The hype around Notre Dame has rarely been higher than it is this year. 1988 has to be the last time so many analysts believed the Fighting Irish were good enough to win the national title. With that much hype surrounding the squad, it's understandable to worry that players will lose themselves in the expectations or believe their press clippings. There's always a danger they could let up and lose a game they're not supposed to like in 2024 against Northern Illinois. Defensive back Leonard Moore doesn't think there's a chance that happens this fall.
"You can't look forward to any certain game or schedule and look past other games," Moore stated earlier this spring. "You definitely have to be mindful of the game and the mistakes y'all made that game that cost the season, so you know not to do that again moving forward."
Leonard Moore says Notre Dame football will not let 2026 hype lead to another letdown
Moore knows there are games the Notre Dame faithful are looking at and circling as "must win." Still, the All-World DB isn't letting that affect him, and he doesn't think his teammates are letting games against teams like Miami carry extra weight either.
“Every game on our schedule is circled. That one hurts a little bit more because it's Miami, that's the biggest game, that's a rivalry. It's gonna be a little about revenge this next year, but we're looking forward to every game.”
Miami stings for Notre Dame but the game won't carry extra weight
Moore also knows that a big part of the hype around the Fighting Irish is its defense and beyond that, its secondary led by the soon-to-be junior. However, he also knows that the group has to stay on its toes, no matter how good the players manning the defensive backfield are.
"This secondary can be tremendous. I've said that. But regardless of how much talent we have in the room, it's about how focused we are. How much can we lock on each given rep? So even with all the talent in the room, there's still so much room to grow."
Leonard Moore's focus is right where it should be. If the rest of his Notre Dame teammates follow suit, the hype surrounding the Fighting Irish will be entirely warranted.
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