Christian Gray's play to this point. Something is off. It has been for a few years. He will flash at times but is just not consistent. What do you attribute this to? Question 2, I'd like your thoughts on the predetermined ratio of plays for McKinney and Sanders. I read it's something like 2:1. I do not understand that. McKinney is a much better corner. Did he get in the dog house for something in the NC game? Question 3, I think the Greathouse/Graham being "OR" on the depth chart is over. Jaden needs to be out there for every snap he can take. He has proven his worth and Graham has not. Thoughts? Have a great week. GO IRISH!

Eric Hansen

12:20

Hi Beth, and love the Jack Soble reference. I actually shared a screenshot with him of your question and his response: Love Beth! I spoke with Mike Denbrock about this subject last night .. all the freshmen on the offense, not just the two you mentioned. RB Javian Osborne is a guy the coaching staff has high hopes for, probably more realistically in 2027. WR Kaydon Finley the same way, and there are more. As far as this season ... Premer, I think is the next to emerge. i would not give up on seeing Frazier in a niche role in November. But with no redshirting anymore, it's never too late to have an impact.

Beth from Westfield, IN

12:16

Eric: Hope you don’t have to pull Jack off the ledge this week due to lack of coffee in the press box! My question is whether you think the coaches will start using either Bubba Frazier or Ian Premer to stretch the field? Neither has played significant minutes this year. How late is too late for them to have any impact this year? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

12:16

I think Coop is an adequate receiver and I think James has more in him in that area. But I do think Ian Premer can live in both worlds very comfortably -- both as a physical blocker and as an elite pass-catching threat. My prediction is we will start to see more of him sometime this month and through the balance of the season. He is a better third TE option than Ty Washington and Jack Larsen in my opinion. The biggest adjustment for him coming in was absorbing all the detail and nuances and mental side of playing at this level. It's only a matter of time 'til that happens.

12:13

Mike/Mo !/!/!/! I have written quite a bit about this recently, so you and I are in sync with this thinking. I don't know that the tight end receptions number needs to be consistent from year to year, based on the other strengths of your team. However, I think having a vertical threat from the tight end group would enhance this offense. The No. 1 priority, though, we to get a more physical presence from that position in the running game, and Cooper Flanagan and James Flanigan experessed it masterfully in the Noth Carolina game. (more)

Mike AKA Mo from Maumee OH

12:09

Hi Eric !!^^^!! I consulted "The Google" regarding tight end receiving production in 2024 & 2025 vs. YTD 2026. The results were concerning (at least to me) for Tight End U: 2024- 60 catches for 593 yards; 2025- 40 catches for 546 yards; 2026 YTD- 11 catches for 79 yards(!!). This season, ND has has great success on both sides of the ball cutting freshman loose to play their recruited position- not just special teams work. If our current starting TE rotation isn't getting open, and/or isn't catching "Michael Mayer catchable" passes, then maybe it's time to slide 5 star frosh TE Ian Premer into the rotation for obvious passing downs? I'm stopping just short of a "rant". Thanks!!

Eric Hansen

12:09

OK, off we ... go ....

12:07

The "no drinking" rule remains on hiatus for good behavior.

Here are the rules.

12:06

PLEASE include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your question(s). If your name is actually GUEST and if you don't have a hometown, I'm going to need verification of that.

As far as this week's chat ...

12:05

► Finally at WSBT Sports Radio 960, I’m part of the Notre Dame Football pregame shows with Tim Grauel, Jim Irizarry and Blue & Gold teammate Jack Soble. The GameDay show kicks off with 3 1/2 hours of news, analysis and special guests live on Saturday ahead of the ND-Stanford game. We’ll start our coverage — live from The Linebacker Lounge, near campus — at 11 a.m. ET. You can listen locally at WSBT-AM 960, Sunny 101.5 FM, and 106.1 FM in Southwest Michigan. And it will be live streaming on wsbtradio.com.

► The Third & Gold Podcast is available at all the places where you find podcasts, as well as our YouTube Channel. The next episode drops late Thursday afternoon. On our most recent episode, former Notre Dame cornerback and future author Troy Pride Jr. joined us as our special guest.

12:04

► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, what are you doing with your life? Seriously, the show keeps its shelf life long after the live presentation, so you can catch up now or later on our new home on the Blue & Gold YouTube channel. The last three shows have been our most-watched episodes ever. We’ll be back next Monday at 7 ET for another presentation of Football Never Sleeps. Check out some other great shows and content on the Blue & Gold YouTube channel as well, including the live Notre Dame Football Show, on Tuesday nights at 8 ET.

12:03

► One significant change that has been made to the chat recently — the live chat portion and the ability to submit questions will be limited to subscribers of blueandgold.com. Those higher on the food chain than me at On3 — which is just about everybody — came up with this concept to reward subscribers, since my brain and fingers are too slow to get to all the questions in three hours. I am supportive of this.
What I am more excited about is that On3 has rolled out a new introductory offer for first-time subscribers. It’s 60% off your first year, which amounts to $48 for the year or $4 a month if that math hits your brain better. With that, you get all of our premium content, plus all the value you get from a national team of writers and content creators, as well as access to every team site in the On3 network. Check it out HERE.

First, some quick programming notes:

12:02

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