Will Notre Dame win a national title this season?
That’s still up for debate, but Notre Dame moved to 6-0 with a 58-7 drubbing of Stanford on Saturday.
Marcus Freeman’s program does possess one trait that championship teams must have: depth.
Notre Dame has established itself as one of the best defenses in the country, but the Irish showed just how deep that unit is against Stanford. They did it without four key players: safety Brauntae Johnson, defensive lineman Jason Onye, cornerback Leonard Moore and linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, who doesn't technically start but remains a significant piece of the defense.
The Irish didn't miss a beat, holding Stanford to 202 total yards and just 58 rushing yards while forcing three turnovers.
“It's so crucial,” Freeman said of having depth. “It's crucial at every position to make sure you have depth, one, because of the length of the season, two, because of injuries, because it helps you as you continue to move forward to get those guys valuable game reps.”
Depth doesn't happen by accident.
It takes recruiting and landing talented players, developing them once they arrive on campus and preparing them to contribute when their number is called.
That process takes time and hard work, which is why Freeman is pleased with where his program stands six games into the season.
“I'm very pleased with our depth,” explained Freeman. “I'm pleased with the way they play when they get the opportunity. That's a comforting feeling for a coach is that you're not trying to just leave your starters in there because you're worried about a stat or you're worried about a score. No, put the guys that deserve to be in there, give them an opportunity to go out there and play. I'm pleased with how they performed.”
The development of Notre Dame's defense starts on the practice field.
Bloody Tuesday often gets mentioned because the Irish choose to embrace physical practices just days after a game. But it's about more than one practice or a catchy name. It's a mindset that demands consistent preparation and competition.
Defensive end Boubacar Traore has helped lead that charge this fall, and his approach has become contagious.
It's not that Traore didn't take practice seriously before this season, but the senior has taken his preparation to another level in 2026.
“I kind of just learned getting older and just like recognizing that practice reps are basically game reps,” said Traore. “Whatever you see in practice, you're going to see in the game. It's come through growth being here.”
Freeman didn't hesitate to praise his star edge rusher for those habits.
“He's an impact player, but he is a freakin' great practice player,” Freeman explained. “That's what I love. When I think about Boubacar and where he started to where he is now, the way he practices is tremendous. Him and Bryce (Young), those guys -- I help out with the scout team sometimes, and you can't block them. They work their tails off, and then they go out there, and it's a reflection of the way they prepare. He's making some huge plays for us.”
Notre Dame isn't immune to the occasional lapse in focus that comes with coaching college players. That's where Freeman and his staff earn their money.
Freeman has found ways to motivate his team while making sure the Irish understand that there's another level to reach, even when things are going well.
“I've got to find a way to challenge them,” stated Freeman. “I've got to challenge myself. There's got to be a belief that there's another level. If you think you've arrived, we're just going to keep doing the same thing, and you're not going to get better. If I lift the same amount of weight every day, I'm going to get smaller. My muscles will decrease.”
“I'm never going to take for granted that they have that mindset when they come in on a Tuesday. It's a bloodbath around here.”
Through six games, Notre Dame has passed every test in front of it. The Irish are 6-0, but the competition is about to take a significant step forward with a trip to BYU next weekend.
It will be a Top 10 showdown, giving Notre Dame its first opportunity to measure itself against another nationally ranked contender.
Freeman knows his players are eager for that challenge. He also wants them to appreciate what they've accomplished, including Saturday's rivalry win over Stanford, before turning their attention to the next opponent.
“They're ultimate competitors and they want to play the best,” said Freeman. “They'll get the opportunity to play a top 10 team and they'll be ready. My job is to remind them to enjoy the fruits of your labor. If you don't enjoy this and you're just looking to the next one, it's miserable, miserable. I'll tell you how hard it is Monday through Friday. I mean, it's hard. If you don't find a way to enjoy a victory on a Saturday, it's not going to be a lot of fun playing the game or coaching the game.
“I remind myself, as I tell them, to enjoy the victory. I remind myself. Then we'll wake up tomorrow, eyes towards the next opponent.”
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