The Best Coaches in College Football + Irish in the WNBA
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Release Date: 06/17/2025
Campus Vibe Check + Notre Dame Roster Updates + House Settlement
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana joins to file a report on her visit to campus over the weekend. Then: Recruiting successes, how new jersey numbers could affect the season, a long look at the House settlement/what the future of NIL might look like and best movies of the 21st century. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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The Best Coaches in College Football + Irish in the WNBA
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana joins to rank the best coaches in college football, including where we place Marcus Freeman among his peers. ( referenced during the discussion.) Then (42:20) The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant joins to discuss the state of the Notre Dame women's basketball program, how there's a star void to be filled for the 2025-26 season and how Irish alumnae are thriving in the WNBA this season. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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2025 College Football Offseason Respect Index
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana and the Michael Bryan join to take a look at what preseason win totals might mean for a long list of college football teams. Topics include but are not limited to: Freedom from the Big Ten West, Cignetti Year Two in Bloomington, Clemson hype vs. reality, the cowardice of the USC Trojans, a big year for LSU, sad times in Palo Alto and Stillwater, interesting times in Miami, expectations for Deion, Narduzzi purgatory, the circus in Chapel Hill and potentially tough years for both Clark Lea and Steve Angeli. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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Frosh O Rewind: Carr vs. Minchey
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
We're dusting off a few of our old conversations with Irish Sports Daily's Jamie Uyeyama to remember what we thought about C.J. Carr and Kenny Minchey before their freshman seasons at Notre Dame began. Also including a bonus Steve Angeli Frosh O report out of respect. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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Wildly Specific 2025 Notre Dame Football Predictions + TV Club: Reacher
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Irish Sports Daily's Greg Flammang and the newsletter's Michael Bryan join to review our depth chart power rankings from last season and to look ahead to who might stand out on this fall's roster. Plus, a review of Reacher Season 3 (56:45). Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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Steve Angeli Transfer News + TV Club: The Pitt
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana joins to talk about big news for the Notre Dame quarterback room and to appreciate Steve Angeli, plus the WNBA and NFL Drafts. Then (32:40) the Report Medical Team joins for a lengthy discussion of the excellent television series "The Pitt," focusing on our favorite characters from the deep ensemble. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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Blue-Gold Review + 2025 Notre Dame Quarterback Derby, Vol. III + Transfer Headlines
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana joins to talk about where Notre Dame football stands as spring practice winds down. Updates on the quarterback race and a how the projected 2025 depth chart compares to last year's team as well as a look at The Shirt and what a couple major transfers mean for for college sports. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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2025 Notre Dame Quarterback Derby, Vol. II + Spring Practice Thoughts + TV Club: The White Lotus
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana and Irish Sports Daily's Jamie Uyeyama join to discuss what Jamie learned on his visit to campus over the weekend. A quarterback race with no obvious leader, reflecting on Riley Leonard, new faces at wide receiver, the defensive tackle situation and a vibe check on the new front office and coaching staff members. Then (53:30) a spoiler-filled discussion of the most recent season of The White Lotus. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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2025 Notre Dame Quarterback Derby, Vol. I + Sweet Sixteen Preview
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Inside ND Sports' Eric Hansen joins to talk about the battle between Steve Angeli, C.J. Carr and Kenny Minchey as well as new additions to the coaching staff and front office. Then (32:00) a look at how Niele Ivey pulled her team out of the late-season slump, an appreciation of Sonia Citron and what it will take for the Fighting Irish to get to the Final Four. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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Instant Reaction: Notre Dame 76 Michigan 55
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana and Notre Dame, Our Blogger's Andrew Smith join to discuss Niele Ivey's squad dominating the Wolverines to advance to their fourth straight Sweet Sixteen. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
info_outlineJessica Smetana joins to rank the best coaches in college football, including where we place Marcus Freeman among his peers. (The Top 25 coaches newsletter referenced during the discussion.) Then (42:20) The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant joins to discuss the state of the Notre Dame women's basketball program, how there's a star void to be filled for the 2025-26 season and how Irish alumnae are thriving in the WNBA this season.
Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport