Sports
The clock is ticking for Marcus Freeman. With the regular season just over a week away, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach has yet to name his starting quarterback-and his two candidates aren’t making the decision easy.
Notre Dame is staring down one of its toughest starts ever. Freeman’s team opens the season on the road against 10th-ranked Miami, then returns home to face No. 19 Texas A&M and in-state rival Purdue. Add to that the sky-high expectations following last year’s run to the College Football Playoff final, and the pressure couldn’t be higher.
This summer has been anything but simple for Freeman. After narrowing the field, the battle now comes down to two contenders: C.J. Carr and Kenny Minchey. Each brings a unique skill set that could fit perfectly into offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s system-and that’s exactly what makes the decision so difficult.
Freeman’s tough decision
Carr has been praised by analysts for his elite mechanics, sharp field vision, high football IQ, and pinpoint accuracy. He distributes the ball quickly, reads defenses with ease, and stays calm under pressure-even when the pocket collapses.
Minchey, on the other hand, offers elite athleticism and a rocket arm, paired with the ability to extend plays with his legs. His quick release and dual-threat versatility make him a nightmare for defenses, capable of turning broken plays into highlight-reel moments.
Some insiders floated the idea of a two-quarterback rotation, but Freeman and his staff have made it clear they’re committed to naming one QB1 who can command the huddle and rally the offense. That decision could be the difference between another CFP run-or falling short of the playoff altogether.
Notre Dame will back Freeman’s choice
On3 Sports beat writer Tyler Horka reported that Freeman has already dismissed the idea of rotating quarterbacks. “The Irish are more keen on choosing a QB1 and really investing in whoever that is, hopefully all season long.”
Denbrock echoed the same message: “We want to have some continuity to what we’re doing.”
That leaves Freeman with only a few days to make his call-one that could define not just the start of Notre Dame’s season, but the program’s trajectory for years to come.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Bills vs. Bears odds, predictions, time: No. 1 expert gives free 2025 NFL preseason picks for Sunday, Aug. 17
The Chicago Bears will host the Buffalo Bills in a 2025 NFL preseason battle on Sunday. The Bears are coming off a 24-24 tie with the Dolphins, while the Bills lost to the Giants, 34-25, in their first preseason contest. The Bills won their fifth straight AFC East title last year, going 13-4, and will try to build momentum toward another possible dominant AFC East. The Bears, however, are trying to move on from last year as they begin the Ben Johnson era with the former Lions offensive coordinator beginning his first season as Bears head coach. Chicago went 5-12 last year. Caleb Williams is expected to play for the Bears.Kickoff from Soldier Field is set for 8 p.m. ET in Chicago. The Bears are 3-point favorites in the latest Bills vs. Bears odds, while the over/under for total points […]
Fantasy football rankings 2025: Top sleepers by model that nailed James Cook’s big season
After being a top-12 Fantasy quarterback in 2022 and 2023, a QB1 in many Fantasy football lineups, Trevor Lawrence dropped to 27th last year. Both injuries and ineffectiveness played a role in that, but a proven player who had a down 2024 has the potential to be a 2025 Fantasy football sleeper. He has a new head coach and coordinator, and they managed to get career years out of Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold last season. With a legit number one wideout in Brian Thomas, plus rookie Travis Hunter, Lawrence has no reason not to bounce back as an under-the-radar Fantasy football pick.Other quarterbacks like C.J. Stroud and Jordan Love don't have as large bodies of work as Lawrence, but they also want to put last year behind them. That's motivation in itself to outperform where many have them in […]
Saints QB competition: Tyler Shough starts but Spencer Rattler comes up clutch as battle remains tight
Neither Tyler Shough nor Spencer Rattler gained separation in the New Orleans Saints' quarterback competition across the first two weeks of the preseason. Which of that tandem will handle the first snaps when the regular season begins remains the biggest question hanging over the team, and Sunday's 17-17 preseason tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars did not bring much clarity.Rattler started the first game of the preseason, but Shough looked like the better option of the two in that outing. Shough took the first reps on Sunday but was somewhat uninspiring in comparison to Rattler, who delivered a game-tying touchdown and two-point conversion.Through two games, the numbers are eerily similar. Shough is 24-for-35 for 231 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Rattler is 25-for-35 for 252 yards, a touchdown and pick of his own. This battle has been neck and neck […]
Christian Pulisic Scores as AC Milan Beats Bari 2-0 in Italian Cup Opener
An apparent injury to Rafael Leão made it a bittersweet season debut for AC Milan as the Portugal winger and United States international Christian Pulisic both scored in a 2-0 win over Serie B side Bari in the opening round of the Italian Cup on Sunday.Leão appeared to injure his right calf after celebrating his headed goal early on and had to be substituted.Pulisic, meanwhile, followed up a shot off the crossbar in the first half by finishing off an exchange with Santiago Gimenez — who came on for Leão — shortly after the break at San Siro.Newly signed Luka Modrić came on in the 66th for his Milan debut at age 39. The former Ballon d’Or winner joined the seven-time European champion in July after 13 seasons with Real Madrid.Massimiliano Allegri, who was rehired as Milan’s coach after winning […]
BMW Championship: Scottie Scheffler overtakes Robert MacIntyre, uses wild chip-in birdie to win at Caves Valley
Scottie Scheffler, of course, has done it again.Scheffler, thanks in part to an absolutely wild chip-in down the stretch at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland, overtook Robert MacIntyre to claim the BMW Championship on Sunday afternoon. The top-ranked golfer in the world posted a 3-under 67 in the final round of the FedExCup Playoffs stop to grab a two-shot win over the field. It marked his second-largest come-from-behind win of his career.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementScheffler has now won five times this season, which marked his second-straight PGA Tour season with at least five wins in the books. Tiger Woods is the only other player in history to pull that feat off over the last four decades.Scheffler, who used a replacement caddie again this week while Ted Scott is back at home dealing with a family emergency, ended up starting the final round […]
MacIntyre blows big lead as Scheffler snatches impressive PGA Tour win
Scottie Scheffler claimed a fifth victory of the PGA Tour season after Robert MacIntyre squandered a four-shot lead during the final round of the BMW Championship.MacIntyre's commanding overnight advantage disappeared inside the first five holes of an eventful final day at Caves Valley Golf Club, where Scheffler capitalised on his slow start to jump into top spot. Scheffler gave MacIntyre hope with two bogeys early in his back nine but followed a birdie at the 15th with a sensational chip-in from off the 17th green, before closing out a final-round 67 to end the week on 15 under. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Scottie Scheffler chipped in for birdie on the 17th hole of his final round at the BMW Championship MacIntyre's three-over 73 saw him finish runner-up ahead of Maverick McNealy, who ended four […]
Related
Bills vs. Bears odds, predictions, time: No. 1 expert gives free 2025 NFL preseason picks for Sunday, Aug. 17
The Chicago Bears will host the Buffalo Bills in a 2025 NFL preseason battle on Sunday. The Bears are coming off a 24-24 tie with the Dolphins, while the Bills lost to the Giants, 34-25, in their first preseason contest. The Bills won their fifth straight AFC East title last year, going 13-4, and will try to build momentum toward another possible dominant AFC East. The Bears, however, are trying to move on from last year as they begin the Ben Johnson era with the former Lions offensive coordinator beginning his first season as Bears head coach. Chicago went 5-12 last year. Caleb Williams is expected to play for the Bears.Kickoff from Soldier Field is set for 8 p.m. ET in Chicago. The Bears are 3-point favorites in the latest Bills vs. Bears odds, while the over/under for total points […]
Fantasy football rankings 2025: Top sleepers by model that nailed James Cook’s big season
After being a top-12 Fantasy quarterback in 2022 and 2023, a QB1 in many Fantasy football lineups, Trevor Lawrence dropped to 27th last year. Both injuries and ineffectiveness played a role in that, but a proven player who had a down 2024 has the potential to be a 2025 Fantasy football sleeper. He has a new head coach and coordinator, and they managed to get career years out of Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold last season. With a legit number one wideout in Brian Thomas, plus rookie Travis Hunter, Lawrence has no reason not to bounce back as an under-the-radar Fantasy football pick.Other quarterbacks like C.J. Stroud and Jordan Love don't have as large bodies of work as Lawrence, but they also want to put last year behind them. That's motivation in itself to outperform where many have them in […]
Saints QB competition: Tyler Shough starts but Spencer Rattler comes up clutch as battle remains tight
Neither Tyler Shough nor Spencer Rattler gained separation in the New Orleans Saints' quarterback competition across the first two weeks of the preseason. Which of that tandem will handle the first snaps when the regular season begins remains the biggest question hanging over the team, and Sunday's 17-17 preseason tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars did not bring much clarity.Rattler started the first game of the preseason, but Shough looked like the better option of the two in that outing. Shough took the first reps on Sunday but was somewhat uninspiring in comparison to Rattler, who delivered a game-tying touchdown and two-point conversion.Through two games, the numbers are eerily similar. Shough is 24-for-35 for 231 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Rattler is 25-for-35 for 252 yards, a touchdown and pick of his own. This battle has been neck and neck […]
Christian Pulisic Scores as AC Milan Beats Bari 2-0 in Italian Cup Opener
An apparent injury to Rafael Leão made it a bittersweet season debut for AC Milan as the Portugal winger and United States international Christian Pulisic both scored in a 2-0 win over Serie B side Bari in the opening round of the Italian Cup on Sunday.Leão appeared to injure his right calf after celebrating his headed goal early on and had to be substituted.Pulisic, meanwhile, followed up a shot off the crossbar in the first half by finishing off an exchange with Santiago Gimenez — who came on for Leão — shortly after the break at San Siro.Newly signed Luka Modrić came on in the 66th for his Milan debut at age 39. The former Ballon d’Or winner joined the seven-time European champion in July after 13 seasons with Real Madrid.Massimiliano Allegri, who was rehired as Milan’s coach after winning […]
BMW Championship: Scottie Scheffler overtakes Robert MacIntyre, uses wild chip-in birdie to win at Caves Valley
Scottie Scheffler, of course, has done it again.Scheffler, thanks in part to an absolutely wild chip-in down the stretch at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland, overtook Robert MacIntyre to claim the BMW Championship on Sunday afternoon. The top-ranked golfer in the world posted a 3-under 67 in the final round of the FedExCup Playoffs stop to grab a two-shot win over the field. It marked his second-largest come-from-behind win of his career.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementScheffler has now won five times this season, which marked his second-straight PGA Tour season with at least five wins in the books. Tiger Woods is the only other player in history to pull that feat off over the last four decades.Scheffler, who used a replacement caddie again this week while Ted Scott is back at home dealing with a family emergency, ended up starting the final round […]
MacIntyre blows big lead as Scheffler snatches impressive PGA Tour win
Scottie Scheffler claimed a fifth victory of the PGA Tour season after Robert MacIntyre squandered a four-shot lead during the final round of the BMW Championship.MacIntyre's commanding overnight advantage disappeared inside the first five holes of an eventful final day at Caves Valley Golf Club, where Scheffler capitalised on his slow start to jump into top spot. Scheffler gave MacIntyre hope with two bogeys early in his back nine but followed a birdie at the 15th with a sensational chip-in from off the 17th green, before closing out a final-round 67 to end the week on 15 under. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Scottie Scheffler chipped in for birdie on the 17th hole of his final round at the BMW Championship MacIntyre's three-over 73 saw him finish runner-up ahead of Maverick McNealy, who ended four […]
Be the first to leave a comment