If you’re staring at your TV guide and frantically searching for who does nd play this weekend, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. Notre Dame isn't playing. Not today, not Saturday, and honestly, not for a while.
The stadium in South Bend is quiet. The gold helmets are tucked away in the equipment room. Basically, the 2025-26 season for the Fighting Irish has officially hit the "wait until next year" phase. It’s a weird feeling for fans, especially with the College Football Playoff National Championship currently looming on Monday, January 19. But while Indiana and Miami prepare to slug it out at Hard Rock Stadium, the Irish are already looking toward spring ball.
The Short Answer to Who Does ND Play This Weekend
They play nobody. The season is over.
📖 Related: How to Find Football Games on TV Today NFL Without Losing Your Mind
Usually, when people ask who does nd play this weekend in mid-January, they’re hoping for a deep playoff run or at least a high-profile bowl game. This year, the road ended a bit earlier than South Bend faithful wanted. After a regular season that had its fair share of highs and a few head-scratching lows, the Irish didn't make the cut for the final four or the championship game happening this coming Monday.
Instead of a game, the ND headlines right now are all about the coaching carousel. Just last week, on January 7, 2026, the program confirmed some big moves on the sidelines. Charlie Partridge has stepped in as the Peter Schivarelli Defensive Line Coach, and Al Washington has been named the Linebackers Coach and Defensive Run Game Coordinator. If you can't watch them play, you can at least track how Marcus Freeman is rebuilding the staff for the 2026 campaign.
Why the College Football Playoff is ND-Free
It’s easy to get confused about the schedule because the postseason has become such a sprawling mess of dates. The semifinals just wrapped up on January 8 and 9. If you were hoping to see the Irish in the Peach Bowl or the Fiesta Bowl, those spots went to Indiana, Oregon, Miami, and Ole Miss.
Indiana, under Curt Cignetti, has been the story of the year. They dismantled Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl. Meanwhile, Miami managed to squeak past Ole Miss 31-27. That leaves us with an all-Indiana vs. Florida title game on Monday night.
What happened to the Irish?
The math just didn't work out. Despite some strong wins—including that late-season victory over USC—the early loss to Northern Illinois and a stumble against Texas A&M back in September proved to be too much of a weight. In the new 12-team playoff era, every loss is magnified for an Independent like Notre Dame.
There’s also been a ton of talk about the "Drake Toll Factor." If you follow Big 12 analysts, you’ve probably heard Toll being pretty vocal about ND’s postseason positioning. He famously called their recent bowl maneuvering "pure petulance." Whether you agree with him or not, that kind of national noise usually means the committee is looking at you through a very critical lens.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule is Already Wild
Since the answer to who does nd play this weekend is "no one," let's talk about when you can actually see them again. The 2026 schedule is already out, and it’s a doozy. It starts with a massive neutral-site game that has "College GameDay" written all over it.
- September 6, 2026: vs. Wisconsin (at Lambeau Field)
- September 12, 2026: Rice (Home opener)
- September 19, 2026: Michigan State
- September 26, 2026: at Purdue
The biggest news for 2026, though, isn't just the opener at Lambeau. It's the fact that the historic USC series is actually taking a pause. Because of the new home-and-home series scheduled with BYU—which starts with a trip to Provo in 2026—the traditional matchup with the Trojans is off the books for the first time since 1946 (excluding the 2020 COVID year).
👉 See also: Estadísticas de Isaiah Hartenstein: Por qué los números no cuentan toda la historia
How to Handle an ND-Free Weekend
If you’re still itching for football, you aren't totally out of luck. The NFL Divisional Round is happening this weekend, and there are plenty of former Irish stars still in the hunt.
You could also flip over to the hardwood. The Notre Dame men's basketball team just had a tough outing against Miami earlier this week, and the ACC schedule is in full swing. It's not a cold Saturday at the stadium, but it's something.
Honestly, the best thing to do is start prepping for the 2026 opener. The move to play BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium is a massive pivot for the program. It shows a willingness to go into high-altitude, tough environments that critics say the Irish usually avoid.
💡 You might also like: Kam Jones Indiana Pacers: What Most People Get Wrong
Next Steps for the Die-Hard Fan:
- Check the 2026 Tickets: The Lambeau Field game against Wisconsin is going to be one of the hardest tickets to get in years. If you haven't looked at the lottery or secondary market yet, now is the time.
- Track the Transfer Portal: With the season over, Marcus Freeman is actively looking for veteran depth. Keep an eye on the defensive backfield and wide receiver positions over the next few weeks.
- Watch the National Championship: Monday night, January 19. Even though the Irish aren't in it, watching Indiana and Miami will give you a good look at the level ND needs to hit to be playing this late in January next year.
The search for who does nd play this weekend ends here with a quiet Saturday. But with a revamped coaching staff and a historic 2026 schedule on the horizon, the offseason is going to be anything but boring.