With the format for the College Football Playoffs changing in 2025, the Notre Dame football program is looking at a season in which, if everything goes right, they'll get a Top 4 seed and a first-round bye. It's anyone's guess just how the season goes beyond that. The straight seeding will affect a lot more than just the Fighting Irish.
On3's Andy Staples took a pass at trying to project how the playoffs will play out next fall, and the Irish got some good news and some bad news in his predictions. The excellent news is that no one believes he put enough thought into it, or there will be quite a few upsets throughout the field.
Notre Dame projected to earn playoff bye, but it comes with a brutal twist
The most significant point to focus on in Staples' bracket is that the Notre Dame football team will receive a top-four seed. That also means they won't be hosting a playoff game this year.
NEW: College Football Playoff Prediction with straight seeding via @Andy_Staples🏆
— On3 (@On3sports) May 27, 2025
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While the Indiana game in 2024 was fun, it should be secondary to the best chance to advance. Being the No. 3 seed will do that, as the analyst believes they'll knock off No. 6 seed Alabama in the first round. However, that's where the bad news comes in.
Staples believes the Fighting Irish will get knocked off in their second game, allowing the Georgia Bulldogs to get some revenge for 2024. That upset would have the No. 7 seed 'Dawgs running all the way to the National Championship game against Texas. Along the way, Kirby Smart's squad is predicted to upset No. 2 seed Penn State as well.
Obviously, Notre Dame football fans would love to see Marcus Freeman lead his team to one of the top seeds in the playoffs. They'd very much like Andy Staples to be wrong about what happens after that.