Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss some lessons learned and questions still pending after Blue-Gold weekend and the draft. Then (34:45) the Report Medical Team joins to discusss the second season of "The Pitt."   Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Alex Herrmann of Notre Dame, Our Blogger joins to discuss Notre Dame football's spring game and where the team stands after this set of practices plus news and notes from the NFL Draft (congrats to Love, Price and all the other draftees and signees). Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Blue and Gold's Eric Hansen joins to discuss what he saw at the Fighting Irish's jersey scrimmage over the weekend, including the new-look offensive line, depth and potential at wide receiver, freshmen impressing, Christian Gray's move to nickel, how the new coaches are fitting in and C.J. Carr taking things to another level. Then (44:30) we close talking about Notre Dame women's basketball's moves in the portal and how Hannah Hidalgo is driving the program going into her final year. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

A Very Brief Survey on Notre Dame Athletics: https://forms.gle/FE21DzPdV1dw4m5A9 Irish Sports Daily's Jamie Uyeyma joins to break down what we've learned from Marcus Freeman and the rest of the staff as the Blue-Gold Game approaches. Topics discussed include a new-look offensive line, Nolan James, Jr., Micah Gilbert, Mylan Graham, C.J. Carr, Rodney Dunham, Elijah Hughes and a whole lot more. Then (1:07:30), the Three-Point Jesus podcast's Sam Werner swings by to talk about how things currently are not going so great for the men's basketball team. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss how a Hannah Hidalgo all-time masterclass performance powered Niele Ivey's Fighting Irish into the Elite Eight. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana and Paul Coletti of the Irish Alert newsletter join to break down the Fighting Irish going into Columbus and coming out with a ticket to the Sweet Sixteen. Niele Ivey's steady hand, the greatness of Hannah Hidalgo, a complete team effort and the challenges posed by Vanderbilt, plus a little bit of Conference Brain. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Happy basketball! Paul Coletti of the Irish Alert newsletter joins to preview Notre Dame's first-round matchup against Fairfield, peek ahead to what a potential game against Ohio State would look like and give his general thoughts on the tournament. Then (35:40) Sam Werner of the Three-Point Jesus podcast joins for a brief check-in on where the Micah Shrewsberry Era stands before previewing the men's bracket. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to take an updated look at where Notre Dame players could go in next month's NFL Draft following the start of free agency and to do some light bracketology. Then (25:00) our friend Priya Desai joins for a draft of all ten Best Picture nominees.   Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Irish Sports Daily's Jamie Uyeyama joins to discuss some questions that could be at least partially answered by the end of spring practice. Included: How does C.J. Carr perform when there's no competition and also no Jeremiyah Love? Who steps in at the skill position slots? What's the only position with potential depth concerns? Do any freshmen force their way onto the field? Then we close (46:45) by gathering in the Baratheon pavilion for a discussion about the delightful A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins for a supersized episode. First, we run through the news on Aaron Henry and Brian Jean-Mary reportedly being added to the Fighting Irish staff, Notre Dame's relationship with the ACC and a College Football Playoff schedule that has somehow gotten worse. Then (25:45) a pivot to discussing every single new head coaching hire in FBS, starting with the Big Ten and ending with UConn. Included: Questions for Sparty, strange goings-on at Utah, some fun moves by the Big XII, the SEC raiding the AAC, "The Americans," a few small morning beers, Stanford's curious hire, MAC scandals and high hopes for the new faces in the new Pac-12. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport  

The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant joins to discuss what is hopefully a blip season for the Fighting Irish women's team, including praise for Hannah Hidalgo, questions about roster construction, Niele Ivey's performance and whether women's basketball generally is in a bit of a rut. Then (42:30) Sam Werner (Three-Point Jesus podcast) and Joe Schueller (18 Stripes) discuss what has gone awry in Micah Shrewsberry's third season and where the men's program goes from here. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to lay out our list analyzing, projecting and recommending the trends for the new year now that the national championship game is officially behind us. Topics include: What to make of Indiana winning the title, Notre Dame's different approach the portal, the playoff snub, being a hater, Don Draper Days, algorithms, beans and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to break down all the topics Marcus Freeman hit at his Jan. 14 press conference, including the fradulent accusations against him, the NFL's interest in him, transfer portal additions, the USC rivalry and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Marcus Freeman and company hit a home run at defensive tackle, add another Ohio State wide receiver and pick their kicker. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport  

The Fighting Irish finally got some commits on Monday. A quick run through how those players fit into the 2026 roster, some departures and lingering issues that still need resolved. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to kick off 2026 by looking at some of the best, worst and most confusing takes regarding the playoff and bowls from the past month-plus, including Notre Dame's conference affiliation, the G5 autobid, bye week curses, reorganizing the playoff calendar, whether the non-playoff bowls should exist and much more. Then (1:15:00) we are contractually obligated to talk about a Catholic whodunnit, so it's a deep dive on Wake Up Dead Man and a draft of our favorite characters from the Benoit Blanc trilogy. (We shout out when spoilers start if you haven't watched yet but you should watch.) Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

The Spreadsheets & Tailgates newsletter's Michael Bryan joins to run through some news: Marcus Freeman is officially staying at Notre Dame despite NFL interest, Southern Cal is officially taking the coward's path, updates on the roster and transfer portal guesswork. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport Donate here to the Center for the Homeless: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rakes-report-christmas-giving-2025    

We were going to do this Friday afternoon as a recap of Everything but decided to let things settle a bit first, so: Jessica Smetana joins to talk Jeremiyah Love awards circuit, All-American tracking, Remembering Some Guys via trivia, the USC series, strength of schedule debates, which reports from last week matter and which don't, basketball injury updates and much more. Donate here to the Center for the Homeless: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rakes-report-christmas-giving-2025

Closing the week with a few complaints to cleanse the soul, starting with an SEC TikToker's foray into Notre Dame country. Also: Merch availability, bowl discourse and much, much more. Donate here to the Center for the Homeless: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rakes-report-christmas-giving-2025 Holiday shirts (with all proceeds going to the CFH) available here: https://rakesreport.dashery.com/ Grievance airers: Paul Coletti Jesse Dang Alex Herrmann Bridget Reynolds Jessica Smetana Andrew Smith Nina Steigerwald Sam Werner  

Blue and Gold's Eric Hansen joins to talk about what steps Pete Bevacqua and Marcus Freeman should take next, the ACC and SEC relationships, how the decision to skip a bowl came about, key players the Irish will try to sway to return and much more. Donate here to the Center for the Homeless: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rakes-report-christmas-giving-2025 Holiday shirts (with all proceeds going to the CFH) available here: https://rakesreport.dashery.com/

NBC Sports' Nicole Auerbach joins to talk about the committee being very bad at their job, being tasked with too many things by the sport as a whole, what changes might come, the Elphaba Chris Ash graphic, improving Heisman discourse and much more. Donate here to the Center for the Homeless: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rakes-report-christmas-giving-2025 Holiday shirts (with all proceeds going to the CFH) available here: https://rakesreport.dashery.com/

Jamie Uyeyama of Irish Sports Daily joins to talk some more about Notre Dame being left out of the playoff before pivoting to discussing how good this 2025 team was and how the program is set to get even better in the aftermath of the snub. Donate here to the Center for the Homeless: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rakes-report-christmas-giving-2025 Holiday shirts (with all proceeds going to the CFH) available here: https://rakesreport.dashery.com/

Jessica Smetana joins to kick off our annual fundraising for the Center for the Homeless in South Bend. Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rakes-report-christmas-giving-2025 An extended therapy session where we respect conspiracy theories being true and discuss Notre Dame's decision to eschew a bowl. Holiday shirts (with all proceeds going to the CFH) available here: https://rakesreport.dashery.com/

Feel free to skip this and keep living your life but there are a lot of questions and confusion out there so the Spreadsheets & Tailgates newsletter's Michael Bryan stopped in for a concise look at the process, metrics, odds and conspiracy theories that could or could not affect the Fighting Irish's playoff fate on Sunday. Guns up. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish romping to a late-night win in their regular season finale. A dominant first 33 minutes, an incredible fake punt, the cursed vibes of Palo Alto, a bummer rivalry weekend, playoff discourse and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins as the third chair for a draft of our favorite 18 games of the weekend, starting with Thursday night's American clash through a pivotal Saturday primetime slate. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to recap a very lopsided Steve Angeli Bowl. Love for Heisman, elite safety play, NBC Universal synergy, much more. (Congrats to Utah on reverse jinxing them into an awesome comeback during the recording.) Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

A late-night clash for the Islands Showdown trophy, a battle for both Silver Spade Trophy Mayor's Cup and plenty of danger for teams in the hunt for conference titles. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport  

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish's domination of the Panthers. Jeremiyah Love and Malachi Fields' excellence, Chris Ash's unit excelling, Pat Narduzzi being Pat Narduzzi, some annoying narratives and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

A primetime C-USA clash, a check-in on our old friend Gerad Parker and a couple of Florida teams try to stay on the playoff path. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

The focus is still on football (please defeat Pitt) but both basketball teams also have big games this weekend so we're taking some time to project what that might look like on the hardwood. First, Paul Coletti of The Irish Alert newsletter joins to break down the new and old faces who'll be surrounding Hannah Hidalgo for the women's team. Then (35:00), Sam Werner of the Three-Point Jesus podcast projects the rotation around Markus Burton on the men's side. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport  

Jessica Smetana and the Spreadsheets & Tailgates newsletter's Michael Bryan gather after the Fighting Irish's comfortable win over the Midshipmen to discuss highlights of the seventh straight victory, including more Jeremiyah Love absurdity, C.J. Carr bombing away and a great effort from Chris Ash's defense. Also: How the rest of the day affected Notre Dame's playoff chances and the big upcoming clash at Pitt. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

The races to clinch everything from bowl eligibility to conference title game berths heat up in the season's final month. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport  

Jessica Smetana joins to talk Notre Dame's sixth straight win, where Navy slots in among the remaining opponents, Brian Kelly's firing, the first set of playoff rankings and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

The battle for the Old Oil Can, a key American clash and the Big 12 race stays hot. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Sam Werner of the Three-Point Jesus podcast joins to spend some more time discussing Notre Dame's 34-24 victory over USC and where the team stands after seven games. Then the discussion turns to the future of the Fighting Irish-Trojans rivalry, some conventional wisdom about the series that isn't so wise, stress-testing our playoff beliefs and a lot more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish's soggy and satisfying victory over the Trojans to retain the Jeweled Shillelagh. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

A big Saturday in the Sun Belt, a monster Friday night and SEC title elimination games. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Our USC Insider Nick Tresnowski joins to break down Saturday night's monster clash as we reach Round Four of Lincoln Riley vs. Marcus Freeman with playoff and contractual drama swirling. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish notching their fourth straight win via another great performance from the defense. Then we had to discuss James Franklin being let go by Penn State following the Nittany Lions' third straight loss. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Big games on Thursday and Friday night, the Big 12 race stays tight and a rare but needed Rutgers appreciation. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana and Lucy Rohden join to discuss Lucy's first visit to Notre Dame, what the campus and game day experience were like around Boise State's visit and how that compares to other schools. Also discussed: The Big Ten, James Franklin and when preseason projections go wrong. Off Rohding report from Notre Dame Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Michael Bryan (Spreadsheets & Tailgates newsletter) and Andrew Smith (Notre Dame, Our Blogger) join to break down the Irish taking care of business in a flag-filled game against the Broncos. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Some sad #goacc, some promising young quarterbacks and a whole lot more highlight the weekend. The SI story on the 1982 Aloha Bowl. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to discuss the Fighting Irish rolling into Fayetteville for the blowout win, including another nearly perfect day from the offense. We also hit on a fun weekend of college football and then just as we were wrapping up 🚨Sam Pittman got fired🚨.   Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

A monster weekend awaits, with ranked teams in danger, American teams trying to keep rolling and a whole lot more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to break down the Fighting Irish getting their first win of the season against the Boilermakers, including an incredible offense and still so many questions about the defense. Then (50:50) a look at the Paige Bueckers-Sonia Citron WNBA Rookie of the Year and some light schadenfreude. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

A stacked noon slate kicks off what looks to be another fun Saturday that ends in Boulder and with some more potential Golden Bear magic. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Sam Werner of the Three-Point Jesus podcast joins to file a report from the Irish's second loss of the 2025 season. Chris Ash, C.J. Carr, what the next ten games might look like and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Start your Saturday in the City of Brotherly Love and end it at the Golden Bowl in Berkeley. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport