ESPN Power Index Down on 2020 Notre Dame

Now I think you’ve got to walk before you can run and simply put, Notre Dame hasn’t walked on the national stage, at least not in big games.  That said, I still have expectations for this team to make a run at a potential CFP berth.

I’m not surprised that Notre Dame is seen as a slight underdog against Wisconsin because the Badgers have been a model of consistency of late, but how much Wisconsin comes across as a favorite is a bit much to me.  It’s also worth noting these can change before a ball is ever kicked off.

The Clemson game speaks to what kind of powerhouse the Tigers are.  We all know Notre Dame will be an underdog but maybe the 13.3% is a bit surprising.  You should also know that the match-up with Notre Dame is seen as Clemson’s hardest game by the FPI as their game at Florida State checks in the second most difficult, a 91.2% chance at a win.

Just over 30% chance at USC seems ridiculous to me.  I know 2014 and ’16 have happened out there but for the last decade USC has peaked what, once or twice at the end of a season?  I don’t doubt they’re being slept on a bit but when you see them projected as favorites in ten games this season?  Little too much love for a team that’s done nothing to deserve it, a case of the numbers being, well numbers and nothing more.  I’ll be shocked if we get to the last Saturday in November and Notre Dame isn’t viewed as a favorite in this contest.