Notre Dame's football team is positioned as a strong contender for the national championship, with oddsmakers favoring them highly for the upcoming season. The Fighting Irish hold the second-shortest national championship odds at +650, trailing only Ohio State (+600) according to bet365 Sportsbook. Their odds to make the College Football Playoff stand at -700, significantly shorter than any other team in contention.
This strong outlook is supported by a roster featuring quarterback CJ Carr, considered a favorite for the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore. The team's defense is bolstered by transfers Bryce Young and Keon Keeley from Alabama, intended to enhance the pass rush and complement an already strong secondary. Despite potential for initial adjustments with new players, the team's schedule allows opportunities to integrate and refine their strategies.
Path to the Playoffs
The team's path to the playoff is considered less challenging compared to other top programs. As an independent school, Notre Dame faces the 56th-toughest schedule in the nation according to ESPN's FPI model. For comparison, Ohio State ranks eighth, Texas third, Georgia 20th, Oregon 26th, and Indiana 33rd in strength of schedule. Key matchups against BYU, Miami, and SMU will be pivotal, with the latter two games hosted at home. Bill Connelly's SP+ rankings project Notre Dame as three-score favorites in 10 of their 12 regular-season contests, and they are +160 to complete the regular season undefeated.
The early part of the season includes games against Wisconsin, Rice, Michigan State, and Purdue, which are expected to provide opportunities for the team to work out any early-season kinks and build momentum before facing more difficult opponents later in the schedule. This accessible schedule, combined with a highly talented roster and a perceived chip on their shoulder after being excluded from the 2025 playoff selection, positions Notre Dame as a clear favorite in many analysts' eyes to contend for the national championship.