The conversation surrounding Notre Dame football has never been short on emotion, speculation, or bold opinions. But when IB Nation’s “Sports Talk” segment posed the question—“Notre Dame Football: We In or We Out?”—it struck a nerve across the Fighting Irish fanbase. It’s a question that encapsulates years of frustration, flashes of brilliance, painful missed opportunities, and the ever-elusive quest for college football’s ultimate prize. Are the Irish really on the cusp of national relevance again, or are they simply pretending to be contenders while the real powerhouses separate themselves with consistency and hardware?
From the outside looking in, it’s easy to question Notre Dame’s ability to finish the job. The program boasts one of the most storied traditions in all of college football, packed with Heisman winners, Hall of Fame coaches, and national championships that span the early and mid-20th century. But tradition doesn’t score touchdowns in 2025. The modern era demands more than just legacy—it demands performance, elite recruiting, coaching stability, and above all, the ability to win big games on the biggest stages. That’s where Notre Dame has fallen short time and time again.
IB Nation’s discussion peeled back the layers of this complex situation. The show’s analysts, who live and breathe all things Irish, did not sugarcoat it. They were candid in their critique but also clear-eyed in their hope. The consensus was that Notre Dame finds itself in the most pivotal moment in recent memory. Marcus Freeman, entering another critical season as head coach, is no longer the young, promising face of the future. He’s now the man responsible for turning that promise into results. His tenure so far has been filled with signs of progress, but also maddening inconsistency.
When asked, “Are we in or are we out?” the panel wrestled with the duality of the Irish’s current standing. On paper, Notre Dame has a top-15 roster. Their defense, anchored by an NFL-caliber secondary, is more than good enough to compete with anyone. The offensive line remains a proud staple, though not quite as dominant as in years past. The receiving corps is evolving, and the Irish have recently seen improvement in offensive skill positions, thanks to strong efforts in the transfer portal and high school recruiting. But there’s one undeniable truth—Notre Dame will only go as far as their quarterback takes them.
That’s where the debate reached a boiling point. IB Nation’s hosts were divided on whether Notre Dame currently has a quarterback who can truly elevate the program. In today’s college football, elite QB play isn’t a luxury—it’s a requirement. Whether it’s Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, or even ascendant programs like Washington or Florida State, the common denominator in playoff contention is dynamic quarterbacking. That’s where Notre Dame has often fallen short, and unless that changes, being “in” will always feel like a mirage.
Still, there’s reason to believe that change is coming. The Irish have made major strides in recruiting and development. Freeman’s culture is resonating with top-tier athletes who may have once looked elsewhere. There’s an energy around the program that wasn’t always present in the Brian Kelly era, where consistency often came at the expense of ambition. Freeman has embraced the challenge of building a team that doesn’t just win 10 games, but wins the right 10 games—and maybe even more.
One of the most compelling points raised during the IB Nation broadcast was how close Notre Dame really is. This isn’t a program in disarray. This is a team that, on multiple occasions, has taken blue-blood opponents to the wire. It’s a team that, with just a handful of plays breaking differently, could’ve already punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff. The margins are razor-thin. And in a sport where perception can be just as powerful as reality, Notre Dame’s image is that of a sleeping giant—a program perpetually on the brink, always circling the edge of greatness but rarely seizing it.
IB Nation’s panel acknowledged that 2025 presents both immense pressure and immense opportunity. The expanded College Football Playoff format removes a major barrier that previously worked against independents like Notre Dame. With more spots available, the Irish no longer have to be perfect. They just have to be formidable. That changes the calculus. A 10-2 Notre Dame team with quality wins and a respectable schedule could easily find itself in the field. But getting there still requires execution—something Notre Dame hasn’t always delivered under the spotlight.
Recruiting was another hot topic. IB Nation’s analysts praised Freeman and his staff for modernizing Notre Dame’s approach to NIL and roster-building. Unlike past administrations that leaned heavily on tradition and academics alone, this staff understands the current era. They’re fighting battles on social media, in living rooms, and with NIL collectives—just like everyone else. That willingness to evolve could be the difference-maker moving forward. Freeman isn’t just trying to sustain Notre Dame’s identity; he’s trying to upgrade it without compromising the core values.
The show also touched on the Irish fanbase—a passionate, vocal, and sometimes divided group. There’s a growing sense of urgency among fans who feel the window is now. The program has all the ingredients: a young coach with charisma, improved recruiting, a manageable path to the playoff, and enough historical cachet to command national attention. But what they need now is proof. Notre Dame fans are tired of “almost.” They want a signature win. They want to be in—not just in the conversation, but in the playoff, in the mix, in the moment.
IB Nation didn’t offer a definitive answer. They didn’t declare “we’re in” or “we’re out” because the truth is more complicated than a simple verdict. The 2025 season will be the jury. It will either validate the optimism or reinforce the skepticism. The early schedule sets the tone. If the Irish can survive September without a blemish and show poise in road environments, the conversation will shift dramatically. If they falter early—particularly at the quarterback position—the critics will resurface with a vengeance.
What makes the “we in or we out” question so compelling is that it doesn’t just apply to playoff contention. It applies to identity. Are we in as a true national power, or are we out of that tier and simply clinging to history? Are we in on the evolution of college football, or are we out-of-touch with where the sport is headed? Are we in on being fearless and aggressive, or are we out because we’re too cautious, too traditional, too rigid?
Ultimately, the show captured the emotional stakes better than any stats ever could. This is about belief. It’s about fighting to be more than a brand, more than a memory. It’s about turning expectations into fulfillment. Notre Dame isn’t rebuilding—it’s realigning. It’s refocusing. But now is the time to stop explaining and start delivering.
As IB Nation closed out the segment, one of the final remarks summed it up best: “You can’t just keep knocking on the door. At some point, you have to kick it down.” Notre Dame has knocked for years. They’ve been polite guests at college football’s biggest parties. Now, they need to be hosts. Because if they don’t make that leap soon, the narrative will write itself: same old Irish—close, but not close enough.
And that’s why the question—“We in or we out?”—matters so much. Because Notre Dame can no longer live in the gray area. In 2025, they must choose a side. And more importantly, they must prove it.
