Michael Bryan

writing about ND football since '08 / advanced stats guy / college football road-tripper / Atlanta native / Kamado Joe operator

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

and every fan should be skeptical about expansion improving OOC scheduling. the CFP rankings are still anchored in W-L over strength of schedule, and 9-game conference seasons are locked in. loss avoidance will still be the dominant strategy for most programs

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

The B1G, ACC, and unfortunately Pete Bevacqua are going to try to convince you a 24 team CFP is good for college football.

Why this dilutes the stakes of the regular season, gives "access" that's false hope, and most P4 programs are already in the mix:

https://t.co/7cbJIvshIS

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

we are early in this, but Indiana just won the title! TCU played for a national championship! Cincinnati made a 4-team playoff from the G5! Keep the bar held high, it's possible and way more meaningful for fans to qualify with a real team than a participation trophy berth at 9-3

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

Deep dive on the ND passing game: the transformation from '24 to '25, CJ Carr's profile and opportunities to elevate his game, Jordan Faison comps, and some caution about the transition of receiving threats

https://t.co/dyom8SdyL4

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

@OneFootDown appreciate the plug and your guys work!

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

@jamieuyeyama appreciate you my guy!

ps - the Steve Filer reference on H&H today warmed my heart, he is directly in the sweet spot of my "remembering some guys" ND fandom and I was always ready for him to break out

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

Pulling the charts I've been putting out here into a post on Notre Dame's preseason SP+ ranking, game by game projections, and how the schedule stacks up against the rest of the top title contenders:

https://t.co/qriV4usKzx

(Subscribe to S&T!)

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

And how this translates into projected game margins and win probabilities:

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

And how this translates into projected game margins and win probabilities:

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

Notre Dame and 2026 Opponents visualized with preseason SP+ projections:

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

Notre Dame and 2026 Opponents visualized with preseason SP+ projections:

[Jamie Uyeyama @jamieuyeyama]

Thoughts on Marcus Freeman's track record of hiring assistant coaches, on Notre Dame having 3 skill players who could be selected in the top-50 of the NFL Draft for the 1st time since 1993, and the law firm of Flanagan and Flanigan at tight end https://t.co/uSc9QqLRh8

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

will never forgive the committee for not letting us see Malachi Fields in a playoff game

[Dane Brugler @dpbrugler]

Play of the day, courtesy of Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields.

Good bet he is the top WR drafted from this year's Senior Bowl.

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

New newsletter: a January wrap-up of the ND transfer portal haul, "lessons" from the CFP, and quick reaction to the official 2026 schedule / Mike Mickens departure: https://t.co/yygOoj1ewg...

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

Some names highlighted in the WR section here (Ian Strong, Reed Harris) are now officially in the portal along with the recruitment of Nick Marsh 👀

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

Players are starting to declare their transfer plans in preparation for the portal opening in early January - what's on Notre Dame's Christmas list this year to fill out the 2026 roster?

https://t.co/EOKxx6v4gx

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

USC hasn't cracked the top 20 in Defensive F+ since 2013.

Lincoln Riley's average defense ranking in his nine years as a head coach: 56th

straight up baby!

[Ryan Kartje @RyanKartje]

How does Lincoln Riley feel about the future of USC’s defense?

Riley: “I feel fantastic. Obviously documented strides the last couple years statistically, but then those who really study the game and watch how we’ve been able to improve [know] the arrow is pointing straight up”

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

A quick holiday potpourri newsletter today: USC’s cowardice, BYU as a replacement, roster losses, and Marcus confirming he’s back

https://t.co/iDbLX4LV2G

[Michael Bryan @michaelbryanMB]

Without going deep into bad faith arguments (we wish the ACC didn’t suck too!) - if ND was trying to rig a CFP schedule they’d be ditching more P4 programs and instead schedule more Boise / UNLV / Toledo / James Madison’s of the world that the committee SOS formula rewards

[Bud Elliott @BudElliott3]

We will see you the second week of December