Paul Finebaum praises Marcus Freeman as reason Notre Dame can return to the CFP
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Paul Finebaum doesn’t believe Notre Dame is a one-and-done team when it comes to the new College Football Playoff, and he’s got a great reason why.
Last season, the Fighting Irish overcame a dreadful early-season loss to roll all the way into the Playoff. Once in the field, Notre Dame knocked off Indiana at home before impressive wins over Georgia and Penn State in the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl.
The Fighting Irish nearly did the unthinkable, too, before falling to Ohio State in the national title game. Now, the team must replace some key production on the defensive side of the ball and quarterback Riley Leonard for 2025.
Even with those question marks, Finebaum isn’t daunted by the idea of the Irish getting back to the postseason:
Yes, and the reason is the head coach. Marcus Freeman is elite,” said Finebaum about Notre Dame returning to the Playoff. “He showed that last year, beating and out-coaching James Franklin in the crunch at the Orange Bowl. It was brilliant, it was a masterclass, and he nearly pulled it off against Ohio State.
“He has done more with less talent than anyone in college football, so therefore, even though this team has serious question marks. They have a difficult schedule opening with Miami, I think he will find a way to mold them and push them back into the Playoff and maybe a decent run.”
That prediction is not a crazy one with Notre Dame coming in at -200 via bet365 in the odds to make the CFP this fall. The Irish are also among the top-10 odds to win the national title this year, coming in at +1400, and fans can grab any of those odds with a great offer through the bet365 promo code.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
