The latest AP Poll is out after Week 12 concluded and Notre Dame moved up in that one as well, just like the Amway Coaches Poll Powered by USA Today, earlier today.
The latest poll is as follows:
Here is the new top 25:
1) LSU
2) Ohio State
3) Clemson
4) Georgia
5) Alabama
6) Oregon
7) Utah
8) Oklahoma
9) Penn State
10) Florida
11) Minnesota
12) Michigan
13) Baylor
14) Wisconsin
15) Notre Dame
16) Auburn
17) Cincinnati
18) Memphis
19) Iowa
20) Boise State
21) SMU
22) Oklahoma State
23) Appalachian State
24) Texas A&M
25) Virginia Tech
Others receiving votes:
Indiana 47, Iowa State 31, Virginia 23, Navy 13, Air Force 12, Pittsburgh 9, San Diego State 7, USC 6, Washington 6, Texas 4, Illinois 1
How high can Notre Dame get by the end of the year? It’ll need help to be in the top-10 but here are a few things to take note of:
Wisconsin and Minnesota still have to play in two weeks, while Baylor has a great chance of meeting Oklahoma in the Big XII Championship which would mean a pair of guaranteed loses ahead of Notre Dame.
It’s also worth noting Penn State and Michigan both have to play Ohio State where the Buckeyes will be favored against both, meaning two more very possible losses for teams Notre Dame is within shouting distance off.
Finally Oregon and Utah meeting in the PAC-12 Championship will mean one more guaranteed loss by one of them.
What it all means is that if Notre Dame wins out they’ll have a realistic chance at finishing the regular season in the top-10 and in turn, have an actual chance at a Cotton or Orange Bowl appearance.
Stay tuned as the Irish continue their quest for a ten-win regular season and possibly a NY-6 bowl as they welcome Boston College to South Bend on Saturday.