Malachi Fields has exploded for 11 combined receptions and 196 receiving yards in the past two Notre Dame football wins over Navy and Pitt.

Since starting the season 0-2 with last-second losses to major playoff contenders, Notre Dame has settled in as one of the most reliable teams in college football. The Irish sit at No. 9 in the College Football Playoff Rankings with only games against bottom feeders Syracuse and Stanford remaining.

Come fan with us. SB Nation is the largest independent sports media brand, consisting of SBNation.com, MMAFighting.com and over 300 fan-centric team communities.

Notre Dame enters at Week 13 with an 8-2 record, sitting No. 9 in the AP Top 25 and on track for a second straight College Football Playoff appearance. The 2025

PFF previews Saturday's matchup between Notre Dame and Syracuse on NBC and explains why Jeremiyah Love is poised to have a great game against the Orange.

Find single game tickets to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Syracuse Orange college football Week 13 matchup on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Notre

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr throws a pass in the second half of a NCAA football game against NC State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in South Bend. / MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Notre Dame vs. Miami in the CFP rankings is a vociferous debate. Sam Navarro / Imagn Images For much of the season, it’s seemed as if coaching carousel narratives have overshadowed the action on the field.

Quarterback CJ Carr has also emerged as one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the nation, completing 67% of his passes for 2,487 yards and 21 touchdowns. Next to Love, the star running back, the Notre Dame offense is incredibly potent and physical.

New players have been called on as the Orange search for answers. One new face has been freshman walk-on quarterback Joe Filardi, who is set to start against Notre Dame. After practice Tuesday, Filardi, running back Yasin Willis, and safety Berry Buxton spoke with the media.

Two local football teams will meet in a WIAA state title game for the first time when West De Pere faces Green Bay Notre Dame for the D2 championship