ESPN projects Notre Dame as a No. 3 seed with a first-round bye. An loaded roster promises a deep playoff run.
It appears that Notre Dame fans aren't the only group looking forward to the 2026-2027 College Football Playoffs already. ESPN released their Way-Too-Early playoff bracket for this upcoming season, and many should be happy with where the Irish fall. When I first scrolled through the article, I was appalled to see Notre Dame not playing an opponent in the first round and thought, 'how did they leave them out, AGAIN? Luckily, ESPN has them receiving a first round bye as the No. 3 seed.
"I was annoyed that the Fighting Irish were left out of the 2025 CFP, both because of the logic involved -- see the "physical separation" conversation above -- and because I thought they were good enough to win the national title. They lose some key players like everyone else, including star running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price and receiver Malachi Fields, a huge difference-maker in 2025. But the defense appears loaded, quarterback CJ Carr was dynamite for much of the season and, well, Notre Dame always has good running backs. Throw in the gross new "Notre Dame is automatically in with a top-12 ranking" rule and a much easier early-season schedule and you have maybe the single most likely CFP team of 2026." - Bill Connelly, ESPN
Notre Dame returns an exceptionally loaded roster this upcoming season. On offense, on top of Carr returning at quarterback, they have left tackle Anthonie Knapp, right guard Guerby Lambert, lineman Charles Jagusah returning from injury, receivers Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse, running back Aneyas Williams and a host of talented new comers. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will have a spoil of riches at the skilled positions led by a returning starting quarterback.
Defensively, they might have the best two-deep in the country across the board. There won't be a better secondary in college football than the one in South Bend that consists of Leonard Moore, Christian Gray, Tae Johnson and Adon Shuler.
Every linebacker in the rotation last season returns in 2026 and their two starting edge rushers in Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young return. The brought in a host of talent through the portal and high school recruiting to boot.
The Irish will have a top three roster in college football, and it won't be third. They also are one of the few top teams in the country that return both of their coordinators from the past season, their head coach, and almost every position coach from the previous season.
Now, they'll have to handle their business on the field, which is the same story for every team projected in this ranking, but if they play to their potential, I could see them being ranked even higher than No. 3.
Here's a look at the ESPN's projected playoff rankings for the 2026-2027 season:
1. Indiana Hoosiers
2. Texas Longhorns
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
4. Georgia
5. Oregon
6. Ohio State
7. Texas Tech
8. Miami
9. Ole Miss
10. Texas A&M
11. BYU
12. Hawaii
Based on this projection, they have Notre Dame playing two playoff teams in the regular season, contrary to the 'they play nobody' narrative. Miami is predicted to host a home playoff game while BYU will be on the road against Ohio State in Columbus in the first round. The winner of that matchup would face Notre Dame in the quarterfinals.
It's early, but now that the portal cycle is over, and rosters are starting to take form, it's hard to leave Notre Dame out of any 'title contender' conversation. Head coach Marcus Freeman will has his work cut out for him this season but if they make it out of the regular season unscathed, there's no reason the Irish won't receiver a first round bye.
-------
Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!