Notre Dame Eyes CFP After Key Wins

Nebraska Strategies has hired Isabel Cheesman as an associate; Cheesman earned a J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law in May 2025, clerked at the firm for two years and was sworn into the Nebraska bar in September, bringing legal, legislative research and education‑advocacy experience. The NCAA is moving toward expanding the men’s basketball tournament to 76 teams with a 12‑game opening round beginning in 2026–27, a change driven largely by media‑rights revenue that critics say will benefit mediocre power‑conference teams over mid‑majors. At Notre Dame, the defensive backs continue to preach a long‑standing “DMM” (Deny My Man) mentality but have struggled with spotty execution, injuries and departures — including Xavier Watts — and have allowed more explosive pass plays under new defensive leadership. Offensively and program‑wide, the Irish rebounded from an 0‑2 start with dominant wins over Purdue and Arkansas that revived hopes of a 10‑2 season, though concerns remain that a 10‑2 record with few quality wins may not be sufficient for a College Football Playoff berth.