There's been all kinds of talk about the hype surrounding the Notre Dame football team heading into the fall. Almost everybody has the Fighting Irish making what might be the last 12-team College Football Playoff format. That includes Brad Crawford, who just put together CBS Sports' Post-spring college football bowl and CFP projections.
According to Crawford, the Fighting Irish are not only picked to make the playoffs but will also get one of the top seeds, which are rewarded with a bye. However, likely because of their rather easy schedule, they will only be No. 4 and take on the winner of the 5 vs. 12 game.
Marcus Freeman has Notre Dame football projected for a CFP bye after spring
"Our projected champions of the ACC, SEC, and Big Ten garner three of the top four seeds along with Notre Dame," Crawford wrote. "Whose schedule is conducive to high-end success this season under Marcus Freeman."
"As long as the Fighting Irish finish within the top 12 of the selection committee's final vote, they have a spot earmarked in the bracket."
Marcus Freeman has Notre Dame football in position to justify the growing hype
Crawford didn't go so far as to say how the CFP will play out. So he didn't predict who Notre Dame might play in the second round. He also didn't lay out how far the Fighting Irish will go.
Granted, with CJ Carr back for a second year and expected to be one of the top Heisman candidates, and a defense that's been fantastic during Freeman's entire tenure, it's not hard to see them getting to the semifinals at the very least.
Notre Dame continues to get believers heading into the 2026 season. Now they just need to prove those believers correct.
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