Notre Dame Critics are Ignorant and Wrong
Prediction markets don’t just reveal information — they expose people. They take the loud, confident, feelings-first sports discourse and ask one brutal question: how much would you bet on that? And that’s where brains melt. Scroll social media after any ranking drop and it’s a therapy circle of “X team should be above Notre Dame.” The arguments are almost never about probability. They’re about vibes, history, anger, and the need for Notre Dame to be overrated because that’s the story folks have memorized.
It’s not just fans, either. Paid analysts and former players do the same thing. They talk like brand and tradition are data points. But if you put a betting slip in front of them, how many are actually taking a real position against Notre Dame right now? Not many. Because deep down they know what the numbers say: the Irish are a nightmare matchup. Elite defense, grown-man lines, and a floor so high it travels anywhere. The market has been consistent about it, even when the noise isn’t.
People act shocked that Notre Dame would be a 3.5-point favorite in Norman against OU, as if power ratings haven’t been saying that out loud for weeks. That spread isn’t “disrespectful.” It’s reality. In legitimate predictive markets and serious power rankings, Ohio State is the only team with a meaningful edge on Notre Dame. Everyone else? Same neighborhood, and ND might have the sturdier house.
And here’s the funniest part: anyone outside of Columbus is delusional if they’re hoping to draw Notre Dame. The folks in Columbus know what’s up. Check the message boards — the last team they want to see in the bracket is the Irish. That’s the difference between watching games and pricing games.
So who can really win the whole thing? Ohio State, yes. Georgia, sure, but they’re more longshot than lock this year. Notre Dame, absolutely. Anyone else is going to need a lot of luck, the right bracket, and probably a couple injuries breaking their way. Markets break brains because they strip away coping mechanisms. They won’t let you hide behind feelings. And that’s exactly why they’re so valuable.
