Footballking16

Ugly but entertaining game. Penalties galore on both teams that will probably keep both coaches up all week. Ben Davis lead a time consuming, game winning drive after completely unraveling in the 2nd half after being in total command. Cathedral forced some 2nd half turnovers and came all the way back to tie it. QB play once again appears to be a concern for Cathedral.

From what I hear, a major work in-progress. Sounds like defense will be their strength but they are breaking in a new QB and several new offensive lineman.

Warren and Chatard way too low

They’re not going (can’t) to do it without the support of ESPN. ESPN writes their checks.

There's a very real chance that Cathedral is back in 4A for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, assuming they don't elect to stay in 5A. I believe they need to advance to the state championship this year to accumulate enough points to remain in 5A. Cathedral hasn't played in it's enrollment based classification since 2012.

Well the narrative last week was that USC was ducking Notre Dame.

Has anyone from Notre Dame or the national media refuted this? Are we calling Riley and SC's athletic department liars?

I'd saying opting out of a game with the potential best team on your schedule next year is certainly something, especially when you were left out this year because you didn't beat anybody. Notre Dame needs SC much more than SC needs Notre Dame, whether or not the Irish are willing to admit that. Sounds like SC was trying to do them a favor.

Think Oregon is 47-3 at home in their last 50 games. Autzen is a ridiculously hard place to play. Not sure what last year has to do with this year? Alabama didn't even make the playoff last year and lost 28-7 to Georgia in the SEC championship game.

They beat Oregon 30-20 in Eugene 3 months ago and won by 27 the last time they played at the Rose Bowl. Thursday's crowd will be way more Pro-IU than Alabama. I much more worried about the team on the field than the intangibles.

I'd say beating a top 5 team on the road 2500 miles from home is a good place to start.

Hmmmm

Because the MOU that grants ND an automatic invite to the CFP if they finish in the top 12 doesn’t go into effect until next season. It had no bearing on this season or else ND would have been in.

Mendoza still a redshirt freshman and the oldest returning QB on the roster. They have to bring in someone with experience. Still think Mendoza gets two more years to start after next season.

Why did USC offer to play Notre Dame week 0 and why did Notre Dame decline if USC was hellbent on getting ND off their schedule? Losing to ND week 0 is a lot different than losing to ND in week 14. The MOU goes into effect at the start of next season, so it makes perfectly good sense why USC wanted to move the game.

Makes sense. Believe he was 2nd in the country in RPO attempts and completion % behind Mendoza last year, IU’s bread and butter.

Hometown Oregon appears to be the favorite. Strong winds suggesting TCU QB Josh Hoover will be next years signal caller. Threw for 7500 yards and 56 TD’s the last two seasons, was once an Indiana commit out of high school.

I don’t feel stupid at all, just reiterating what was said straight from the horses mouth. SC is not going to play ND because of preferential treatment given to Notre Dame that could be potentially harmful to them in the end. Kudos to them, hope more teams follow suit.

Why? In every other sport, in every other league, winning your conference/division/group grants you admission to the postseason. What’s the point of playing a regular season then? Join a conference, it’s 2025, soon to be 2026.

Why the hell would you chance that if you're USC? Or anybody for that matter? ND has their own set of rules and doesn't want to abide by anybody else's. Stop giving them the time of day.

lol

USC literally just dropped Notre Dame because of ND's agreement with the CFP. There is ZERO upside playing Notre Dame going forward. You can beat Notre Dame on the field and in the end it not matter with the new MOU going into effect. Hell, had the MOU been in effect THIS year....Miami would have been bumped from the field despite beating Notre Dame on it. It's ridiculous. https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/story/2025-12-22/usc-notre-dame-will-not-play-football-rivalry-game-in-2026

IU and ND are scheduled to play in a few years. Hope IU takes the same path. This is totally relevant in this climate of college football.

Kudos to SC for taking a stand. There is absolutely zero reason for another P4 team to schedule Notre Dame going forward with the new MOU that goes into effect next season. Hopefully more teams follow suit.