Notre Dame Buy/Sell/Hold - Part V

In the final installment of the 'Buy/Sell/Hold' segment on the Irish Breakdown Podcast, hosts Trev and Brian dive deep into a series of bold predictions and evaluations for Notre Dame's 2026 season. They assess quarterback CJ Carr’s potential to throw for 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns, ultimately buying the yardage projection, holding on the touchdown total, and selling the national championship claim due to its team-dependent nature. The discussion expands to defensive projections, with strong support for Notre Dame’s run defense improving on the 2012 benchmark, while skepticism remains about matching the elite 2023 pass defense metrics. A passionate debate unfolds over Notre Dame’s greatest quarterback, with Brian arguing for Brady Quinn’s superior college impact over Joe Montana, citing era-appropriate stats and Heisman recognition. The conversation shifts to NFL draft expectations, with cautious optimism about eight players being drafted, and a strong belief in two first-round picks. The hosts also evaluate positional units, selling the idea that the defensive line will be the most underrated unit by playoffs, favoring the linebacker corps as more undervalued. Later, they debate player returns, with a strong sell on CJ Carr coming back for another season unless he falls short of top-five draft status. The episode closes with a mix of humor and insight, including a fictional 'angry ESPN mob' and a heartfelt message to a young fan interested in coaching, emphasizing learning and immersion over physical play. The tone remains enthusiastic and analytical throughout, celebrating Notre Dame’s rising trajectory while maintaining critical realism.