Notre Dame Football Live Chat Transcript: Fairness over familiarity in Heisman voting

Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, Stanford edition.

We will be chatting sometime next week, just don’t know the day yet. But I will alert you via my social media. First, some quick programming notes:

► On July 1, Tyler James and I made the move to the On3 network and blueandgold.com and joined some amazing teammates. It’s proven to be a great move for us and, I believe, for our subscribers as well. And if you’re a potential first-time subscriber, you can take a one-week test drive for $1. That’s seven days 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 at: https://www.on3.com/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish/join/ And keep an eye on the site on Black Friday.

► 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 YouTube channel.  We’ll be back next week and every week, Monday at 7 p.m. ET, for another presentation of Football Never Sleeps with Tyler James co-hosting with me. We’ll also have our Postgame Takeaways show after the Stanford game for you to have with your Sunday morning coffee. And check out some great shows on the Blue & Gold YouTube channel as well, including the Notre Dame Football Show, live on Tuesday nights.

► 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 Irish All-America running back Allen Pinkett to get his take on Heisman Trophy contender Jeremiyah Love and the state of the Irish. Our next rendition comes out Thursday, Dec. 4. We’re off this Thursday due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

► 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-Stanford game. We’ll start our coverage at 6 p.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.
Eric Hansen: As far as this week’s chat …

Maybe I should have had it later in the day to acclimate you all for Saturday night’s 10:30 ET kickoff … In any event, PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question(s).

Here are the rules:

Eric Hansen: The only one of these I’m going to enforce today is no fighting. And please carry that over ’til tomorrow.

OK off we go …

Tom F from Kennesaw, Ga.: Hi Eric, best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving with the kids and grandkids.  Who is doing the cooking?? Several questions but less than 17.  Is Stanford’s field still a mess??  Stanford seems to be playing pretty well lately do you see a close 1st half with ND pulling away in 2nd half??? How does a ND media person with a Heisman vote not put Love at #1??  Eli is a very athletic TE who also blocks well. Do you think he will continue ND’s string of starting TE getting drafted?? How did Will Black and Matt Augustine do with a chance to play extended minutes???  Thanks for all of your great reporting this year. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I’ll answer all of your question parts, but I wanted to pull up the one about Heisman Trophy voting first. I know you mean well in wanting Jeremiyah Love to have a chance to win the Heisman Trophy, but let me tell you about my process, and hopefully it will make some sense to you. First, I am a Heisman Trophy voter and have voted in every Heisman race since 1984, when I had Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie on my ballot as No. 1.

Also, I don’t get into in-season Heisman Trophy polls, and I don’t even think about who I might be voting for until I get within a week of the actual voting window. So, that’s after all the regular-season games. It’s also in that time frame, I have to vote for the Associated Press All-America team. I don’t make my final votes until after the conference championship games, but that week is when I first put it on the front burner. Now as far as any Notre Dame player. I feel like it’s my job to be fair. If I think a Notre Dame player should win the award, then that’s the way I should vote. And if I think it’s someone else, then I need to vote that way. I do the same with the polls. If we all voted for players and teams we covered and not for the most deserving, then why are we doing this? There needs to be integrity to the process.

Having said that, I voted for safety Xavier Watts third on my Heisman ballot last year. For the No. 2 team in the country, I thought he was the most impactful player on a team driven to the title game by its defense. A two-time consensus All-American, and the only unanimous All-America safety (2023) in Notre Dame HISTORY. And he’s even a better person than he is a player. One of the most impressive, impactful players — who made the people around him better — I’ve covered in more than four decades of doing this.

I’ve seen Jeremiyah Love play LOL. He is on my radar. So, he will get strong consideration when I cast my ballot … to your other questions. I’m not cooking. I’m an eater and a turkey carver (since age 14). … I have no idea about Stanford’s field but former Irish WR Robby Toma mentioned on our YouTube show last night with Mike Singer that it was when he played out there. … I do not think this will be close, but not the walloping that Syracuse was. … I  think Eli Raridon gets drafted. … The two freshman O-linemen you mentioned each played 16 snaps and were outstanding. The only person with a higher film grade than Matty Augustine in that game was Jeremiyah Love. Will Black ranked fourth.

Jack from Strongsville, Ohio: Hi Eric. A Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and your mom here in the area. Assuming Notre Dame qualifies for the CFP how crucial is it to have a first round game at home? Thanks as always for the great work.

Eric Hansen: Hi Jack and thanks and Happy Thanksgiving. I will get to see her, so that’s awesome. … Well we have a very small sample size, but all four home teams won last year. I think there is more of an advantage for ND than for some other teams on that bubble between hosting and going on the road. Can you imagine Alabama having to come up and play in South Bend weather? The good news is ND has been a pretty strong road team under Marcus Freeman and has a good road mentality. But given the choice, a home game would be better.

Don in Scottsdale, Ariz.: Eric, Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I realized today I’ve been reading your stuff for 20 years. I moved west for work 20 years ago. Was single at the time and my daughters were in school back east. Charlie was coach and ND became interesting.  I started to follow ND football closely with SBT being a daily read. Of course, your reporting was the best and reading you first thing became a habit that’s lasted 20 years. You renewed my passion for ND football which is very much a good thing.  No questions this week, Best to you, your family and the staff at B&G.

Eric Hansen: Don!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You surprised me with Manny/San Pedro-level punctuation! Well-played. And wow, thank you for all that nice stuff. Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

Ryan from Frankfort, Ill.: Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the play of Jalen Stroman vs Syracuse i think he looked good i think the Irish win big this week 56 -10 GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈 Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍽

Eric Hansen: Hi Ryan. Jalen Stroman was impressive during the game and after the game as well. When he talked about his love for Notre Dame and how he stayed patient and kept working and was ready for his opportunity, that’s the epitome of what Notre Dame’s culture is under Marcus Freeman. Happy Thanksgiving!

Matt from Austin: Hi Eric. I’m late to the chat. I hope you’re well. After last week’s game and no real change in the CFP rankings, I have no questions for you. Beat Stanford and hope for the best. I just wanted to wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Have a wonderful day Eric!

Eric Hansen: Matt, thank you for taking it easy on me, though I don’t mind the tough questions when you’ve got ’em. Happy Thanksgiving.

Mike, Phoenix: Eric!!! Happy thanksgiving to you and hope you are able to enjoy a feast with your family and maybe an afternoon nap! I promise you I haven’t been drinking with this question. If ND can beat Ohio State this year and possibly next do you think the next ND loss occurs in 2027 considering who we have coming back plus the new class? Is ND the team that stands in the way of OSU potentially winning 3 straight titles? Will ND most likely receive the Friday night playoff game again this year?  Thank you. cheers! Go Irish ☘️

Eric Hansen: Hi Mike. I’m ambitious about playing along and making predictions, but unless I’ve been drinking — and I am, but just coffee — I’m not going that far LOL. And no, even if I were inebriated, it’s not that cut and dried. What I do believe is that Notre Dame will be well-positioned in 2026. And likely thereafter. I really felt this way all the way back in January after ND lost the national title to Ohio State. Here’s a little bit from my game column that night:

The resolute anthems in the aftermath of Notre Dame’s latest jilted flirtation with destiny actually don’t sound that much different from those in 2012, in 2018, in 2020. But the reality around those coming from Monday night’s loss look distinctive.

With not only the feel that Notre Dame will soon be back making a run at giving its 1988 national title journey an overdue sequel, but with more margin for error, more ways to put an opponent into checkmate, more pathways to victory.

In other words, maybe third-year head coach Marcus Freeman and the 2024 Irish really did turn the lights back on in 2024, spilling into 2025. And maybe his Irish did take another step in winning the long game, even though there was plenty of statistical and circumstantial carnage to muck up just exactly what happened in the short term in the culmination of the first-ever, 12-team playoff.

Eric Hansen: So yeah, it’s safe to dream big about what’s coming. But I wouldn’t run to the sportsbooks just yet. Happy Thanksgiving, and the nap will be deferred until sometime on Friday!!

Denis from Niagara Falls, Canada: Hey Eric.  First of all Happy Thanksgiving.  I am sure you know we’ve already had ours on this side of the border.  I heard you talking about how much time  and thought you put into your Heisman ballot. Quite admirable.  I have heard those horror stories of the ballots being passed on to secretaries, etc.  Anyway, who wins the Syracuse game if ND plays all all backups for the entire game?  What’s the score? Enjoy your holiday.

Eric Hansen: Hi Denis. And Happy U.S. and Canada Thanksgiving and an early Happy Boxing Day! And just for the record, I don’t have a secretary to pass anything to, but my 7-year-old granddaughter has volunteered for the job. The irony is the man who started it all, Jalen Stroman, was a backup until midweek. I’ll say 35-7. Just a guess. The backups played very, very well.

Bo from Michiana: How’s thee Eric Hansen our Heisman writer from South Bend!!! 1. I heard you guys talk on B&G that there are 4 Heisman Voters in the B&G Team, who are they as I missed the ones beyond you and Tyler? 2. I can look up the AP voter list and see how each voter votes, will I be able the do the same with the Heisman voters? 3. CFP voter votes? 4. When is the turkey leg scheduled for, as if there’s any doubts ND will win? And just a FYI, I’m napping each day to train for Saturday night/Sunday morning marathon, so good luck to your sleep schedule for next week!!!!

Eric Hansen: Bo!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started to add extra o’s to your name until I realized it spelled boo. As the Indiana Heisman chairman I am actually forbidden from revealing any Heisman voter, unless they out themselves, and Tyler Horka and Jack Soble have done that. Jack is a first-timer and replacing a legend in the late Bob Hammel. 2. You will only know how they voted if they reveal it, and they can’t reveal it until after the winner is announced. 3. No, that is not public either. 4. Now to the really important question !!! The turkey leg eating/waving around, etc. will be done on our Sunday Roundtable show on YouTube at 4 p.m. Eastern. I hope that turns out to be as much fun as it sounds. Napping is a really important strategy in this business. There are week when I don’t get to bed until 7 a.m. on Sunday and then three days later, I have to wake up at 7 a.m. So, naps matter. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mike AKA Mo from Maumee OH: Hi Eric !^!  This year, the Irish played a noon game against Pitt, and will now play a 10:30 PM ET game against the Cardinal (the Tree). Does ND change any of their daily routines, like practice start time, meals time, etc. to acclimate the lads to the kickoff time change? Since 10:30 is my usual bedtime, I’ll be running on auxiliary power Saturday night/Sunday morning. Thanks!

Eric Hansen: Hi Mike/Mo/!^! I’ve gotten a few questions in the queue along these lines re the 10:30 ET start, but since you were not only first in the queue, but used the ^ symbol in your greeting, we’ll roll your out there. Now, I wish I had a more detailed answer to match. Let me start with this is the latest ET kickoff since the 1991 season, when ND actually had two 11 p.m. ET starts — at Stanford and at Hawaii. Marcus Freeman touched briefly on this at Monday’s press conference, and I wanted to follow up on it … but …

For the first time in decades I did not get to ask a question at a Monday press conference. My bad, I raised my hand too late, and there was already quite a line in the queue before they could get to me. I would have been curious to know if they were heading out early to give themselves an extra day to acclimate. Freeman did acknowledge in general terms how things were restructured, but what he really emphasized was getting the right mindset in how they’d approach it.

Marcus Freeman:
“But there’s also small adjustments that we’ll do probably towards the end of the week in terms to making sure that physically our guys are ready at 7:30, right? When we’re out there. And we got a long flight out there.
“We know that Saturday’s gonna be a little bit different to the body in terms of wake-up time. And so there’s little things that we do as a sports performance staff to make sure we can help them be ready at 7:30. They gotta be ready to go. But to me, the number one thing is the mental approach to it.”

Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, happy Thanksgiving! I hope you will be able to have an enjoyable day with your family. On a scale of one to 10 one being not worried at all 10  being very worried how worried are you that Notre Dame will get left out of the playoff?  Are there any positives to potentially having to play Ohio State in the second round, for example, Tate  and Jeremiah Smith are injured right now and might not still be a full strength, also, Ohio State seems to gain  steam the more games they play would it  be better to catch them early?  What matchups  should we be concerned about in the Stanford game.? I think I have PTSD from the game that Rees  called several years ago. Are you worried that the Irish could potentially struggle? Finally, who do you think will take the snaps that KVA would normally take? Thanks again for hosting the chat during a holiday week, and thanks for all the great insights.

Eric Hansen: Happy Thanksgiving, Marie. I love being with family. Hope you have the opportunity as well. I know you aren’t actually asking me if I am worried, since I don’t have control over that, but maybe the best way to frame it would be to rate the possibility that the Irish get left out of the CFP on a scale of 1 to 10. So, the way I look at that, there are scenarios where that could happen, but there’s also scenarios where the Irish would move up in seeding. So if I mash those two together, I’d say maybe 1 1/2 on the Richter Scale of ND playing in the Pop-Tarts Bowl if they handle their business at Stanford.

And for the Irish, that’s really where the focus needs to be. I think the committee has been fair in its assessment of teams, including the Irish. So, I expect a fair appraisal on Selection Sunday. They haven’t given me any reason to think otherwise yet. There are a lot of things outside their own game that could go their way this weekend. There are two that would not be favorable on championship game weekend. Alabama winning the SEC and BYU narrowly winning the Big 12 title game.

I’d rather face Ohio State later in the draw like last year. They weren’t an easy matchup at any stage … the ND game was the closest. They blew Tennessee out of the water in Columbus in the first round. … No PTSD here. Stanford plays very well at home, has a good run defense and good receivers. That’s not enough. The other four guys in the linebacker rotation will all get more on their plate, especially Madden Faraimo. Kahanu Kia may move into the rotation. Have a great holiday!

Lorne from Reno: Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for the chats. Horrible news about KVA. Most of what I’ve read has been about filling in for him rather than the nature and extent of his injury, though CMF’s comments make it sound really bad. Do you have any more details re the exact injury, surgery, recovery timeline, etc.? I haven’t seen anything beyond “season-ending left knee injury.”

Eric Hansen: Another question I did not get to ask on Monday. The recovery timeline is sometime in 2026, but we don’t know how deep into it yet. I’ll try to get some details next week and share them. I have heard rumblings, but I’m more comfortable with getting the official word in this case. Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for the private heads-up. Really appreciate that.

Dave from Ponte Vedra, Fla.: I’m curious about Johnson’s hand injury. I’ve never seen anyone with a hand injury wearing a sling. What exactly is that injury?

Eric Hansen: Dave, another question on my list. Sorry. My colleagues did break that story and they believe it was a break. Now why the sling? Sometimes that’s done to keep people away, to keep them from bumping into someone. When my oldest son broke a collarbone playing football, that’s what his doctor advised to do for a while. Otherwise, people can’t see it’s broken, and they may grab you or bump you, not knowing better.

Mark from Boston: Hello Eric!! Blessings! I’ve seen a few scenarios online where the Irish could be left out of the playoffs. In your expert opinion, is there any way a 10-2 Irish team gets left out of the playoffs? Miami beating Pitt and somehow getting into the ACC championship game worries me the most.

Eric Hansen: Mark!!! Actually Miami beating Pitt and being the ACC champ is favorable for Notre Dame if they go on to win that title. It ensures that the ACC would be a one-bid league and it takes the Hurricanes out of the at-large pool. A Miami loss to Pitt or even a white-knuckler eliminates them as well. But back to the ACC, there are six teams in play for those two spots in that league’s title game. Virginia is the only one which solely controls its own destiny. The others need help. For the record, here’s Miami’s tiebreaker scenarios:

Miami clinches a spot in the championship game with: 

• Win + UVA loss + DUKE loss + SMU win OR 
• Win + SMU loss + DUKE loss + UVA loss + NCSU win OR 
• Win + SMU loss + DUKE loss + UVA loss + UNC win + SYR win OR 
• Win + SMU loss + DUKE loss + UVA loss + UNC win + BC win + Finish higher than GT & SMU in SportSource Analytics ranking OR 
• Win + SMU loss + DUKE loss + UVA win + NCSU win + SYR win OR 
• Win + SMU loss + DUKE loss + UVA win + NCSU win + BC win + Finish higher than GT & SMU in SportSource Analytics ranking OR 
• Win + SMU loss + DUKE win + UVA loss + NCSU win OR 
• Win + SMU win + DUKE win + UVA loss + NCSU win + Finish higher than DUKE in SportSource Analytics ranking 

Eric Hansen: Yikes. My head hurts.

Manny from San Pedro: Eric!!!!! What a senior day! Paying respect to our seniors while dominating.  Does ND need another performance like that on Saturday to ensure a bid or are we still at risk of Miami hopping us with chaos?

Eric Hansen: Manny!!!!!!!!!!! Again, to me Miami isn’t the biggest monster under the bed. It’s BYU and Alabama winning this week and then going on to win their conference title games and by slim margins. That means the teams they beat could very likely stay in front of Notre Dame. while those two teams hop over the Irish. But remember there are teams playing this weekend — Ole Miss, Oregon, Oklahoma — who could lose to Mississippi State, Washington and LSU, respectively. And all those help the Irish potentially.

Joe from Valparaiso, Ind.: Hello Eric, I am “Thankful” for your insightful measured work and also so thankful for all the many blessings in my life. Do you have any insights into the sports performance aspects of getting the team prepared to essentially start Saturday’s game  at past 10:30 PM body clock time? Have a great Thanksgiving, enjoy your grandchildren and your entire family.

Eric Hansen: Hi Joe and thank you for the good vibes and Happy Thanksgiving. As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t get to drill down on it. With a bowl game and no classes at points leading up to the bowl game, Notre Dame can mess with practice times. In this scenario, not so much. But they are very mindful of sleep and hydration. I wish I could give you more on this.

Kevin from Calgary: Eric, happy (U.S.) Thanksgiving! Hope you have an endless plate of turkey and stuffing! I’m starting to worry the committee is hearing the “noise” about the ND/Miami comparisons. If you take away the garbage time points, both teams played 3-7 ACC teams this week. The Irish won by 10 touchdowns and Miami by 10 points, yet the Hurricanes move a step closer to ND. The anti-Notre Dame bias is palatable throughout college football, so it must exist in some committee members. Do you think if the two are one, or two spots apart Miami jumps the Irish? (Even though ND is far and away the better team at this stage).

Eric Hansen: Happy U.S. Thanksgiving to you! I’m glad you asked about this, because there’s some important elements to cover here, and you led me into this beautifully. Let’s just start with the merits of Miami independently of how they relate to Notre Dame. I think the Hurricanes ARE a good team, and I have them ranked in my AP poll (13th) very similarly to the CFP committee (12th). And just because someone sees things differently from me does not mean they’re biased. I just might be smarter. Kidding.

Where it comes across as biased is in the presentation. If you make your case with only isolating the points that favor one team, without looking at the whole picture, that’s not a good look. And if you present it in the form of a tantrum, then you deserve to have people question your partiality. A big issue with how people perceive the committee’s view of ND/Miami was by over-extrapolating what committee chair Hunter Yurachek said last week. He tried to clear that up this week in the post-TV teleconference with the media:

Q. I think you touched a little bit on Notre Dame earlier, but can you get into more about how the pod system works? Last week it sounded like they weren’t really in the same realm as Notre Dame. This week on TV, it sounded like you did compare them in some way.

HUNTER YURACHEK: I’m sorry, could you repeat your question?

Q. Sure. I was wondering if you could go into a little bit more detail about how the pod system of comparing teams works? Last week it sounded like Notre Dame and Miami weren’t really close enough to be looked at head-to-head, and tonight on TV, you mentioned that they had been looked at head-to-head, and I’m just a little confused of how that works.

HUNTER YURACHEK: And “pods” is a bad word. There’s groupings of teams that are compared throughout the rankings.

And as Notre Dame and Miami — of course you’ve got the head-to-head but that’s only one data point. The committee has felt like, as you watched Notre Dame on film, watched their games throughout year, that they have been consistent, even in the early-season games that they lost by three in Miami and by one point to Texas A&M.

Miami is a team that really appears — looks like the Miami team that started 5-0 and what they have been able to do over the last three weeks in winning those three games and looking really good on the offensive side of the ball.

And so we compare a number of things, when we’re looking at teams that are closely ranked together. And so you’ve got some teams that between Miami and Notre Dame, such as an Alabama, such as a BYU, that we’re also comparing Miami to.

Eric Hansen: So in other words, just because they have not been in the same grouping doesn’t mean they’ve thrown out the head-to-head and then that will come into play. Unless Notre Dame doesn’t handle its business, it’s very difficult to see a scenario in which Miami jumps the Irish. … one last thing, because this process is SO SUBJECTIVE — and it has to be by the nature of so few comparative data points between teams — people are naturally going to be skeptical because it’s hard to show your work.

Look, I did a Behind The Ballot column every week to give insights into this process and voting in the AP poll, etc. It doesn’t prevent people from trolling me and saying I should lose my vote because I didn’t vote their favorite team as high as they would. So, I am careful to call someone biased, because I know what it feels like to be called that when you bend over backwards to be fair to all.

ced walker from Saginaw Michigan aka sagnasty  Saginaw pride  very impress with Ethan long how he played vs Syracuse  our secondary will be very good next season 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: Great eye Ced. He’s my new football crush. Tae Johnson is the guy who caught my eye in the spring. Now Ethan Long. I want to see more. And you’re right about the secondary being very good next year. But consider how much they’ve improved this year and working around injuries. On Sept. 21, after the Purdue game, ND was No. 103 nationally in pass-efficiency defense, the true measure of pass defense. Today, they are 11th.

Mark from T-ville, N.J.: Mark from T-Ville by way of Plymouth, IN. Happy Turkey day Eric hope you and your family have a wonderful day. What do you think the conversation after the Syracuse game was between coach Freemen and coach Brown? How does the lost of KVA change things on defense? And who will fill in his slot? Thanks for chats appreciate you time and enlightenment.

Eric Hansen: Happy Turkey Day/Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Judgment Day Saturday/Sleep-in Sunday! It was really a cordial conversation. Marcus Freeman consoled Fran about how he’s been there before, and they’re going to be better for it. And Fran Brown had nothing but great things to say about ND and Freeman in his press conference and how he hopes his teams look and play like that in the future. Here’s a link if you want to watch it.

Tony (2581) from Lexington, Ky. – “Kentucky”, by the way, means “A dark and bloody ground” in Native language. If Kentucky doesn’t beat Louisville this Saturday, Mark Stoops might contribute to the “bloody ground” legacy… But that’s UK’s problem – ND has a great coach ! We all appreciate you doing the chat on the day before Thanksgiving, Eric ! As my dad used to say, “You’re a gentleman and a scholar”! Now for my question: If Jeremiyah Love gets invited to New York City for the Heisman presentation (obviously he should be), will a member of BGI get to travel there to cover the ceremony? If so, given your seniority as a scribe of ND sports, and the fact that your younger colleagues got to travel to away games this season, it seems only fitting that you should get the chance to attend what could be an historic night ! ☘🏈☘

Eric Hansen: Happy Thanksgiving, Tony (and Loretta)! I love how you were able to twist a Mark Stoops commentary into something about the Heisman presentation. I do think we’ll have someone in New York. And whoever represents us, I have confidence will do a great job. I’ve got great teammates, and I do mean that, and I do think it’s important for me to realize that. And so seniority only matters at our place if it pertains to some great discounts out in the world. But I feel I should earn whatever I get, and am willing to do that. Thanks for your support. PS: I have covered some of these in New York, and it’s an epic experience.

Tom from Toronto: Hi Eric, while not at the top of anyone’s list, I am pleased to advise that Fridays are now “Blueberry and Raspberry pancake Fridays.” Of course, they are accompanied by Canadian maple syrup. There seems to be something about the cold Canadian weather that improves the taste of the maple syrup. In looking at all of the chatter, there do seem to be a lot of opinions out there. I like Coach Freeman’s approach, shutting out the noise and focusing on the game. A mild concern that I have, as the Stanford game is the last of this weekend, and you may have already addressed it, if the other games break ND’s way, and they will be a shoe in for the playoffs, any chance that the team may lighten up, and leave an opening for Stanford to be major spoilers, human nature being what it is? Or do you see them as so focused that will not happen. I appreciate your wisdom. Have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy the carving!

Eric Hansen: Tom, thanks a lot! Now I want pancakes and I just had lunch! To your concerns. It’s happened before … Northern Illinois last year being the most recent example where the Irish are concerned. But for me, if there was going to be a letdown, it was going to be the Syracuse game. And that didn’t happen. This team is on a mission. That’s my take. Thanks for the Thanksgiving sentiments including keeping all my fingers intact while doing the carving!

Stanley B from Glen Allen: No Question; just wanted to wish you and your family a joyful Thanksgiving….

Eric Hansen: Stanley B, thank you… and you as well!!!

Tom in Evanston, Ill.: Hi Eric. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Given the play of Carr this year, plus the continuation of a strong defense and running game, is there any area holding back ND at this point from competing with the top-ranked teams? Asked differently, if ND makes it to the title game against tOSU, Indiana, A&M or Georgia, would the outcome be decided by how each team played or would there still be differences between ND and the perceived top tier?

Eric Hansen: Hi Tom and Happy Thanksgiving, and great question. I think if we go back to last January, the two position groups where there was a noticeable gap was defensive line and wide receivers. And especially if ND has Greathouse and Rubio back, those two positions have upgraded. The one that gives me the most pause is how would ND’s O-line stand up against an elite front 7? Pitt was a really good test that ND passed, but some of the fronts you mentioned are better and have great secondaries to go with it. Now if ND gets back both Billy Schrauth (expected) and Charles Jagusah (maybe, maybe not). then that could change the dynamic of that matchup.

Sean from Portland, Ore.: Would it be fair to describe the 2025 team as having a higher ceiling than the 2024 team, although at this point they should not be considered “as good?” It seems that if the 2025 team finishes strong, finally fixes short yardage/4th down/turnover stuff, they have a higher ceiling based on the downfield passing threats. The 2024 team was almost automatic in short-yardage and redzone… that’s the biggest difference I see. Fair or unfair?

Eric Hansen: Hi Sean. I think this team is more complete. And let me give you an example. I like to track five metrics that championship teams tend to excel in: Rush offense, rush defense, total defense, pass efficiency and turnover margin. Here’s ND 2024’s national standing in those five categories:

19-49-11-49-5
And here’s 2025: 19-13-22-5-5

So, huge gains in run defense and pass efficiency. So if the Irish can get the kicker issue and the short-yardage straightened out, I would agree with you.

Tony from Lake Mary, Fla.: KVA’s injury seems more drastic to me than I think it might be perceived. I know you and Tyler mentioned on Monday night that LB depth is strong, but I think his skill set in a single package makes it hard to replace. You can get their with more than one other LB but you can only play 11 at a time. Feels like Ash will need to be a bit more choosy in run vs pass personnel choice with KVA out. Do you agree?

Eric Hansen: Hi Tony, yes to an extent, but Madden Faraimo does mimic a lot of KVA’s strengths. Now he’s closer to last year’s model than this one, but he is VERY good in coverage. But yes, there’s going to be more picking and choosing than rolling guys in, but all four of those guys can play both inside positions and have some versatility.

Michael from Chicago: Happy pre-t-day from Chitown! If you’re already answered this in a previous article or chat ty in advance for pointing me in the right direction. Do you anticipate any players entering the portal when the window first opens even if they’re still in a playoff run, perhaps deep reserves or players that are injured? Bonus question: given the influx of HS talent in this year’s recruiting class, do you anticipate the Irish to gain more or lose more net-net in the portal this year? Ty in advance and Go Irish, stuff the Cardinal!!

Eric Hansen: Happy pre-T Day to you. Unless it’s someone who’s injured and wouldn’t play anyway, there’s not real advantage to doing that. I would be shocked if it were anyone else. Keep in mind the portal window is much later this year. Last year it was early December, the day after Selection Sunday. This year it’s Jan. 2-16, so two rounds of the playoff would already in the books. Plus, as was the case last year, players involved in the playoff have a special five-day window after their team is either eliminated or they win the title.. … As to the second question, I apologize, I have not done the math yet, but keep in mind the new ideal number for scholarship players is 95, with the limit being 105, no longer 85.

Matt from Muscatine: Hi Eric! I have a question related to your use of metrics in looking at good and bad match ups and how you rank teams on your ballot. For instance, you’ve pointed out last year and this year that certain teams would be bad statistical match ups for ND. When you look at teams in general, how does that factor into how you rank them? For instance, if I were an AP voter (I’m not), I’d be tempted to rank teams based on who I think would beat whom (based on what they’ve shown on the field up to that point) on a neutral field the majority of the times they played. However, your point about match ups throws a wrench into that. I could think that, overall, a certain team is the 5th best (they would beat the 6th ranked team a majority of games played between them) but that the 7th ranked team (whom I think number 6 would beat a majority of the time) is a bad match up for them and would probably beat number 5 a majority of the time. How do you resolve/think through situations like that when you rank teams? Thank you!!!!

Eric Hansen: Hi Matt. I don’t really sort through the matchups. I really try to focus on what has actually happened on the field. But there is a little bit of that going into my thinking when the schedules are so divergent in their strength, for example. Georgia Tech is an example of this. In no way does their defense profile as a playoff team, and it finally caught up to them. Early in the season, I rely on this more when there’s not enough data from games played. I look at a team and wonder is this sustainable. The Big 12, as a group, is hard to evaluate, because they have zero wins out of conference against any AP top 25 teams and barely played any. BUT Texas Tech’s numbers/metrics look great. I mean, really great. So it is something I’ll reference.

Len from the Jersey Shore: Eric, my question came before Tyler Horka’s article.  Similar thoughts tho

Eric Hansen: Happy Thanksgiving Len!

Paul from Knoxville: Ciao Eric:  No questions today — not even about WBB! — as I figure you deserve a break from my crazy queries.  But I would like to say that I am thankful for your hosting these chats and for sharing your journalism talent with us as well as for the many chatters who ask interesting questions in a respectful manner.  Although I can seldom join the chats live, and typically submit my questions in advance, I really look forward to reading the transcripts.  So Eric, tanti auguri e buona festa di ringraziamento a te e tutta la tua famiglia!

Eric Hansen: Ciao Paul. THANK YOU!
E che domani tu possa ricevere una coscia di tacchino gigante e tanti abbracci.
Translation: And may you be the recipient of a giant turkey leg and lots of hugs tomorrow.

Bob from Oxnard Calif.: Do you think Stanford will care if they lose 100-10 given the non-conference nature of the game?  Just kidding, does our freshman tight end have pass catching skill from what you can glean from recruiting tape or otherwise?  Thx

Eric Hansen: Hi Bob, there were times this past Saturday I was wondering if we’d get to 110-10 …. James Flanigan does indeed have pass-catching skills. It’s one of the reasons why the coaching staff really wanted to redshirt him. He’s a rare tight end who comes into college so strong at both the receiving and blocking skills sets. Most guys are one or the other and then evolve over time into bring balanced. I’m expecting a big sophomore season from him and some good stuff in the playoff as well in a more supporting role.

Roger from Peoria: Eric: Happy Thanksgiving to your entire family.  Here’s hoping your valued Thanksgiving traditions are renewed in 2025! My Mom made the best from-scratch noodles, involved her two granddaughters beginning at age 5, and now they make them with their little ones. Great memories for which I am thankful.  The Irish D rendered Pitt QB Heintschel ineffective. He sure showed up against Ga Tech. Do you think he continues to perform well against Miami and leads the Panthers to a win as a 6.5 dog? For what I believe will be the first time ever, I am rooting for your Buckeyes to win. Do you think they will take down the Wolverines? The loss of KVA hurts!  Who do you project to fill the void for the Irish? Third down, goal to go for the Irish on the 2-yard line. While many variables including what the Cardinal D has been doing are involved, and with Riley Leonard now gone, what play do you call? While not the same as being thankful for family, thanks on behalf of all Chatters for your work!! GO IRISH!!

Eric Hansen: Thanksgiving has always been a great holiday for me, and not just because of the food. I have only missed one in my entire career, as I’ve made it a priority. Some of the other holidays, we just move around to fit them in. … Thanks for sharing your traditions. To your questions … Pitt’s offensive line is a horrible matchup for them against Miami. But I love Pitt’s linebackers. I also am curious how Miami is going to handle the cold, cold weather in Pittsburgh. I still think the Hurricanes win, but this could be very interesting. … I do think Ohio State handles this Michigan team. … keep your eye on Madden Faraimo … Jeremiyah Love gets the ball for me BUT NOT LINED UP IN THE WILDCAT!

Steve from St Louis: Happy Thanksgiving to you and the family. How do you anticipate the coaching staff balancing giving J.Love one last opportunity to make a heisman statement and protecting him for a possible playoff run?

Eric Hansen: Happy Thanksgiving, Steve. … I don’t think they coach to have him win the Heisman. They coach to win the game. And if the score gets lopsided, they have Aneyas Williams and Nolan James Jr. eager to come on and show their stuff.

Glenn from Santa Monica, Calif.: Eric, Coach Denbrock implied he tried everything on solving the goal line challenges. How do you interpret his comments and what might be next for goal line solutions?

Eric Hansen: Hi Glenn, not sure which comments you’re referring to, so I’m going to have to disappoint you. I talked to him Monday night, maybe those were the comments?

IrishRob from Scranton Pa.: Happy Thanksgiving Eric and to all of ND Nation. I am thankful for many things, and being able to talk about another successful Irish season, thus far, is one of them. As a long time reader of the chats to back at the SBT days, I remember you talking about 5 metrics that national contenders score well in throughout the season. At this point in the season, I wonder where the Irish are compared to teams like Ohio State, Georgia, Indiana are? Also, while I think the Irish are on firm ground for the playoffs, what is the one thing or things that could happen this weekend or next to cause the ground beneath our collective feet to loosen up or swallow us whole?  Thanks for the time and once again, Happy Thanksgiving to all!  Bring on the stuffing!!!!!!

Eric Hansen: Hi Rob, let me do these really quick. So you want ND, Ohio State, Georgia and Indiana. If you want teams 5-10 in the AP poll plus Miami, I did those in my Behind The Ballot column this week. You can read that HERE.

OK here’s ND … sequence, rush offense, rush defense, total defense, pass efficiency, turnover margin: 19-13-22-5-5
Ohio State: 56-2-1-2-32
Indiana: 14-4-4-1-1
Georgia: 29-5-13-27-75

Thanks Rob for following me over from the SB Trib. Thanks for the holiday wishes and for the extra stuffing. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Tom F from Kennesaw, Ga.: Eric, a quick question regarding preserving a Red Shirt year:  seems like Marcus discussed some players prior to the Syracuse game that only had one regular season game left to play to preserve an extra year.  Who were they and did they play against Syracuse??  Are there any other players who could play against Stanford that were close to using that Red Shirt year.  Go Irish!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen: OK Tom, not a quick answer LOL. It would have been easier to name that guys who have blown their redshirt years. But that’s not what you asked, so here goes …
Eric Hansen: First let’s start with two juniors. WR Jaden Greathouse can redshirt if he doesn’t play against Stanford. TE Cooper Flanagan can redshirt whether he plays or not. Neither of those guys had previously redshirted. Of the freshmen only one with a redshirt still in play CAN’T play against Stanford. That’s offensive tackle Owen Strebig. Now all of these guys can play in all the postseason games.

OK, here are the guys who can redshirt regardless of whether they play on Saturday: JaDon Blair, Blake Hebert, Jerome Bettis Jr., Scrap Richardson, Elijah Burress, Cree Thomas, Ethan Long, Nolan James Jr., Dominik Hulak, Christopher Burgess, Anthony Sacca, Ko’o Kia, Cam Herron, Davion Dixon, Will Black, James Flanigan, Gordy Sulfsted and Joe Reiff. S Brandon Logan has been injured, so he can redshirt too. Hopefully, in my haste, I didn’t miss anyone.

Eric Hansen: OK, that’s going to do it for today. The next assignment beckons. Thanks for all the great questions. We WILL chat next week, but it won’t be Wednesday. I’ll have the lay of the land by Monday and will announce the chat day then. My guess right now it’ll be Thursday or Friday, and I’ll let you know on the site and on social media. Happy Thanksgiving everyone and thanks for putting up with me!