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Newsstand: ESPN projects Notre Dame Football's bowl game destination following Week 13

Kyle Kellyby:Kyle Kelly•11/27/23•

ByKyleKelly

Marcus Freeman Bowl
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. (Chad Weaver/Blue & Gold)

Notre Dame football’s regular season is complete. Now, the No. 16 Fighting Irish (9-3) will wait to find out where they will go bowling this winter. 

Although Notre Dame will not learn its bowl game destination until Dec. 3, two ESPN reporters projected where the Irish will conclude their 2023 campaign. 

ESPN staff writer Kyle Bonagura and senior writer Mark Schlabach are split on which bowl game will feature Notre Dame. Bonagura thinks Notre Dame will face Oklahoma State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, while Schlabach has the Irish taking on LSU in the Reliaquest Bowl.

The Irish have never played in the ReliaQuest Bowl, formerly known as the Outback Bowl (1996-2022) and the Hall of Fame Bowl (1986-95). The game occurs Jan. 1 at Noon EST at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

Notre Dame is 7-5 all-time against LSU. The two teams last played in 2018 in the Citrus Bowl. The Irish won that game 21-17. They also beat the Tigers in the 2014 Music City Bowl. LSU defeated the Irish in the 1997 Independence Bowl and 2007 Sugar Bowl. 

Notre Dame previously faced Iowa State (2019) and Florida State (2011) in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, which was formerly known as the Cheez-It Bowl (2020-22) and several other names. It was identified as the Camping World (2017-19), Russell Athletic (2012-16), and Champs Sports (2004-11) Bowl since Notre Dame played in it. 

This year’s Pop-Tarts Bowl is at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 28 at 5:45 p.m. EST. 

The last time the Irish faced Oklahoma State was in the 2021 season Fiesta Bowl. The Cowboys defeated Notre Dame, 37-35, in Marcus Freeman’s first game as head coach. 

Notre Dame Posts of the Weekend

Irish running backs coach Deland McCullough recognized junior running back Audric Estimé on social media.

Former Irish running back Kyren Williams returned to the lineup after missing the last several weeks due to injury. He made his presence immediately felt for the Los Angeles Rams.

Irish second-year safety Kyle Hamilton has been outstanding in year two for the Baltimore Ravens.

Notre Dame Quote of the Weekend

“Audric is a tough, physical, special football player. Obviously, he’ll have a decision to make here after the season on what he’s going to do. I’ll tell you what, man, he is a special talent who has given Notre Dame everything he’s had for the past three seasons. So, I’m grateful to have him and have him be a part of this team.”

— Freeman on Estimé after his terrific performance vs. Stanford.

Notre Dame Headlines of the Weekend

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