Last night, Notre Dame football earned their 13th straight win with their 27-14 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl.
Riley Leonard and this dominant Irish defense continues to be a force to be reckoned with, and the Irish wide receivers and Mitch Jeter also stepped up when they've needed them in desperate time.
Notre Dame football is all over media today, and is getting more TV spotlight on ESPN First Take. This morning Stephen A. Smith, Ryan Clark, and Cam Newton all were live on air and for the most part received the credit they deserve.
Analyst eats humble pie reveals Notre Dame football will win CFP title
I will forever love and respect Ryan Clark for how much he’s gone to bat for Notre Dame this season. Here he is again, destroying Cam Newton on First Take this morning. #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/6iRKMYxGEk
— The Irish Network (@IrishNet) January 10, 2025
The energetic Stephen A. Smith got on air and defended Notre Dame the entire show and even said he would pick the Irish to win the championship if they match up with Texas. Smith loves Marcus Freeman and the culture and energy he provides to the historic program of Notre Dame.
“They are built differently than most Notre Dame teams.” Stephen A. Smith stated on First Take. “I am talking physicality, and how they out physical other teams. Then, you look at this cat Riley Leonard. Seventy-five, 71, 81 yard touchdown drives in the second half.”
Cam Newton made more ridiculous claims on the Irish, but Smith and Clark defended the Irish and proved Newton wrong.
“I am ready for Notre Dame to play for a conference.” Newton said on the Irish victory. Newton tried to diminish their path to the finals and talk down on the fact that the Irish have won nine stright games over ranked opponents. Nine straight wins, that lead the nation currently, and their 13 total wins also lead the nation. It is humorous that he doesn't bring up Alabama loss to Oklahoma, or Ole Miss to Florida, or Ohio State's to Michigan, or Texas two losses comes to Georgia, who Notre Dame beat.
Ryan Clark called out Cam Newton and said Newton doesn’t know how to admit he was wrong. Newton even made a claim that if Notre Dame wins the championship than the Irish don’t deserve the right to claim they were the best team.
Newton claim is once again absolutely ridiculous and Clark was 100% right that Newton is having a hard time of admitting that this Notre Dame team is in the National Championship. Stephen A. Smith worded it perfectly.
‘We have to give credit where credit is due. They are stepping up to the challenge. They stepped up when they went against Georgia. They stepped up when they went against Penn State.” Stephen A. Smith stated.
Stephen A. Smith has gone on air multiple times now and has praised the Irish. He has claimed he is rooting for them to win the National Championship, but has also claimed that if they do win the title it is the biggest story and the best story to happen for College football.
“I am looking at Notre Dame in this particular year, I am seeing what I am customarily see from the SEC and the Big 10 and I am seeing them go up against both and say go home…I think you are going to have to come to the realization Cam Newton, this ain’t the same SEC.”
Stephen A. Smith is admitted that this Irish team is showing him why they deserve to be on prime time every week. He even has stated multiple times that he will pick Notre Dame to beat Texas in the National Championship if Texas defeats Ohio State. Notre Dame earned Smith respect and analyst from all over the country are coming to the realization that this isn't the Brian Kelly era anymore.
The national media is finding out that Marcus Freeman has changed the culture of Notre Dame football and has them one win away from their first title since 1988.