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Countdown to kickoff: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State is eight days away

IMG_9992by:Tyler Horka•08/26/22•

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notre dame play like a champion today
Though Notre Dame has not won a national title since 1988, winning it all always remains the standard in South Bend. (Chad Weaver/BGI)

To preview one of the most anticipated games for Notre Dame this century and the official start of the Marcus Freeman era, BlueandGold.com is counting down the days to the matchup against Ohio State on Sept. 3.

This daily series of 99 stories celebrates by the numbers some of the most notable names, dates, moments and memories related to the past and present of Notre Dame football. 

With eight days remaining until kickoff, we examine the eight times Notre Dame has finished the season with the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press Poll.

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If the No. 1 sign atop Grace Hall had been a thing in a 45-year stretch from 1943 to 1988, the lightbulbs would have required changing quite often. Notre Dame ascended to No. 1 in the nation 21 times during that span. In eight of those years, the Fighting Irish finished with the No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll.

Frank Leahy won the first of his four national championships as the head coach of the Irish in 1943. He led Notre Dame to titles in 1946, 1947 and 1949 as well. Ara Parseghian restored the program’s glory with a national championship in 1966. He won another in 1973. Dan Devine took over and won a title in 1977. Lou Holtz was the last Notre Dame head coach to win it all in 1988.

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Only Alabama has finished as the No. 1 team in the AP Poll more times than Notre Dame. The Crimson Tide have accomplished the feat 12 times, six of which have come under the guidance of current head coach Nick Saban.

The combined record of Notre Dame’s eight No. 1 finishes was 79-2-2. Leahy had an unblemished 9-0 record in 1947. The Irish went 10-0 with Leahy in charge in 1949. Parseghian commanded an 1–0 campaign in 1973. Holtz led the program’s only 12-0 season in 1988. Holtz led Notre Dame to two No. 2 AP Poll finishes in 1989 and 1993. He could easily have multiple national titles to his name with the Irish. Since 1993, Notre Dame’s highest AP Poll finish was No. 4 in 2012. Brian Kelly led the Irish to the BCS national championship game against Alabama that year.

Notre Dame begins the 2022 season at No. 5 in the AP Poll, the Irish’s highest preseason ranking since slotting in at No. 2 in 2006. Head coach Marcus Freeman goes up against his alma mater in the season opener just over a week from now.

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