Instant Reaction: Notre Dame 70 Syracuse 7
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Release Date: 11/23/2025
Instant Reaction: Notre Dame 67 Vanderbilt 64
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana joins to discuss how a Hannah Hidalgo all-time masterclass performance powered Niele Ivey's Fighting Irish into the Elite Eight. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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Instant Reaction: Notre Dame 83 Ohio State 73
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana and Paul Coletti of the join to break down the Fighting Irish going into Columbus and coming out with a ticket to the Sweet Sixteen. Niele Ivey's steady hand, the greatness of Hannah Hidalgo, a complete team effort and the challenges posed by Vanderbilt, plus a little bit of Conference Brain. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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2026 March Madness Preview
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Happy basketball! Paul Coletti of the joins to preview Notre Dame's first-round matchup against Fairfield, peek ahead to what a potential game against Ohio State would look like and give his general thoughts on the tournament. Then (35:40) Sam Werner of the joins for a brief check-in on where the Micah Shrewsberry Era stands before previewing the men's bracket. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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Where is Jeremiyah Love Getting Drafted? + Movie Club: 2026 Oscar Preview
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana joins to take an updated look at where Notre Dame players could go in next month's NFL Draft following the start of free agency and to do some light bracketology. Then (25:00) our friend Priya Desai joins for a draft of all ten Best Picture nominees. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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A Dream of Notre Dame Spring Practice 2026 + TV Club: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Irish Sports Daily's Jamie Uyeyama joins to discuss some questions that could be at least partially answered by the end of spring practice. Included: How does C.J. Carr perform when there's no competition and also no Jeremiyah Love? Who steps in at the skill position slots? What's the only position with potential depth concerns? Do any freshmen force their way onto the field? Then we close (46:45) by gathering in the Baratheon pavilion for a discussion about the delightful A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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Notre Dame's New Defensive Assistants + A Review of the 2025 FBS Coaching Hires
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana joins for a supersized episode. First, we run through the news on Aaron Henry and Brian Jean-Mary reportedly being added to the Fighting Irish staff, Notre Dame's relationship with the ACC and a College Football Playoff schedule that has somehow gotten worse. Then (25:45) a pivot to discussing every single new head coaching hire in FBS, starting with the Big Ten and ending with UConn. Included: Questions for Sparty, strange goings-on at Utah, some fun moves by the Big XII, the SEC raiding the AAC, "The Americans," a few small morning beers, Stanford's curious hire, MAC scandals...
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A Diagnosis of What's Ailing Notre Dame Basketball
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant joins to discuss what is hopefully a blip season for the Fighting Irish women's team, including praise for Hannah Hidalgo, questions about roster construction, Niele Ivey's performance and whether women's basketball generally is in a bit of a rut. Then (42:30) Sam Werner (Three-Point Jesus podcast) and Joe Schueller (18 Stripes) discuss what has gone awry in Micah Shrewsberry's third season and where the men's program goes from here. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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What's In and What's Out in 2026 for Notre Dame, College Football and Beyond
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana joins to lay out our list analyzing, projecting and recommending the trends for the new year now that the national championship game is officially behind us. Topics include: What to make of Indiana winning the title, Notre Dame's different approach the portal, the playoff snub, being a hater, Don Draper Days, algorithms, beans and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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Marcus Freeman's Press Conference: The NFL's Interest, Transfer Portal Strategy and More
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Jessica Smetana joins to break down all the topics Marcus Freeman hit at his Jan. 14 press conference, including the fradulent accusations against him, the NFL's interest in him, transfer portal additions, the USC rivalry and much more. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
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2026 Notre Dame Transfer Portal Update: January 14
Rakes Report: A Notre Dame podcast
Marcus Freeman and company hit a home run at defensive tackle, add another Ohio State wide receiver and pick their kicker. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here:
info_outlineJessica Smetana joins to recap a very lopsided Steve Angeli Bowl. Love for Heisman, elite safety play, NBC Universal synergy, much more. (Congrats to Utah on reverse jinxing them into an awesome comeback during the recording.)
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