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Freeman Demands Early Win to Keep Notre Dame Playoff Hopes

8/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Coach Marcus Freeman warned his team they must avoid a September loss to stay in the College Football Playoff race.
Notre Dame opens the season in the AP poll’s top five, plays Wisconsin at Lambeau Field on Sept 6, and has only three AFCA Top 25 opponents—Miami, BYU, SMU—with no USC game, making a fast start essential.
Freeman urged players to stop worrying about the playoffs and focus on winning.

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Story summary

Coach Marcus Freeman warned his team they must avoid a September loss to stay in the College Football Playoff race.
Notre Dame opens the season in the AP poll’s top five, plays Wisconsin at Lambeau Field on Sept 6, and has only three AFCA Top 25 opponents—Miami, BYU, SMU—with no USC game, making a fast start essential.
Freeman urged players to stop worrying about the playoffs and focus on winning.