Best Notredame Podcasts (2026)

Jessica Smetana joins to kick off 2026 by looking at some of the best, worst and most confusing takes regarding the playoff and bowls from the past month-plus, including Notre Dame's conference affiliation, the G5 autobid, bye week curses, reorganizing the playoff calendar, whether the non-playoff bowls should exist and much more. Then (1:15:00) we…

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Happy New Year!! #courageousliving #inspiredleadership #news 0:33

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6d ago0:33

0:33

inspirational prayer for 2026!!By legaxylifecoachingnd83

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Marcus Freeman Stays, Southern Cal Goes + Notre Dame Football Roster Reset 50:29

8d ago50:29

50:29

The Spreadsheets & Tailgates newsletter's Michael Bryan joins to run through some news: Marcus Freeman is officially staying at Notre Dame despite NFL interest, Southern Cal is officially taking the coward's path, updates on the roster and transfer portal guesswork. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesrep…

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Portal and Bowl Season 12-29-25 Power Hour 1:11:39

8d ago1:11:39

1:11:39

In this episode of Power Hour we discuss all the latest in regards to Notre Dame and the transfer portal. We also discuss the bowl season, and answer your questions.

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The Power of Coaching! #courageousliving #inspiredleadership #selfconfidence 0:28

10d ago0:28

0:28

An inspirational message to all coaches!!By legaxylifecoachingnd83

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” Creating an Unstoppable Force” 11:05

10d ago11:05

11:05

A dynamic discussion on the power of the mind, inspiration + strategic planning to create an unstoppable force!!By legaxylifecoachingnd83

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Portal, Recruiting and Playoff Discussion 12-22-25 Power Hour 1:11:08

18d ago1:11:08

1:11:08

In this episode of Power Hour we discuss all the latest regarding ND and the transfer portal. We also discuss recruiting, the playoff, and answer your questions.

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Freshman QB is a Major PROBLEM for Defenses! 3000+ Yards & 74% Completion! #shorts #news #duet 0:35

20d ago0:35

0:35

Talented High School ,true freshman QB Thaddeus is as adverised and the competition needs to take notice because of his protypical size, skill, and knowledge of the game. #future#talent#Football#legacyBy legaxylifecoachingnd83

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Portal, Recruiting and the Future 12-15-25 Power Hour 1:18:30

25d ago1:18:30

1:18:30

In this episode of Power Hour, we discuss portal needs, decisions some Irish players will have to make, the future life under the new NIL system, and we answer your questions.

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Christmas Giving 2025 Extended: The Notre Dame Football Week That Was 1:01:20

25d ago1:01:20

1:01:20

We were going to do this Friday afternoon as a recap of Everything but decided to let things settle a bit first, so: Jessica Smetana joins to talk Jeremiyah Love awards circuit, All-American tracking, Remembering Some Guys via trivia, the USC series, strength of schedule debates, which reports from last week matter and which don't, basketball injur…

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Christmas Giving 2025: The Airing of Grievances 55:43

28d ago55:43

55:43

Closing the week with a few complaints to cleanse the soul, starting with an SEC TikToker's foray into Notre Dame country. Also: Merch availability, bowl discourse and much, much more. Donate here to the Center for the Homeless: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rakes-report-christmas-giving-2025 Holiday shirts (with all proceeds going to the CFH) availab…

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Christmas Giving 2025: What's Next for Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman 41:02

29d ago41:02

41:02

Blue and Gold's Eric Hansen joins to talk about what steps Pete Bevacqua and Marcus Freeman should take next, the ACC and SEC relationships, how the decision to skip a bowl came about, key players the Irish will try to sway to return and much more. Donate here to the Center for the Homeless: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rakes-report-christmas-giving-…

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Christmas Giving 2025: Coal for the Committee 47:54

1M ago47:54

47:54

NBC Sports' Nicole Auerbach joins to talk about the committee being very bad at their job, being tasked with too many things by the sport as a whole, what changes might come, the Elphaba Chris Ash graphic, improving Heisman discourse and much more. Donate here to the Center for the Homeless: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rakes-report-christmas-giving-…

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Christmas Giving 2025: Celebrating A Great Notre Dame Team 46:22

1M ago46:22

46:22

Jamie Uyeyama of Irish Sports Daily joins to talk some more about Notre Dame being left out of the playoff before pivoting to discussing how good this 2025 team was and how the program is set to get even better in the aftermath of the snub. Donate here to the Center for the Homeless: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rakes-report-christmas-giving-2025 Hol…

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Playoff Snub 12-8-25 Power Hour 1:11:16

1M ago1:11:16

1:11:16

In this episode we talk about the end of ND's 2025 due to the playoff snub, the future and how ND should attack the future, and we discuss some recruiting as well.

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Christmas Giving 2025 Kickoff: Bah, Humbug (But It Is My Favorite Holiday) 55:31

1M ago55:31

55:31

Jessica Smetana joins to kick off our annual fundraising for the Center for the Homeless in South Bend. Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rakes-report-christmas-giving-2025 An extended therapy session where we respect conspiracy theories being true and discuss Notre Dame's decision to eschew a bowl. Holiday shirts (with all proceeds going to …

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A Cursed Primer on Notre Dame's Potential Playoff Paths 33:00

1M ago33:00

33:00

Feel free to skip this and keep living your life but there are a lot of questions and confusion out there so the Spreadsheets & Tailgates newsletter's Michael Bryan stopped in for a concise look at the process, metrics, odds and conspiracy theories that could or could not affect the Fighting Irish's playoff fate on Sunday. Guns up. Sign up for the …

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Post Stanford Power Hour 12-1-25 1:17:41

1M ago1:17:41

1:17:41

In this episode of Power Hour we discuss all the good we saw on Saturday, and where we feel Notre Dame will land in the College Football Playoff picture. We also talk a bit of recruiting, and answer your questions.

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Instant Reaction: Notre Dame 49 Stanford 20 52:26

1M ago52:26

52:26

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish romping to a late-night win in their regular season finale. A dominant first 33 minutes, an incredible fake punt, the cursed vibes of Palo Alto, a bummer rivalry weekend, playoff discourse and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport…

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Week 14 Thanksgiving Weekend College Football Games To Watch Mega Draft Edition 1:14:22

1M ago1:14:22

1:14:22

Jessica Smetana joins as the third chair for a draft of our favorite 18 games of the weekend, starting with Thursday night's American clash through a pivotal Saturday primetime slate. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

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Post Syracuse Power Hour 11-24-25 1:07:17

2M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

In this episode we discuss ND's win over Syracuse, their game against Stanford this weekend, and the College Football Playoff picture as Notre Dame prepares to end their regular season this weekend.

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Instant Reaction: Notre Dame 70 Syracuse 7 38:57

2M ago38:57

38:57

Jessica Smetana joins to recap a very lopsided Steve Angeli Bowl. Love for Heisman, elite safety play, NBC Universal synergy, much more. (Congrats to Utah on reverse jinxing them into an awesome comeback during the recording.) Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport…

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”The Elite Mindset” #purpose,#mastery,#mindset, #power #ccourageousliving 17:11

2M ago17:11

17:11

Discussing mastery using the power of having an elite mindsetBy legaxylifecoachingnd83

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Week 13 College Football Games To Watch 31:50

2M ago31:50

31:50

A late-night clash for the Islands Showdown trophy, a battle for both Silver Spade Trophy Mayor's Cup and plenty of danger for teams in the hunt for conference titles. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

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Post Pitt Power Hour 11-17-25 1:10:58

2M ago1:10:58

1:10:58

In this episode of Power Hour, we discuss ND's big win over Pitt on Saturday. Who stood out on Saturday? Did the Irish take another big step on defense? What can ND to improve on offense, especially in the red zone? What do we think of where ND stacks up against the best teams in college football? What are our thoughts on the game against Syracuse …

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Instant Reaction: Notre Dame 37 Pittsburgh 15 54:33

2M ago54:33

54:33

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish's domination of the Panthers. Jeremiyah Love and Malachi Fields' excellence, Chris Ash's unit excelling, Pat Narduzzi being Pat Narduzzi, some annoying narratives and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport…

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Week 12 College Football Games To Watch 34:25

2M ago34:25

34:25

A primetime C-USA clash, a check-in on our old friend Gerad Parker and a couple of Florida teams try to stay on the playoff path. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

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2025-26 Notre Dame Basketball Roster Crash Course 1:10:46

2M ago1:10:46

1:10:46

The focus is still on football (please defeat Pitt) but both basketball teams also have big games this weekend so we're taking some time to project what that might look like on the hardwood. First, Paul Coletti of The Irish Alert newsletter joins to break down the new and old faces who'll be surrounding Hannah Hidalgo for the women's team. Then (35…

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Post Navy Power Hour 11-10-25 1:08:42

2M ago1:08:42

1:08:42

In this episode we discuss ND's big win over Navy. We also discuss ND's game against Pitt on Saturday, and the playoff picture.

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Instant Reaction: Notre Dame 49 Navy 10 48:16

2M ago48:16

48:16

Jessica Smetana and the Spreadsheets & Tailgates newsletter's Michael Bryan gather after the Fighting Irish's comfortable win over the Midshipmen to discuss highlights of the seventh straight victory, including more Jeremiyah Love absurdity, C.J. Carr bombing away and a great effort from Chris Ash's defense. Also: How the rest of the day affected N…

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Week 11 College Football Games To Watch 32:26

2M ago32:26

32:26

The races to clinch everything from bowl eligibility to conference title game berths heat up in the season's final month. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

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Boston College Delayed Reaction + Coaching Carousel + Playoff Prognosticating 1:00:29

2M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Jessica Smetana joins to talk Notre Dame's sixth straight win, where Navy slots in among the remaining opponents, Brian Kelly's firing, the first set of playoff rankings and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

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Post Boston College Power Hour 11-3-25 1:17:38

2M ago1:17:38

1:17:38

In this episode we discuss ND's win over Boston College. What can ND do about their kicking situation? Why has the offense struggled in short yardage? Why was BC able to move the ball on ND? What concerns us about Navy, and what gives us confidence they will win? Find out our thoughts on these topics and more in this episode of Power Hour.…

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Bye Week and BC 10-27-25 Power Hour 1:03:45

2M ago1:03:45

1:03:45

In this episode we discuss all the latest in regards to Notre Dame football. What happened during the off week? We discuss injuries, the remaining schedule and the coaching carousel.

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Week Nine College Football Games To Watch 28:51

3M ago28:51

28:51

The battle for the Old Oil Can, a key American clash and the Big 12 race stays hot. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

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Forecasting the Future of the USC Rivalry and Notre Dame's Playoff Chances 44:44

3M ago44:44

44:44

Sam Werner of the Three-Point Jesus podcast joins to spend some more time discussing Notre Dame's 34-24 victory over USC and where the team stands after seven games. Then the discussion turns to the future of the Fighting Irish-Trojans rivalry, some conventional wisdom about the series that isn't so wise, stress-testing our playoff beliefs and a lo…

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Post USC Power Hour 10-20-25 1:20:42

3M ago1:20:42

1:20:42

In this episode we discuss Notre Dame's big win over USC, and the big recruiting weekend as well. What did we like about ND's win? How can ND fix their red zone issues? What did we think about ND's big recruiting weekend? Find out our thoughts on these topics and more in this episode of Power Hour.By Mike Frank

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Instant Reaction: Notre Dame 34 Southern Cal 24 55:03

3M ago55:03

55:03

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish's soggy and satisfying victory over the Trojans to retain the Jeweled Shillelagh. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

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”A little ray of Sunshine” #courageousliving #inspiredleadership #motivation 0:23

3M ago0:23

0:23

An inspirational message to let your light shine https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662833496&HC_ISBN=9781662833502By legaxylifecoachingnd83

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Week Eight College Football Games To Watch 31:51

3M ago31:51

31:51

A big Saturday in the Sun Belt, a monster Friday night and SEC title elimination games. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

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How to deal with Loss #courageousliving #inspiredleadership #motivation 0:38

3M ago0:38

0:38

A message hope when dealing with loss https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662833496&HC_ISBN=9781662833502By legaxylifecoachingnd83

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The 2025 Notre Dame-Southern Cal Preview 49:10

3M ago49:10

49:10

Our USC Insider Nick Tresnowski joins to break down Saturday night's monster clash as we reach Round Four of Lincoln Riley vs. Marcus Freeman with playoff and contractual drama swirling. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

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Post NC State Power Hour 10-13-25 1:15:39

3M ago1:15:39

1:15:39

In this episode we discuss ND's win over North Carolina State on Saturday. Which players stood out? How can ND fix their short yardage issues? Is this defense really improving? What are our thoughts on Saturday's game against USC? Find out our thoughts on these topics and many more in this episode of Power Hour.…

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Instant Reaction: Notre Dame 36 NC State 7 + 🚨James Franklin Fired🚨 54:47

3M ago54:47

54:47

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish notching their fourth straight win via another great performance from the defense. Then we had to discuss James Franklin being let go by Penn State following the Nittany Lions' third straight loss. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport…

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Week Seven College Football Games To Watch 33:05

3M ago33:05

33:05

Big games on Thursday and Friday night, the Big 12 race stays tight and a rare but needed Rutgers appreciation. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

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Boise State-Notre Dame Field Report + What Makes a Great College Football Game-Day Atmosphere? 1:01:32

3M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

Jessica Smetana and Lucy Rohden join to discuss Lucy's first visit to Notre Dame, what the campus and game day experience were like around Boise State's visit and how that compares to other schools. Also discussed: The Big Ten, James Franklin and when preseason projections go wrong. Off Rohding report from Notre Dame Sign up for the newsletter and/…

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Post Boise State Power Hour 10-6-25 1:03:04

3M ago1:03:04

1:03:04

In this episode we discuss all the good and the bad in the Boise State win. What stood out about the win? Where do we think Notre Dame stands in the national picture? Can they get this Irish defense playing championship-level defense soon? Which teams left on the schedule will be a challenge? Find out our thoughts on these topics and more in this e…

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Instant Reaction: Notre Dame 28 Boise State 7 42:53

3M ago42:53

42:53

Michael Bryan (Spreadsheets & Tailgates newsletter) and Andrew Smith (Notre Dame, Our Blogger) join to break down the Irish taking care of business in a flag-filled game against the Broncos. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

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Week Six College Football Games To Watch 30:57

3M ago30:57

30:57

Some sad #goacc, some promising young quarterbacks and a whole lot more highlight the weekend. The SI story on the 1982 Aloha Bowl. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport