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Behind The Ballot: Bye weeks, cheeseburgers and an appetite for a Notre Dame rise

Eric Hansenby: Eric Hansen09/07/25EHansenND
Jermiyah Love
Notre Dame runniong back Jeremiyah Love (4) will face the nation;s No. 82 rush defense on Saturday night in Texas A&M. Maria Lysaker/Imagn Images

Nineteen years after Charlie Weis linked bye weeks to “eating cheeseburgers,” Notre Dame used its break to climb in the AP Poll. The Irish jumped to No. 8 without playing, thanks to Florida’s stumble and Clemson’s struggles. Now, Marcus Freeman’s squad faces a bigger test — No. 16 Texas A&M.