Notre Dame a top-10 team in Lindy’s Sports preseason rankings
Another preseason college football ranking has Notre Dame in the top 10. The Lindy’s Sports top 25 — released in its annual football preview magazine — ranks the Irish as the No. 8 team heading into 2022.
The basis for it is a returning star at tight end, a potential incoming star at safety, an offensive line with upside and the exciting possibilities with first-year head coach Marcus Freeman.
“The O-Line returns intact and tight end Michael Mayer is a John Mackey [Award] candidate,” Lindy’s Notre Dame synopsis reads. “Northwestern safety All-American Brandon Joseph is a significant add from the portal. In Freeman’s one season at Notre Dame, the players bought in immediately and the enthusiasm continues.”
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What prevented the Irish from being ranked higher? Freeman’s inexperience.
“For all his energy, he is still a first-year head coach at a legacy program,” Lindy’s preview reads. “Let’s see how losses affect things (including fans). Opening at Ohio State is sort of ridiculous and Clemson visits in November, so there isn’t a lot of room for error.”
It all amounts to a projected matchup with Miami in the Orange Bowl. That would mark the program’s third straight trip to a College Football Playoff or New Year’s Six game. The Irish would have yet another chance at ending their major bowl losing streak, which they looked poised to do halfway through last year’s Fiesta Bowl in Freeman’s debut. A 28-7 second-quarter lead over Oklahoma State, though, turned into a 37-35 loss.
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“It will be fun watching Freeman put his stamp on the program, and there’s enough talent to sustain top-10 momentum, but the Irish need a major upset to be a playoff team,” Lindy’s preview reads. “The defense might need to keep Notre Dame in games early; projected starting quarterback Tyler Buchner missed the spring game due to an ankle injury.”
The big upset chance will arrive in Week 1, when Notre Dame plays at No. 2 Ohio State. The Irish host a top-five team in Lindy’s rankings when No. 4 Clemson comes to South Bend. They play two other opponents in Lindy’s top 25 – No. 19 BYU and No. 22 USC. (Note: Lindy’s rankings and magazine went to press before Pitt wide receiver and reigning Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison transferred to USC).
Lindy’s ranked all 131 FBS teams for 2022. The highest-ranked Notre Dame opponent outside the top 25 is Boston College (No. 39), followed by North Carolina (No. 50). California is right behind the Tar Heels, at No. 51. Stanford (65th), Marshall (73rd), Syracuse (89th), Navy (104th) and UNLV (115th) are the five lowest-ranked opponents.
Lindy’s Sports 2022 top 25
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia
4. Clemson
5. Texas A&M
6. Michigan
7. Utah
8. Notre Dame
9. Oklahoma State
10. Oklahoma
11. Oregon
12. Baylor
13. Arkansas
14. Miami
15. North Carolina State
16. Wisconsin
17. Ole Miss
18. Wake Forest
19. BYU
20. Michigan State
21. Cincinnati
22. USC
23. Houston
24. Kentucky
25. Texas
