Game week for Notre Dame football as they take on Ohio State

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Irish are preparing for their first regular season in game in the Marcus Freeman era.

Although the Irish are on the road this weekend, the atmosphere around the season opener is already different

Notre Dame finally showing just a tad bit of emotions going into week one.

“We’re extremely excited. Finally, we’re in game week,” said Head Coach Marcus Freeman.

The start of the Freeman era is just five days away.

This time last year, Freeman was preparing for his first game with Notre Dame as a defensive coordinator.

Fast forward one year later, he’s preparing to take on his alma mater in a marquee matchup, as the head coach.

“What have we done and what haven’t we done to make sure this team is prepared. I spend countless hours. That’s all I worry about. Is are we preparing the right way, is this team prepared for what we’re going to encounter Saturday night,” Freeman added.

As a product of the Buckeyes, Freeman is aware of what to expect on game day.

“The opportunity to go play a great team like Ohio State. I’m sure it’ll be a hostile environment in Columbus, Ohio,” Freeman said.

If anyone knows the amount of pressure that comes with playing the Buckeyes at home, it’s Freeman.

He played for Ohio State from 2004 to 2008.

“I have great memory of running out on the field at Ohio Stadium,” Freeman said.

As the Irish prepare for the Buckeyes, Freeman is well aware of what the predictions are leading up to the game.

“Well, I didn't know that I’m going to write that down. So, 17.5 points, right. We'll use that in the team meeting today. You know, it's good to know, you know, I haven't paid much attention to the spread. But I remember the one time we're on college gameday, I said, just keep making go up and up, you know.

We'll have a ABC57 Kickoff special on ABC57 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

The game will air at 7:30 p.m. September 3 on ABC57. A special post-game Kickoff show will air after the game.