Pod Of Gold: Notre Dame Football

ND Insider and South Bend Tribune Notre Dame football beat writers Fernando Ramirez and Mike Berardino break down Notre Dame's 93rd annual Blue-Gold Game with South Bend Tribune Columnist Tom Noie.

ND Insider's "Pod of Gold" podcast makes it return with new hosts Fernando Ramirez and Mike Berardino. Meet the team as they talk Notre Dame Spring football practice with ND Insider and South Bend Tribune columnist Tom Noie.

Former Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis joins the podcast to discuss the significance of Marcus Freeman winning his first game in the Fiesta Bowl, what challenges await him as a first-time head coach, the importance of recruiting and how to balance that workload, if he was surprised by Brian Kelly's move to LSU, Ian Book's future in the NFL and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make Fiesta Bowl predictions in the "Place Your Bets" segment (25:56) before answering questions from Twitter (34:19).

Jaden Mickey, a four-star cornerback recruit from Corona (Calif.) Centennial, joins the podcast to discuss his reaction to head coach Brian Kelly leaving Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman becoming the new head coach, why he decided to stick with his commitment to the Irish, playing against former ND commit C.J. Williams and other talented players in California, his expectations as an early enrolled freshman and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen answer questions from Twitter (15:20).

Tyler James and Eric Hansen catch up with a wild few days for Notre Dame football as head coach Brian Kelly departed for LSU and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman is expected to replace him. Was Freeman the right choice? Why did Kelly leave? What does so many assistant coaches staying mean for the Irish? Then 247Sports director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong joins the podcast to discuss the recruiting ramifications of Freeman's promotion and the road ahead for Kelly (24:39). Finally, James and Hansen answer questions from Twitter (43:10).

Former Notre Dame left tackle Mike McGlinchey joins the podcast to discuss watching the 2021 Irish, how the program and Brian Kelly evolved during his time at Notre Dame, former teammate Hunter Bivin's impact on the program, Notre Dame's offensive line play this season, McGlinchey's recovery from a season-ending injury, the legendary tackles he's played with for the San Francisco 49ers and more.  Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-Stanford predictions in "Place Your Bets" (31:35) before answering questions from Twitter (42:20).

Bruce Feldman, a college football reporter for FOX Sports and writer for The Athletic, joins the podcast to discuss where Notre Dame fits in the College Football Playoff discussion, what the playoff committee should focus on with the top teams in the country, how head-to-head games should matter, what the head coaching market for ND defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman will look like this offseason, if schools are gaining an advantage by firing their coaches early, how much he tracks his "Freaks List" during the season and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen and make ND-Georgia Tech predictions in "Place Your Bets" (26:55) before answering questions from Twitter (34:51).

Eric Mac Lain, college football analyst for the ACC Network, joins the podcast to discuss Notre Dame's improvement this season, how to slow down Virginia QB Brennan Armstrong, why the Cavaliers have struggled on defense, who he thinks will win a wide-open ACC, what's wrong with Clemson this season, which team he'd nominate to play the Irish in the Peach Bowl and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-Virginia predictions in "Place Your Bets" (24:55) before answering questions from Twitter (34:51).

Rick Minter, a two-time defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, joins the podcast to discuss the challenges of stopping Navy's triple-option offense, how a defense can create a scheme specific for this week, if it's harder on defensive linemen or linebacker, how Marcus Freeman has done in his first season as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator, the impact of safety Kyle Hamilton's injury, what it takes to improve two-minute defense and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen makes ND-Navy predictions in "Place Your Bets" (31:13) before answering questions from Twitter (40:12).

Dane Brugler, NFL Draft analyst for The Athletic, joins the podcast to discuss if safety Kyle Hamilton has secured a high draft position, why he anticipated a big season from defensive end Isaiah Foskey, what makes Jarrett Patterson an attractive center prospect, why running back Kyren Williams will be coveted, which Notre Dame player has surprised him, what the Irish are facing in North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-UNC predictions in "Place Your Bets" (30:05) before answering questions from Twitter (39:01).  

Former Notre Dame quarterback Rick Mirer joins the podcast to discuss how Tyler Buchner has played as a freshman quarterback, his expectations for Buchner as he continues to develop, the difficulties Mirer faced as a young quarterback and the challenge of playing on the road, how the Irish can be successful playing multiple quarterbacks, what's keeping Mirer busy now and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-USC predictions in "Place Your Bets" (24:33) before answering questions from Twitter (31:15).

ESPN's Mike Golic Jr. joins the podcast to discuss Notre Dame's offensive line improvement against Virginia Tech, if it's sustainable for the rest of the season, how Tyler Buchner helps the Irish offense, who he'd start at quarterback, how his offensive line in 2012 managed shared time between QBs Everett Golson and Tommy Rees, the impact Chris Watt made as a graduate assistant last season, what a team gains from winning so many close games and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make predictions for the rest of the season in "Place Your Bets" (27:47) before answering questions from Twitter (37:42).

247Sports director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong joins the podcast to discuss Notre Dame's loss to Cincinnati, the quarterback talent on ND's roster, how the Irish can improve its quarterback room, if the efforts in the 2022 and 2023 classes at the position are encouraging, how high ND's 2022 class can finish and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-Virginia Tech predictions in "Place Your Bets" (32:07) before answering questions from Twitter (39:29).

Aaron Taylor, a two-time All-American and Lombardi Award winner as a Notre Dame offensive lineman, CBS Sports analyst and founder of the Joe Moore Award, joins the podcast to colorfully discuss what has surprised him about the way the Irish have played on the offensive line, if the issues are fixable this season, what will be required for the line to improve, how the quarterbacks' athleticism impacts the offensive line, why the right side of the offensive line hasn't been able to carry the unit, how to prepare younger players, Jeff Quinn's ability as an offensive line coach and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-Cincinnati predictions in "Place Your Bets" (33:18) before answering questions from Twitter (42:28).

Barry Alvarez, former Wisconsin athletic director and Hall of Fame coach, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of the Notre Dame-Wisconsin series, former Wisconsin QB Jack Coan playing for the Irish, the success of defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, Alvarez's decision to leave Lou Holtz's staff at Notre Dame to become head coach at Wisconsin, why the program has sustained its winning ways, his grandson Jake Ferguson playing tight end for the Badgers, his thoughts on Brian Kelly's tenure at ND, the College Football Playoff and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-Wisconsin prediction in "Place Your Bets" (27:50) before answering questions from Twitter (37:10).

Gary Godsey, who stepped in at quarterback for Notre Dame's upset victory over No. 13 Purdue in 2000, joins the podcast to discuss how he learned he would replace injured starter Arnaz Battle, his preparation to play against Purdue QB Drew Brees, his most vivid memories from the game, how the the rest of his career played out, what he thinks of ND's current quarterbacks, what he's doing now and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-Purdue predictions in "Place Your Bets" (15:42) before answering questions from Twitter (23:53).

Former Irish offensive lineman Bob Morton joins the podcast to discuss Notre Dame's 41-38 victory over Florida State, the Irish offensive line struggles, how freshman Blake Fisher fared in his first start, the challenges Michael Carmody faced in replacing him, the difficulties of playing in an environment like FSU, how much improvement he expects to see on the offensive line and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-Toledo predictions in "Place Your Bets" (28:49) before answering questions from Twitter (35:37).

Matt Murschel, national college football writer for the Orlando Sentinel, joins the podcast to discuss Florida State's quarterback competition, the impact of new transfers joining the Seminoles, if head coach Mike Norvell has the program heading in the right direction, the state of Florida's three biggest football programs, his perspective on Notre Dame and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make ND-FSU predictions (24:42) before answering questions from Twitter (34:27).

Dennis Dodd, national college football writer for CBS Sports, joins the podcast to discuss the bevy of changes across college football this offseason, the effects of conference realignment, the future of the 12-team playoff, Notre Dame's most difficult game in 2021, the expectations for Jack Coan and Marcus Freeman, the Irish player that intrigues him the most, Brian Kelly's legacy and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make season-long predictions in "Place Your Bets" (25:13) before answering questions from Twitter (31:37).

Former Notre Dame wide receiver Robby Toma joins the podcast to discuss the pride he takes in seeing other Hawaii products at ND, why the Irish have had success with recruits from the islands, his expectations for Marist Liufau, the compassion shown for Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, the bright futures for Jordan Botelho and Kahanu Kia, how he evolved as a wide receiver during his career and more. Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen offer Hawaii-inspired predictions in Place Your Bets (21:33) before answering questions from Twitter (33:06).