Notre Dame’s 2025 Season: A Wake-Up Call Wrapped in a Win Streak
Notre Dame’s 2025 campaign was a rollercoaster-one that started with a jolt, surged into dominance, and ended with a bitter taste. Despite ripping off 10 straight double-digit wins and doing something the program hadn’t accomplished since 1966, the Fighting Irish found themselves on the outside looking in when the College Football Playoff field was announced. The snub was as frustrating as it was revealing.
So, what did Marcus Freeman’s squad learn from a season that was both historic and heartbreaking? As Freeman himself said, “There’s lessons to be learned in every scenario.” And if Notre Dame wants to turn this year’s disappointment into next season’s breakthrough, two things stand out: start faster, and finish with authority.
Start Faster - September Can’t Be a Setback
Let’s call it what it is: Notre Dame’s early-season struggles have become a pattern under Marcus Freeman, and it’s costing them dearly.
In 2025, the Irish opened 0-2 after falling to Miami on the road and Texas A&M at home-two tough opponents, sure, but two games that set the tone for a season that would require perfection the rest of the way. And while Notre Dame delivered 10 straight wins after that, the early blemishes were too much for the playoff committee to overlook.
This isn’t a one-year issue, either. Look at the September track record since Freeman took over:
- 2022: Opened with a 21-10 loss at Ohio State, followed by a stunning 26-21 home loss to Marshall.
- 2023: Started strong at 4-0, only to lose a 17-14 heartbreaker to Ohio State at home.
- 2024: After a big early win, they stumbled again-this time to Northern Illinois, 16-14, in the home opener.
That’s three home-opening losses in four years. The only win? A 2023 victory over Tennessee State-the first and only FCS opponent Notre Dame has ever scheduled.
The takeaway is clear: the Irish need to be better out of the gate. Whether it’s a shift in preseason preparation, a change in scheduling philosophy, or simply a mindset reset, Notre Dame can’t afford to dig itself into an early hole again-especially with future September slates that include Alabama, Texas, Auburn, and Michigan. The early season isn’t just a warm-up anymore; it’s a playoff proving ground.
Finish Dominant - Style Points Matter, Whether You Like It or Not
Let’s talk about the back end of the schedule. Notre Dame did their job on paper-10 straight wins, all by double digits.
But if you watched closely, you saw moments that left the door open for doubt. And in the eyes of the playoff committee, doubt is deadly.
Take the late-game touchdowns allowed against Pitt and Stanford. The Irish had those games in control, but when backups came in, the intensity dipped.
The results? Cosmetic scores that didn’t change the outcome but did change the perception.
And perception matters-especially when you’re being compared to a team like Miami, who didn’t always start strong but finished with a flourish. That contrast in style-Notre Dame easing off the gas, Miami pouring it on-became a talking point in the playoff debate. And when the margins are razor-thin, that talk can turn into action.
No one’s saying Freeman should keep his starters in for four quarters and chase 70 points. This isn’t about running up the score-it’s about maintaining a standard, even with the second unit.
The backups need to play with the same edge, the same urgency, the same intent to dominate. Because in the eyes of the committee, how you win matters almost as much as if you win.
Lessons for 2026 - Urgency, Execution, and a Little Bit of Edge
Notre Dame didn’t miss the playoffs because of one play, one game, or one decision. It was a combination of early stumbles and late-game optics. And while there’s plenty to be proud of in a 10-2 season that featured a historic win streak, there’s also plenty to fix.
The blueprint for 2026 is already taking shape:
- Come out of the gate sharper. September can’t be a learning curve-it has to be a launchpad.
- Handle home openers with the kind of intensity that sets the tone for the rest of the year.
- Finish games with purpose, no matter who’s on the field.
Dominance has to be a four-quarter commitment.
If Freeman and his staff take those lessons to heart, the Irish won’t just be in the playoff conversation next year-they’ll be driving it.