Something worse than 10-2 is a disappointment

Marcus Freeman led Notre Dame to a profitable 2024 season regardless of an early-season hiccup. As a 28-point favourite, the Combating Irish misplaced a Week 2 recreation to Northern Illinois in South Bend. Nonetheless, they bounced again by making it to the nationwide championship recreation.

Regardless of shedding high gamers to the NFL draft, the Irish are projected to return as a greater staff in 2025. The staff is anticipated to return to the Faculty Soccer Playoff for a second straight season whereas difficult for the nationwide title.

Bryan Driskell appeared on the “Jake and Firm” podcast on Thursday to preview Notre Dame’s 2025 season. The analyst projected a profitable 12 months, doubtlessly going undefeated within the common season, setting the bar excessive for the staff within the wake of stable recruitments.

“The ceiling is 12-0,” Driskell stated (Timestamp: 20:30). “They’ve a greater roster than each staff they play, however additionally they had a greater roster than Northern Illinois. In addition they had a greater roster than Stanford and Marshall in previous years.”

“So it is about whether or not Coach Freeman can get them to play to that degree week after week like he did post-Northern Illinois. I feel the ground is 10-2. I feel something worse than 10-2 for this staff is a disappointment… Something worse than that, then one thing did not go proper.”

Bryan Driskell believes Notre Dame wants to enhance its go safety

Notre Dame was spectacular within the run recreation final season, averaging 200.9 yards per recreation. Nonetheless, the operating again duo of Jayden Harrison and quarterback Riley Leonard, who performed an vital function within the operating recreation will not be returning in 2025.

To have one thing comparable subsequent season and benefit from their operating again expertise, Bryan Driskell believes the Combating Irish might want to enhance their go safety.

“Can Joe Rudolph proceed constructing on the run recreation success that they had final 12 months?” Driskell requested (Timestamp 18:40). “The massive factor for me, as a result of you do not have Riley Leonard, go professionals has to get quite a bit higher. As a result of you do not have Riley Leonard to bail you out whenever you get it.

“There have been instances final 12 months after they would permit a free runner off the sting, and Riley simply makes that man miss and runs for 15 yards. You are not going to have that this 12 months. So you are going to must do a greater job, and simply be constant and regular in go professional. That is going to be the large key.”

Notre Dame’s offensive line is depleted after projected starter Charles Jagusah fractured the left arm humerus bone in a UTV accident. His damage comes as a significant setback for the Irish, who misplaced vital depth to the switch portal this offseason.