Notre Dame’s 2025 Football Journey Hinges on Win Total, Playoff Aspirations and Unresolved Quarterback Competition Amid High Expectations
The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal in recent memory for Notre Dame. After yet another year of near misses and what-ifs, the Fighting Irish enter the fall with sky-high hopes, a new set of challenges, and the pressure to finally break through the glass ceiling that’s kept them out of national championship contention since the Brian Kelly era. This season’s fate may very well come down to three focal points: hitting the projected win total, staying in the College Football Playoff conversation until late November, and solving the quarterback dilemma that has followed Marcus Freeman into year three of his tenure.
For Notre Dame, the expectations are always heavy, regardless of roster turnover or schedule difficulty. But 2025 comes with a distinct sense of urgency. Freeman has had time to build the program in his image—recruiting elite talent, reshaping the culture, and leaning on a defensive identity that suits his background. Yet, without consistent quarterback play or elite production on offense, Notre Dame has found itself stuck in the tier just below college football’s elite. That’s the gap the Irish aim to close this year.
Let’s start with the win total. Oddsmakers have pegged Notre Dame’s over/under at 9.5 wins, which feels like a fair yet pressure-laden benchmark. The schedule, as usual, features a blend of traditional powerhouses and tough road tests that offer little room for error. Key matchups against Texas A&M, USC, and Florida State could define the trajectory of the season. The Irish will also have to avoid slip-ups against rising programs like NC State or Louisville, both capable of springing an upset. To reach 10 wins and beyond, Notre Dame must combine elite execution with resiliency—especially in close games that have haunted them in recent years.
But this isn’t just about getting to 10 wins. For Notre Dame, the ultimate goal is a College Football Playoff berth. With the CFP expanding to 12 teams starting in the 2024 season, the path is more accessible than it was in the past. A strong 10-2 record, combined with a top-10 strength of schedule, could be enough to secure one of the coveted at-large bids. In fact, Notre Dame stands to benefit more than most from the expanded format, as their status as an independent allows for a national schedule and brand visibility unmatched by most programs.
Still, the margin for error remains slim. Any team aiming for a playoff spot must be consistently excellent in all three phases—offense, defense, and special teams. That leads us to perhaps the most important storyline of the offseason and preseason camp: the quarterback battle.
Notre Dame has not had a consistent, star-level quarterback since Ian Book left South Bend after the 2020 season. While transfer options like Jack Coan, Drew Pyne, Tyler Buchner, and Sam Hartman have all had flashes, none were able to elevate the offense into the kind of dynamic unit required to beat top-tier opponents. Now, in 2025, the Irish are once again looking for an answer under center, and it’s still unclear who that will be.
The competition appears to be between junior Steve Angeli, sophomore Kenny Minchey, and true freshman CJ Carr, a five-star prospect who arrives with the weight of massive expectations. Angeli has been in the system the longest and showed glimpses of control and poise in limited action. He understands the offense, and his consistency could make him the safe option. Minchey, a high-upside talent, is more of a gunslinger—capable of big plays but prone to mistakes. Then there’s Carr, the wild card. Though inexperienced, Carr has elite pedigree, arm talent, and the mental edge of someone who’s been groomed for the spotlight. If he flashes in camp and early in the season, it’ll be hard to keep him off the field.
Freeman has said repeatedly that the quarterback competition will be open and decided by performance, not politics. But with so much riding on this season, there will be pressure to not only pick the right guy but do so early enough to build continuity and confidence throughout the offense. The Irish cannot afford another slow offensive start like they had in 2023 and 2024. A strong, clear identity must be formed in fall camp and maintained throughout the season.
It’s not just about quarterback play, though. Whoever wins the job will benefit from a strong supporting cast. Notre Dame’s offensive line should again be one of the strengths of the team, anchored by All-American talent and depth at the interior positions. At running back, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price return with big-play ability and versatility. The wide receiver room has improved significantly under Chansi Stuckey, and it boasts playmakers who can stretch the field or create after the catch. Tight end continues to be a position of strength, and Freeman’s staff has done well to develop and rotate that group efficiently.
Defensively, Notre Dame enters the 2025 season with more clarity and stability than the offensive side. Led by a veteran front seven and a deep secondary, the Irish defense has the potential to be elite—especially under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Al Washington, who was promoted after the departure of Al Golden to the NFL. Washington brings an aggressive, physical identity to the defense, one that Freeman has long embraced. The unit should thrive if the pass rush improves, which it likely will thanks to rising stars on the edge and improved linebacker depth.
Notre Dame’s biggest challenge on defense may be keeping pace with the increasing offensive firepower of their opponents. Against teams like USC and Florida State—who return elite quarterback play and speed across the board—the Irish will have to pressure the quarterback and create turnovers, areas that have been inconsistent in past seasons. But the pieces are there. The leadership, experience, and schematic familiarity all suggest this defense could carry Notre Dame in critical moments.
Special teams, often overlooked, should again be a strong suit. The kicking game is in good hands, and the return game has the potential to flip field position, something that helped win close games in 2024.
Off the field, Freeman has continued to build momentum on the recruiting trail. The 2025 class is among the best in the country, and early signs suggest the Irish are well-positioned for another top-tier group in 2026. More importantly, Freeman’s culture has resonated with players, alumni, and fans alike. He’s built trust and accountability in the program, and while wins and losses ultimately define a coach, it’s clear that the long-term trajectory under Freeman is bright.
Still, 2025 feels like a critical turning point. Notre Dame has invested heavily in facilities, NIL partnerships, and player development infrastructure. The administration has shown a willingness to compete at the highest level. Now, the football program must deliver results that match those investments. A 9-3 season won’t be enough to silence critics or satisfy fans who believe Notre Dame should be competing for national titles every year.
The good news for the Irish is that their destiny is in their own hands. They control their schedule, they have the talent, and they have the institutional backing. What they need now is execution, consistency, and leadership at the game’s most important position. If the quarterback situation stabilizes, Notre Dame could not only hit their win total but make a deep playoff run. If not, another year of frustratingly close outcomes and unrealized potential may be on the horizon.
In many ways, this season will test everything Freeman has built. It will test the patience of a fanbase hungry for a championship. It will test the growth of players asked to lead a program with global recognition and national pressure. And it will test whether Notre Dame is truly ready to break free from good-but-not-great status and finally claim a place among the sport’s elite in the modern era.
A lot can happen between now and December. Injuries, upsets, and momentum swings are part of the game. But if Notre Dame hits double-digit wins, makes the playoff field, and finds its quarterback, 2025 could be the year the Irish write a new chapter in their storied football history—one defined not just by tradition and hope, but by results on the biggest stage.
