One of the most repeated, yet incredibly inaccurate, adages about the Notre Dame football team is that they don't tend to play any good teams. It turns out that, because of their independent standing, they tend to have to play more ranked teams than most.
Even if the Irish have periods when they play nothing but bad teams, such as the first weeks of the 2026 season, they handle themselves very well when they run up against good teams. A recent compilation of College Football Playoff-era statistics shows that the squad in South Bend knocks off more Top 25 teams than almost anyone else.
Marcus Freeman has Notre Dame football leaning on a powerful ranked-team track record
The Next Round podcast did quite a bit of work to put together every school's record against Top 25 teams in the CFP era. Those statistics show that Notre Dame's 32-24 record against ranked teams is among the best in the country.
Power 4 School Records vs. Ranked Opponents In CFP Era pic.twitter.com/ssh5uM9KX3
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) May 4, 2026
In fact, the Irish are one of just 10 teams to post a winning record against Top 25 teams since 2014, the beginning of the College Football Playoff era. It's quite a bit better than several ND rivals. USC is just 19-33 and Michigan is 24-29 over the same period.
Marcus Freeman has Notre Dame football holding an edge over rivals against Top 25 teams
It bears repeating that of the 68 teams that make up Power 4 conferences and the Irish, Notre Dame is one of just 10 teams that not only play ranked teams but also beat them often.
Even better news for those who want this trend to continue is that Marcus Freeman has been especially good against Top 25 opponents. In his three-plus years in South Bend, his teams have posted a 14-6 record against ranked opposition. That means his predecessor, Brian Kelly, was just 18-18.
Freeman and the Notre Dame football program will get a chance to improve on that record, though they'll likely only get a few shots, considering the schedule is quite a bit easier. Still, the idea that the Fighting Irish are scared of playing top opponents is undeniably wrong.
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