Bad Sam Hartman showed up too often this season for Notre Dame football
One of the biggest arguments for Notre Dame football to be a contender with Hartman was that he’d be playing with more talent. While that might be true for the offensive line and running back, Notre Dame does not have a receiver the caliber of A.T. Perry or Jacquarii Roberson. Despite playing behind a better offensive line and running game, Hartman came to South Bend with bad habits.
Hartman has a tendency to throw interceptions in bunches. All seven of Hartman’s interceptions came in one four-game stretch. He threw those picks against Clemson, Pitt, and Louisville ( he did not turn the ball over against USC). Notre Dame went 2-2 during that stretch.
Hartman had a similar four-game stretch in 2022. He threw eight interceptions against Boston College, Louisville, North Carolina State, and North Carolina. In 2021, Hartman had a five-game stretch where he threw 11 interceptions, including a four-interception game against Pitt.
The positive of having Sam Hartman at Notre Dame football was that he’s a veteran who can absorb an offense and has played a lot of football. The negative of having Sam Hartman at Notre Dame is that he’s a veteran who has played a lot of football. He is who he is as a quarterback.
That’s a good thing, too. It’s not a “get you to the College Football Playoff” thing.