The Anatomy of the Schedule: Breaking Down the 2025 Season, Volume II

Liam Farrell
Jul 26
4 min read

As fall camp creeps around the corner, it is a perfect time for Notre Dame fans to begin to comprehend the path that lies ahead of them in 2025.

Art by The Irish Tribune

In the second installment of the season preview, Notre Dame is entering the fourth game of the year after likely playing two Top 25 teams in the first three weeks.

As the Irish attempt to navigate through the beginning of the year that features a game on the road at Miami and two home games in South Bend against Texas A&M and Purdue; the Irish don't have much more room for error.

Unfortunately for Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the 2025 slate appears much more daunting than the year prior. In this volume of The Anatomy of the Schedule, Irish fans will see the uphill climb the Golden Domers will face in 2025.

Week Five @ Arkansas

2024 Record: 7-6

No. of Returning Offensive Starters: Four

No. of Returning Defensive Starters: Four

A road game at any SEC school is a difficult game. Last season, the Irish narrowly escaped the season-opener against Texas A&M a year ago in a game that was played in front of 107,315 fans.

This road game against Arkansas, which will be a noon ABC kickoff, should be a difficult test for the Irish just because of the environment. While the noon kickoff certainly helps quiet a raucous crowd, this should still be a crazy environment at kickoff.

The Razorbacks are led by Taylen Green, the Boise State transfer from two seasons ago, who is entering his second season as the starting quarterback for Arkansas. Green is best while being dynamic in the run-game as the dual threat quarterback tallied 602 yards on the ground last season.

While Green can be dynamic, he does have a knack for turning over the ball, as he recorded 24 interceptions during his three years of college football. If the Irish can rattle Green and force the experienced quarterback to make mistakes, then Notre Dame will be in a good position.

Another interesting factor in this game should be the Arkansas defensive line battling against Notre Dame's offensive line. In a strength-on-strength matchup, the Irish will have to establish a running game to open up the passing attack against the Razorbacks. If Notre Dame gets Arkansas on its heels, the Irish can capitalize against a defense that finished 115th in opponent passing yards per game in 2024.

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Week Six vs Boise State

2024 Record: 12-2

No. of Returning Offensive Starters: Seven

No. of Returning Defensive Starters: Eight

It is peculiar that Notre Dame's sole regular season game against a team who, not only made the College Football Playoff, but got a first-round BYE last season, is being so overlooked. And it truly is because of the sheer unbelievable season that Ashton Jeanty had last year.

The Broncos will very likely roll into South Bend undefeated as they open their season against the likes of USF, Eastern Washington, Air Force, and App State. Outside the massive hole left by Jeanty's departure to the NFL, the Broncos return a lot of key figures from their CFP run from last year, including starting quarterback Maddux Madsen.

Last season, Madsen threw for 3,018 yards, recorded 23 touchdowns, and only threw six interceptions. He also returns two of the top three leading receivers in TE Matt Lauter and WR Latrell Caples.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Broncos are returning tons of production from the playoff team, including Ty Benefield who led Boise State in tackles and interceptions last year. Former Notre Dame cornerback Jaden Mickey will also make a return to South Bend after transferring to Boise State in February.

Week Seven vs NC State

2024 Record: 6-7

No. of Returning Offensive Starters: Six

No. of Returning Defensive Starters: Four

This is a game that can be deemed the biggest trap game for the Fighting Irish because of where it lands on the schedule and the talent on NC State's roster.

Being sandwiched between Boise State and USC, NC State struts into South Bend with a returning quarterback-running back tandem that is one of the most underrated in the country.

After the Wolfpack turned the keys over to CJ Bailey last year, he had a pretty good freshman season for Dave Doeren. NC State only went 3-5 in the ACC, but Bailey led them to a bowl game berth and put up solid numbers. He finished the year with 2,413 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. However, as expected for a young quarterback, Bailey troubled with turnovers as he threw 10 picks last season.

In the backfield, the Wolfpack return leading rusher Hollywood Smothers, who had six touchdowns last season and rushed for 571 yards after being the featured back late in the season. NC State also returns former Ohio State Buckeye Noah Rogers to anchor their receiving core.