Marcus Freeman’s got Notre Dame knocking on the door of elite status, so naturally, everyone wants a piece. Four years, a 44-11 record, seasons with 11, 9, 10, and then a crazy 14 wins? That’s serious business. Plus, they’re pulling in top-12 recruiting classes year after year. But it ain’t just about snagging talent. Freeman’s built a culture, developed players, and got everyone bought in. That’s why Notre Dame’s closer than ever to cracking that top tier. Now, a national analyst is throwing up a red flag for Freeman. All those wins? They bring a ton of eyeballs, and everyone’s looking to poach what he’s built.On Feb 23rd episode of Josh Pate’s College Football Show, the national analyst broke down the top 12 programs in the sport. And the shocker? Pate ranked Notre Dame at No. 7. Simply, it’s the price of success—winning at a high level comes with challenges. Just last year, the Fighting Irish fell short in the national title game against Ohio State. And now, the big question looms: Can Marcus Freeman and his staff hold the foundation together and finally push Notre Dame into CFB’s true elite? Because with key departures already piling up, the pressure is on.However, Josh Pate summed it up perfectly, saying, “You’ve got one of the brightest young head coaching names leading your program, and Marcus Freeman. Now, here’s what’s happening up there again. Again, this is not baked into this ranking, but for futuristic purposes…they’re starting to have some of their big names get plucked—lose a general manager here, lose a defensive coordinator there. Okay, that’s a consequence of success.” To be honest, success comes at a price, and Notre Dame is feeling it.As Freeman builds for the future, other programs are circling, eager to poach Notre Dame’s top talent. Well, the Fighting Irish have already seen key departures in their leadership. General Manager Chad Bowden took his recruiting expertise to USC, a testament to his impact on Notre Dame’s roster construction. Meanwhile, Defensive Coordinator Al Golden made the leap to the NFL, now leading the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense. Golden’s tenure in South Bend was elite—his unit topped the nation in pass efficiency defense and allowed just 15.5 points per game in 2024.Now, losing top coaching talent always comes at a cost. But as key figures walk out the door, the challenge now is keeping the foundation strong. Josh Pate added, “You will never win at this level without losing guys because everyone wants what you have. So, the NFL—Cincinnati Bengals wanted what you had. USC wanted what you had.” So, the Irish are a hot commodity, but can Freeman still keep Notre Dame on its path to greatness? That’s the big question.Maybe yes. Notre Dame is moving quickly to reload. To fill the GM role, they are finalizing a deal with Mike Martin, a key figure in rebuilding the Detroit Lions’ roster, helping them to an impressive 12-5 season in 2023. And on the defensive side, Chris Ash will take over as coordinator, bringing experience from powerhouse programs like Ohio State, where he helped lead the Buckeyes to a national title in 2014. Right now, these moves aim to keep Notre Dame at an elite level, ensuring stability amid change. But even with these hires, Freeman’s CFP fate hangs by a thread as Paul Finebaum delivers his verdict.Marcus Freeman and Co.’s future in a shifting CFBThe landscape of CFB is shifting, and Notre Dame is feeling the squeeze. We know they have already lost key figures, which could impact the team’s natty dreams. Not only this, with the SEC and B1G expanding, their nine-game conference schedules will leave little room for non-conference matchups. That means Notre Dame’s marquee games will likely come from the ACC and Big 12. And this could weaken their strength of schedule, making it tougher to impress the playoff committee. If the proposed format holds, the Fighting Irish must finish in the top 14 or 16 to secure a postseason spot—a challenge that just got even steeper.Dec 20, 2024; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman leads the team onto the field before a first round playoff game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesWhen Paul Finebaum was asked if Irish should explore a potential tie-up with the B1G or SEC, his response was clear. “I think a very smart move for Notre Dame would be to look for a similar type of deal with either the Big 10 or the SEC or some hybrid version of both… And I would think the commissioners of both leagues would be open to a relationship with Notre Dame. I don’t know why they wouldn’t be,” said Finebaum.Let’s be real: for many Notre Dame fans, the idea of joining the SEC or B1G feels culturally off, as independence is part of their identity. But in today’s shifting CFB landscape, tradition alone might not be enough. As of now, change could be coming, whether they like it or not. And a recent proposal would guarantee SEC and BIG 10 4 playoff spots, leaving Notre Dame, the ACC, and Big 12 to fight for the rest of the 14 or 16-team field in 2026. But here’s where it gets worse—both conferences are considering adding a ninth league game, locking them into matchups against each other. Considering all this, Notre Dame’s CFP hopes are hanging—and the grip is slipping fast.