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.

Sep 19, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) looks on after the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

Football

Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman greets fans while walking to the stadium before facing the Syracuse Orange at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

Football

Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) moves the ball defended by Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Adon Shuler (8) in the first half in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Football

The ever-pressing subject of the Irish's future schedule is worth revisiting.

Football

Does Notre Dame have a future first-round caliber pick to catch passes from CJ Carr? If this is a national title-level team, it might be a requirement.

Football

Just how much has Marcus Freeman passed up Brian Kelly? Four years after the coaching change, here's how the two most recent Irish head coaches compare.

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

After much as been made of the Irish's favorable schedule, can we have a realistic projection about the floor?

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

From Wisconsin and Michigan State to USC and Stanford, here's one number that means the most for every team on Notre Dame's 2026 schedule.

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.

Connor O'Gara

Joined: May 9, 2026

Has the CJ Carr Heisman Trophy Discussion Already Lost Juice? Not So Fast

Have Notre Dame's Expectations Already Changed? Let's Take a Closer Look

Why Notre Dame's Opener vs Wisconsin Has Major Implications for 2026

Why There's an Ideal Spot for Notre Dame to Appear in the Preseason Associated Press Top 25

Football

No Indiana? No Problem. Notre Dame Could Line Up These 5 Headliner Home-and-Home Games

Football

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

Football

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

Football

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

Football

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

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

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

Top 10 Players Notre Dame Will Face in 2026

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