SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A year ago, Notre Dame was finishing up the shortest football offseason in school history. The Fighting Irish had a glow about themselves after playing to the very end of the 2024–25 College Football Playoff on Jan. 20. Despite losing to Ohio State, that team walked away satisfied that it took the full measure of itself across a 16-game marathon.
This year, the offseason has been a long marination in disappointment. A controversial playoff exclusion, followed by a controversial decision not to play in a bowl game. After 10 straight victories by double digits, everything just ended. Forget playing into January; the Irish didn’t even suit up in December.
