BREAKING: Marcus Freeman believes Notre Dame “can play with anybody in the country” when it executes, and thinks the Dame are “far from done” in the Collage Football Playoff…

In a powerful statement that has fans buzzing, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman expressed

unwavering confidence in his team’s ability to compete at the highest level of college football. After a

season filled with highs and lows, Freeman believes that when the Fighting Irish execute their game

plan, they can play with any team in the country—and he’s not ready to give up on their College

Football Playoff (CFP) aspirations just yet.

Freeman, who took over the head coaching role at Notre Dame in 2022, has faced significant

pressure to deliver success right out of the gate. Despite some early challenges this season, including

a heartbreaking loss to Ohio State, Freeman remains optimistic about his team’s future. His recent

comments reflect a sense of belief and determination, not just for the remainder of the season, but

also for the years to come.

Freeman’s Confidence in His Team’s Potential
Freeman’s remarks came after a dominant victory over an unranked opponent, where Notre Dame

displayed the kind of execution that Freeman has been preaching all season. His belief is clear:

when Notre Dame plays to its potential, they can take down any team in the nation, no matter the

opponent or the stage.

“It’s all about execution,” Freeman said in a post-game interview. “When we do the things we’ve

been working on all week—when we execute, when we do our jobs—we can play with anyone in the

country. We’ve seen that in flashes, but it’s about putting it all together consistently. We’re far from

done. We still have a chance to achieve what we want to achieve.”

The Fighting Irish have demonstrated glimpses of greatness throughout the season, particularly in

their victories over top-tier teams like USC and North Carolina. Freeman has been focused on

instilling a mentality of discipline, physicality, and mental toughness, and when those elements

align, the Irish can hang with the best college football teams in the nation.

The Notre Dame offense, led by quarterback Sam Hartman, has been explosive at times, while the

defense remains a hallmark of Freeman’s coaching philosophy. Even after a few close losses,

including to the Buckeyes and Louisville, Freeman is adamant that his team has all the tools

necessary to make a push for the College Football Playoff.

The Path to the College Football Playoff
Though Notre Dame currently sits outside the top four, Freeman’s comments show that he isn’t

backing down from the possibility of a playoff appearance. While Notre Dame’s hopes were dealt a

blow by some earlier defeats, Freeman isn’t writing off their chances. With an undefeated record in

the regular season and some key games still left to play, the Irish could still make a late-season surge.

“We’ve got some tough games left, but I believe in this team,” Freeman said. “The margin for error

is small, but we’ve got the talent, the heart, and the drive to get back in the race. We’re far from done.”

What Freeman is referring to is the possibility of a scenario where Notre Dame runs the table in the

remainder of their schedule, with strong performances against their remaining opponents,

potentially giving them an edge for one of the four CFP spots. A strong finish could convince the

committee that Notre Dame is deserving of a place in the playoff, especially with their resume of

wins over ranked teams.

Looking Toward the Future
While the current season is still very much alive, Freeman is also looking ahead to the future of the

program. As a young coach, Freeman has worked tirelessly to build a culture at Notre Dame that

focuses on both development and immediate success. His commitment to recruiting high-caliber

athletes and cultivating a winning mentality is already beginning to bear fruit, as evidenced by the

team’s high-level performances.

Notre Dame’s standing in the college football world has been bolstered by Freeman’s leadership,

and his confidence is contagious. The program’s renewed focus on bringing together talented

players, staff, and alumni will only make them a stronger contender for years to come.

A Season Full of Opportunity
Despite the ups and downs, Freeman’s belief in his team remains unshaken. He understands that

the road to the College Football Playoff is filled with challenges, but he’s not backing down from the

fight. The Irish’s path to the playoff may require some help from other teams in the rankings, but

with Freeman’s leadership and the talent of players like Hartman and standout defensive players,

the dream is still alive.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Notre Dame to see if Freeman’s prediction comes true.

If the Fighting Irish can keep executing and remain focused, they could find themselves in

contention for a CFP spot come December. For now, Marcus Freeman’s message is clear: Notre

Dame is still a team to be reckoned with, and the season is far from over.