Jessica Smetana joins to lay out tips and tricks on how to approach a Notre Dame football weekend. How to get there, where to stay, campus sites to see, bookstore strategy, restaurants, bars, restrooms, breakfast, caffeine and so much more.

If you have additional recommendations, email rakesreport@gmail.com or use www.speakpipe.com/rakesreport.

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana and Sam Werner join to discuss which players on the 2026 Fighting Irish roster have the best chance of earning All-American status at the end of the season. Topics include: The greatness of Leonard Moore, depth at safety and linebacker, how hard it is to earn quarterback honors, who's catching passes, plenty of options at offensive linemen, potential high-impact freshman, and much more.

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana and the Split Zone Duo podcast's Alex Kirshner join to discuss the preseason signs teams might live up to their expectations or fall flat when the games arrive. Also: How national title contenders are constructed, where Notre Dame fits in among them, the Fighting Irish wide receiver situation and the blamemeter on the USC game not being played.

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Lucy Rohden (CFBLucy on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok) joins to discuss why so many people running and covering college football seem to hate it. Also a look into how Wisconsin, Sparty and other programs fell off plus things to be excited for this coming season.

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Irish Sports Daily's Jamie Uyeyama joins to discuss his recent visit to campus for Irish Invasion and how recruiting has continued to improve under Marcus Freeman. Then a look at how the 2026 Notre Dame team looks to compare to previous playoff-era title winners as well as this season's other top contenders.

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Jessica Smetana joins to break down the latest arguments for and against expansion to a 24-team college football playoff, including some Mike Elko appreciation. Then (28:00) The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant joins to weigh in on the state of Niele Ivey's program, the greatness (and awards snubbing) of Hannah Hidalgo, checking in on some transfers, Irish in the WNBA and much more.

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Mega Memorial Day Weekend Episode. Jessica Smetana and the Spreadsheets & Tailgates newsletter's Michael Bryan join to take a look at what preseason win totals might mean for a long list of college football teams. Topics include but are not limited to: A new era in Happy Valley, Arizona State's international gauntlet, a potential nightmare November in Lincoln, SEC playoff teams adjusting to life with nine conference games, Dabo and Belichick, a fun team in the new Pac-12, old Notre Dame faces in new places and a whole lot more.

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport

Sam Werner joins to discuss/vent about/analyze the growing support for a 24-team college football playoff field, including — in a twist — from Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua.

Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport