College Footabll Playoff – Syndication Server

Notre Dame’s Week 1 win makes believer out of pundit

Pundits and analysts believe Notre Dame’s victory against Texas A&M was no fluke.

It’s easy to overreact to the first game of the season, so most analysis should be consumed with that in mind. That said, Notre Dame did have to face a tough test early and the Fighting Irish’s 23-13 triumph over the Texas A&M Aggies has impressed more than a few observers.

On3Sports’ J.D. Pickell praised the Irish as a “Mature/salty team with zero flinch” and said that the win/the Irish are “gritty over pretty.”

He also said that we, as fans and observers, can trust that the Irish weren’t a fluke in Week 1 and will be in the playoff hunt all season.

He also added “I love everything about Notre Dame,” praising the maturity of the roster while noting seven defensive players are grad students.

Notre Dame is already creating playoff buzz. — COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – AUGUST 31: Howard Cross III #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates his sack with Rylie Mills #99 against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on August 31, 2024 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)

Pickell did point out that Florida State and USC could give the Irish fits, but he also thinks that even if the Irish finish 10-2, they will be in the College Football Playoff.

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On3’s Nick Schultz places Notre Dame 10th in preseason rankings

This would be acceptable.

Most college football experts agree that Notre Dame will have a good 2024 season. There’s some debate though about whether it will be good enough for a College Football Playoff berth. If someone ranks the Irish in the top 12 of their preseason rankings though, chances are they think the Irish are good enough.

On3’s Nick Schultz has released his top 25 teams entering 2024. He opted to rank the Irish 10th and explained his reasoning this way:

“Year 3 for [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] is looking like an important one at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have CFP hopes this year with some talent injected into the offense, and it’s leading to some top-10 buzz.

[autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] will likely lead the offense, and [autotag]Xavier Watts[/autotag] is back on defense after leading the team in interceptions a season ago. Add in new offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] – who’s back in South Bend – Notre Dame will take on a new look with a CFP run in its sights.”

There’s at least one standard for the Irish to clear. Can they do it? We’ll see very soon.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Notre Dame-Michigan in the Big House this postseason?

Many are saying this would be a big deal

If you ask a Notre Dame fan who their biggest rival is, they’ll answer Southern Cal.

If you ask a Michigan fan, they’ll say the team down south.

However, if you ask them about each other, most things that will be said aren’t going to be very complimentary. Heck, the two dislike each other so much that they’ve both gone extended time refusing to schedule the other.

The two longtime rivals aren’t set to play each other again until a home-and-home together in 2033 and 2034.

Andy Staples of On3 put together his 12-team College Football Playoff projection on Tuesday, and what do you know, he has Notre Dame earning the ninth seed and traveling to take on No. 8 Michigan in the first round.

Perhaps even better is he gave Ohio State the No. 1 seed, which means the Notre Dame-Michigan winner would take on the Buckeyes.

And with that alone you can see why the intrigue for this expanded College Football Playoff is so great, even if it continues to decimate many of the game’s traditions.

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