“Notre Dame is targeting Texas Tech’s James Blanchard for its new general manager position, sources tell me and @TomLoy247 for @CBSSports/@247Sports,” Matt Zenitz said in a post. “At Texas Tech, Blanchard has become of the nation’s most respected college front office figures.”

Two of Notre Dame's ACC foes have a bye the week before facing the Irish: Pittsburgh and Syracuse. N.C. State faces FCS-level Campbell as a prelude to its trip to South Bend, while Boston College plays at Louisville, and Stanford hosts archrival California the week before facing Notre Dame.

Freeman made an extended run to snag Blanchard away from Texas Tech before the Red Raiders at the time awarded Blanchard with one of college football's top dea