Newsstand: Notre Dame listed twice in top 10 non-conference games for 2024 season
Much of the 2024 season’s major matchups will be focused around new conference games after realignment. But there are also notable non-conference contests, and Notre Dame was listed twice in the top 10 games according to On3’s Jesse Simonton.
The Irish open the season Aug. 31 at Texas A&M with College GameDay in attendance. Simonton lists that major matchup as the No. 5 game.
“This is a juicy, juicy matchup,” wrote Simonton. “Marcus Freeman is entering the pivotal Year 3 at Notre Dame — taking a Top 10 team with a stacked defense and Duke transfer quarterback Riley Leonard into College State against former Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko. The Aggies have quietly had a strong offseason, and the roster is in much better shape than many might perceive after a slew of portal departures.
“ESPN’s College GameDay will be in attendance for this one, setting the stage for one of the biggest games in Week 1. We’ll find out right away if EA Sports is right about Kyle Field being the toughest stadium to play in.”
And Notre Dame hosting Florida State Nov. 9 cracked the No. 7 spot on Simonton’s list.
“These two rivals played an overtime thriller in 2021, and this year’s matchup between potential Top 15 teams should be primetime viewing. The Irish have one of their easier schedules in many, many years, and yet they show-up twice on this list. That’s the Independent life for ya. Depending on the outcome in Week 1 against the Aggies, this is probably a game Notre Dame must win to ensure its College Football Playoff hopes.
“The Seminoles are the co-favorites to win ACC again in 2024, so the matchup doesn’t carry quite as much weight. DJ Uiagalelei famously had the best game of his career in a loss to Notre Dame four years ago. Can he replicate the same magic and lead FSU to an upset win?”
Read the rest of the top 10 list here.
Notre Dame tweets of the day
Quote of the day
“He can do it all. He’s a passer, and he’s an accurate passer. He’s strong-armed, but he’s a freak athlete as well. He’s one of these guys who’s big, fast, strong, quick. He’s accurate. He anticipates well. He can throw the deep ball. He can throw the short ball with great touch. He’s the full package.”
— QB Country’s David Morris on Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard
Headlines of the day
- 4-star LB Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng will not rush his decision
- Inside Riley Leonard’s indelible journey from Alabama to Duke to ND
- Why Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard is ‘the full package’
- Notre Dame commits make jumps in latest On3 2025 rankings
- Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman named one of 21 Dodd Trophy watch list nominees
- Where Notre Dame targets rank in new On300 rankings
- Four-star safety Ivan Taylor flips commitment from Notre Dame to Michigan
