Former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz (1986-96) joins the Third & Gold Podcast to discuss his memories of the Notre Dame-USC rivalry, the importance of it remaining an annual game, his time at Arkansas and NC State, what he thinks of Irish quarterback CJ Carr, why he still travels back to ND, his relationship with head coach Marcus Freeman, when Holtz came to love ND, if the Irish will win a national championship under Freeman, his lasting impact on former players and more.

Then Eric Hansen and Tyler James answer questions from X/Twitter and The Lou Somogyi Board (30:05).

Third & Gold Podcast is presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors: https://www.academy.com/c/backpack

Blue & Gold subscription deal: New subscribers can sign up for the first week of an annual subscription for just $1! Subscribe here: https://www.on3.com/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish/join/

On this week's edition of "Football Never Sleeps" on YouTube, Eric Hansen and Tyler James break down No. 13 Notre Dame heading into a Saturday night showdown with No. 20 USC. The Irish are riding a defensive surge and the emergence of redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr as one of the nation’s top playmakers.

In this episode:

• Key injury and personnel updates from Marcus Freeman’s Monday press conference

• How the Irish and Trojans match up on both sides of the ball

• Where Notre Dame stands in the College Football Playoff race

• Midseason statistical deep dive — strengths and growth areas

• Five players who could decide the back half of the season

Plus, they answered questions live from viewers.

Football Never Sleeps is presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors: https://www.academy.com/c/backpack

Blue & Gold subscription deal: New subscribers can sign up for $1 for the first week of an annual subscription to BlueandGold.com: https://www.on3.com/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish/join/

Next week's "Football Never Sleeps" will be live on Monday at 7 p.m. EDT.

Want to watch "Football Never Sleeps" on YouTube?

Visit here: https://www.youtube.com/@HansenAndJames

Eric Hansen and Tyler James discuss the biggest takeaways from No. 16 Notre Dame's 36-7 home victory over NC State. How did the Irish beat the Wolfpack? Let them explain.

Postgame Takeaways is presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors: https://www.academy.com/c/backpack

📌 Subscribe for weekly Notre Dame football analysis, interviews, and camp updates — all season long.

Catch Football Never Sleeps live on Monday at 7 p.m. EDT.

Want to watch "Postgame Takeaways" on YouTube?

Visit here: https://www.youtube.com/@HansenAndJames

Former Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski (2003-07) joins the Third & Gold Podcast to discuss the start of Notre Dame's season, the difficulties in adjusting to new coverages, handling defensive coordinator transitions, the importance of player leadership through struggles, his impression of ND quarterback CJ Carr, his first year as the head coach of St. Patrick High School in Chicago, the difference between coaching high schoolers and college players, reflecting on his Notre Dame career and 20 years since the Bush Push game and more.

Then Eric Hansen and Tyler James answer questions from X/Twitter and The Lou Somogyi Board (29:06).

Third & Gold Podcast is presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors: https://www.academy.com/c/backpack

Blue & Gold subscription deal: New subscribers can sign up for the first week of an annual subscription for just $1! Subscribe here: https://www.on3.com/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish/join/

On this week's edition of "Football Never Sleeps" on YouTube, Eric Hansen and Tyler James break down No. 16 Notre Dame's outlook following a 28-7 win over Boise State. The Irish (3-2) will host NC State (4-2) in Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday.

Plus, they answered questions live from viewers.

In this episode:

• Takeaways from Marcus Freeman's press conference

• How much Notre Dame's defense has improved

• What the Irish defense can replicate moving forward

• What to expect from NC State

• The latest Notre Dame recruiting buzz

Football Never Sleeps is presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors: https://www.academy.com/c/backpack

Blue & Gold subscription deal: New subscribers can sign up for the first year of an annual subscription for just $52! One per week is more than half off the regular annual price. Subscribe here: https://www.on3.com/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish/join/

Next week's "Football Never Sleeps" will be live on Monday at 7 p.m. EDT.

Want to watch "Football Never Sleeps" on YouTube?

Visit here: https://www.youtube.com/@HansenAndJames

Eric Hansen and Tyler James discuss the biggest takeaways from No. 21 Notre Dame's 28-7 home victory over Boise State. How did the Irish beat the Broncos? Let them explain.

Postgame Takeaways is presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors: https://www.academy.com/c/backpack

📌 Subscribe for weekly Notre Dame football analysis, interviews, and camp updates — all season long.

Catch Football Never Sleeps live on Monday at 7 p.m. EDT.

Want to watch "Postgame Takeaways" on YouTube?

Visit here: https://www.youtube.com/@HansenAndJames

Lamar Mickey, father of former Notre Dame cornerback Jaden Mickey, joins the Third & Gold Podcast to discuss his son’s upcoming return to Notre Dame Stadium with Boise State, Jaden's health following a scary collision in last weekend’s game against App State, how difficult it was for Jaden to step away from ND’s team last season, the way ND’s coaching staff has treated the Mickey family, the importance of him graduating from ND, how Jaden ended up at Boise State after initially committing to transfer to Cal, the experience of watching the College Football Playoff last season, how Lamar is helping others following the passing of his wife in late 2023 and more.

Then Eric Hansen and Tyler James answer questions from X/Twitter and The Lou Somogyi Board (40:10).

Third & Gold Podcast is presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors: https://www.academy.com/c/backpack

💸Blue & Gold subscription deal: New subscribers can sign up for the first year of an annual subscription for just $52! One per week is more than half off the regular annual price. Subscribe here: https://www.on3.com/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish/join/

Check out Lamar Mickey’s book, “by myself”: https://www.drlamarmickey.com/books

On this week's edition of "Football Never Sleeps" on YouTube, Eric Hansen and Tyler James break down No. 21 Notre Dame's outlook following a 56-13 dismantling of Arkansas — even without top defender Leonard Moore.

Plus, they answered questions live from viewers.

In this episode:

• How the Irish defense can build on the Arkansas win vs. elite passing attacks

• Leonard Moore’s return: How should the secondary rotation look?

• Pass rush progress: Was it a breakthrough or a one-off?

• Can the offense carry the defense as it matures?

• Five emerging Irish players ready for bigger roles

Football Never Sleeps is presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors: https://www.academy.com/c/backpack

Blue & Gold subscription deal: New subscribers can sign up for the first year of an annual subscription for just $52! One per week is more than half off the regular annual price. Subscribe here: https://www.on3.com/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish/join/

Next week's "Football Never Sleeps" will be live on Monday at 7 p.m. EDT.

Want to watch "Football Never Sleeps" on YouTube?

Visit here: https://www.youtube.com/@HansenAndJames

Eric Hansen and Tyler James discuss the biggest takeaways from No. 22 Notre Dame's 56-13 road victory over Arkansas. How did the Irish blow out the Razorbacks? Let them explain.

Postgame Takeaways is presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors: https://www.academy.com/c/backpack

📌 Subscribe for weekly Notre Dame football analysis, interviews, and camp updates — all season long.

Catch Football Never Sleeps live on Monday at 7 p.m. EDT.

Want to watch "Postgame Takeaways" on YouTube?

Visit here: https://www.youtube.com/@HansenAndJames

Former Notre Dame defensive lineman Chris Zorich (1987-90) joins the Third & Gold Podcast to discuss the biggest surprise in Notre Dame's 1-2 start, head coach Marcus Freeman's praise for Zorich, how Zorich would impact this team, the signs of progress he saw in the Purdue game, his perception of defensive coordinator Chris Ash, what's required for successful defensive line stunts, how a team has to stick together through tough moments, his godson Brayden Parks being recruited by the Irish, his appreciation for Lou Holtz, continuing to be involved with the ND community and more.

Then Eric Hansen and Tyler James answer questions from X/Twitter and The Lou Somogyi Board (31:39).

Third & Gold Podcast is presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors: https://www.academy.com/c/backpack

💸Blue & Gold subscription deal: New subscribers can sign up for the first year of an annual subscription for just $52! One per week is more than half off the regular annual price. Subscribe here: https://www.on3.com/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish/join/