Pod of Gold: Notre Dame Football

Angelique Chengelis, long-time Michigan beat writer for The Detroit News, joined the podcast this week to help prepare us for the big game. On the show, Chengelis discussed Michigan's loss to Penn State, the offensive struggles this season, the most dangerous weapon on Michigan's offense, quarterback Shea Patterson's up-and-down season, the challenges of covering head coach Jim Harbaugh, how he's handled offensive coordinator Josh Gattis taking over the play calling, the strengths and weaknesses of Michigan's defense and more (1:35). Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen made predictions in the Place Your Bets segment (27:21) and answered questions from Twitter (35:54).

NDI's Tom Noie and Carter Karels take a closer look at Notre Dame football as the Irish head into the back half of the 2019 schedule.

Two-time Irish coordinator Rick Minter (1992-93, 2005-07) joins the podcast to discuss defensive coordinator Clark Lea's gameplan against USC, the Irish personnel on defense, implementing a scheme specific to an opponent, how he'd defend quarterback Ian Book, the challenges modern offenses present, the difficulty of coaching linebackers and more (1:46). Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make predictions in the Place Your Bets segment (29:54), provide Keeping up with the Joneses updates (36:41), highlight kicker Jonathan Doerer in the Junior or Jr. segment (40:31) and answer questions from Twitter (44:15).

NDI's Tom Noie and Carter Karels preview Saturday's rivalry showdown between Notre Dame and USC under the lights in Northern Indiana.

ESPN Radio host Mike Golic, a captain of Notre Dame's 1984 team, joins the podcast to share his thoughts on Notre Dame's play this season, the performance of quarterback Ian Book, the resurgence of the Irish defensive line, his memories of the USC rivalry, sending his children to Notre Dame, working with his son on "Golic and Wingo" and more (1:52). Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make predictions in the Place Your Bets segment (24:35), provide Keeping up with the Joneses updates (30:54), highlight left guard Aaron Banks in the Junior or Jr. segment (32:43) and answer questions from Twitter (35:26).

NDI's Tom Noie and Carter Karels preview (as best they can) Saturday's game against Bowling Green and run through their thoughts (and grades) on the Irish by position four weeks into the 2019 season

Andy Staples, a national college football writer for The Athletic and radio and podcast host, joined the Pod of Gold to share his thoughts on Notre Dame's start to the season, the play of quarterback Ian Book, the job head coach Brian Kelly has done for the Irish, where Notre Dame's defensive line ranks among the nation's best, the trajectory of the programs at USC and Michigan, his best meal of the football season so far and more (1:44). Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make predictions in the Place Your Bets segment (25:57), bring back Keeping up with the Joneses (32:06), highlight C'Bo Flemister as Punctuation Mark of the Week (35:16), discuss Kurt Hinish in the Junior or Jr. segment (38:13) and answer questions from Twitter (40:32).

NDI's Tom Noie and Carter Karels take a final look back at the loss to No. 3 Georgia, look ahead to Saturday's game against No. 18 Virginia, answer reader questions and offer their score predictions.

Former Notre Dame All-American and Heisman Trophy runner-up Rocket Ismail joined the podcast to discuss Notre Dame's program, the speed it needs at the skill position, how he was able to take on different positions with the Irish, his perspective on Brian Kelly leading the program, how kick returns have changed in the modern era and more (1:37). Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make predictions in the Place Your Bets segment (30:29), highlight Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah as Punctuation Mark of the Week (36:57), discuss Cole Kmet in the Junior or Jr. segment (38:26) and answer questions from Twitter (40:16).

NDi's Tom Noie and Carter Karels break down Saturday's game between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 3 Georgia. Who wins? Why? How? Here