Irish Breakdown

Notre Dame’s defense set the tone in the 41-13 win over Wisconsin, delivering a dominant performance that showcased the Irish’ toughness, focus, preparation, and execution. We break down the defense from a big-picture perspective before taking an in-depth look at the defensive line, linebackers, and secondary, along with any special teams moments that stood out. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at ou...

Notre Dame opened the 2026 season with a dominant 41-13 victory over Wisconsin, delivering a statement performance at Lambeau Field and immediately putting the Irish in the national championship conversation. We give our initial reactions to the win, breaking down the biggest offensive takeaways, standout performances, and what this impressive victory tells us about Notre Dame moving forward. Shop...

In this best of the week segment, we look back at the discussion the Irish Breakdown team had discussing the Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin preview along with our final thoughts and predictions for the season opener, including how we expect the game to unfold and the opportunity in front of the Irish. Trevor and Bryan make their score predictions, pick game balls on offense, defense, and special teams,...

In this best of the week segment, we look back at the discussion the Irish Breakdown team had discussing Notre Dame opening the season against Wisconsin with clear opportunities to control the game on both sides of the ball, and we break down the keys the Irish offense must execute to have success against the Badgers. We also examine the defensive keys that can allow Notre Dame to set the tone, cr...

In this best of the week segment, we look back at the discussion the Irish Breakdown team had discussing Notre Dame having several potential game wreckers who could swing the season opener against Wisconsin, with impact players on both sides of the ball ready to make their presence felt. We break down the players most capable of changing the game, including CJ Carr, Jaden Greathouse, Aneyas Willia...

In this best of the week segment, we look back at the discussion the Irish Breakdown team had about Notre Dame's season opener against Wisconsin featuring several critical individual matchups that could determine how the game unfolds on both sides of the ball. We break down the battles to watch, including the Irish interior offensive line against Wisconsin's massive defensive tackles, Will Black v...

In this best of the week segment, we look back at the discussion the Irish Breakdown team had about Notre Dame opening the 2026 season against Wisconsin in a matchup carrying major stakes for both programs, with the Irish looking to make an early statement and put their September struggles behind them. We break down the Freeman-Fickell dynamic, the pressure facing Luke Fickell, and what a win—or l...

Irish Breakdown discusses some of Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman's final public comments before Sunday's season opener against Wisconsin. Freeman discusses preparing to defend Wisconsin QB Colton Joseph, Christian Gray, Adon Shuler, Lou Holtz, and more. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: https://ibstore.irishbreakdown.com Join the Irish Breakdown premium message board: https:...

Today's Rapid Fire topics include: Greatest confidence going into Sunday's season opener against Wisconsin, how would you feel if CJ Carr passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns but the running game is held below 100 yards and the Irish still beat Wisconsin, several game props for the ND-Wisconsin game. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: https://ibstore.irishbreakdown.com Join th...

Irish Breakdown answers questions about Notre Dame Football, College Football, Irish Recruiting and much more in the latest Notre Dame Football Mailbag! This is part four of the show. 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 la...

Irish Breakdown answers questions about Notre Dame Football, College Football, Irish Recruiting and much more in the latest Notre Dame Football Mailbag! This is part three of the show. 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 l...

Irish Breakdown answers questions about Notre Dame Football, College Football, Irish Recruiting and much more in the latest Notre Dame Football Mailbag! This is part two of the show. 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 lat...

Irish Breakdown answers questions about Notre Dame Football, College Football, Irish Recruiting and much more in the latest Notre Dame Football Mailbag! This is part one of the show. 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 lat...

Today's Rapid Fire topics include: An idea for when to play future Shamrock Series games, reaction to comments from USC head coach Lincoln Riley on last week's low attendance, comments from Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock on his short yardage offense and CJ Carr's presnap reads, thoughts on TV's new "Ref Cam" in college football games. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our...

Irish Breakdown answers listener questions about Notre Dame football, including how the Irish offense might go about attacking Wisconsin's defense Sunday night in Green Bay. 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 a...

Notre Dame's opponents face some intriguing tests of their own in week one, and we run through every game involving an Irish opponent before focusing on the matchups with the biggest potential impact. The spotlight falls on Miami at Stanford, Boston College at Cincinnati, and SMU at Florida State as we examine what each result could mean for Notre Dame's schedule and the early college football lan...

This Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin preview delivers our final thoughts and predictions for the season opener, including how we expect the game to unfold and the opportunity in front of the Irish. Trevor and Bryan make their score predictions, pick game balls on offense, defense, and special teams, and identify the early signs they’ll be watching for to determine whether Notre Dame is ready to roll. Sho...

Today's Rapid Fire topics include: Thoughts on the tribute Notre Dame will pay to the late Lou Holtz this season, reaction to comments from Irish head coach Marcus Freeman on the idea of Wisconsin as a "tone setting" game for his team and what offensive success would look like against the Badgers, thoughts on receiver Micah Gilbert, thoughts on Wisconsin dual threat QB Colton Joseph, and...

Irish Breakdown's Bryan Driskell and Sean Stires take a look at some of Notre Dame's top offensive recruiting priorities in the 2028 class. They look at some of the early targets at each position group and also discuss what the quarterback strategy could be for the class. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: https://ibstore.irishbreakdown.com Join the Irish Breakdown premium message...

Irish Breakdown reacts to comments from ESPN's "Stanford" Steve and discusses some of the quarterbacks Notre Dame will see and debates the merits of not playing in minor bowl games. 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...

Notre Dame opens the season against Wisconsin with clear opportunities to control the game on both sides of the ball, and we break down the keys the Irish offense must execute to have success against the Badgers. We also examine the defensive keys that can allow Notre Dame to set the tone, create problems for Wisconsin, and put the Irish in position to start the season with a statement victory. Sh...

Notre Dame has several potential game wreckers who could swing the season opener against Wisconsin, with impact players on both sides of the ball ready to make their presence felt. We break down the players most capable of changing the game, including CJ Carr, Jaden Greathouse, Aneyas Williams, Bryce Young, Christian Gray, and Brauntae Johnson. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: ht...

Notre Dame's season opener against Wisconsin features several critical individual matchups that could determine how the game unfolds on both sides of the ball. We break down the battles to watch, including the Irish interior offensive line against Wisconsin's massive defensive tackles, Will Black vs. Sebastian Cheeks, Micah Gilbert vs. Javian Robinson, and Boubacar Traore and the Notre Dame second...

Notre Dame great Chris Zorich joins Irish Breakdown's Sean Stires to preview this Saturday's season opener against Wisconsin. They discuss the Irish defensive line, D-line coach Charlie Partridge, Zorich's godson and Notre Dame defensive line commit Brayden Parks, Lambeau Field, and more! Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: https://ibstore.irishbreakdown.com Join the Irish Breakdown...

Irish Breakdown discusses a handful of comments from Irish head coach Marcus Freeman heading into the season. Freeman discusses the decision to name just four captains this season, the rise of defensive lineman Armel Mukam and freshman safety Joey O'Brien. Shop for Irish Breakdown gear at our online store: https://ibstore.irishbreakdown.com Join the Irish Breakdown premium message board: https://b...