Notre Dame NCAA Football: 10 Key Strategies for Dominating the 2023 Season
I remember watching Notre Dame’s nail-biting finish last season—that mix of heartbreak and hope when a team falls just short of the ultimate prize. It reminds me of a quote I once heard from a basketball coach after a tough loss: "It might not be today, we fell short, but we have another tournament coming up, so the fight isn’t over for us." That mindset—resilient, forward-looking, and fiercely determined—is exactly what the Fighting Irish must carry into the 2023 NCAA football season. Sure, the opponents change, the stakes shift, but the core of greatness remains the same: a refusal to stay down. This year, Notre Dame isn’t just aiming to compete; they’re built to dominate. And after studying their roster, coaching adjustments, and recent performances, I’ve pinpointed 10 key strategies that could very well turn their 2023 campaign into something special.
First and foremost, it all starts with quarterback Sam Hartman. Wake Forest’s loss is Notre Dame’s gain—Hartman brings experience, arm talent, and a calmness under pressure that this offense has sometimes lacked. I’ve watched him dissect defenses with those deep throws and quick decisions, and honestly, he’s the kind of player who makes everyone around him better. Last season, the Irish averaged around 31 points per game, but with Hartman, I wouldn’t be surprised if they push that to 35 or even 38. He’s that good. But it’s not just about one player. The offensive line has to give him time, and with returning starters like Joe Alt and Blake Fisher, I’m confident they will. Think of it like a relay race—if the line does its job, Hartman can sprint the final leg without looking back.
Then there’s the ground game. Audric Estimé is a beast, plain and simple. Watching him break tackles and grind out extra yards feels like watching a classic Notre Dame power back—someone who embodies that "keep fighting" spirit. Last year, he rushed for over 900 yards, and I’m predicting he cracks 1,200 this season if the play-calling stays balanced. And that’s the thing: balance. Too often, teams become one-dimensional, but Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator Tommy Rees—wait, sorry, it’s Gerad Parker now—has to mix it up. Play-action passes, screen plays to those shifty receivers like Jayden Thomas, maybe even a trick play or two. Variety keeps defenses guessing, and when defenses guess wrong, that’s when you get those explosive 40-yard gains that change games.
Defensively, I’m excited about the secondary. Cam Hart and Benjamin Morrison are lockdown corners, and with the way offenses are spreading the field these days, having guys who can handle man coverage is huge. Last season, the Irish allowed about 225 passing yards per game—decent, but not elite. This year, I’d love to see that drop below 200. How? More disguised coverages, maybe a few well-timed blitzes to rattle opposing quarterbacks. Al Golden, the defensive coordinator, has the pieces; it’s about putting them together like a puzzle. I remember watching a game last year where Notre Dame’s defense held strong in the red zone—three straight stops against a top-10 team. That kind of grit is what they’ll need every Saturday.
Special teams often get overlooked, but let’s not forget how a clutch field goal or a game-changing return can swing momentum. Brian Mason, the special teams coordinator, has worked wonders before, and with kicker Blake Grupe back, I’m expecting consistency in those pressure kicks. Grupe hit 14 of 18 field goals last year—solid, but I’d like to see him push that to 85% accuracy. And in the return game, if someone like Lorenzo Styles Jr. can break a couple for touchdowns, that’s free points. It’s like the coach said: "We’re playing against international teams, champion teams from different countries, but we’re just gonna be there, hopefully give them a good fight." Every phase—offense, defense, special teams—has to be ready for those championship-level opponents, because in college football, every game is a battle.
Culture and mindset might be the most underrated strategy. Head coach Marcus Freeman has this energy that’s contagious—you can see it in how the players talk about him. He’s not just drawing up plays; he’s building a brotherhood. And in close games, that matters. When you’re down by four in the fourth quarter, it’s not just X’s and O’s that win—it’s trust, it’s belief. I’ve seen teams with less talent pull off upsets because they had that intangible edge. Notre Dame has both talent and heart, and if they harness that, they could run the table. Look, I’m not saying they’ll go 12-0—though I’d love that—but with a favorable schedule and key games at home, 10 or 11 wins is totally within reach. The season is a marathon, not a sprint, and for Notre Dame, the finish line could be very, very bright.
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