The team with the weirdest results to date? Notre Dame beyond any shadow of a doubt.
The Golden Domers have 2 impressive wins away from South Bend. The Fighting Irish handed North Carolina its only loss in Chapel Hill and looked good in beating BYU, 28-2o, in Sin City (Major irony that the Mormons play the Catholics in Las Vegas. The Odyssey loved it).
Notre Dame’s defense also got rave reviews in its opener. The Irish slowed down the unstoppable, Ohio State’s prolific offense, holding the Buckeyes to 21 points, a truly impressive feat.
But when Notre Dame plays in front of its Leprechaun and its supporters in South Bend? The stadium might need a fumigation!
10 games have been played where a favorite of at least 16 points has been upset. Notre Dame has been a victim in 2 of those shockers. Marshall came to South Bend and upset Notre Dame. Perhaps a massive hangover from the Ohio State game provided some explanation.
Last Saturday’s upset 16-14 loss to Stanford was equally troubling. Notre Dame scored all of 14 points against a suspect defense. How many other FBS teams have Marshall and Stanford beaten in 2022? A big fat ZERO.
Notre Dame’s 3rd home game was against a so-so Cal team that could not beat a winless Colorado team last Saturday. The Irish got behind, rallied and then had to sweat a bobbled Hail Mary to ensure victory.
First-year Coach, 36-year-old Marcus Freeman, has had a learning curve. His head coaching baptism in the Fiesta Bowl was brutal. Oklahoma State mounted its biggest comeback in school history, rallying from a 21-point deficit to win 37-35. Freeman’s record to date: 3-4. The former defensive coordinator may not be able to fix Notre Dame’s offensive inconsistencies in 2022.
However, judging Freeman prematurely may prove a mistake. In July, he secured a QB commitment that shook the earth in Ann Arbor. CJ Carr, a standout from Saline, Michigan, made himself the jewel of Notre Dame’s 2024 signing class. Carr is the grandson of Lloyd Carr. What on earth is going on?? Signficant NIL promises? Freeman charm? Lloyd Carr angst toward his former employer?
However, the Odyssey would strongly advise Freeman to improve his stock so he can see the fruits of his recruiting coups.