Greg McElroy analyzes Notre Dame's chances at winning a national championship

While the program might boast 13 national championships, it has been three and a half decades since Notre Dame last hoisted a trophy. Even so, Greg McElroy says the Fighting Irish’s time might be coming soon.

In an episode of ‘Always College Football’ this week, McElroy debunked Notre Dame’s inability to win a title. They may have been outmatched and outnumbered in years past but, under Marcus Freeman, he thinks they’ll eventually have the firepower to make things happen upon their return to the College Football Playoff.

“A lot of people would say, ‘Man, they’ve made the playoff. And look how big the gap has been when Notre Dame has played against top-tier competition.’ Sure. I don’t disagree with that,” said McElroy. “Brian Kelly did a remarkable job of getting a team that played consistent football on a year-in, year-out basis. For the most part, man, this team is ‘Steady Eddy’.”

“But now with Marcus Freeman? It does feel like, on the recruiting trail, there’s a little bit more upside,” McElroy said. “It does feel like, with Marcus Freeman, the relationship aspect of the recruiting game is something that he excels at.

He did note the issues that came with Freeman’s inaugural 9-4 season. Still, they showed a lot, especially toward the end of the season against North Carolina, Syracuse, Clemson, and South Carolina. That’s why, with improved consistency and a shiny new QB1, he thinks they could return to the mountaintop this year or at least at some point during Freeman’s tenure.

“There were growing pains in his first year. But there were times last year where they were playing high-level football. Marshall notwithstanding, Stanford notwithstanding. There were some ugly performances – no denying that,” McElroy admitted. “But this was also the team that took Clemson to the woodshed, that took North Carolina to the woodshed. They’re a legit squad.”

“Consistency has been part of the issue. And, to be honest with you, quarterback play…I think Sam Hartman has got a chance to at least match, and maybe in some ways exceed, what Ian Book has,” said McElroy. “But I believe, with how Marcus Freeman recruits, Notre Dame could potentially win one at some point down the road.”

After five straight double-digit win seasons, Freeman is going to try to get the Irish back on that pace in 2023. From there, though, McElroy sees championship aspirations in their future based on what he can do for them out on the recruiting trail.