Although much can’t change at the moment with on-field improvements, ESPN still is looking forward to the 2020 season by releasing a post-spring football power index. This one is a bit different as they combined the FPI with their Allstate Playoff Predictor and predicted what percentage the top teams have to make the College Football Playoff.
Seth Walder, who put together the data, sees the Irish’s chances at being one of the four teams to have a chance at a National Championship as slim, just 3% to be selected in the CFP. Their chances for a title are even lower, at under 1%, which makes sense when looking at the percentage of making the playoffs.
It seems like the data doesn’t favor Brian Kelly’s 2020 squad, but that shouldn’t mean the Irish won’t be competitive this fall. Looking at some of the teams ahead of Notre Dame, you will see two opponents projected into the final four. Clemson, who annually represents the ACC, and a surprise, Wisconsin, are two of the four to advance in this projection. The Tigers are a no-brainer, as they have only missed out on only the first edition of the CFP, but the Badgers have never been selected. I am not as high on Wisconsin as ESPN is at the moment, replacing a record setting running back, your top 2 receivers, best linebacker and senior center is a tall task.
The Irish will most likely end up facing just one playoff competitor this season, Clemson, but that game along with the trip to Lambeau to face the Badgers won’t be easy. Here’s to making this version of the FPI wrong, and the Irish having a chance to really put a wrench into the committee’s thinking when they select their final four.