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Newsstand: Where Notre Dame lands in ESPN’s Future Power Rankings

IMG_7504by:Jack Soble06/21/24

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Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. (Photo by Matt Cashore | USA TODAY Sports)

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.

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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.

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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

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