It's been a short but busy offseason for Notre Dame, with the Irish hiring running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider away from Penn State to replace Deland McCullough, and with the search for a new general manager still going, as James Blanchard elected to stay at Texas Tech. What's next for Marcus Freeman and his squad? Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to break it all down, take your questions and much more, on the latest episode of The Independent.

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Matt & Pete return to discuss the news that Notre Dame is bringing in former Rutgers head coach and Ohio State defensive coordinator Chris Ash to take on the open DC role for the Irish. Find out their thoughts on the hire and what it will mean for Marcus Freeman's team next season. Plus, thoughts on timing announcement for the schedule next fall.

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Notre Dame's season came to an end Monday night, with the Fighting Irish falling to Ohio State, 34-23. Marcus Freeman's squad fought back from a 24-point deficit to make it interesting in the fourth quarter, and Riley Leonard showed plenty of guts, but in the end it wasn't enough.

Notre Dame finishes the 2024-25 season at 14-2 after a remarkable College Football Playoff run. Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to break down what happened in Atlanta and to close the book on this season.

Co-hosts: Matt Fortuna, Pete Sampson

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Matt & Pete weigh in with their picks for the National Championship between Notre Dame and Ohio State with guest Tim Murray. Plus, they talk about the build up to this game and the cultural conversation around Notre Dame including Shane Gillis’ latest ad with Under Armour. 

How do the Fighting Irish matchup with Ohio State? What can Al Golden do to scheme against Jeremiah Smith and how can Notre Dame rattle Will Howard. Now that Jeremiyah Love is 100% how will that impact the game and do the Irish win the turnover battle against Ohio State? What would it mean for Marcus Freeman and this team to pull of the upset? 

Future Fans: helping little kids become BIG fans, find out more at FutureFans.com 

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Matt & Pete are back for another episode in the build up to the National Championship matchup with Ohio State on Monday night in Atlanta. They are joined by Tony Simeone, play-by-play voice of the Fighting Irish to talk about this season to date and what he expects from the matchup with the Buckeyes. How did Notre Dame turn things around after the loss to Northern Illinois and he assesses the coaching job of Marcus Freeman. Plus what will the legacy be for this Notre Dame team and Freeman if they are able to pull off the win and earn the first National Championship since 1988. 

Future Fans: helping little kids become BIG fans, find out more at FutureFans.com 

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Matt & Pete are joined by Ari Wasserman of On3 for their first look at Notre Dame vs. Ohio State for the National Championship. Get early impressions of the matchup, what areas of the game Notre Dame will have the advantage against the Buckeyes and Ari's thoughts on if this is a team of destiny for the Irish? Plus, who wins the coaching matchup between Marcus Freeman and Ryan Day and which College Football coach would actually be good to hang out with at Chili's?

Future Fans: helping little kids become BIG fans, find out more at FutureFans.com 

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Notre Dame came back from a 10-point deficit to upset Penn State, 27-24, and punch its ticket to Atlanta for the Jan. 20 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. There, the Fighting Irish will face Ohio State or Texas.

Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to break it all down. Orange Bowl Defensive MVP Christian Gray came up with the timely interception to set up Mitch Jeter's game-winning field goal. Riley Leonard won Offensive MVP honors, but not without some help from backup QB Steve Angeli and WR Jaden Greathouse.

Now, Marcus Freeman will looks to become the fifth Notre Dame head coach to win a national title in his third year with the school.

Future Fans: helping little kids become BIG fans, find out more at FutureFans.com 

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Matt & Pete share the latest on the Fighting Irish heading into their semifinal matchup with Penn State on Thursday night. Tune in for injury updates on Jeremiyah Love and Abdul Carter, what Marcus Freeman shared with press this week as well as predictions for the matchup in South Florida. Can Riley Leonard take this game on his back like he did against Georgia? Will the defense get pressure on Drew Allar? Can Jadarian Price take over the workload if Love is not 100%.

Future Fans: helping little kids become BIG fans, find out more at FutureFans.com 

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Get ready for the 2025 Orange Bowl as Notre Dame faces Penn State for the chance to move on to the National Championship. Matt Fortuna & Pete Sampson join from The Independent and Audrey Snyder and Jon Sauber from The Nittany Dispatch to give a preview of the upcoming semifinal. Find out what both sets of reporters think of the opposing team and how Riley Leonard, Drew Allar, Jeremiyah Love, Nick Singleton, Jadarian Price, Kaytron Allen, Abdul Carter and Xavier Watt will play in this massive game for both teams. Also, which coach has the edge between Marcus Freeman and James Franklin.

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Notre Dame punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff semifinal with an emphatic win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Marcus Freeman out-coached Kirby Smart throughout the entire game and the Irish made enough plays to hold the margin over the Bulldogs to earn the win. The Notre Dame defense stifled Georgia and Gunner Stockton all game long and Riley Leonard used his legs and his arm to give the Irish the lead. The 98-yard kick return by Jayden Harrison helped create the separation they needed to earn the win. Next, the Irish head to the Orange Bowl to face James Franklin and Penn State.

Future Fans: helping little kids become BIG fans, find out more at FutureFans.com 

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