These Marcus Freeman stats prove that Notre Dame is better off without Brian Kelly

Since stepping on campus at Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman has been everything that Notre Dame needed. After 12 years with Brian Kelly at the helm, the former Notre Dame coach decided to depart from South Bend and head south to take the head coaching position at LSU.

Many thought Kelly, himself included, would finally have the resources to win a National Championship at the Division I level at LSU. However, four years later, the Tigers have yet to make a College Football Playoff appearance, don't have a single conference title, and have a losing record in games against ranked opponents.

When looking at the last four years with Freeman at Notre Dame, it looks like the Fighting Irish have been much better off than the Tigers. Freeman has led Notre Dame to a National Championship, a winning record in games against ranked opponents, and a winning record in games in the College Football Playoff.

Seems like maybe LSU did Notre Dame a favor by hiring Kelly for the job so that the Fighting Irish could go out and get Freeman. Not only has Freeman had success on the field during the season, but also off the field on the recruiting trail.

Freeman has routinely worked to build top recruiting classes year in and year out and consistently beat out other big programs for highly-ranked recruits. Of course, Notre Dame may not have quite as much NIL money as other programs, but Freeman creates a playing environment that guys want to be a part of in their college career.

Notre Dame, even though they are 5-2 on the season after two early losses, still has a great chance to make the College Football Playoff come the end of the year, while LSU is looking like they could be sitting at home and watching from their couches, Kelly included.

So while Kelly did some good things for the program in 12 years, it seems like Freeman has done even more in just four years.