Welcome to the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff.
In anticipation of the first four-round postseason in college football history, we’re counting down our predicted playoff field as the season approaches. The top five conference champions in the CFP selection committee’s rankings will make the playoff and the rest of the field will be filled out by seven at-large teams. Who will lift the national championship trophy on Jan. 20 in Atlanta?
Previous previews: Nos. 25-13, No. 12 Boise State, No. 11 Utah, No. 10 Florida State, No. 9 Missouri, No. 8 Michigan
Click here for the viewer’s guide to the new College Football Playoff. (Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports)
No. 7 Notre Dame
2023 record: 10-3
Last season in 100 words
Marcus Freeman’s second season at Notre Dame went a lot better than the first even though the Irish improved by just one win. There wasn’t an 0-2 start or bad losses to Stanford or Marshall. A late loss to Ohio State in Week 5 stung, but it was a far different game than the 11-point loss in 2022.
The Irish also blew out nearly every opponent it beat. Notre Dame’s closest win was a 21-14 victory at Duke after the Ohio State game. Every other victory was by three scores or more and the season was capped off with a 40-8 blowout win over Oregon State in the Sun Bowl.
Quarterback Riley Leonard transferred from Duke in the offseason. (Joseph Weiser/Getty Images)
Why Notre Dame can make the playoff
The Fighting Irish bring back a bunch of talent, added a strong QB via the transfer portal for the second straight season and have a very manageable schedule. That’s a great recipe for a playoff appearance.
Notre Dame is, however, ineligible to get a first-round bye in the playoff. Since the top four seeds in the 12-team playoff go to conference champions, the Irish can only get a spot as an at-large team…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-preseason-rankings-with-transfer-qb-riley-leonard-no-7-notre-dame-has-talent-for-playoff-push-124317103.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-08-20 12:43:17
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
