The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are in a state of anticipation as they await the announcement regarding their potential matchup in the first round of the College Football Playoff, set for next Sunday. Following a significant victory over Southern California, which almost secured them an at-large bid, their chances of hosting a game on December 20 or 21 have increased, especially in light of Ohio State’s recent defeat.
Notre Dame’s 49-35 triumph at USC was made dramatic by two late-game interceptions returned for touchdowns, one of which was an impressive 100 yards. This win propelled the Irish to No. 4 in the latest Associated Press college football poll, marking their highest ranking in four years. They were previously positioned at No. 5 in last week’s College Football Playoff rankings, and with Ohio State’s recent loss to Michigan, they are expected to rise when the updated rankings are released Tuesday evening.
Head coach Marcus Freeman highlights their early-season loss to Northern Illinois as a critical moment for the team’s growth. “To see where we were 84 days ago to where we are now is a testament to the trust and the decisions made by everyone involved,” Freeman stated. He emphasized the journey of the season and the need to remain focused on goals despite experiencing highs and lows.
Since that unsettling loss in September, Notre Dame has enjoyed a remarkable run, securing ten consecutive victories, which places them in a tie with Boise State for the second-longest winning streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Oregon leads with 13 consecutive wins.
The Fighting Irish also monitor their turnover margin as a measure of progress. Quarterback Leonard suffered two interceptions against NIU, both converted into field goals by the opposition, including one that decided the game. However, in the subsequent ten games, Leonard has only thrown three interceptions, leading Notre Dame to rank second nationally in turnover margin at plus-1.33 per game. Additionally, the team is one of the top-scoring units in the nation, averaging just under 40 points per game, along with a top-10 ranked defense.
“Sometimes you’ve got to lose to gain and make a big jump,” shared Freeman. He conveyed a positive outlook to his players following the loss, suggesting it could ultimately be a key learning moment for the team. “The greatest thing that happened to this program this season was a loss, because it taught us what it takes to have success.”
Looking at other teams in the Top 25, No. 3 Penn State has rebounded after their loss to Ohio State and is set to compete against No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten championship game, a crucial match for a coveted playoff spot. The Nittany Lions are riding a four-game winning streak with an impressive average margin of victory.
No. 11 Alabama continues to win despite some challenges, with a recent Iron Bowl victory over Auburn marked by four turnovers. Quarterback Jalen Milroe has struggled with turnovers but remains a key player for the Crimson Tide.
South Carolina, now ranked No. 13, is making a strong playoff contention case with six consecutive wins, their best streak in over a decade. Their recent victory against No. 18 Clemson showcased emerging talent in redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
UNLV, positioned No. 19, sees its playoff aspirations reignited following Tulane’s loss, having won four straight games and gearing up for a rematch against Boise State in the Mountain West title game.
No. 23 Syracuse has made notable strides under first-year coach Fran Brown, achieving their first nine-win season since 2018. The Orange’s victory over Miami marks their first against a top-10 team in several years.
In summary, Oregon remains the top-ranked team for the past seven weeks, with various teams, including Notre Dame and South Carolina, showing improved trajectories. Memphis has also achieved back-to-back ten-win seasons for the first time, further highlighting the competitive landscape of college football this season.