SOUTH BEND, Ind. - An Irish fan, who would most likely prefer to be anonymous, sat on the side of his pickup truck draped in a green Notre Dame hoodie.

He lifted his left arm to salute his fellow Irish faithful as they exited the parking lot. He held his comfort: an entire handle of Jim Beam.

Even James Beam would understand.

Notre Dame spent the entire calendar year in 2024 explaining that the Marcus Freeman Era was going to be different. National championships wouldn’t be a dream. They could be a reality. A trip to Atlanta with a competitive loss to Ohio State was evidence that it could happen.

Through two games of the 2025 season, things have felt so familiar. But for all the wrong reasons.

Saturday’s heartbreaking 41-40 loss to Texas A&M felt like Notre Dame of old. Well, not th

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