​15 Oct 1994: A mural called Touchdown Jesus adorns a wall overlooking the Notre Dame campus and football stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport | Getty Images Notre Dame Fighting IrishGame InformationWeek: 4Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 Location: West Lafayette, IndianaTime: TBATV: TBAHead Coach – Marcus FreemanSeasons at School (as head coach): 4Overall Coaching Record: 43-122021-2026: Notre Dame – 43-122025 ResultsOverall Record: 10-2Miami (FL): L – 24-27Texas A&M: L – 40-41Purdue: W – 56-30Arkansas: W – 56-13Boise State: W – 28-7NC State: W – 36-7(20) USC: W – 34-24Boston College: W – 25-10Navy: W – 49-10(22) Pittsburgh: W – 37-15Syracuse: W – 70-7Stanford: W – 49-202025 Stat LeadersOffensePassing Yards: CJ Carr – 2741 (Returning)Touchdown Passes: CJ Carr – 24Rushing Yards: Jeremiyah Love – 1372Rushing Touchdowns: Jeremiyah Love – 18Receiving Yards: Jordan Faison – 640 (Returning)Receiving Touchdowns: Malachi Fields – 5Total Touchdowns: Jeremiyah Love – 21DefenseTackles: Drayk Bowen – 67 (Returning)Sacks: Boubacar Traore – 6.5 (Returning)Tackles for Loss: Boubacar Traore – 10 Interceptions: Leonard Moore – 5 (Returning)2026 Key PlayersOffenseQuarterback: CJ CarrOffensive Line: Anthonie Knapp (LG)Running Back: Aneyas WilliamsWide Receiver / Tight End: Jordan FaisonDefenseDefensive Line: Boubacar TraoreLinebacker: Drayk BowenSecondary: Leonard Moore (CB), Brauntae Johnson (S)2026 Media PredictionsPreseason Top 10 (AP Poll isn’t out yet and Notre Dame isn’t in a conference)My ThoughtsThis is the first game on the schedule that Purdue doesn’t have any business winning. I’m not saying they can’t win this game, but they shouldn’t, based on the gulf in talent between the two programs. On a more positive note, the Boilermakers made Notre Dame earn it last season despite the gulf in talent being even wider. Jeremiyah Love is off to the NFL and can’t hurt us anymore, as is his backup and fellow first-round draft pick, Jadarian Price. Returning back Aneyas Williams is a 4* talent, but you’ve got to think that Notre Dame’s run game might suffer some without their dynamic duo from last season.Quarterback CJ Carr returns after a successful freshman season. He grew into the position, but a slowish start cost the Fighting Irish the first two games and, ultimately, a spot in the College Football Playoffs. I guess the committee expects more than two wins over fringe top 20 teams; you’ll excuse me if I don’t shed any tears. Interestingly enough, neither Purdue nor Notre Dame made a bowl game last season because the Fighting Irish balled up their fists, stomped their feet, and threw an epic temper tantrum after being left out of the playoffs. It’s nice to see that while college football is in the midst of generational changes, Notre Dame remains the same entitled brats we all love to hate.Are they better than Purdue? AbsolutelyIs it fun to watch