Marcus Freeman endorses playoff games at home stadiums

With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams on the horizon, the discussion has been sparked about having teams potentially be able to host playoff games in the near future. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman was asked how he felt about team’s hosting playoff games giving a short and sweet, yet strong stance on the possibility.

“I would love it, I would love to bring a team into South Bend, Indiana for a playoff game and would be very hopeful that the weather was like last Saturday,” Freeman said. “That’s an advantage for us I feel.”

The Irish’s last game saw mid-20-degree temperatures throughout, and a second half of heavy snowfall and gusts of wind. Home-field advantage certainly worked this past Saturday for Notre Dame as they defeated Boston College 44-0, and they would likely see even more brutal temperatures in January for a College Football Playoff game.

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It will definitely be interesting to see what decisions are made regarding the scheduling of future playoff games upon expansion, especially with teams like Norte Dame presenting such a geographical home field advantage. But for now, the Irish should be focused on the weather in Los Angeles, as they take on USC in their regular season finale this weekend.

Marcus Freeman shares what makes USC rivalry ‘unique’

Notre Dame and USC square off this weekend in one of college football’s oldest and most storied rivalry games. This will be Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman’s first time in this matchup as their head man, as he spoke about what makes this rivalry in particular so unique.

“You know I think it started last year, it’s unique because last year when you play USC during the middle of the season it’s a little bit different than going out there and playing the last game of the year,” Freeman said.

Freeman was a part of Norte Dame’s coaching staff last year as their defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, but will now have to lead the Fighting Irish into Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a matchup featuring two ranked opponents. Freeman spoke to Irish offensive coordinator Tommy Rees about the matchup, as the former Notre Dame quarterback has coached and played in the Coliseum.

“I spent some time this morning actually talking to coach Rees and he’s been out there twice, once as a player, or twice as a player I don’t remember, and once as a coach, I know he was out there in ’18.” Freeman said. “I’ve played out there in 2008 when I was at Ohio State, but to be a part of this rivalry for the last game of the year, and there’s a lot on the line for both teams. This is a huge rivalry for us that goes back many years, I know to the 1920s I think.”

The No. 18 ranked Irish will be looking to finish their season strong after a rough start, seeking their sixth straight win with a victory over the Trojans. While No. 7 USC will be looking to add another win over a ranked opponent to their resume leading up to their conference championship game and push for a spot in the College Football Playoffs.