Notre Dame enters its bye week with renewed momentum and plenty of big-picture questions to answer — from playoff possibilities to Marcus Freeman’s evolution as a head coach and the next wave of 5-star recruiting momentum in South Bend. Tyler Wojciak answers listener questions about what the Irish must fix offensively, how realistic a home playoff game truly is, and why the 2026 class might be Notre Dame’s most talented in decades. Plus, a look at Pitt as a potential trap game, a ranking of Jadarian Price among the best Irish backs of the last 25 years, and Tyler’s all-time favorite Notre Dame football moment.

(0:00) - Intro

(2:03) - Playoff Path & Bye Week Fixes

(14:25) - Freeman’s Growth & Roster Outlook

(28:31) - Fan Favorites & Rooting Guide

Follow Tyler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TylerWojciak

Follow Locked On Irish on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedOnIrish

Follow Locked On Irish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lockedonirishpod/?hl=en

Subscribe to Locked on Irish on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC749D_LgykIE8WLu7W4UQlQ

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Quo
See why over 90,000 businesses trust Quo, formerly OpenPhone. Get started free and get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.Quo.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE.

Peloton
Let yourself run, lift, flex, and push forward. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ today at https://www.onepeloton.com.

DoorDash
With DoorDash Streaks, you save every Saturday you order — stack it up all season and you could save up to $250. Order this Saturday. Keep the streak alive. Fuel your gameday — only with DoorDash. Terms apply. Promo period through 11/18.

Mazda
It’s the small details that make the big plays. And just like there’s more to every player, there’s more to a Mazda vehicle.
Mazda. Move and Be Moved.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Monarch

Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at https://www.monarch.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Notre Dame football enters the bye week with momentum after a huge win over USC, but key questions remain about injuries, playoff positioning, and Marcus Freeman’s future. In this week’s Irish Squad Show, Locked On Irish host Tyler Wojciak is joined by Irish legends Allen Pinkett and Reggie Brooks, plus Allison Hayes from ABC57 Kickoff, to break down what Notre Dame needs to fix during the bye, how the team can sustain momentum, and whether Freeman could be tempted by other job openings. The crew also debates Notre Dame’s No. 12 ranking in the AP Poll, previews the biggest games of the week, and shares their updated Heisman predictions — including whether any Irish player deserves a spot in the Top 5.

Follow Tyler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TylerWojciak

Follow Locked On Irish on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedOnIrish

Follow Locked On Irish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lockedonirishpod/?hl=en

Subscribe to Locked on Irish on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC749D_LgykIE8WLu7W4UQlQ

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Quo
See why over 90,000 businesses trust Quo, formerly OpenPhone. Get started free and get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.Quo.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE.

Peloton
Let yourself run, lift, flex, and push forward. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ today at https://www.onepeloton.com.

DoorDash
With DoorDash Streaks, you save every Saturday you order — stack it up all season and you could save up to $250. Order this Saturday. Keep the streak alive. Fuel your gameday — only with DoorDash. Terms apply. Promo period through 11/18.

Mazda
It’s the small details that make the big plays. And just like there’s more to every player, there’s more to a Mazda vehicle.
Mazda. Move and Be Moved.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Monarch

Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at https://www.monarch.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Notre Dame football is rolling after five straight wins, capped off by a dominant performance over USC. Tyler Wojciak is joined by Jamie Uyeyama of Irish Sports Daily to break down exactly how the Irish have turned their season around. From Boubacar Traore’s breakout and the defense’s resurgence under Chris Ash, to the offensive line’s best game of the year and CJ Carr’s steady growth under Mike Denbrock, this episode dives deep into why Notre Dame is finally playing like a Playoff contender again.

(0:00) - Intro

(1:39) - Defensive Turnaround

(16:14) - Big Game for the OL

(21:58) - RB Dominance

(28:02) - Carr’s Growth

(31:36) - Looking Ahead

Follow Tyler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TylerWojciak

Follow Locked On Irish on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedOnIrish

Follow Locked On Irish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lockedonirishpod/?hl=en

Subscribe to Locked on Irish on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC749D_LgykIE8WLu7W4UQlQ

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Quo
See why over 90,000 businesses trust Quo, formerly OpenPhone. Get started free and get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.Quo.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE.

Peloton
Let yourself run, lift, flex, and push forward. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ today at https://www.onepeloton.com.

DoorDash
With DoorDash Streaks, you save every Saturday you order — stack it up all season and you could save up to $250. Order this Saturday. Keep the streak alive. Fuel your gameday — only with DoorDash. Terms apply. Promo period through 11/18.

Mazda
It’s the small details that make the big plays. And just like there’s more to every player, there’s more to a Mazda vehicle.
Mazda. Move and Be Moved.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Monarch

Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at https://www.monarch.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)