The preseason previews continue to roll in, and another outlet has put Notre Dame football in its top-10.
Yahoo! Sports is doing a series on teams that it thinks will be in the newly expanded College Football Playoff, and Nick Bromberg has Notre Dame ranked at No. 7.
Unfortunately, he remind us that while the Irish did lose three games last season, they also played Ohio State more closely than in they year before, and that most of Notre Dame’s wins were blowouts, save for a one-touchdown victory over Duke.
Speaking of Duke, Notre Dame added Riley Leonard as a transfer this year — Leonard was in Durham last season. Bromberg uses the addition of Leonard, the return of a deep core of talent (particularly on defense), and a “manageable” schedule as reasons why the Irish will be in the 12-team field.
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Bromberg rightly points out that the offensive line will have to replace three starters and that Florida State and USC are the toughest games on the Irish schedule. That said, even a 10-2 team is likely to qualify for the CFP.
As a reminder, if Notre Dame does make it to the CFP, they aren’t eligible for a first-round bye since those will go to conference champions. The possible highest-seed for the Irish is number five.
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