Jessica Smetana joins for a potpourri edition discussing Chris Ash, Chad Bowden, Top 100 games, transfer portal entries, an Atlanta field report, Excitement Draft recap, "The Americans" and much more.

Then (53:00) The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant joins to talk about how Niele Ivey has built a team that is one of the nation's top title contenders. The best backcourt, how new faces are fitting in, threats in the ACC and beyond plus some Paige Bueckers Narrative Watch and potential WNBA CBA repercussions.   Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins for initial thoughts on the College Football Playoff final, this past Fighting Irish season and what the future may hold. 

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to rank all 14 of Notre Dame's wins that have taken them to the cusp of a national championship, from the opener in College Station to the thriller in Miami Gardens. Remembering some games, some touchdowns, some announcers and a whole lot more from a special season.

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to talk about being in the building for an epic College Football Playoff semifinal. Walking through everything from the tailgate scene to Mitch Jeter's kick and the aftermath, plus what this season has meant and a whole lot more.

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Sam Werner of the Three-Point Jesus podcast and Michael Bryan of 18 Stripes join to talk about the epic Orange Bowl victory as the Irish advance to the national title game. (This is the loopiest and least edited podcast in existence.)

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Diving in on the Fighting Irish/Nittany Lions College Football Playoff semifinal and also Remembering Some Games.

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish's win in the Sugar Bowl to advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Topics include but are not limited to: The tragedy in New Orleans and feelings going into the game, big plays in all three phases, Riley Leonard, the defense, Marcus Freeman and general postseason thoughts.

Donate to the Center for the Homeless here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/754gdw-rakes-report-christmas-giving-2024

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish dominating the Hoosiers to open up the first-ever 12-team playoff. 

Donate to the Center for the Homeless here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/754gdw-rakes-report-christmas-giving-2024

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

To close out Christmas Giving, we're revisiting an episode many of you probably (and understandably) deleted right away. Jessica Smetana joins for the post-NIU discussion, in which we talked about Marcus Freeman, transfer quarterbacks, stadium atmosphere, coaching searches and a lot more. 

Donate to the Center for the Homeless here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/754gdw-rakes-report-christmas-giving-2024

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Inside ND Sports' Eric Hansen joins to talk about the hype around the Indiana/Notre Dame game, the evolution of Riley Leonard and Marcus Freeman, the greatness of Xavier Watts, Hoosier history and much more.

Donate to the Center for the Homeless here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/754gdw-rakes-report-christmas-giving-2024

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport