Where Notre Dame football ranks in Week 11 Associated Press Poll after off week
For the second time this season, Notre Dame was rewarded — sort of — for sitting around at home, presumably getting healthier and prepared for the stretch run of the regular season. The Fighting Irish moved up in one poll and down in another following their off week.
Notre Dame is now No. 8 in the Coaches Poll and No. 10 in the Associated Press Poll.
The Irish were bumped up one spot in the Coaches Poll and demoted two spots in the AP Top 25. They’re firmly planted inside the top 10 entering November, a month that features consecutive home games against Florida State (1-8) and Virginia (4-4) and matchups away from South Bend against No. 18/19 Army (8-0) at Yankee Stadium and USC (4-5) in Los Angeles.
Through eight games, Notre Dame has only played one game against a team featured in the current rankings. That was a Week 1 win at No. 15/16 Texas A&M. The Aggies were just demolished on the road at South Carolina in a 44-20 defeat last night.
At this late stage of the season, though, the objective and path forward is simple for Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame. Win the rest of its games, and Notre Dame will be in the 12-team College Football Playoff and will have a legitimate shot of hosting a first-round game as a No. 5 through No. 8 seed. Another loss, though — even to undefeated and ranked Army — and the odds of qualifying for the CFP field decrease dramatically.
Week 11 College Football Coaches Poll
1. Oregon (9-0)
2. Georgia (7-1)
3. Ohio State (7-1)
4. Miami (9-0)
5. Texas (7-1)
Top 10
- 1Hot
Ben Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit asks for prayers
- 2
DJ Lagway injury
Billy Napier shares encouraging update on Florida QB
- 3New
Franklin defends Kelce
PSU coach approves viral phone smash
- 4
Gundy rips haters
OSU coach obliterates critics
- 5
Dylan Raiola
Nebraska QB expected to be healthy before next game, per report
6. Tennessee (7-1)
7. Penn State (7-1)
8. Notre Dame (7-1)
9. BYU (8-0)
10. Indiana (9-0)
11. Alabama (6-2)
12. Ole Miss (7-2)
13. LSU (6-2)
14. Boise State (7-1)
15. SMU (8-1)
16. Texas A&M (7-2)
17. Clemson (6-2)
18. Iowa State (7-1)
19. Army (8-0)
20. Washington State (7-1)
21. Kansas State (7-2)
22. Missouri (6-2)
23. Pittsburgh (7-1)
24. Colorado (6-2)
25. Vanderbilt (6-3)
