Newsstand: Where Notre Dame lands in ESPN’s Future Power Rankings
In ESPN’s Future Power Rankings — which aim to predict the best college football teams from 2024-26 — Notre Dame landed at No. 7.
Only Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, Michigan and Oregon, respectively, ranked ahead of the Irish. They’re ranked that high, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote, because of their bright future on defense and at quarterback.
“Notre Dame hasn’t been to the CFP since 2020 and boasts only a 19-8 record under coach Marcus Freeman,” Rittenberg said. “So why are the Irish so high in the team rankings? They continued to produce stifling defenses, excel at certain offensive positions such as line and tight end, and have the clout to elevate the quarterback spot, which has held back the Irish from consistently competing nationally.”
Rittenberg also pointed to Freeman’s stability at both coordinator positions, with Al Golden leading the defense and Mike Denbrock leading the offense.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Michigan loses QB
Carter Smith decommits from Wolverines
- 2
Hunter Heisman
Colorado star becomes betting favorite
- 3Hot
Terrible calls
10 worst CFB ref blunders
- 4
Nightmare scenario
ACC tiebreak chaos
- 5
Donald Trump
Former President nixes PSU vs. Ohio State
Notre Dame has a strong chance to find its quarterback of the future, Rittenberg wrote, between Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr. That’s saying nothing of Deuce Knight, who’s lighting up the Elite 11 finals this week and will arrive in 2025.
For ESPN’s full FPR, click here.
Notre Dame Tweets of the day
Notre Dame recruiting associate Carter Auman: Staying home, likely with a promotion.
More on Auman:
High praise for Irish quarterback commit Deuce Knight from a respected film analyst.
Quote of the day
“My knee is healthy and great. I think the biggest thing for me is getting that game shape back. I haven’t been able to get those game reps yet. I feel myself getting there with time.
“Also, just getting the mind-body connection back. I feel like that’s one of the things a lot of people don’t talk about with this injury. It’s difficult to connect your mind movements with your body movements again. I’m getting my body to work how I want it to work. That’s through reps and that’s through training very hard and lifting and what not. I’m being very intentional in the weight room and on the court.”
— Notre Dame women’s basketball guard Olivia Miles
Headlines of the day
- What Justin Thurman said about official visit, Jerome Bettis and Deuce Knight
- 72 days until Notre Dame football: An impressive offensive stat from 2023
- Deuce Knight named top performer from Day 2 of Elite 11 Finals
- WATCH: Exclusive interview with Notre Dame point guard Olivia Miles
- What an anonymous coach told Athlon Sports about Notre Dame football in 2024
- Hey Horka! What’s the biggest concern for Notre Dame football in 2024?
- Why top-100 safety recruit J’Zavien Currence visited Notre Dame with Nick McCloud on Monday
- Cross-Exam: Dissecting Ivan Taylor’s recruitment before Michigan official visit
- On3 names Deuce Knight its Elite 11 MVP
