Irish Breakdown

Notre Dame enters 2026 with championship expectations, but we're going beyond the obvious predictions and making some bold calls for the Irish this season. Trevor and Bryan take turns making their biggest unit and player predictions, ranging from breakout performances and surprising developments to statements that could look very different by season's end. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our onli...

Irish Breakdown discusses comments from Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock on a handful of Irish wide receivers, including Bubba Frazier, Matt Jeffrey and Elijah Burress. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: https://ibstore.irishbreakdown.com Join the Irish Breakdown premium message board: https://boards.irishbreakdown.com Stay locked into Irish Breakdown for all the late...

Today's Rapid Fire topics include: Some impressions of Notre Dame football's new Shields Hall facility after this week's media tour, comments from Irish offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock on his five running backs and their possible roles as well as the backup quarterbacks, the SEC has joined the Big 10 in establishing a rule to prevent former professional athletes from returning to college to pl...

The IB team answers questions about Notre Dame football, Irish recruiting and college football in the latest installment of the Daily Mailbag. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: https://ibstore.irishbreakdown.com/ Join the Irish Breakdown premium message board: https://boards.irishbreakdown.com Stay locked into Irish Breakdown for all the latest news and analysis about Notre Dame:...

We hand out our 2026 Notre Dame defensive superlatives, predicting the top freshman, transfer, lineman, playmaker, breakout player, comeback player, and the most outstanding and valuable players on the defense. We also make our predictions for the Irish's top tacklers, sack leaders, and interception producers, including who will deliver the biggest plays throughout the season. Shop for Irish Break...

We hand out our 2026 Notre Dame offensive superlatives, predicting everything from the top freshman, transfer, lineman, playmaker, breakout player, and comeback player to the team's most outstanding and most valuable players. We also make our predictions for the Irish's top rushers and pass catchers, biggest plays, and statistical leaders, including who will deliver the most explosive plays throug...

Irish Breakdown discusses comments from Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock on tackle Styles Prescod getting reps at right guard. We debate the possibility of Prescod starting there when the season opens. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: https://ibstore.irishbreakdown.com Join the Irish Breakdown premium message board: https://boards.irishbreakdown.com Stay locked into...

Today's Rapid Fire topics include: A look at Notre Dame's wide receiver and tight end depth charts from Tuesday's media practice viewing, comments from ESPN's Joey Galloway on how Kirk Herbstreit and his ESPN cohorts influenced last year's snub of Notre Dame from the College Football Playoffs, the Big Ten has made a rule banning NFL players from returning to play college football, thoughts on form...

Irish Breakdown picks our players we think will be Notre Dame's breakout players this season. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: https://ibstore.irishbreakdown.com Join the Irish Breakdown premium message board: https://boards.irishbreakdown.com Stay locked into Irish Breakdown for all the latest news and analysis about Notre Dame: https://www.irishbreakdown.com​ Subscribe to the I...

The IB team answers questions about Notre Dame football, Irish recruiting and college football in the latest installment of the Daily Mailbag. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: https://ibstore.irishbreakdown.com/ Join the Irish Breakdown premium message board: https://boards.irishbreakdown.com Stay locked into Irish Breakdown for all the latest news and analysis about Notre Dame:...

The 2026 SEC season is loaded with championship contenders, intriguing teams, and plenty of questions, and we're making our complete conference predictions from No. 16 all the way to No. 1 before picking the SEC Championship Game matchup and winner. We also hand out our preseason awards, including our picks for the top offensive and defensive players, breakout stars, newcomers, linemen, skill play...

The 2026 Big Ten season features a crowded field at the top, and we're making our complete conference predictions from No. 18 through No. 1 before picking the Big Ten Championship Game matchup and winner. We also hand out our preseason awards, including our picks for the top offensive and defensive players, breakout stars, newcomers, linemen, skill players, quarterbacks, and Coach of the Year. Sho...

Notre Dame has a chance to make a major statement against the Big Ten in 2026, but with Wisconsin and Michigan State down and Purdue struggling, the Irish need to dominate the conference's lower-tier teams while proving they can compete with its best. We also break down Notre Dame's biggest Big Ten matchups, why the SEC presents a different style challenge, and the absurdity of using the Irish's s...

Irish Breakdown makes predictions on what Notre Dame's offensive depth chart could look like when the Irish open their season against Wisconsin. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: https://ibstore.irishbreakdown.com Join the Irish Breakdown premium message board: https://boards.irishbreakdown.com Stay locked into Irish Breakdown for all the latest news and analysis about Notre Dame:...

Today's Rapid Fire topics include: Notre Dame ranks among the top teams in the nation in wins against ranked foes during Marcus Freeman's tenure, what are the chances the Irish will have both a 1,000 yard rusher and a 1,000 yard receiver this season, what's the "best" thing about ND heading into the season, thoughts on players cut by NFL teams being allowed to return to college to play,...

The IB team answers questions about Notre Dame football, Irish recruiting and college football in the latest installment of the Daily Mailbag. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: https://ibstore.irishbreakdown.com/ Join the Irish Breakdown premium message board: https://boards.irishbreakdown.com Stay locked into Irish Breakdown for all the latest news and analysis about Notre Dame:...

The Big 12 once again looks like one of college football's most unpredictable conferences, and we're breaking down our complete 2026 projections from the bottom of the standings all the way to our conference championship picks. We also hand out our preseason Big 12 awards, recognizing the top players, breakout stars, newcomers, quarterbacks, linemen, skill players, and our choice for Coach of the...

The 2026 ACC season is loaded with intriguing teams and storylines, and we're making our predictions from No. 17 all the way to No. 1 before picking our conference championship matchup and winner. We also hand out our preseason awards, including the top offensive and defensive players, breakout stars, newcomers, quarterbacks, linemen, skill players, and our pick for ACC Coach of the Year. Shop for...

Notre Dame has an opportunity to make a major statement against two of college football's biggest conferences in 2026, with key matchups against the ACC and Big 12 carrying significant implications. We break down how the Irish have rebuilt their standing against the ACC, why BYU represents a crucial test against the Big 12, and how victories over the top teams on this schedule could strengthen Not...

In this best of the week segment, we look back at the discussion the Irish Breakdown team had discussing how Notre Dame's defense has plenty of proven talent heading into 2026, but several critical questions remain about how the unit will perform when the stakes are highest. We examine the impact of the new coaching staff, the defensive back rotation, whether the defensive line can develop enough...

In this best of the week segment, we look back at the discussion the Irish Breakdown team had discussing how Notre Dame enters 2026 with a high floor on defense under Chris Ash, thanks to elite star power in the secondary, a stout linebacker corps, and outstanding depth along the defensive line. We break down what we already know about this defense and why its talent, depth, and veteran leadership...

In this best of the week segment, we look back at the discussion the Irish Breakdown team had discussing how several key players on Notre Dame's defense have the talent to become difference-makers in 2026, but they must take the next step for the Irish to reach their championship ceiling. We identify the defensive standouts under the microscope, including Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young, Armel Mukam,...

In this best of the week segment, we look back at the discussion the Irish Breakdown team had discussing how Notre Dame's 2026 offense has plenty of talent, but several critical questions remain before we know just how good this unit can be. We examine CJ Carr's ceiling, whether the high-upside receivers can deliver, the tight ends' impact in the passing game, the offensive line's toughness and co...

In this best of the week segment, we look back at the discussion the Irish Breakdown team had discussing how Notre Dame's 2026 offense has plenty of known pieces, from new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and an established CJ Carr to a talented group of skill players and an offensive line loaded with potential. We break down what we already know about Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse, the tight...

In this best of the week segment, we look back at the discussion the Irish Breakdown team had discussing how Notre Dame has plenty of talent on offense, but several key players and coaches must take the next step if the Irish are going to reach their championship ceiling in 2026. We identify the biggest offensive standouts who need to step up, including CJ Carr, Jaden Greathouse, the battle for th...