It has been quite some time since Notre Dame has won a national championship, but at least one national analyst believes the Irish are dark horse candidate to end that streak. In a "spring buzz" piece for ESPN, college football writer Adam Rittenberg picked the Fighting Irish as his long shot candidate to win a championship this season.
In an exchange with fellow college football analyst Heather Dinich, Rittenberg made his case for Notre Dame as a team to keep an eye on this season.
"Notre Dame fascinates me. The defense has been excellent under coordinator Al Golden and could be even better this fall, as Thorpe Award winner Xavier Watts and playmaking cornerback Benjamin Morrison lead an excellent secondary. Notre Dame usually can count on its offensive line and tight ends to be very good at worst, and I liked what I saw from running backs Jeremiyah Love, Gi'Bran Payne and Aneyas Williams in the spring game.
"The big key is getting more from the quarterback spot and the passing game against top competition. Notre Dame didn't really get a chance to evaluate Duke transfer Riley Leonard this spring because of his lingering ankle issues, but the team thinks it has an upgrade from Sam Hartman. The return of coordinator Mike Denbrock, who oversaw a record-setting LSU offense last season and understands the unique elements at Notre Dame, is a very sharp move." – Adam Rittenberg, ESPN
Rittenberg is spot on with his analysis of the pass game and the quarterback discussion. That is a topic that I broke down in a recent Irish Breakdown podcast. He's also not wrong in the belief that those around the program believe Leonard is an upgrade over Hartman, especially when one considers the fit into Denbrock's offense.
Notre Dame has a lot to prove in 2024, but it was certainly a pleasant surprise – and break from the norm – to see a national analyst at a place like ESPN actually talk about the Irish in such a positive light.
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BRYAN DRISKELL
Bryan Driskell is the publisher of Irish Breakdown and has been covering Notre Dame football for over a decade. A former college football player and coach, Bryan and Irish Breakdown bring a level of expertise and analysis that is unmatched. From providing in depth looks at the Fighting Irish, breaking news stories and honest recruiting analysis, Irish Breakdown has everything Notre Dame football fans want and need. Bryan was previous a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated before launching Irish Breakdown. He coached college football at Duquesne University, Muhlenberg College, Christopher Newport University, Wittenberg University and Defiance College. During his coaching career he was a pass game coordinator, recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and wide receivers coach. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Salisbury University, where he played quarterback for the Sea Gulls. You can email Bryan at bryan@irishbreakdown.com. Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more. BECOME A MEMBER Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time! Follow Bryan on Twitter: @CoachD178Like and follow Irish Breakdown on FacebookSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channelSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter
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