The Associated Press released its Preseason Top 25 Poll on Aug. 12 and Notre Dame is ranked at No. 7. Entering year three of the Marcus Freeman era, Notre Dame is also ranked seventh in the Preseason Coaches Poll, which was announced a week ago. It is the seventh consecutive year that the Fighting Irish enter the regular season as an AP Top 15 team.
Last season, Notre Dame ranked 13th in the AP Preseason Poll. The Irish climbed as high as No. 9 after four straight victories to start the 2023 season. Notre Dame finished the season ranked No. 14 after defeating the No. 19 Oregon State Beavers 40-8 in the Sun Bowl.
AP Poll: Where the Competition Ranks
Three Notre Dame opponents in 2024 made the AP’s Top 25. Notre Dame will begin the season on the road against Texas A&M. That will be a battle of ranked opponents. The Aggies are No. 20 in the Preseason AP Poll. The matchup provides Notre Dame an opportunity to knock off a ranked opponent in Week 1. A win over Texas A&M would be the Irish’s first road win over a ranked team since they defeated No. 17 Duke last September. Notre Dame will tote into College Station a 3-2 all-time record against Texas A&M.
Notre Dame’s toughest test of the season looms on Nov. 9 when the Irish host No. 10 Florida State in South Bend. The Irish have won the last three matchups against FSU. The Seminoles hold a slight 6-5 all-time advantage in the series.
The Fighting Irish will conclude their season against another Top 25 team. USC, ranked No. 23 in the preseason AP poll, hosts Notre Dame in Southern California for the Nov. 30 contest. Notre Dame defeated USC 48-20 at home last year and has won five of the last six games against the Trojans. The Irish are 51-39-5 all-time against USC.
The six teams ranked ahead of Notre Dame in the AP Poll are:
Georgia (No. 1)
Ohio State (No. 2)
Oregon (No. 3)
Texas (No. 4)
Alabama (No. 5)
Ole Miss (No. 6)
College Football Playoffs Or Bust
Beginning the season ranked higher than each of its opponents, Notre Dame appears to have a manageable track to make the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Thanks to a favorable schedule, a stout defense, and a heavy haul in the transfer portal, Notre Dame is positioned for a breakout season. Toss in new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and transfer quarterback Riley Leonard, and the Irish should display a new dimension on offense even with a rebuilt offensive line.
The high rankings in both the Coaches Poll and the AP Poll mean little unless they translate to tangible success on the field. If the Irish can stay healthy on both sides of the ball, making the playoffs appears to be an attainable goal. Anything less than a berth in the CFP this season will be a disappointment for a squad entering the 2024 season trending the right way.
