Notre Dame football: Where Irish land on updated ESPN early top-25
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football team should be one of the best in the country next season, but where do they land in the latest ESPN top-25 poll for 2022?
Going into the 2022 college football season, many expect the Notre Dame football team to be one of the best in the country. They have some things to sort out between now and their Week 1 matchup against Ohio State, but for the most part, they have the talent to beat everyone on their schedule next season.
That Ohio State matchup is going to be a huge test for Marcus Freeman and his staff, as the Buckeyes are expected to challenge for a national title this season. They also have the Heisman Trophy favorite in CJ Stroud at quarterback, a player many feel will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As we continue to inch towards the summer months, ESPN recently updated their ‘early’ top-25 ranking for the 2022 season. In previous rankings, Mark Schlabach put them at No. 6 overall, so have they fallen, or risen after spring practice and the Blue-Gold Game?
Notre Dame football remains at No. 6 overall
In the most recent update, the Irish remain as the No. 6 overall team, though they could end up a lot higher when all is said and done. A win against the Buckeyes would instantly make them a top-3 team, and two of the teams in front of them, Utah and Texas A&M, could easily stumble during the regular season.
The big issue with the Irish right now is on the offensive side of the ball, as they have yet to commit to a starting quarterback, and are very thin at the wide receiver spot. However, they are loaded along the offensive line, are deep at running back, and have the best tight end in the country, so they should be fine when it comes to putting up points.
Right now, this is a fair ranking when it comes to this Notre Dame football team, but if they win in Week 1, the rest of the country will be put on notice.