Title: The Fate of Notre Dame Football in the College Football Playoff Era: A Critical Look at Marcus Freeman’s Leadership

Introduction: The Weight of the College Football Playoff (CFP) Era

The College Football Playoff (CFP) has changed the landscape of college football, placing unprecedented pressure on schools to not only perform well but to secure a spot in the playoff. For elite programs like Notre Dame, the pursuit of a CFP berth has become a defining objective. As the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have struggled to secure a spot in the CFP, questions are mounting about the direction of the program under head coach Marcus Freeman.

Freeman, who took over as head coach in 2022, has shown promise, but as the stakes continue to rise, doubts have surfaced about his ability to lead the program back to elite status, especially when it comes to breaking through the barrier to the CFP.

Background: The High Expectations of Notre Dame Football

Notre Dame is one of the most storied programs in college football history. With 11 national championships, numerous bowl victories, and a rich tradition of success, the Fighting Irish are expected to compete at the highest level year after year. The program’s standards demand nothing short of excellence, and with the rise of the CFP, that expectation has been more evident than ever.

Historically, Notre Dame has been a force, but the recent years have been a mixture of near-misses and underachievement, particularly in high-profile games that have kept them out of the coveted playoff spots. This has left fans, analysts, and former players wondering whether the program is stagnating or poised for a resurgence.

Marcus Freeman’s Arrival: A Promising Start

Marcus Freeman arrived at Notre Dame with an impressive résumé. After serving as the defensive coordinator at Cincinnati, Freeman quickly gained attention for his dynamic coaching style, especially in leading one of the nation’s top defenses. His hire by Notre Dame was viewed as a bold and forward-thinking move by the program, as Freeman represented a new, energetic direction that sought to build on the program’s legacy.

In his first season, Freeman navigated a challenging schedule, going 9-4, and while that record was not necessarily reflective of a playoff team, it showed resilience. He inherited a team that had grown accustomed to the steady, conservative leadership of former coach Brian Kelly, and Freeman’s emphasis on aggressive defense and high-powered offense was expected to eventually take the program to the next level.

However, as time went on, concerns began to emerge regarding Freeman’s leadership in big moments.

The Criticisms: A Bumpy Road in Key Games

Despite Freeman’s early promise, Notre Dame has had difficulty in key moments—especially against elite teams. In 2023, the Fighting Irish had another strong regular season but faltered in crucial games that would have solidified their spot in the CFP. Losses to top-tier teams like Ohio State, USC, and Clemson not only showed the team’s inconsistency but raised red flags about Freeman’s ability to win the high-profile matchups that matter most in the CFP race.

National analysts began to question Freeman’s game management, especially in tight contests. In particular, the inability to close out games, often failing to adjust strategically in the second half, became a key point of discussion. The lack of a definitive offensive identity and an inability to exploit weaknesses in top-ranked teams raised doubts about Freeman’s tactical flexibility.

Moreover, the 2023 season exposed a significant gap between Notre Dame and the elite teams in terms of recruiting and roster depth. While Freeman inherited a talented roster, it became clear that Notre Dame was being outclassed by schools that had more depth, particularly in critical positions like quarterback, offensive line, and defensive back.

Recruiting Struggles: Closing the Gap with Elite Teams

One of the most critical aspects of Notre Dame’s journey under Freeman is the question of recruiting. For years, Notre Dame has been limited by its academic standards and location, factors that sometimes hinder the program from consistently competing for the very best recruits.

While Freeman’s recruiting efforts have been solid, there’s concern that Notre Dame is still behind programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State in terms of attracting elite talent. For Freeman to truly elevate Notre Dame’s status and put the team in CFP contention, he needs to secure more top-tier recruits—especially at positions like quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive line.

The inability to recruit top-tier quarterbacks has been a significant drawback. In a conference where Heisman-contending quarterbacks are the norm, Freeman’s struggles to land that game-changing signal-caller have limited the team’s offensive upside. While Notre Dame has had solid quarterbacks under Freeman, none have emerged as elite playmakers capable of leading the team to a national championship or consistently winning high-pressure games.

Recruiting for skill positions is another area where Freeman’s Notre Dame squad has faced challenges. Although the offensive line and defensive front are strong, Notre Dame has lacked the type of explosive athletes in skill positions that other CFP contenders boast. The talent gap in these areas continues to be an obstacle.

The Pressure Mounts: The Race Against Time

The 2025 season looms large for Freeman. With his contract and long-term job security potentially on the line, the pressure to succeed is greater than ever. Notre Dame has the tradition, the fanbase, and the facilities, but as the program has seen in recent years, those elements alone are no longer enough. The Fighting Irish need to build a team capable of beating the best of the best week in and week out.

Freeman, once seen as the new hope for a resurgent Notre Dame program, is now facing scrutiny. If Notre Dame fails to make the CFP in the 2024 season and beyond, it will be hard to ignore the concerns about Freeman’s ability to lead the team to the next level. The national analyst community is already raising eyebrows over his record against top teams and his ability to recruit elite talent—issues that may continue to haunt the program.

The Financial Reality: Will Notre Dame Stay Independent?

Another pressing issue is Notre Dame’s status as an independent school. While Notre Dame has thrived as an independent for decades, the financial pressures of the College Football Playoff and the increasing dominance of conference championships in the playoff selection process have made the independence model more challenging. The Irish’s lack of a conference title to secure an automatic bid into the CFP has hurt their chances of making the playoff in the past few seasons.

The national analysts are beginning to ask whether Notre Dame will have to reconsider its independence. Conference affiliation would provide a guaranteed path to a conference championship and, by extension, a better chance of making the playoff. Freeman’s tenure may very well depend on whether Notre Dame continues to walk the path of independence or joins a Power Five conference to improve its CFP odds.

Freeman’s Potential: Will He Turn It Around?

Despite the growing concerns, it’s important to acknowledge Marcus Freeman’s potential. He has shown promise in his short time at Notre Dame, and the trajectory of his program isn’t set in stone. Freeman possesses the right leadership qualities, and his recruiting efforts are improving. However, turning around the program’s fortunes will require him to address several critical areas:

• Developing a dynamic offense that can consistently compete with top-tier defenses.
• Improving game management and in-game adjustments, particularly in tight matchups.
• Closing the recruiting gap with other CFP-caliber programs by landing top-tier talent at key positions.

The fact remains that Freeman has time on his side. If he can make strides in these areas, he could very well lead Notre Dame back to the top of college football. However, the clock is ticking, and the pressure to secure a spot in the CFP is mounting.

The Fate of Notre Dame Football

With the CFP’s ever-expanding influence on college football, programs like Notre Dame can no longer afford to be complacent. Marcus Freeman’s future as head coach is not just about maintaining the Irish’s tradition; it’s about leading the team back to the College Football Playoff and ultimately competing for a national championship. The window of opportunity is narrow, and as national analysts have pointed out, the pressure to succeed has never been higher.

Freeman’s journey at Notre Dame is still in its early stages, but as the program continues to navigate the challenges of the CFP era, his ability to close the gap with college football’s elite will determine whether he will be seen as a savior of the program or another footnote in its storied history.