CJ Carr just dropped a five-touchdown performance on North Carolina, going 21 of 29 for 234 yards in Notre Dame’s 37-26 win Saturday. The Fighting Irish quarterback absolutely overcame a rain-soaked ball and a high-pressure Bill Belichick scheme that was clearly trying to rattle him. He wasn’t just throwing dimes either, adding a 9-yard touchdown run on a broken fourth-down play in the red zone. This dude is playing some serious football right now.
Carr’s Heisman Vibe Check
Look, Carr might not be the flashiest guy out there, rarely making a jaw-dropping highlight, but he is the perfect triggerman for Mike Denbrock’s offense. He’s exactly what Notre Dame needs to win a national championship this season, and the Heisman voters need to catch the replay. He’s only been sacked twice through five starts this season, thanks to a nasty offensive front that protects him like gold. Carr entered the week as the clear-cut No. 4 in the Heisman race, chilling behind guys like Alabama’s Keelon Russell, Ohio State’s Jermiah Smith, and Miami’s Darian Mensah. But after this game? You gotta wonder how much closer he just got.
This isn’t just a one-off performance either. Carr has thrown at least three touchdowns and rushed for another in three consecutive starts. That’s a huge deal, making him the first Irish quarterback to pull off that feat in 30 years. He even said it himself: “These guys just want it, we play hard and we play for each other so it’s a fun group to be around. We faced some adversity, but came out firing off (in the second half).” That’s the kind of leadership and grit you want from your signal-caller.
Notre Dame’s CFP Statement
This win was more than just padding Carr’s stats, it was a huge statement for Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff aspirations. The game looked tight, maybe even uncomfortably tight, after North Carolina’s Jaden Jefferson ran back a kickoff for a touchdown right after halftime. But instead of folding, Notre Dame marched down the field with a massive nine-minute drive, capped off with a fourth-down touchdown. That set the tone for a completely dominant second half, erasing all the drama of an early scare.
The CFP selection committee won’t drop its first rankings until November 3rd, but a second-half pullaway like that? That’s going to impact overall opinions of the Fighting Irish. Analytics models, like game control and strength of record, really come into play here. Notre Dame entered Week 5 already ranked No. 6 in the country in game control, sitting ahead of powerhouses like Texas, Alabama, and Indiana. Game control tracks a team’s average chance of winning throughout a game, giving context to how convincingly they handle their schedule. A close win would’ve been detrimental, but what they showed in a steady downpour was a taking-care-of-business victory. Remember, after being excluded from the 12-team bracket last season, Notre Dame gets an automatic bid if they are ranked in the CFP Top 12 on Selection Sunday this fall. They even rolled the dice in the second quarter, leading 21-7 and going for a knockout blow, though they failed on fourth down inside UNC’s 3-yard line. This team clearly isn’t afraid to go for it.
The Irish are making their case strong right now. Every game from here on out is a chance for Carr to solidify his Heisman push and for Notre Dame to prove they belong in that top 12. You gotta love watching a team hit its stride like this.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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