Notre Dame Football Chat Transcript: Do critics influence the CFP selection committee?

Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, Pitt Week Edition.

First, some quick programming notes:

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► The Inside ND Sports Podcast has been rebranded as the Third & Gold Podcast. Going forward the pod will be available on all the podcast places you found us before as well as our YouTube Channel. On our most recent episode, we caught up with former Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter to talk about his experience with a kicking injury, his assessment of ND’s current kickers and what he’s up to now. Our next rendition comes out Thursday this week.

► 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 Tyler Horka. The GameDay show kicks off with 3 hours of news, analysis and special guests live on Saturday ahead of the ND-Pitt game. We’ll start our coverage at 8 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.

As far as this week’s chat …

PLEASE include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your questions. You do NOT need to include how warm it is where you are located if you are not living in an arctic region like me.

Here are the rules:

Eric Hansen: As cold as it is, only the no spitting rule will be enforced.

All right, LET’S GO!!

Kevin from Calgary: Eric, hope you’re having a wonderful fall as we get down to crunch time in college football!!! Couple questions for you. First, do you think all the anti-ND chatter (Joey McGuire, Pat Narduzzi’s backhanded slight and the ACC suggesting the Irish are overrated) will have an adverse effect on how the committee views them? Seems like that’s exactly what is being attempted. Second, do you know why Denbrock apparently just wants to pound the ball up the middle? Seems the only time our backs go wide is when they bounce outside on inside runs. Have they forgotten how to run a sweep? (Sorry, that makes three). Anyway, thanks for the chats and keep up the (always) great work!!!

Eric Hansen: Hi Kevin. Love the fall, though it has felt more like winter these past few days. My email box is  loaded with some different suggestions about the motivations of these kinds of comments, specifically about the “injustice” and “unfairness” of Notre Dame not being a full-time member in football. First, let me point out a couple of things before I get to my interpretation of intent and/or how connected these comments are.

When Notre Dame football did join a conference for the 2020 season, due to the pandemic, they won all nine of their ACC regular-season games, knocked off the No. 1 team in the country and made the four-team College Football playoff. The Irish also tied Clemson that year for the most All-ACC selections (1st, 2nd and 3rd teams) with 12. It’s a small sample size, but a sample size, nonetheless. The irony about this “join a conference” drumbeat is that when things are not going well, Notre Dame’s own fans have suggested it as an elixir. For me, I don’t believe they’re choreographed or connected this time, but we are these days — by social media — more connected than ever in everything we do.

Twenty years ago, we might never even have heard what a coach had to say at a press conference in Lubbock, Texas, after a game in any context. Now? It’s viral. But your question is can this bleed into the selection College Football Playoff selection committee’s thinking? No. Full stop. They’re used to whining, pleading, begging — and not just from their kids. It’s white noise. Now to your Mike Denbrock play-call question.

With an offensive coordinator as seasoned as Mike Denbrock is, there’s a method to what might seem random to fans and media. There are plays that set up other plays as well as stand on their own merit. You’re also trying to take advantage of what the defense is giving you. So let’s say as ND runs inside run plays, the opposition creeps more and more tightly to the middle of the field. Then Denbrock pops a quick pass to the outside and Jordan Faison has nothing but green ahead of him, or one move and a lot of green. So again sequencing of plays matter, within a drive or sometimes much later in the game.

Ced walker Saginaw michigan aka sagnasty Saginaw pride: Will christian gray play at Pitt this Saturday God Bless This Football Team here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd god country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

Eric Hansen: Ced, yes he is off the injury list and scheduled to play on Saturday at Pitt. It will be the first time since the Aug. 31 game at Miami in which ND’s entire secondary was healthy and available for a game.

Pete from Erie, Pa.: Hellooo Eric! Thanks for the chat hall-of-famer!! 😉 Great job by youz guys! So, this is the BIG one! The one we’ve been waiting for, eyeing it for a year and from a mile away, an obvious pitfall, Pitt at Pitt is always tough! I’m wondering your evaluation of the offensive line? I think ND will go as far as the O-Line takes them and I’m not super confident right now. Too many blown up plays allowed, many only saved because of the outstanding skill talent around them. They’ve improved as time has gone on but not as dominant as you’d like considering the competition. Pitt’s front-7 will be a good test. Maybe they’ll take another step up if/when Billy comes back if they can keep winning until then. What do you think? Do they have another level in them? If not, they might have to rely solely on CJ “Austin” Carr’s arm to pull this on out. Thanks Eric! You’re the best! Go Irish!

Eric Hansen: Hellooo back to you Pete! And thanks for the compliments. I think given Notre Dame has lost three starters between July and October on the O-line, including its two very best linemen, I give them credit for what they’ve become. And that’s an offensive line that’s in the top 20 percent of college lines. Now is there another level? To me, we’re going to get that answer on Saturday against a Pitt team that’s third in the nation in  rush defense, 5th in tackles for loss, 18th in sacks and loves to blitz. What Sullivan Absher has done in his first two college starts, though, is very encouraging. That the tackles have improved incrementally is significant too. I’ve got a feature on Anthonie Knapp coming up soon, and I think it’ll be very telling about their process and their potential. And come playoff time, they could be as healthy as they’ve been in a long time. But again, let’s reassess after Saturday’s game. That will tell us a lot about how they’ve progressed, particularly with run blocking.

Shane from White Deer, Texas: Hey Eric, I liked your “monster under the bed” analogy question.  Surprised with Coach Freeman having six kids he didn’t pick up on that.  Anyway, you may have posted this recently, but how is Notre Dame looking using the metrics  of how you see a championship team performing?  They should be trending upward I think. Also, do you think Pitt will try to stop the run, i.e., BC and Navy, or the pass ala USC?  Of the two, which would be better for ND’s offense?  Thanks for the chat. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen: Hi Shane. Thanks for that. It’s funny, Marcus Freeman’s kids’ ages are almost exactly the same ages as my 6 oldest grandkids (the twins aren’t old enough to know what monsters are yet). Maybe Marcus is watching film when the monster stuff happened at his house? My cure at my house (and we are past that stage) was building a fort in the living room and sleeping in that, which they still often do for nostalgia, I suppose. Yes, I can give you that data … and these are the five metrics that teams in the BCS and Playoff Eras tend to excel in if they’re going to be serious championship contenders. That’s rush offense, pass efficiency, rush defense, total defense and turnover margin.

I had this in my Behind The Ballot column on Sunday, so it was easy for me to reference. The first set of numbers is where ND stood after three games on Sept. 21 and the next set is where they are now, heading into game 10 against Pitt:

Rush offense: 70th to 26th
Pass efficiency: 26th to 3rd
Rush defense: 47th to 15th
Total defense: 104th to 45th
Turnover margin: 87th to 4th

And they are trending upwards in all five. Yes, I think Pitt will be run defense first. That’s coach Pat Narduzzi’s DNA. And the beauty of this Notre Dame offense is, they’re equipped to deal with either approach.

Don in Scottsdale: Eric, Another week, another win, another chat.  Let’s keep it going.  Was going to ask about Bryce Young and his weight gain but Freeman talked to it in his press conference Monday.  My question this week is aside from place kicker, what position group could be problematic in the next 3, or is it 7, games??????  Thanks for the chats!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing how you do this every week.

Eric Hansen: Hey Don. Thanks, and other than the games themselves, this is my favorite part of my week — the chat. So, thanks for being here. Beyond kicking, which did get a boost vs. Navy but is still largely unproven, batting injury I think we’re past the problematic stages. But the position groups that will be tested the most and also have opportunity for growth on Saturday and in the postseason are the offensive and defensive lines.

Bill from Denver: Eric!! Love the chat transcripts and have been reading them for many years, but can’t seem to join live very often. I have a question this week that may be obvious to others, so I apologize in advance… When MF answered one of your questions this week he talked about playing football not fit-ball. It sounds like playing fast and aggressive and maybe not over thinking things, while still being assignment correct. What is your take on what he means by not playing fit-ball? Thanks for all your hard work. I followed you and Tyler over from Rivals and really have enjoyed the added Blue and Gold content and YouTube shows!! Thanks again!

Eric Hansen: Bill!!! Love the compliments AND the exclamation points. Thanks for being here this week. I think you nailed it perfectly. I think there was a stretch of Notre Dame football pre-Freeman, where the Irish defenders got SO focused on calculating and recalculating precision and angles that they slowed down and became less-physical, less-effective versions of themselves. And it was basically, here’s what Navy does on offense, now ND’s defense needs to react to it. What Marcus wants to do is let ND’s defense do a lot of the dictating and have Navy’s offense have to react to the Irish fronts and movements and pressures. And I love that approach.

Roger from Peoria: Eric: Great to see significant time for Aneyas Williams, the pride of Hannibal, MO. likely #2 after Mark Twain, and Kenny Minchey, from Hendersonville, TN, from whence one Golden Tate also matriculated to the Irish.  Other current reserves also got significant playing time which can be crucially important when that injury bug bites!  I am not seeking your opinion on whether either Aneyas or Kenny are likely Transfer Portal candidates.   I would not expect ND to try to block anyone from transferring (such an effort would likely not be proper and would certainly impact the culture Freeman seeks for the Irish), but in todays’ environment with big $$$ on the table, does ND compete financially with potential transferee destinations seeking to retain players?

Eric Hansen: Roger, 54 players saw action on offense or defense in that game, and that’s not counting guys who played exclusively on special teams. So, that was good to see. But let me get to your questions. Yes, Notre Dame is very competitive in that rev share/NIL space. That does not prevent other teams from overpaying for market value, but given all the other things Notre Dame offers, the Irish can be ambitious when it comes to roster building and roster retention.

Paul from Knoxville, TN: Ciao Eric:  Che bella partita!!!  What a difference a week makes.  I’m hopeful it is sustainable into this Sat. I saw that Pitt has close losses to WVA and Louisville, each by only 7 points and with their previous QB. Are you aware of similarities in those losses that ND has the capability to exploit? Also, it looks like the Lady Irish may not be as offensively challenged as it appeared on paper, but I do wonder about our post play, especially against higher caliber teams.  It seemed Cass or KK was playing down low with Sanchez.  Do you think that can be successful long term, and do you know the status of Malaya Cowles and when she may be able to play?

Eric Hansen: Hey Paul, il mio paisano! There were some common threads in those losses and some that didn’t align. Both games Pitt lost the turnover battle, and in the Louisville game it was profound — 5 TOs to 1. Both games Pitt really struggled to convert on third and fourth downs — a combined 2-for-14 vs. Louisville. Sacks hurt in both games, but W. Va. got 6. The big difference is the Mountaineers ran the ball very well. Louisville won, despite struggling to run the ball. Yes, there are elements from both games ND can use, even though Pitt has a different starting QB.

Gisela Sanchez has shocked me. I still don’t think she matches up well in post defense, but she is a problem for opposing teams to defend, because she can play out on the perimeter and make 3s. She passes the ball well and doesn’t turn it over. Malaya Cowles and Iyana Moore both likely will make their ND debuts tonight [Wednesday], against Akron.

Ryan from Frankfort, Ill.: Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the play of The Offensive Line i think They have all looked good especially Anthony Knapp and everyone else My score prediction this week is going to be 42-28 ND or something like that GO IRISH beat Pitt ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈💪💪💪

Eric Hansen: Ryan, if I remember correctly, you used to live in Pennsylvania, so this is probably an even bigger game for you. The O-line has come a lone way with its pass blocking. The run blocking improvement needs to be the next stage.

Mike From Michigan: Eric, thanks for your incredible insight into all things ND. This year’s coaching carousel will be one of the craziest we’ve seen in a while and heightened by all of the “hot boards” and social media personalities looking for clicks. I’ve spent far too much time worrying about Coach Freeman leaving, but have made myself feel better by telling myself Coach Freeman won’t leave for another college program. But now the New York Giants job is open! Do you see Coach Freeman having any interest in the NFL and a pressure cooker media market like NY? Is there anything big that he feels he doesn’t have at ND that could either make him want to leave or for ND to give him to prevent his departure?

Eric Hansen: Hi Mike. It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to talk to Marcus Freeman’s wife, Joanna, but those conversations stayed with me in terms of what’s important to their family. Now situations and goals can change over time, but I don’t think we’ve reached that time where the grass is greener anywhere than it is in South Bend, unless of course you’re talking about actual grass and not the figurative kind. That Marcus Freeman is in demand is a good thing. But I wouldn’t waste time worrying and even clicking during this coaching carousel. He has so much to keep him at ND, including what he considers unfinished business.

Adam from Dayton, Ohio: Eric, thanks for being one of the best there is! A few questions. 1.) Many expect Pitt to be the toughest remaining test…what about them exactly could present problems? Their young QB and the passing game? 2.) Is the challenge more Pitt, or more of the “Navy Hangover”/adjustment? 3.) It is hard to have a higher ceiling than last year’s team considering they made it to the championship game, but I think that this team actually might. Do you see anything that makes you agree with me, or am I being silly? 4.) Who is the better Jeremiah/Jeremiyah/who would you take…Smith or Love?

Eric Hansen: Hi Adam and thank you. Here are your rapid-fire answers: 1) Their front 7 with blitzes, and elite rush defense, And their quarterback has a knack for overcoming the offense’s other flaws. They’re also the best overall special teams team the Irish will face this regular season. 2) Both, but more Pitt this time. 3) Some of it is matchups. Right now, as the No. 9 seed, I think that side of the bracket has more unfavorable matchups than the other side does. Not that either side is a picnic or series of picnics. But yes this team — if it can get its O-line to the next level, could have a higher ceiling. 4) I can’t have both? I think it depends who else I have around them. But if you asked if I would make a straight-up trade and all the rest of the personnel stayed the same, I could take Jeremiyah Love by just a tad.

Denis from Niagara Falls, Canada: Hi Eric.  The Pitt game is the most difficult one left on the schedule.  A must win to have a chance at the playoffs.  ND has to empty the playbook if needed to win the game.  Do teams really hold back plays until needed?  Is there something you suspect ND still has in its arsenal? Is there something you’d like to see to catch Pitt off guard? Thanks very much.

Eric Hansen: Hi Denis. All of them are must wins, but I get your drift. I don’t think it’s so much about emptying the playbook as it is recognizing fronts and coverage and pressures at the line of scrimmage, then checking into the best-possible plays. Point No. 2, Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock offenses intentionally evolve over time, and so — especially with a young QB — he’s adding to the inventory as CJ Carr shows he’s able to handle it. So there’s some newness that way. You can also specifically add plays or use plays that you feel create mismatches from watching tape of Pitt. Now Pitt had a week off ahead of this game — only practiced twice in the off week — but it gave their staff a chance to self-scout and maybe put in something specific for ND.

I do think there’s some stuff with multiple-tight end sets we haven’t seen just because of Cooper Flanagan’s lack of availability, for instance.

Mike AKA Mo from Maumee OH: Hi Eric !^!  VERY impressed with big-bodied, tall wide receiver Malachi Fields. I think back to ND guys Jeff Samardzija, Maurice Stovall, Miles Boykin and probably others- all tall (6’3″ or taller) and able to muscle their way to contested catches. It doesn’t look like ND has any future WR’s of Fields’ height/weight, either currently on the team or being recruited (I might be wrong about the recruits). Your thoughts on having a tall & big-bodied wide receiver to compliment Faison, Greathouse, Gilbert, KK, et al in 2026 & beyond? Thanks!

Eric Hansen: Mike/Mo/!^! There is no one 6-3 or taller at the moment, but the thought is 6-2 Micah Gilbert, 6-2 Cam Williams especially, and also 6-1 Jerome Bettis Jr. can profile that position well as their bodies mature even though there’s less height. Recruit Devin Fitzgerald is 6-2 but doesn’t yet have the physicality of a boundary receiver, but could be down the road. There’s two more options — the portal next cycle OR steal 6-5 JaDon Blair from the defense.

Manny from San Pedro: Eric!!!!!!!!!! Big week!!!!! Which players besides love with eligibility is expected to enter the draft?!?!? Feel if Freeman can keep this together. We should be a top five team next year too!!

Eric Hansen: Manny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t think players are as focused on those kinds of decisions as they used to be before there were enough financial incentives to stick around in college for another year. So, Love is an obvious one. Right now Jadarian Price is ND’s No. 2 prospect. We had The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, NFL Draft analyst, on our podcast a couple of weeks ago. Based on conversations with him, I would think Billy Schrauth, Aamil Wagner and, yes Christian Gray might have decisions to ponder. There are others, but again, I don’t see them as NFL leans at the moment or necessarily the ones I mentioned.

Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week.  I know Heintschel has done a lot of good things in the games he’s played, but, how good have the defenses he’s played against been? Has he played against a defense the level of Notre Dame? Given the fact that he’s a true freshman, do you think Ash will give him some different looks and/or be a little more aggressive early on in an attempt to rattle him get him to make some early mistakes and lose confidence? What are the other key matchups versus Pitt? Do you think it helps that Max Bullough  played for Narduzzi at Michigan State, I know Bullough has always been considered an excellent mental player. Do you think he has a pretty good feel for how Narduzzi thinks? As always, thanks for hosting the chats and all the great insights.

Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. Great week and cold and busy busy, and loving every minute of it. You do make a good point. The five defenses Pitt freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel has faced are ranked 124th-24th-122nd-120th and 101st in total defense. In fairness, by season’s end, ND will have played the four ranked 101st or worse. Florida State is No. 24, which is better than ND’s current rank in total defense. But the Irish are by far the best pass defense he will have faced to date. And yes, I expect Chris Ash to dial up different coverages, looks and pressures to try to rattle him.

The lines of scrimmage are the key matchup on both sides of the ball. … I don’t think it’s a great advantage knowing what Pat Narduzzi thinks defensively, because it’s kind of an open book. Offensively, would be more valuable, and I’m not sure how much he influences that side of the ball or whether Max Bullough would know that. Thanks for your great questions!

Patrick from Los Angeles: Thank you for hosting the chats, Eric. If Notre Dame wins out in impressive fashion, do you envision any scenario by which they would be left out of the CFP?

Eric Hansen: No. Nada. Zip. The only scenario I can see that could affect their seeding is if Oklahoma and Texas both pull upsets of Alabama and Georgia, respectively this weekend and then all four win out after that. That would be the least-favorable outcome for the Irish.

Matt from Austin: Hi Eric. I hope you’re staying warm. Like a lot of readers I suppose, I’m interested in your thoughts on the Brian Kelly fiasco. But my actual question is this… Each week you answer our questions with thoughtfulness, insight, and humor. During the season to date, have there been any questions in your mind that you wish that someone would have or could have answered for you in a totally honest fashion? (And no, why does Matt from Austin participate in the chat cannot be one of them!!) Thanks Eric. Have a great week.

Eric Hansen: HI Matt. Thanks, happy I have a working furnace and functional gloves! And if you’d like my thoughts on Brian Kelly (re his time at Notre Dame and not the lawsuit he’s messing with), you’re in luck. I wrote a column about that: The rise, the fall, and the reframing of Brian Kelly’s Notre Dame story … and thanks for the compliments. And I can’t think of any questions I wished someone had asked and didn’t. You all do such a great job of coming up with great ones each week. And I’m serious about that. You look at questions in just about any other forum, and it’s not even close to the level of thought you all put into it. If there are questions/ideas no one asks me about and I think are valuable to readers, I’ll just write a column about it. Thanks for asking.

Jack from Strongsville, Ohio: Hi Eric. You were very high on CJ Carr prior to the season. What did you see in him that gave you such confidence in his ability? What areas does he need to improve in for the rest of the season and next year? Thanks as always for your great work.

Eric Hansen: Hi Jack! My first impressions of CJ Carr came in an interview I did with him in January of 2023, so after his high school junior season. And it really gave me great insight into how grounded he was, how mature he was and how hard-wired he was to funnel life experiences, including losing a brother to a brain tumor, into strength and drive. And then the physical part, when I saw these glimpses in practice of throws I didn’t see other ND QBs making, and his decision-making. And the one thing I wasn’t sure about was how he’d process things at the line of scrimmage. And then in interviews with Mike Denbrock and Gino Guidugli really getting a sense of that as well. And I think the rate in which that’s evolved over the season might have even surprised them a little bit. What does he need to work on? Continuing to get better at all the things he’s good at now and some he’s not. He could be a more effective runner, for instance. He needs to know when taking a sack is a win. Those kinds of things. It’s not a long list when it comes to urgent corrections.

Tom F from Kennesaw, Ga.: OK Eric, so your preseason trap game as now turned into a “monster under the bed” game for the Irish….1) Have Denbrock or Ash ever faced a Narduzzi coached team?  2) If Pitt loads the box and plays the Narduzzi press D, who does Carr look to: Fields and his size or Faison and his quickness? 3) The thing that I liked most about Schmidt’s performance was that all but one PT was down the middle and only one kickoff also was not right down the middle. Hopefully they figured out something. Look forward to your answers. Go Irish!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen: Monsters under the bed indeed! 1) Denbrock as ND’s offensive play-caller in 2015 shredded Pitt in 2015, in Narduzzi’s first year as the Panthers head coach. Will Fuller had a field day with single coverage and ND won 42-30 in a game that was 42-17 with under 5 minutes left. Chris Ash’s and Pat Narduzzi’s teams faced each other the year before, 2014, when Ohio State played Michigan State. But they didn’t face each other. Both were DCs and it wasn’t a good day for either one. The Buckeyes prevailed, though, 49-37.

2) Wherever there’s the best matchup — and remember, Pitt will blitz a lot, so CJ Carr may want to get it out quick to Jordan Faison, Will Pauling or Jeremiyah Love or even Eli Raridon over the middle where the blitzing linebacker just vacated. My sense is Faison will have some favorable matchups. 3) Marcus Freeman seems confident they’ve found a way to prepare him that agrees with his growing confidence. Thanks, Tom.

Irishdowski from Pittsburgh first time contributor a long time listener, in fact I was at the game when the Irish knocked off then #1 Pitt at Pitt Stadium versus a Dan Marino led Pitt. My biggest concern about this game is how the Irish handle Pitts blitz package where they rush six and play three deep with the two under players reading the quarterbacks eyes. Pitt blitzes from all eight under positions so one never knows where the blitz is coming from and who is dropping. Would you agree that this is the most key matchup? Thinking that you might have asked if I was going to the game and sadly I must say NNNNOOOO, because I was talked into hosting my moms 86 birthday party. Sorry about no exclamation’s. Go Irish.

Eric Hansen: Irishdowski, you made the right call on going to your mom’s party. Happy Birthday to her. I do think what you laid out is a big key in this game. And one the 10th-game-starting version of CJ Carr and the O-line should handle better than how they might have fared in August/September against the same setup. I also think how Pitt handles ND’s defensive pressures is huge.

Jeff Zielinski from Berea, Ohio: Does Pitt have any monsters under the bed, or are all the monsters standing on the Notre Dame sidelines?

Eric Hansen: Jeff, I love that take. Well-played.

Ed from Sayville, N.Y.: Well hello again Eric. I hope you are enjoying the week. I was somewhat surprised and pleased to see how much Madden Faraimo played during the Navy game. A true freshman facing a style known to confound more experienced players says something about his progress. In your opinion, would it be a reach to think number 19 will earn additional opportunities during the remainder of this season?

Eric Hansen: Hey Ed. Notre Dame was content with starting the season with a four-man linebacker rotation, and Madden Faraimo forced the issue and made it five with his early special teams play and consistency in practices. So he made his linebacker debut against Purdue in game 3 on the Sept. 20. His 29 snaps against Navy last Saturday are a career high. But some of that was tied to his extraordinary production and some was a product of Notre Dame playing three linebackers at a time virtually the whole game. Usually it’s two linebackers at a time in the base defense. So he’s earned the trust of the coaches, but if you see his snaps go down on Saturday, it’s because of a numbers game and not a loss of trust.

Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for hosting. Your summary of key stats; RO, RD etc. has always been intriguing and a good metric. I dug in deeper after watching Oregon vs. Iowa and, to my eye watching the plays, the Oregon defense was not stingy against the pass as the number 1 PE defense would say. I thought ND’s pass defense looked better to the eye. For the Oregon schedule here are the following offensive pass efficiency rankings they have played; Iowa 121, Wisconsin 130, Rutgers 49, Indiana 2, Penn St. 92, Oregon St. 120, Northwestern 118, Oklahoma St. 129 and FCS Montana St.  ND has played much better passing teams than Oregon and is 24th in Team Defense Pass Efficiency. Is it possible ND’s pass defense might be better than Oregon’s? More importantly is there something in the CFP’s committee review to incorporate in any  key statistical rankings  the statistical rankings of teams you play? Like maybe Strength of Record?

Eric Hansen: Hi Len!!!! The committee does look at the things you discussed and does put those numbers in context. They have so much available to them to evaluate and more time to do so than most of the people who are whining about what they’re doing.

Fred from Richmond: Eric, always a pleasure to view your insight to everything about Notre Dame football. I believe that the Irish will be motivated by the playoff possibilities and win convincingly against Pitt. Maybe I’m viewing this as a lifelong ND fan, but I believe the Irish have an advantage mentally by advancing to the Championship game last year. Beating Georgia in Atlanta with a decidedly home field advantage gives them confidence that they can go into a hostile environment and excel. How do you see this game playing out? As always GO IRISH dominate the line of scrimmage and beat up Pitt!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen: Hi Fred and thanks for the great hype for me! I think the advantage Notre Dame has is the confidence of playing in difficult venues against tough matchups and being able to bring their best in those games with the glaring spotlights and high stakes. I think Pitt’s advantage is they also have a lot to play for. It’s at home and their offense is very different than Navy’s. I have to make my score predictions a week in advance, and I’ve only amended that one time this season during game week. So I’m going to stick with Notre Dame 34, Pitt 17.

Mark from Boston: hi Eric!! I have an uneasy feeling with regard to this week’s game. The change of QB seems to have galvanized the Panthers. Will ND be able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball? Does Pitt have a breakaway RB or difference maker at WR?

Eric Hansen: Hi Mark!! Pitt has a good group of receivers and when Desmond Reid is healthy a good group of running backs — and Reid is involved in the passing game as well. Pitt is not a good running team, however. They are imbalanced to the pass in the way they play offense and where they have the most success. ND has seen better individuals at those positions. Arkansas is much better, for instance, offensively. But they have a knack for overcoming their flaws to this point on offense and they pair that offense with a defense that can cause some problems. I mentioned their special teams are outstanding.

The Beave from Grand Rapids, Mich.: Hi Eric. Great game from Jaiden Ausberry Saturday. He doesn’t get a whole lot of attention but has really developed this year. His dad is now the LSU AD, right? That would seem to bring a lot of FAM-IL-LEE pressure in the off season to attempt to lure #4 into the portal? Any intel as to how/why ND got him out of Louisiana when he signed and whether there is worry about him leaving ND to help out dad and be an every down linebacker in the bayou now that BK is out of the picture?

Eric Hansen: Hey The Beave. His dad was deputy AD when Jaiden Ausberry was recruited, so I don’t know why there would be a greater allure now. The family was supportive of his decision to come to ND. I should not that his brother, Austin Ausberry, did play a couple of years at Auburn before transferring to LSU, but I don’t get that read from Jaiden that he’s unhappy and looking around.

Lorne from Reno, Nev.: Hello, Eric, and thanks as always for the chats. The common football philosophy is that you run to open up the pass, but every coach in the country whose name doesn’t rhyme with “Rincoln Liley” know the book on defending ND is to load up on the run and take your chances with CJ. It seems to me that ND should be doing the opposite: throw to open up the run. Yes, you need to be able to run even when the defense is looking for it, but if the defense is giving you easy passes, why not take them? Charlie Weis practically lost it at half-time of a BYU game when asked if they needed to run more in the second half after Quinn had thrown for a ton of yardage in the first half. His answer (I agree) was that if they are going to load the box and play Samardzija and Stovall one-on-one and 10 yards off the line, he’ll throw to them every play.

Eric Hansen: Hi Lorne. If there’s a question tucked in there, you either answered it yourself or I missed it.

DB in DC: Hi Eric, I was impressed with Aneyas Williams’ play last Sat against Navy and he made some big plays in the CFP last year.  Do you have any insight as to why he hasn’t played nearly as much this year?  Does Seider not like to rotate three backs?  I think he adds yet another element to a talented RB room.  Thanks!

Eric Hansen: Hi DB. I know Ja’Juan Seider is open to rotating as many as four backs if it makes sense to him, but he is not as committed to forcing the issue as his predecessor, Deland McCullough, was. I think Aneyas Williams is really, really good and he’ll be in the mix to be the No. 1 back next year if Jadarian Price isn’t lured into staying. Even then, he’d play a lot.

Josh from NYC: Hi Eric, thanks as always for these chats. Highlight of the week (other than Saturdays). This feels like the kind of game ND has lost over the past few decades and Pitt seems to be strong in all the places ND may be vulnerable. What’s one reason I should feel more confident? And what’s one reason you think ND could lose this weekend?

Eric Hansen: Hi Josh, and thank you! One reason ND could lose is if they get into a negative turnover differential, as they did early in the year. They’re currently fourth nationally in turnover margin, the Irish are. What’s one reason to feel more confident: CJ Carr was built for a game like this.

Bob Gorman from Oak Park, Ill.: Eric!!!!!!!!!!!  Have you heard when ’26 schedule might be finalized?  Given the challenges that the Bengals are experiencing, perhaps Al Golden might be available after the season.  Do you have any idea if Coach Free would bring him back?  Or is the mix of zone and man that Ash plays closer to Freeman’s approach as a DC?  What would you do?   Landon’s analysis of the line play, Love and Carr was outstanding on last night’s podcast.  Thanks for all that you do and your professionalism.

Eric Hansen: Bob!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for watching us on The Notre Dame Football Show last night on YouTube. Landon Tengwall is a blast to watch film with, so thank you. The biggest problem with the scenario you laid out is that ND does not have an opening for a defensive coordinator. But I get where you’re coming from. Al Golden was a great fit.

Mike, SB native now living in Macon, N.C.: Look forward to your chat each week. Question: We hear the word “culture” so often in recruiting and many recruits rank ND high when mentioning “family feel”. What is Coach Freeman and staff doing that makes culture such a vital element that attracts these top five recruiting classes?

Eric Hansen: Hi Mike. I think it’s authenticity, to be concise and precise. Kids want to be around people they can trust, people they think are genuine, and people who care about them beyond what they can do from those coaches on the football field.

Matt from Muscatine: Hi Eric!!! Thank you for doing these chats. I enjoyed Football Never Sleeps, and congratulations to Tyler on his engagement!!! <3  Do you know if he finally caved and is walking down the aisle with the ACC or did he jilt them for the Big 10? Jokes aside, please pass along my favorite wedding toast: “May every day of your marriage be happier than the one before.” Regarding football, is Matt Sieg more of a “let’s see if we can get another great player since Penn State is struggling and fired their coach” or a “we really need this dude” kind of recruit? Also, Pat Narduzzi has had some struggles at Pitt. Is Pitt okay with generally being good but not great? Given how other universities have been participating in the coaching carousel, it actually strikes me as kind of refreshing. Lastly, regarding Narduzzi’s defensive philosophy, I understand wanting to and even prioritizing stopping the run, but wouldn’t it probably work out better to be slightly less aggressive against the run to balance defending the pass?

Eric Hansen: Hi Matt!!!!!!! Thank you for chatting and for watching and I will pass along your congrats to Tyler. This is kind of a phone-a-friend question, so if I get a better answer next time I talk to Mike Singer, I’ll pass it along next week. But my thought is, this is a guy Notre Dame feels can help them down the road. And consider too that injured freshman safety Brandon Logan may lean into baseball eventually way more than football.

Oh, I missed your last couple of questions. I don’t get the sense that Pat Narduzzi is under pressure at Pitt. … and as far as his defensive philosophy? It’s actually worked pretty well for him against most opponents. Not everyone, but most.

Eric Hansen: OK, I am out of time with a bunch of assignments stacked up and mocking me. So thanks for all the great questions. We’ll be back next Wednesday at noon ET to do it all over again.