Notre Dame football has a storied history, boasting 11 national championships. With respect to the other big boys in the sport, there is perhaps no bigger “brand” in all of college football than the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
This is exactly why it’s so impressive what Marcus Freeman’s 2024 squad has accomplished.
With their ultra-impressive 27-17 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on Friday, Notre Dame achieved a program milestone, earning a record-breaking 12th win on the season.
The win marked the most victories in a single season for the Fighting Irish, and Freeman reflected on the achievement while keeping the team’s ultimate goal in focus.
“You know, we wouldn’t be in this situation if we didn’t have 12 wins,” Freeman said after the victory. “So, I’m grateful to be a part of a program and a team that has been able to accomplish this.
“But you know I’m greedy, and my focus is – although I don’t want their focus to be on it, my focus is going to be on finding a way to get 13. that’s what matters.
“That’s what’s going to be important is to enjoy this thing but get ready for the next opportunity,” he added, alluding to the upcoming showdown against the Georgia Bulldogs.
The 27-17 victory is one of the most deceiving final scores you’ll ever see in your life.
Let’s be honest, what happened in frigid South Bend on Friday was an absolute demolition. The final score mind as well have been 47-3. That’s how lopsided the game was.
Regardless, you don’t get any extra credit for style points this time of year – and Freeman knows that very well.
Next on the slate for the red-hot Fighting Irish is a date with Kirby Smart and the SEC champion Georgia Bulldogs in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Georgia is expected to be without star quarterback Carson Beck, who sustained an injury during the SEC Championship Game against Texas.
The game offers Notre Dame a path to the semifinals, where they would meet either Boise State or Penn State.
Freeman remains well aware of the immense expectations surrounding his team. While critics are quick to pounce when Notre Dame falls short, the coach is laser-focused on maintaining the team’s momentum.
The dominating victory over Indiana also represented a personal triumph for quarterback Riley Leonard.
Reflecting on the rollercoaster ride of his college journey, Leonard expressed a mix of gratitude and determination.
“I think this is special for us,” Leonard said. “Me being a guy who – my freshman year I went 3-9 and was just begging to make a bowl game. To be playing in a Sugar Bowl right now, it’s really cool.
“But at the same time, it’s another football game and we’re just staying alive. We’re just trying to play as many games as we can because we love the game, we love preparing for it and we love representing this university.”
For Freeman, Leonard, and the rest of the Fighting Irish, the journey is far from over.
What Ohio State did on Saturday night against Tennessee was eye-opening, but you could make the argument that the most impressive team of the entire first-round was Notre Dame.
With the Sugar Bowl looming, the Irish have a chance to extend their historic season and take another step toward capturing the ultimate prize: a national championship.
Considering the way Freeman’s team is built, who’s to say that this ultra-physical Notre Dame team can’t win it all?
What’s your early prediction for Notre Dame’s blue-blood showdown against Georgia???
