Skip to main content
notre-dame logo

Where Notre Dame football ranks in Week 7 Associated Press Poll after Louisville loss

Kyle Kellyby:Kyle Kelly•10/08/23•

ByKyleKelly

Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame offensive linemen Rocco Spindler (50), Zeke Correll (52) and coach Marcus Freeman against Louisville on Oct. 7, 2023.

Notre Dame has dropped from No. 10 to No. 21 in the Week 7 Associated Press Poll. The Irish slid 11 spots in the rankings following Saturday’s 33-20 loss to Louisville. The Carindlas moved up 11 spots to 14.

Notre Dame also ranked No. 21 in the coaches poll.

The Fighting Irish are coming off its worst loss (13 points) in the coach Marcus Freeman era. Before the Louisville game, Notre Dame’s biggest loss margin was 11 points, which came in last season’s loss to Southern California (38-27) in Week 12 on the road. Notre Dame also fell to Ohio State 21-10 in Week 1 of 2022. The Irish (5-2) welcome No. 10 USC to South Bend for their annual rivalry game on Saturday.

The Trojans (6-0) survived Arizona, 43-41, in a three-overtime game Saturday night. The Trojans initially trailed 17-0 with 13:05 to play in the second quarter. They took their first lead (21-20) with 5:44 remaining in the third quarter. Arizona tied it at 28 with 8:17 left in regulation. USC needed overtime rushing touchdowns from Caleb Williams and Austin Jones to secure a victory.

Against Lousiville, Notre Dame only held the lead (10-7) for 4:54. A 53-yard Spencer Shrader lifted the Irish ahead 10-7 with 13:18 to go in the third quarter. The Cardinals scored less than five minutes later to tie it at 10. They took the lead on their next offensive drive and never gave it up.

Notre Dame only totaled 298 yards versus Louisville. It had a dreadful day on the ground, rushing 28 times for 44 yards (1.6 yards per carry). Sam Hartman was 22-38 for 254 yards and had two touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Irish have won their last five games against USC in South Bend. In those games, Notre Dame has outscored the Trojans 165-98. The Irish hold a 50-37-5 record in the series. Notre Dame is also 28-13-2 at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EDT on NBC.

Saturday will be Notre Dame’s fourth consecutive game in primetime. In its first Eastern Time zone primetime game this season, the Irish lost, 17-14, on a last-second touchdown to No. 3 Ohio State. The Irish bounced back the next week to beat No. 17 Duke on the road 21-14 … only to fall to Louisville in Week 6.

Week 7 AP Top 25

  1. Georgia (6-0)
  2. Michigan (6-0)
  3. Ohio State (5-0)
  4. Florida State (5-0)
  5. Oklahoma (6-0)
  6. Penn State (5-0)
  7. Washington (5-0)
  8. Oregon (5-0)
  9. Texas (5-1)
  10. USC (6-0)
  11. Alabama (5-1)
  12. North Carolina (5-0)
  13. Ole Miss (5-1)
  14. Louisville (6-0)
  15. Oregon State (5-1)
  16. Utah (4-1)
  17. Duke (4-1)
  18. UCLA (4-1)
  19. Washington State (4-1)
  20. Tennessee (4-1)
  21. Notre Dame (5-2)
  22. LSU (4-2)
  23. Kansas (5-1)
  24. Kentucky (5-1)
  25. Miami (Fla.) (4-1)

You may also like