Notre Dame Lands No. 3 Seed in Early CFP Projections - And They’re Built to Back It Up
It’s only January, but the College Football Playoff picture for 2026-2027 is already starting to take shape - at least in the minds of analysts. ESPN’s way-too-early bracket dropped, and Notre Dame fans have plenty of reason to be optimistic.
The Irish are slotted as the No. 3 seed, earning a first-round bye in the expanded 12-team format. And based on the roster they’re bringing back, that projection isn’t just hype - it’s grounded in talent, continuity, and potential.
Let’s break it down.
A Roster Built for a Deep Run
Notre Dame enters 2026 with one of the most complete rosters in the country. Offensively, it starts with quarterback CJ Carr, who showed flashes of brilliance last season and now returns with a full offseason under his belt.
He’ll be protected by a reloaded offensive line featuring Anthonie Knapp at left tackle, Guerby Lambert at right guard, and Charles Jagusah, who’s back from injury and ready to anchor the unit. That trio alone gives Carr the kind of protection most QBs dream about.
At the skill positions, the Irish are stacked. Wideouts Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse return, bringing explosiveness and reliability to the passing game. Running back Aneyas Williams steps into a bigger role with the departures of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, but Notre Dame’s track record at that position speaks for itself - they reload, not rebuild.
And let’s not forget Mike Denbrock. The offensive coordinator has a full arsenal at his disposal and a quarterback he can trust. That’s a dangerous combination for opposing defenses.
Defense That Can Win Championships
If the offense is promising, the defense might be even better. Across the board, Notre Dame’s two-deep is arguably the best in the country. The secondary is elite, led by Leonard Moore, Christian Gray, Tae Johnson, and Adon Shuler - a group that can match up with just about any receiving corps in college football.
The linebacker room? Every single player from last year’s rotation is back.
That kind of continuity is rare, and it gives the Irish an edge in both experience and chemistry. On the edge, Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young return to anchor the pass rush, giving Notre Dame the kind of pressure off the edge that can flip games.
Add in a strong haul from both the transfer portal and high school recruiting, and this defense looks built to carry the Irish deep into the postseason.
Continuity on the Sidelines
One of the most underrated factors in college football success is coaching continuity - and Notre Dame has it in spades. Head coach Marcus Freeman returns, as do both coordinators and nearly every position coach. That kind of stability is rare among top-tier programs and should pay dividends throughout the season, especially with the expanded playoff format demanding depth, discipline, and consistency.
The Path Ahead
While the Irish are projected as the No. 3 seed, there’s a real chance they could climb even higher. The early-season schedule is more manageable than in years past, and with the new CFP rule granting Notre Dame an automatic bid with a top-12 ranking, the pressure to go undefeated is slightly eased - though don’t expect this team to take their foot off the gas.
Critics often throw out the “Notre Dame doesn’t play anybody” line, but that doesn’t hold up here. According to the projections, they’ll face two other playoff-caliber teams in the regular season: Miami, who’s slotted to host a first-round game, and BYU, who would face Ohio State in the opening round. If BYU gets past the Buckeyes, they’d meet Notre Dame in the quarterfinals - setting up a potential showdown between two physical, fundamentally sound programs.
Bottom Line
Notre Dame has everything you want in a title contender: a talented quarterback, a deep and experienced roster, elite defenders at every level, and coaching stability that few programs can match. Yes, they’ll need to handle their business on the field - that’s the case for every team in the top 12 - but if they play to their potential, the Irish could be more than just a No. 3 seed. They could be lifting the trophy when it’s all said and done.
For now, Notre Dame fans can enjoy the early hype - and feel confident that this team has the pieces to live up to it.