The Notre Dame Fighting Irish open their season with a bang, facing off against the Miami Hurricanes in what promises to be a fierce battle. Thankfully, they’ve got Jeremiyah Love in their corner.
The explosive RB is already making headlines as a projected Heisman contender. His speed, power, and playmaking ability could be a game-changer. But according to an analyst, Love alone can’t carry the Irish through Miami’s fire and the entire 2025 season?
Jeremiyah Love Leads Notre Dame Fighting Irish Charge, Though Questions Persist
On the Aug. 4 episode of “ESPN College Football“, analyst Eric Mac Lain joined SportsCenter to preview the Fighting Irish–Miami season opener.
He didn’t call a winner, but spotlighted RB Love as a potential game-changer with his ability to shake up defenses. Mac Lain also pointed out that their passing game and wideouts must level up for the Irish to contend, starting week one and beyond.
“Yes, it’s going to be tough, right. You’re replacing a lot of key pieces, but you have an exceptional running back in Love that’s going to cause some issues for everybody that they play against,” Lain said.
“… Well, a lot about this team, they have to improve at passing the ball. Fighting Irish has to be able to push the ball downfield, get it to their receivers, which, for a long time, Christine, you know that was kind of the thing. They don’t have enough speed, they don’t have enough skill, where you feel like they do. But do they have a quarterback that can get it to them and have that pushing ability downfield?”
The Fighting Irish offense delivered in 2024, but big changes are coming in the 2025 season. With their 2024 quarterback, Riley Leonard, in the NFL and an infusion of talent at wide receiver, the unit will have a fresh feel this fall.
That receiver room, long seen as a weak link, is improving. They may not be household names yet. But the numbers don’t lie. Malachi Fields, a Virginia transfer, leads all returning Power Four receivers with 1,619 yards since 2023, despite flying under the portal radar.
Jaden Greathouse returns after pacing the Fighting Irish with 592 yards. Jordan Faison is back as the No. 3 target, and Wisconsin’s Will Pauling joins the mix after recording 18 contested catches over the past two seasons, third most in the Big Ten.
Additionally, the Fighting Irish are expected to roll out a new QB1 in 2025, and all signs point to CJ Carr. The second-year signal-caller hasn’t thrown a pass in college yet, but HC Marcus Freeman is all in on his potential.
That confidence runs deep: Carr is the grandson of legendary Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and will step in with solid support behind him, including RB Love and Jadarian Price, plus a sturdy offensive line. This is undoubtedly a pivotal transition for the Fighting Irish’s offense.
