Notre Dame wants a home cupcake to start the season
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It was announced yesterday that Notre Dame will open its 2027 college football season at home against the Kent State Golden Flashes.
Notre Dame and the rest of the college football world are gearing up for the expansion of the college football playoff from 12 teams to 24 teams. The Irish are playing 10 Power 4 opponents in 2027 to go along with two G6 opponents (Navy and Kent State).
Notre Dame and Kent State were originally scheduled to meet later in the season.
Notre Dame was originally scheduled to host Kent State on October 2, 2027, a date first announced in May. However, according to a contract amendment obtained from Kent State University through a state open records request, the game has been moved to August 28, 2027, and will be played at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind.
The schedule change aligns with the NCAA’s June decision to adopt a uniform 14-week regular seasonbeginning in 2027. Under the new format, most FBS programs will be permitted to begin their seasons during what is currently known as Week Zero, the weekend before Labor Day weekend, which will become the sport’s standard Week 1.
In the Marcus Freeman era, Notre Dame has never opened the season at home, and in all but one game, it was a considerable Power 4 opponent.
- 2022 @ Ohio State
- 2023 VS Navy in Dublin, Ireland
- 2024 @ Texas A&M
- 2025 @ Miami
- 2026 VS Wisconsin in Green Bay, Wisconsin
It’s hard to know the exact reason why Notre Dame opened the Ocober 2nd date up, but maybe that’s to fit BYU in the fold at that point in the season. No matter the reasons, Notre Dame is stepping in and making the changes it wants moving forward. Notre Dame hasn’t opened a season against a G6 opponent at home since Temple in 2017 — so maybe they just want a change.
I’d like new hardwood flooring, but I digress.
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