While some college analysts are busy explaining why Notre Dame football shouldn’t make the playoffs because of its Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois, there is at least one analyst who is going the other direction.
One analyst believes not only do the Fighting Irish belong in the 12-team field. They could end up winning the whole thing.
ESPN analyst Greg McElroy sat down for a conversation with former ESPN talking head David Pollack about the field as the picture is starting to clear. In that conversation, he made it clear that he thinks Notre Dame football is among the strongest teams in the country. Thanks in large part to an offense that is only getting better as the season goes on.
Notre Dame football called a contender for a national title
McElroy was asked by Pollack flat out whether he thinks the Irish can win it. And McElroy didn’t blink.
“I do, I do think Notre Dame can win it,” he began. “The offensive line's young and they've improved steadily as they've gotten more and more comfortable with Denbrock's system. I think Mitchell Evans, their tight end, is getting healthier; they have a really good one-two punch at running back. I love the way they get after the quarterback.”
McElroy then broke down how the Blue and Gold have all the pieces.
“Like, I for one, look at a few different things to win a Natty. I think you need a quarterback that is experienced; Riley Leonard is that; you need to take over the game defensively. I think Notre Dame has that with their two defensive tackles. And I think you need enough, I think you need enough good skill position players.”
It’s here where the analyst said Notre Dame football has changed the formula a bit, though they still fit.
“I'd prefer wide outs, but I'll take running backs as long as my OC knows how to use them well.”
It’s clear, especially with Jeremiyah Love’s continued touchdowns in consecutive games streak, that Denbrock does indeed know how to use them well.