The Notre Dame Fighting Irish suffered a shocking 16-14 loss to unranked Northern Illinois after previously securing a notable victory over Texas A&M. This defeat marks the first time in program history that Notre Dame has lost to a Mid-Atlantic Conference team, raising concerns about head coach Marcus Freeman's future as he enters his third year, a critical milestone for previous coaches. With the loss, Notre Dame's hopes for the College Football Playoff are severely diminished; they now must run the table against a challenging schedule to earn a playoff spot. The defeat has prompted significant backlash from fans and media, who express frustration over the team's inconsistency and coaching decisions. Freeman has vowed to address the team's issues, but the pressure mounts as they prepare to face Purdue next. The upset has led to comparisons with past coaching failures at the program, intensifying scrutiny on Freeman's ability to maintain the team's prestigious legacy.