Notre Dame moves down in ESPN’s updated Way-Too-Early top-25 for 2026
Notre Dame football made a move down in ESPN’s update Way-Too-Early top-25 rankings for the 2026 seasons.
With many teams coming to the end of their spring practices, Notre Dame still has about two weeks remaining, ESPN has made an update to its Way-Too-Early top-25 . In a previous version, the Irish ranked as the No. 3 team , but in this one fell a spot to No.
4. It really didn’t have anything to do with how many view the Blue and Gold, just that there is a new No. 1 team, Ohio State .
ESPN’s previous top team was Indiana, as the Hoosiers fell to No. 6. Mark Schlabach, who comprised the list didn’t really explain why Notre Dame dropped, instead spoke highly of the potential for this coming seasons team.
He believes that quarterback CJ Carr will be even better than his redshirt-freshman season due to the additions of Ohio State transfers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter and the potential of Jaden Greathouse. While he didn’t mention the Irish defense, you have to believe that there isn’t much concern on that side of the ball. Schlabach thinks that Notre Dame “should be right back in the mix” for a College Football Playoff spot this year, and that is the general sentiment around the program.