Connor O'Gara

Joined: May 9, 2026

Connor O'Gara is a Midwestern-born, 30-something dad who has been covering college football for the last 13 years. After moving to Orlando and being the writer who launched the Big Ten site "Saturday Tradition" in 2015, Connor pivoted to predominantly SEC and national content for Saturday Down South in 2017. In addition to writing a daily column and hosting the site's twice-a-week podcast (now called "The OG Kickoff"), he consistently appeared on national platforms like the SEC Network's "The Paul Finebaum Show" and Sirius XM's "Off Campus." He's been a Heisman Trophy voter the last 4 years and continues to be one of the voices of reason in college football. But Connor's biggest claim to fame? After watching his alma mater win a national championship, he asked Curt Cignetti the question that got him free beer for life.

Football

Apr 25, 2026; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman talks with quarterback CJ Carr (13) during the Blue-Gold game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

Football

Aug 31, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back CharMar Brown (6) scores a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Football

Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly walks on the field during the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Football

Brian Kelly may never land a job as good as Notre Dame again, but he's still a big name with the potential to grab a big-time gig somewhere.

Jan 18, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua during 2025 CFP National Championship Media Day at Georgia World Congress Center, Building A. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Football

Let's not pretend like losing more games would be widely accepted in college football.

Dec 20, 2024; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; The mascot for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Football

Notre Dame has always been one of college football's most polarizing brands, but the last six months have shown that it's built to be public enemy No. 1.

Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Leonard Moore (15) celebrates with defensive lineman Bryce Young (95) and cornerback Christian Gray (6) after scoring against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

Football

Notre Dame's Leonard Moore is a premier defensive back, and Miami's Malachi Toney is one of the nation's most explosive players. It will be one of the must-watch matchups of the season.

Nov 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman arrives at the stadium to coach the Fighting Irish against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Football

Could the Notre Dame coach be off to the NFL after winning a national title in 2026?

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Football

Notre Dame will face plenty of elite stars this 2026 football season. Here are the 10 best players the Fighting Irish will have to deal with.

Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

Football

Jeremiyah Love was an elite running back, even for Notre Dame. Replacing a player of his caliber isn't easy, even for the Irish. Here's the history of trying to move on after losing a top-five back.

Pete Bevacqua, athletic director for the University of Notre Dame, announces Pat Garrity as the new men's and women's basketball general manager, during a press conference at Notre Dame Stadium on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in South Bend.

Football

Sure, the paychecks dictate everything, but aren't we forgetting a central theme of Notre Dame's rise in the 2020s?

Oct 8, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety DJ Brown (2) sacks Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

Football

The midseason matchup between Notre Dame and BYU won't get the same billing as the Miami showdown, but it's going to have massive implications.

Football

The recent report of resumed talks of continuing the annual series should serve as a reminder of why it's USC that needs this more than Notre Dame.

Nov 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman leads the team from the locker room to play the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Football

The Irish are back in the national title conversation, but when did they last enter a season as a genuine No. 1 contender?

Football

C.J. Carr has the talent, arm, and hype to take Notre Dame to the national title. But one critical factor could determine whether the Irish are truly championship-caliber.

Connor O'Gara

Joined: May 9, 2026

National Champions Have Elite NFL Pass-Catchers. Does Notre Dame?

Marcus Freeman vs Brian Kelly: Revisiting Notre Dame's Coaching Change

Mapping Out Notre Dame's Worst-Case Scenario for 2026

1 Stat That Matters Most for Each Notre Dame Opponent in 2026

Football

Brian Kelly Won't Get Another Job Like Notre Dame, But These 5 Destinations Make Sense

Football

The Super League That Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua Warned About Would Face a Massive Perception Issue

Football

A Notre Dame National Title Would Drive College Football Crazy

Football

Leonard Moore vs Malachi Toney Could Be College Football’s Best Matchup

Football

How Would Notre Dame Fans React if Marcus Freeman Won the National Title and Left for the NFL?

Football

Top 10 Players Notre Dame Will Face in 2026

Football

Notre Dame Has to Replace Jeremiyah Love. History Shows How Hard That Can Be

Football

Notre Dame Supporting a 24-Team Playoff is a Mistake

Don't Sleep On How Big Notre Dame-BYU Will Be in 2026

Why USC Needs the Notre Dame Rivalry More Than the Irish

When Was Notre Dame Last Considered a True No. 1 Team Heading Into a Season?

The One Thing C.J. Carr Must Prove for Notre Dame to Become a Title Contender