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Notre Dame Football: Irish Rank 3rd in Initial College Football Playoff Rankings

By Andrew Hall

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players react on the sideline in the first quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players react on the sideline in the first quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame football team is primed for a run at a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The Fighting Irish ranked third in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. Georgia and Alabama ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in front of the Fighting Irish. The Clemson Tigers ranked behind the Fighting Irish at No. 4. Just outside the Top 4, Oklahoma and Ohio State ranked No. 5 and No. 6 respectively.

In three out of the last four seasons, the Notre Dame football team has found themselves in the discussion for the College Football Playoff. In 2014, 2015 and 2017, Brian Kelly has brought his Irish into November with hopes of a National Championship. Although the team came up short in these two previous seasons, it shows that Kelly is bringing a lot more to the program than some give him credit for.

If the season ended today, Notre Dame would face Alabama. The game would most likely take place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This game would be a rematch of the 2012 National Championship game.

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Of Notre Dame’s opponents, Michigan State (#24), Stanford (#21), NC State (#20) USC (#17) and Miami (FL) (#10) and Georgia (#1) ( all were ranked inside the Top 25 of the College Football Playoff rankings. The Irish have victories over the Spartans, Wolfpack, and Trojans.

If the Irish were to win out, they likely would find themselves in the College Football Playoffs. Notre Dame would have victories over five Top 25 teams. The fans of the Fighting Irish need to continue to root for the Spartans, Wolfpack, and Trojans. As weird as it sounds to be a supporter of USC, the better these teams play, the stronger Notre Dame’s resume becomes.

Notre Dame faces Wake Forest on Saturday at 3:30 pm on NBC. Another dominant victory is needed for the Irish to stay in the Top 4 of the country.

What a difference a year makes. Last year on this date, the Notre Dame football team stood in tatters with a 3-5 record.

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