College football’s 2023 season came to an official end just last night but already we’re looking ahead to what’s in store for 2024.
Here at Fighting Irish Wire we have rather high expectations for Notre Dame. No, we don’t think the title drought will end (hope to be wrong) but we’re on record of the bare minimum being making the College Football Playoff next year as it expands to 12 teams.
Various outlets are coming out with their “way too early” top 25’s for 2024 today and we’re keeping a watchful eye on many of those. One that stuck out so far though was what Bill Bender of The Sporting News had to say about Notre Dame, who the outlet ranked No. 8:
“The Irish will maintain independent status in the 12-team CFP era, and this first season is an interesting test run. Duke transfer quarterback Riley Leonard is the new answer for Marcus Freeman, and sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love and receiver Jaden Greathouse are set for larger roles. Clemson receiver Beaux Collins should thrive, too. The offensive line remains solid, and SN All-Americans Xavier Watts and Howard Cross III are back for the defense. Notre Dame opens with Texas A&M and could easily be 9-0 when Florida State comes to Notre Dame Stadium on Nov. 9. Will they have the strength of schedule of their SEC and Big Ten counterparts in the hunt?”
Strength of schedule or not it’s hard to imagine a Notre Dame team that can go 11-1 not being in the top 12 by regular season’s end. Run the table and you’re looking at a fifth seed that gets a true home game coupled with playing the lowest ranked of the four conference champions in the quarterfinals.
See how things can be shaping up in a big way for Notre Dame in 2024?
We’ve got a long way to go but just some juice to send you into the non-game-months with.
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