If you’re refreshing your phone looking for the score of Notre Dame football game today, you might be a little confused by what pops up. Honestly, if you see a final score of 89-76, don't panic. No, the Irish didn't suddenly decide to play a high-scoring arena football game or give up on defense entirely.
That's the basketball score.
The Fighting Irish men’s basketball team just wrapped up a tough afternoon in Blacksburg, falling to Virginia Tech. But as for the football team? They aren't on the field today, January 17, 2026.
The 2025 college football season has effectively moved into its final act, and Notre Dame isn't part of the championship doubleheader. After a season that felt like a rollercoaster—starting with a heartbreaking 27-24 loss to Miami and ending with a ten-game winning streak—the Irish found themselves on the outside looking in when the College Football Playoff committee made their final picks.
It’s a weird day to be a fan. Usually, mid-January is when the "what ifs" start to settle, but the buzz around South Bend right now isn't about a game today; it’s about the massive roster overhaul Marcus Freeman is pulling off for the 2026 season.
Why isn't there a football score of Notre Dame football game today?
Basically, the season is over. The College Football Playoff National Championship is the only thing left on the horizon, and that’s a matchup between Indiana and Miami. Since Notre Dame was snubbed from the playoff bracket—a move that still has fans (and Marcus Freeman himself) pretty heated—the team opted out of the traditional bowl circuit to focus entirely on the 2026 campaign.
It’s a bold move. Some call it "scorched earth."
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Instead of playing a late-December bowl that arguably didn't mean much for their long-term goals, the coaching staff hit the recruiting trail and the transfer portal with a level of aggression we haven't seen in years. So, while there’s no score to report for today, the "score" in the transfer portal is looking like a massive win for the Irish.
The Marcus Freeman guest appearance
You might actually see Coach Freeman on your TV today, though. He’s been making the rounds as a guest analyst for College GameDay ahead of the national title game. It’s a little bit of salt in the wound for fans to see him talking about the teams that did make it, but he’s using the platform to remind everyone that Notre Dame isn't going anywhere.
He’s been incredibly candid about the Miami loss that defined their season. That game at Hard Rock Stadium back in August was the difference between a playoff spot and sitting at home today.
What the 2025 season told us
Let's look at the numbers because they’re kinda wild. After that 0-2 start with losses to Miami and Texas A&M, people were calling for heads. But then something clicked.
The Irish went on a tear.
- Purdue: 56-30 win.
- Syracuse: 70-7 win (absolute carnage).
- USC: 34-24 win.
By the time they finished the regular season with a 49-20 drubbing of Stanford, they looked like one of the four best teams in the country. The committee didn't agree. They weighed those two early losses more than the ten straight wins.
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The real score: Notre Dame's massive transfer portal haul
Since there is no score of Notre Dame football game today, fans are obsessing over the roster news that dropped this week. If you want to know why 2026 is already being hyped as a "National Championship or bust" year, look at the names that just committed.
Just two days ago, on January 15, the Irish landed Tionne Gray. He’s a 6-foot-6, 336-pound monster of a defensive tackle from Oregon. You don't find guys like that every day. He’s basically a human refrigerator that moves like a linebacker.
Then you’ve got Quincy Porter, the former five-star wide receiver from Ohio State. The Irish have been desperate for a true "X" receiver who can stretch the field, and Porter fits that mold perfectly. Combine him with Jordan Faison, who just announced he’s stepping away from lacrosse to commit fully to football, and the offense suddenly looks terrifying.
Returning talent for 2026
It’s not just about the new guys. The big "score" for the program this week was the news that defensive end Boubacar Traore is coming back for his redshirt junior season.
Traore was the heart of the pass rush last year. He led the team with 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Having him back to lead a line that now includes Gray and Pitt transfer Francis Brewu means Notre Dame might have the most physical defensive front in the country next year.
Looking ahead to the 2026 schedule
If you're already looking for the next real score of Notre Dame football game, you've got a bit of a wait. The 2026 season kicks off with a massive showdown.
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September 6, 2026: Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin at Lambeau Field.
Think about that. The Irish in Green Bay. It’s the kind of game that defines a season before it even gets started.
How to track the Irish in the off-season
Since the "score of Notre Dame football game today" is a big zero, what should you be doing as a fan?
Honestly, stop looking at the 2025 rankings. They don't matter anymore. The focus is entirely on the spring game and the development of the young quarterbacks. With the way Freeman is recruiting, the depth chart is going to look completely different by the time they hit Lambeau.
Your next steps:
- Watch Marcus Freeman on GameDay: He’s been giving some great insights into the defensive schemes he plans to run in 2026.
- Check the wide receiver highlights: Go back and look at Quincy Porter’s tape from his time at Ohio State. It’ll make you feel a lot better about the passing game.
- Mark your calendars for the Spring Game: That’s your first chance to see the new-look Irish in action.
The scoreboard might be dark today in South Bend, but the program is arguably moving faster than it ever has. The snub from the 2025 playoffs seems to have lit a fire under the entire university. If the 2026 portal haul is any indication, the committee won't be able to leave them out next year.