One Foot Down
A never-ending discussion about Notre Dame and the greater CFB landscape
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ESPN announces College Gameday will be in South Bend for Notre Dame VS Miami
ESPN announces that College GameDay will broadcast live from South Bend on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, ahead of the Notre Dame vs. Miami showdown. The road show follows Notre Dame’s 35‑13 victory over Navy, and while Miami still faces North Carolina, the South Bend game could serve as a de‑facto playoff decider for a top‑five spot. Expect a full day of hype, analysis and fan excitement as the marquee matchup approaches.
Notre Dame overcomes rough start to sink Navy, 35-13
Notre Dame rallies from a shaky start to beat Navy 35-13 at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 31, 2026. After trailing 13-7 at halftime, running back Nolan James ignites the comeback with a 52‑yard touchdown and finishes with 107 yards on nine carries. The Irish respond with a 3‑yard run by Jonaz Walton and a second James TD, extending the lead to 28‑13. Quarterback CJ Carr adds a 31‑yard touchdown pass to Jerome Bettis Jr., sealing the win. Notre Dame’s defense shuts down Navy in the second half, allowing no points after the break. The victory follows a recent loss at BYU, reigniting the Fighting Irish’s season.
GAME THREAD: No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish VS Navy Midshipmen
Notre Dame heads to Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, for a 12:00 PM EST matchup against Navy, broadcast on ABC. The Fighting Irish enter as 30.5‑point favorites with a 54.5 over/under, according to FanDuel. The article links to a game thread for live updates, encouraging fans to discuss the action beyond Twitter’s 280‑character limit. Key details include the kickoff time, venue in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and betting odds, making it a must‑follow contest for Irish supporters.
The Anti-Preview: No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish VS Navy Midshipmen
Notre Dame (6‑1, No. 5) heads to Foxborough for its bi‑annual neutral‑site showdown with the Navy Midshipmen. The author dismisses the usual hype around the service academy, praising Navy’s triple‑option and players while urging respect for their athletic efforts. He recommends a New England‑style tailgate – shower beers and lobster rolls – and notes other weekend games: Wisconsin‑Iowa, Miami‑North Carolina, and Ohio State‑USC. Despite recent setbacks, the preview predicts a dominant Irish victory, projecting a 47‑13 win over Navy.
Notre Dame’s cornerback depth is a growing concern
Notre Dame’s secondary faces a growing crisis after starting cornerback DJ McKinney suffers an ankle injury at BYU that will sideline him through the Nov. 7 clash with No. 1 Miami. Coach Marcus Freeman confirms an “extended period of football” for McKinney, leaving Jayden Sanders as the next starter while his backup Mark Zachery recovers from a concussion. Freshmen Chaz Smith is out for the season, and Khary Adams remains limited. With ranked opponents Miami and No. 19 SMU looming, the Irish must rely on nickel back Christian Gray and safety Joey O’Brien to fill the gaps.
Notre Dame Football: Navy Midshipmen Q&A with Mitchell Northam
Notre Dame returns from a BYU loss to face a struggling Navy Midshipmen team (2-5) in Foxborough, a matchup that could be tougher than the record suggests. USA TODAY reporter Mitchell Northam explains Navy’s dip after a 21‑5 run in 2024‑25, citing the loss of key players like Blake Horvath and Landon Robinson. He highlights quarterback Jackson Gutierrez—seven TD passes, 869 rushing yards, and 12 scores—as the primary threat, with backs Michael Barrown and Vic Listorti supporting. Defensively, Navy’s pass defense is porous (255.9 yards per game, 16th worst) and they force few turnovers, giving Notre Dame a clear aerial advantage. The preview offers insight into why the Irish must shake off rust before tackling a potentially deceptive opponent.
Notre Dame should “one up” the rest of the CFB world with its schedule
The article argues that Notre Dame’s football schedule, already strong under the upcoming 24‑team playoff format, should become even tougher. While the Irish now run a 10‑2 model, the author urges them to add another Power‑4 opponent each season—suggesting swaps like Kent State for Kansas, Mississippi State or Colorado, and pushing for marquee games with USC, BYU or Wisconsin in future years. By playing 11 Power‑4 teams instead of 10, Notre Dame could set a new standard for independents and boost its playoff chances.
A Little Extra Love (Or Hate) for Miami: Notre Dame’s 2012 Shamrock Series Showdown
On Oct. 6, 2012 ninth‑ranked Notre Dame trounced Miami 41‑3 at Soldier Field in the fourth Shamrock Series, a game remembered as much for its electric atmosphere as the result. A pre‑game pep rally in Millennium Park and a star‑studded House of Blues party highlighted a weekend that drew over 62,000 fans, bagpipers, and the marching band, making Chicago feel like home. Despite quarterback Everett Golson’s late‑night mishap, he and the Irish defense silenced the Hurricanes, extending Notre Dame’s 4‑0 start. The article revisits the memorable sights, sounds, and alumni reunions that defined that cold Chicago Saturday.
Monitoring the weather for Notre Dame VS Miami
The No. 1 Miami Hurricanes travel to South Bend on Nov 7 to face No. 5 Notre Dame, a rematch of the 2025 season‑opener loss, with Notre Dame listed as a -3.5 favorite. Early forecasts suggest typical mild November weather—cool but not freezing, with no snow or heavy rain expected—though conditions could shift as the game approaches. Fans are advised to keep an eye on the forecast in the coming days.
NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL: Irish LB Drayk Bowen is a Butkus Award semifinalist
Senior linebacker Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame’s defensive captain, earns a spot as a 2026 Butkus Award semifinalist. Bowen leads the Irish with 38 tackles (22 solo), a fumble recovery touchdown against Purdue, and a key role in a defense that tops the nation in total yards allowed (235 per game) and ranks among the best in rush defense (67.3 ypg) and points allowed (13.4 per game). Notre Dame faces Navy on Oct. 31 at Gillette Stadium.
Three things I want to see when Notre Dame plays Navy
The No. 5 Notre Dame Irish head to New England for their 99th meeting with Navy, needing a big win to protect a slipping SOS. Writer demands a no‑BS approach: CJ Carr should run the ball straight up, the defense must dominate the Midshipmen’s run game (which has averaged just 186 yards over the last three matchups), and Coach Marcus Freeman should implement bold changes, even if it means upsetting players. While the focus stays on health ahead of next week’s crucial clash with Miami, the piece highlights that staying injury‑free could be the Irish’s best shot at a playoff‑relevant season.
When, Where, and How to Watch No. 5 Notre Dame VS Navy Midshipmen
Notre Dame, now 6-1 and ranked No. 5, faces Navy for the 99th time on Saturday, Oct. 31 at noon EST at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. The Irish lead the series 84‑13‑1 and are 30.5‑point favorites, with an over/under of 54.5 per FanDuel. The game airs on ABC, offering a marquee showdown as Notre Dame eyes its final five regular‑season games, including a clash with No. 1 Miami.
2026 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL: Irish VS Navy Midshipmen
Notre Dame heads to New England for the annual “Wookie Life Debt” showdown against a struggling Navy Midshipmen squad. Coming off a bye, the Irish use the game as a tune‑up before facing No. 1 Miami in South Bend, though the matchup offers little strategic benefit. Odds heavily favor Notre Dame, and the piece links to game streams, weather, injury reports, and depth charts. Recent AP poll drops and Coaches poll rise are also noted.
Notre Dame Women’s Basketball: Irish lay Truman State to waste, 125-59
The 13th‑ranked Notre Dame women’s basketball squad hands Truman State a staggering 125‑59 exhibition demolition ahead of their season‑opening trip to Rome. The Irish shoot 61.9% from the field (52 of 84) and hit 12 of 23 three‑pointers, scoring 74 points in the paint while forcing 27 turnovers. Six players hit double figures, led by Hannah Hidalgo’s 33 points; Leah Macy contributes 22 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, and four steals in her debut. Jenica Lewis (21), Jacy Abii (20), Madison St. Rose (14) and Amiyah Byles (11) round out the scoring barrage. The win sets up Notre Dame’s NCAA launch against Villanova at the Eternal City Tip‑Off in Rome on Nov. 1.
WEATHER REPORT: Notre Dame Fighting Irish VS Navy Midshipmen
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish travel to Foxborough, Massachusetts, for their annual matchup against the Navy Midmidmen on Oct. 26, 2026. Played at the New England Patriots’ Gillette Stadium—a neutral site rather than Annapolis—the game enjoys surprisingly mild Halloween weather with a sunny 59°F and no rain, perfect for football. Fans can expect the classic rivalry under clear skies.
Skylar Diggins comes back to Notre Dame to be Special Advisor to Niele Ivey
Notre Dame women's basketball announced that former All‑American and WNBA star Skylar Diggins joins coach Niele Ivey as a Special Advisor. Diggins will mentor players on leadership, personal development and brand building while advising the coaching staff. The South Bend native returns after a 12‑year WNBA career (16.3 p.p., 5.3 a.p., seven‑time All‑Star) and two Olympic golds, having set 32 school records at Notre Dame, including career points (2,357) and steals (381). Ivey says Diggins’ experience will elevate the program’s culture as the 2027 season approaches.
Online Overreactions after Notre Dame’s Cheeseburger Bye Week
During Notre Dame’s recent bye week, fans and pundits flooded social media with heated takes on college football’s power balance. Critics argued the SEC’s dominance is overstated, while others warned that BYU’s stumble against UCF hurts Notre Dame’s CFP chances, emphasizing the need for BYU to keep winning. The post highlights these online overreactions, using a cheeky “cheesburger” analogy, and sets the stage for the upcoming game week.
NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL: Injury report and depth charts for Navy Midshipmen
Notre Dame releases its latest injury report and depth charts ahead of the Friday night clash with Navy in Foxborough. Cornerback DJ McKinney (No. 2) is listed OUT, prompting Jayden Sanders to start opposite Leonard Moore with Ayden Pouncey as backup. Injuries also sideline DB Brauntae Johnson, DL Christopher Burgess Jr., DL Tiki Hola, OL Charles Jagusah, OL Chris Terek and several others, while Mark Zachery (CB) and TE Cooper Flanagan are questionable. Two players, WR Quincy Porter and DB Chaz Smith, are out for the season. The updated offensive and defensive lineups reflect these changes as the Irish prepare for the triple‑option showdown.
How Notre Dame’s opponents fared in WEEK 8 of the CFB season
Week 8 sees Notre Dame still riding a 7‑1 record, but its opponents are struggling. Wisconsin (5‑2, AP #25) lost to USC 24‑7, while Rice (1‑7) fell to FAU 51‑49. Michigan State (2‑6) dropped a 28‑10 game to UCLA and Purdue (3‑4) sat out with a bye. North Carolina (4‑3) lost a nail‑biter to Syracuse 31‑30 and Stanford (4‑4) was beaten by NC State 31‑28. BYU (6‑1) fell to UCF 39‑31, and Navy (2‑5) suffered a 49‑39 defeat at North Texas. The Irish remain heavy favorites despite a recent 28‑24 loss to BYU, and they head to New England to face Navy next.
Notre Dame drops in the AP Top 25 and rises in the Coaches Poll during bye week
Notre Dame slips to No. 5 in the AP Top 25 but climbs to No. 6 in the Coaches Poll after a week without a game. The shift follows BYU’s upset loss to UCF, which drops the Cougars to No. 8 (AP) and No. 9 (Coaches) after they had previously vaulted to No. 2 by beating the Irish. USC’s loss to Wisconsin also reshapes the landscape. The Irish aim to win out and break into the top four, while a loss to Miami would keep their fate uncertain.
GAME THREAD: College Football Week 8 with the Irish on a bye
College football fans gear up for Week 8 action as Notre Dame’s bye week ends. The post highlights a packed slate of matchups—including Pitt vs. Miami, Indiana vs. Michigan, Texas Tech vs. Cincinnati, USC vs. Wisconsin, and Texas vs. Ole Miss—while inviting readers to join the open game thread for live discussion beyond Twitter. It also offers lighthearted weekend tips, noting a photo of the Notre Dame logo from the September 26 game at Purdue.
Notre Dame Football Fans Still Believe in Post-BYU Perfection
Despite a 28‑24 loss at BYU, One Foot Down’s readers stay optimistic about Notre Dame’s season. Nearly 60% predict the Irish will finish the remainder of their schedule—Navy, Miami, Boston College, SMU and Syracuse—without another defeat, while 30% see Miami as the likely spoiler that could dash their playoff hopes. Comments range from confidence in the team’s resilience to skepticism about a CFP berth if they stumble again. The poll reflects a strong belief in a possible 11‑1 finish after the Provo setback.
Notre Dame Basketball: Irish win over DePaul in final exhibition game
Notre Dame caps its preseason with a 71-63 exhibition win over longtime rival DePaul at Chicago’s Wintrust Arena. Brady Koehler and Braeden Smith combine for 36 points, each hitting three triples, while Jonathan Sanderson adds 13 and Ethan Roberts chips in nine. After trailing by one at halftime, the Irish tighten defense, forcing 17 turnovers and limiting DePaul to 35.7% shooting in the second half. The victory sets up Notre Dame’s season opener in Rome, where they face Villanova on Nov. 1.
I’m sorry, but I thought Notre Dame was supposed to JOIN A CONFERENCE
The article argues that Notre Vale’s long‑standing football independence makes more sense than joining a conference, especially as the upcoming 24‑team College Football Playoff will eliminate conference championship games. With conferences becoming mere scheduling partners, schools like Miami, Florida State and Clemson are even flirting with independence, but Notre Dame already thrives as an independent powerhouse. The piece contends that tying a program to a conference offers little benefit in the new playoff‑centric era, and suggests Notre Dame will remain independent into 2027 and beyond.
CFB STAFF PICKS: The Top 25 with Notre Dame eating tacos
One Foot Down’s October 23, 2026 staff picks preview the upcoming College Football Playoff rankings by showcasing every Top 25 matchup this week, from Pitt vs. Miami to Texas vs. Ole Miss, plus a key MAC showdown between Eastern Michigan and Ohio. The piece opens with a light‑hearted photo of a Notre Dame fan tailgating with tacos and burgers before the Fighting Irish face Georgia, then dives into the full slate of games and invites readers to track picks on Tallysight.
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