ESPN ranks Notre Dame fourth in college football playoff projections

Following a win against Rice on September 12, 2026, Notre Dame holds the fourth position in the latest 12-team College Football Playoff projection from ESPN. This placement grants the team a projected first-round bye in the postseason field. The ranking follows a win described by analyst Heather Dinich as a complete performance, providing clarity after an inconsistent showing against Wisconsin. Texas currently holds the top seed in the projection after defeating Ohio State, while Miami occupies the third position. ESPN gives Notre Dame a 30.9% chance to finish the season with an undefeated record. The team faces upcoming schedule challenges, with Miami and BYU identified as the most difficult remaining opponents on the calendar. Notre Dame is eligible to improve its seeding position as the season progresses.

• 4:35 PMYahoo Sports — Where ESPN ranked Notre Dame in its CFP projection after Week 2