At the end of the 2024 season, Notre Dame had one of the most intense travel schedules among college football teams nationwide. The team started the year with a strong 9-1 record and then continued its journey by playing a Shamrock Series game at Yankee Stadium in New York. Just a week later, they traveled to Los Angeles to face USC and wrap up the regular season.

The postseason was equally demanding. Notre Dame hosted a game on December 20 before heading to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans to take on Georgia. However, that game was postponed due to the tragic events of Bourbon Street on January 1. Later, the team made another trip to Miami for the Orange Bowl on January 9.

This schedule involved four games across three different regions of the lower 48 states. Despite the challenges, head coach Marcus Freeman did not make any excuses about the travel demands.

This theme of resilience has carried over into the current round of the College Football Playoff, where two teams will meet on Friday for a spot in the National Championship Game.

Coaches Refuse to Make Excuses

No. 1 Indiana will face No. 5 Oregon on Friday night in Atlanta, with a place in the National Championship Game on the line. If anyone could justify making excuses about the travel this year or in this round, it would be these two teams.

Oregon played its first-round game at home in the Pacific Northwest before traveling to Miami to defeat Texas Tech. They now have to head to Atlanta for the semifinal game. Meanwhile, Indiana had a first-round bye but had to travel all the way to Southern California for a historic Rose Bowl victory over Alabama, followed by a return cross-country trip for Friday’s game.

Despite the grueling travel, neither coach is making any excuses. During a teleconference on Saturday, both coaches were asked if the travel demands of the College Football Playoff were too much. Neither offered even a hint of an excuse.

Comparing Travel Demands to Previous Rivalries

This situation contrasts sharply with past instances where teams like USC have complained about the travel required to play against Notre Dame. While there were other factors, the travel was certainly a contributing factor in USC head coach Lincoln Riley’s push to end the long-standing rivalry with the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame already has a home-and-home series scheduled with Indiana in the near future, which involves minimal travel for either program. However, a potential home-and-home with Oregon would be even more exciting.

Oregon is one of the greatest programs in college football history and has been consistently competing for national championships over the last 20 years. A matchup between Marcus Freeman and Dan Lanning, two of the top head coaches in the game today, would be highly anticipated.

Imagine Notre Dame’s classic gold helmets in Autzen Stadium, with a return trip to South Bend. It would be fascinating to see what Nike could come up with for Oregon in a game almost certainly played under the lights. The game would likely feature two top-10 teams, both of which could easily counter any travel complaints from rival USC.

Additionally, Notre Dame’s strength of schedule would improve significantly if they added Oregon to their future schedule. Replacing USC with Oregon would not only enhance the quality of competition but also create a compelling narrative for fans.

While the focus is on the upcoming game between Indiana and Oregon, there are other developments within the Notre Dame football program that deserve attention.

Other Notable News

Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry faced backlash after a controversial call cost the team a crucial moment in a recent game. Meanwhile, Notre Dame cornerback Cree Thomas has entered the transfer portal, signaling a potential shift in the team’s defensive strategy.

Another key player, a defensive lineman, has also announced his decision to transfer, raising questions about the team’s depth and future plans. As the 2026 transfer portal approaches, Notre Dame needs to address several areas of improvement to remain competitive in the coming seasons.

These developments highlight the ongoing challenges and changes within the program as it prepares for the future.