Notre Dame will play Rice in the home opener, then Michigan State at home before the Irish travel southwest to challenge in-state rival Purdue. The natural inclination is that this three-game stretch features three "easy wins". However, Freeman knows better than anybody that Notre Dame shouldn't underestimate early season opponents.

As the dust settles from Notre Dame's 2025 campaign, the Fighting Irish are navigating the ever-evolving landscape of college football's transfer portal. The winter window, which opened on January 2nd, 2026, and runs through January 16th, has seen significant, yet stalling, movement from the program. While head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff focus on rebuilding and retaining talent in South Bend, a total of 19 players have entered the portal, seeking new opportunities els