Notre Dame football fans, get ready to be excited! The initial SP+ rankings for the 2026 college football season are out, and the Fighting Irish are sitting pretty at third overall. Only Ohio State and Oregon stand ahead of them in the rankings, which is a testament to the strength and potential of this year's squad.
The SP+ rankings, crafted by ESPN's Bill Connelly, are a deep dive into the nitty-gritty of college football efficiency. Think of it as a power ranking that takes into account not just who you play, but how you play. It adjusts for tempo and the quality of opponents, making it a predictive tool for assessing a team's sustainable performance.
So, what fuels these rankings? Connelly looks at returning production, recent history, recruiting success, and any coaching changes that might shake things up. For Notre Dame, this mix has them edging out Georgia and sitting just behind Oregon, though Ohio State holds a more comfortable lead at the top.
Here’s a quick look at the top 10:
- Ohio State - 31.8
- Oregon - 28.3
- Notre Dame - 25.8
- Georgia - 25.5
- Indiana - 24.5
- Texas - 23.7
- Texas Tech - 23.1
- Miami - 21.0
- Texas A&M - 20.3
- LSU - 20.3
The SEC shows its might with 11 teams in the top 25, while the Big Ten contributes eight. The Big 12, ACC, and Notre Dame round out the list, with Boise State leading the Group of 5 at 39th.
Offensively, Notre Dame is flexing its muscles, ranking third with a score of 40.2. Only Oregon and Ohio State boast better offensive numbers. However, on the defensive side, Notre Dame lands at ninth, trailing teams like Ohio State, LSU, and Oregon.
Special teams? Well, there’s room for improvement there, as the Irish rank 47th, largely due to last season's struggles with field-goal kicking. Ole Miss and Baylor lead the pack in this category.
Looking ahead to Notre Dame's 2026 schedule, Miami presents the toughest challenge, ranked 8th in the preseason. BYU and SMU also promise to be tough matchups. Here's a quick glance at some of the key games:
- vs. Miami-FL: 21.0, 8th
- vs. SMU: 10.9, 28th
- at Syracuse: -0.7, 69th
Despite facing only two top-25 SP+ teams, Notre Dame's schedule isn't a cakewalk. The lower tier of their opponents is stronger than in previous years, with only Rice falling below the 90th mark at 120th.
Keep an eye on Syracuse, North Carolina, and Stanford, as these teams are expected to make significant improvements thanks to the transfer portal and coaching changes. Each has seen a notable jump in their ratings.
As the season unfolds, Notre Dame fans have plenty to be optimistic about. With a strong offense and a schedule that offers challenges and opportunities, the Irish are poised to make some noise in 2026.