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The GOOD, the BAD, & the UGLY | Notre Dame Takes Care of Business, But Leaves Plenty to Discuss
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Notre Dame walks away with a 37-26 win over North Carolina, but don't let the final score fool you. This game felt much more lopsided than the scoreboard suggests. What should have been a comfortable 28-7 Irish lead heading into halftime quickly turned into a much more interesting afternoon thanks to questionable goal line play calling, a turnover on downs, a 97-yard touchdown drive by the Tar Heels, and a kickoff return touchdown to open the second half.
So how much of North Carolina's comeback was self-inflicted, and how much should concern Irish fans moving forward? We break down the defensive lapses, the momentum swings, and the mistakes that allowed the Tar Heels to hang around longer than they should have.
On the bright side, Notre Dame's running game continues to find its identity. Jonaz Walton is making a serious case to be the go-to back alongside Nolan James, and the Irish offense is showing signs of becoming a more physical, consistent unit.
Despite the frustrating moments, Notre Dame secures its 15th consecutive double-digit victory. Is this a case of a good team making a few costly mistakes, or are there warning signs the Irish need to address before tougher competition arrives?
1 Oct 2026
Is Notre Dame OVERCONFIDENT Heading Into Chapel Hill?!
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The Irish have begun to establish an identity of their own, but questions still surround exactly what this North Carolina team can become under one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. Could an early noon kickoff, a potentially overconfident Notre Dame team, and a little Chapel Hill magic from Belichick combine to create a stumbling block for the Irish?
North Carolina’s defense appears to be the strength of this team, with the defensive line standing out as a unit Notre Dame will need to account for. On the other side of the ball, the Tar Heels have some intriguing weapons, including tight end Jelani Thurman, who could present problems for the Irish defense.
Is Notre Dame ready to handle business on the road, or is this a matchup that could be much more dangerous than it looks on paper?
We break down the matchup, the potential pitfalls, and what Notre Dame needs to do to avoid an unexpected stumble in Chapel Hill.
29 Sept 2026
Notre Dame is starting to FIGURE IT OUT: DL is SURGING + Running Game FINDS its FOOTING
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The Irish continue to find answers on both sides of the ball, and there are plenty of encouraging developments to break down.
Notre Dame’s defensive line continues to show legitimate pass rushing ability on the edge, with Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young making their presence felt. Young in particular has been a pleasant surprise, continuing to show the growth and development that has made him an increasingly important piece of the Irish defense.
With Brauntae Johnson and Luke Talich unavailable, true freshman Joey O’Brien was thrust into action at safety. The former five-star recruit made the most of his opportunity, showing the instincts, athleticism, and playmaking ability that made him one of the nation’s most highly regarded recruits coming out of high school.
On offense, Notre Dame is beginning to show more balance and creativity. The ball was spread around more consistently, including opportunities for the tight ends, while multiple wide receivers continue to make their mark. Micah Gilbert’s emergence has been one of the biggest storylines, while Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse continue to give CJ Carr reliable weapons in the passing game.
And perhaps most importantly, the Notre Dame running game is starting to find its footing. After some early season questions, the Irish are beginning to establish more consistency on the ground which is an encouraging sign as this offense continues to develop its identity.
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