Everything Rece Davis said about Notre Dame football

With Notre Dame hosting ESPN’s College GameDay this week, show host Rece Davis met with local and visiting reporters to discuss Saturday night’s game against No. 6 Ohio State in South Bend. Here’s what Davis had to say about the Irish.

On hosting College GameDay in South Bend

“I think there’s no choice but to be here on a great weekend of college football. Six games matching ranked opponents. I think there are eight matching undefeated teams, and this one stands above all of them, because of the tradition and the lore of the two programs, and certainly being in this place, which I have great affinity for. Over the years, some of my closest friends that I’ve worked with, you know, Lou Holtz and Digger Phelps and so many people around the Notre Dame community that have been great friends. It’s always special to come here and even better when you have a matchup like this.”

On his expectations for Notre Dame fans and the game day atmosphere

“Well, it better be good. I want them to — you know, the fight song for Ohio State says, ‘Show them Ohio’s here.’ I want them to show the nation that Notre Dame is here. Let’s see if they can really replicate that whole green machine thing from the ‘70s and USC, let’s get some energy out there. No reserved, pious, kind of Notre Dame feel. Let’s go with some energy and excitement, because this is a big game and a team that’s worthy of that type of reception.”

On the magnitude of Saturday night’s game

“You don’t win championships in September, but it certainly positions [the winner] to be in a good spot for the College Football Playoff. It’s a resume-builder, and it’s a pecking order game. If Notre Dame could win this game, then they sort of move ahead, certainly of Ohio State, and then potentially even maybe they move ahead of a Big Ten champion, if a Big Ten champion were to be a one-loss team, for instance.”

On what’s different about this Notre Dame team

“Over the last decade — I know they’ve won a couple games, like against Clemson, when they weren’t in the top 10 themselves, where they’ve won — but they’re 2-11 in top-10 matchups. And more times than not, the reason for that, in my judgement, was the inability to completely match up outside, meaning as much size, speed, depth of size and speed [at] wide receiver and corner. The ability to make chunk plays, the ability to defend chunk plays, that’s where they’re different. 

“Now, does Ohio State have more down the roster? Yes. But front-line guys? Notre Dame can match up. And I think that’s the biggest difference, and I think that’s what gives them as much hope. They aren’t at a disadvantage at quarterback, receiver and cornerback. And look, everybody’s at a disadvantage against Marvin Harrison, but at least you’ve got a chance to match up. I think they’re so improved there. And they’ve always been fine in the trenches, and they’re not just fine, they’re now elite on the offensive line.”

On how far Sam Hartman can take the Irish

“I mean, I think they’re potentially a playoff team. We’re gonna find out a lot on Saturday night, if they’re going to be a playoff team. Look, are they eliminated if they lose by a field goal? No, but they need to play well and they need to show that they belong on this stage. So I think, you look at the pieces of what you would want for a playoff team, and they have it. And Sam’s been a huge piece of that. He’s a terrific player, he’s been a great leader. He’s acclimated himself quickly. [Notre Dame head coach] Marcus [Freeman] trusts him. It’s really been a perfect marriage for both.”

On Freeman and Brian Kelly

“That shouldn’t get lost. I think Marcus is a terrific head coach, rising star, but Brian is an elite coach, and he built quite a foundation here. He had some great teams, and he had the misfortune of running into some all-time teams, sometimes, on the large stages. But what Brian Kelly did here should not be diminished. He gave them a tremendous platform. But I do think it’s fair to say that what Marcus has been able to do, maybe in the recruiting area a little bit, maybe using the transfer portal, which is a newer thing, I understand. To get a guy like Sam in here has really been instrumental.

“Notre Dame, at least in my judgement right now, [has] the feel, having [been] elevated a little bit. Already elite, under Brian, and now maybe a step above that. And in this year, too, I don’t know that there’s a super team out there. Everybody’s got some type of hole, or they’ve got some level of inexperience, and there’s a lot of turnover here. So this is a really good opportunity, I think, for a team like Notre Dame to assert itself.”

On what makes Notre Dame special

“[Points toward Touchdown Jesus] Word of Life mural over there, and there’s a Golden Dome they like, and Digger Phelps always takes me to the grotto. Look, if you love the nostalgia and the history of the sport the way we do, the way I do particularly, there’s something special about coming here. … Four Horsemen and Rockne and everything, all that stuff’s important. It’s what gives this sport a foundation, it’s what gives it a soul. And I think when you come here, you really feel that as much as you do anywhere in the country.”