ESPN FPI projects Notre Dame-Cincinnati

On a scale of 1-10 how confident are you in a Notre Dame victory vs. Cincinnati?

When No. 9 Notre Dame hosts No. 7 Cincinnati it’ll be one of the most impactful games all season in terms of the College Football Playoff (CFP).  Whichever team ends up winning will have gotten through their seemingly most difficult opponent without a loss.

If either is to earn a CFP bid this season they’ll have to go undefeated. Cincinnati for obvious reasons, seeing as they did last year but were essentially capped by the committee as multiple two-loss teams still finished the regular season rankings ahead of the Bearcats.

So what happens Saturday?  Plenty of experts have made their predictions and ours at Fighting Irish Wire will drop soon but here is what ESPN’s FPI says:

ESPN FPI Projected Winner: Notre Dame at 57.9 percent

The FPI currently ranks Notre Dame 13th nationally while the Bearcats check in at 17.  Somehow Clemson ranks fifth despite being 2-2 and having scored just five touchdowns in three games against FBS opponents this season.

Related: How ESPN’s FPI sees Notre Dame’s remaining eight games

Next: Other Notre Dame-Cincinnati Preview Content to be sure to check out