The College Football Playoff Selection Committee made its stance clear this week that Notre Dame belongs in the conversation. Despite two early losses, the Fighting Irish continue to impress with their balance, physicality, and consistency on both sides of the ball.
Eye Test and Résumé Still Matter
Notre Dame’s two losses might be the “best” in the nation when evaluating résumé strength, a one-point loss to No. 3 Texas A&M and a narrow defeat to No. 15 Miami in Week 1. While critics argue that the Irish benefit from “brand bias,” especially given Miami’s head-to-head win, the overall body of work tells a different story.
Since those early setbacks, Notre Dame has won seven straight, while Miami has gone 2–2 over its last four games. The Irish have shown steady improvement, while the Hurricanes have regressed both on the field and in coaching execution.
Notre Dame also holds the edge in strength of schedule, according to PFSN metrics, scoring 47.25 compared to Miami’s 31.63. Add in momentum and balance on both sides of the ball, and it’s easy to see why the committee continues to reward Marcus Freeman’s team.
CJ Carr Growing Into a Star
A big reason for Notre Dame’s success has been redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr. Quietly one of the most efficient passers in the nation, Carr has emerged as a steady, confident leader.
Through nine games, Carr has thrown for 2,275 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only four interceptions, completing 67.6% of his passes. He’s also added two rushing touchdowns. His 85.3 PFSN impact grade ranks 23rd nationally among quarterbacks, impressive for a first-year starter still finding his rhythm as the season wears on.
Carr’s improvement each week has given the Irish the balance that makes them so dangerous heading into the final stretch. Praise from Chair Mack Rhoades: called Notre Dame “a complete team,” and it starts with the team’s leader, QB CJ Carr.
“The committee really likes Notre Dame as a complete team,” Rhoades said. “Their run game is as good as anybody’s, if not the best in the country, when you think about their two backs, Love and Price. Then Carr at the quarterback spot — he’s the third-ranked quarterback in terms of passing efficiency in the country.”
The Nation’s Best Running Back Duo
The heart of this Notre Dame offense lies in its backfield. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price form what might be the best running back duo in college football.
Love has established himself as a legitimate Heisman candidate and potential first-round NFL Draft pick, ranking second nationally in PFSN’s running back grading system. Price, meanwhile, is projected to go within the top three rounds of the draft himself, a testament to just how deep the Irish are.
Together, the duo has combined for 26 total touchdowns and is on pace to surpass 2,000 rushing yards. That level of production gives Notre Dame the type of offensive versatility that few teams in the country can match.
Defense Finding Its Groove
The Irish defense, once viewed as a weak point, has rounded into form at the right time. PFSN ranks Notre Dame’s defense 14th nationally with an 85.9 grade.
Sophomore cornerback Leonard Moore has become one of the top young defensive backs in the country, while Christian Gray provides a strong complement on the opposite side. In the middle, linebacker Drayk Bowen anchors the unit, the vocal leader who ensures everyone is in position and executing at a high level.
Their improvement each week is a significant reason Notre Dame continues to climb the CFP rankings.
Marcus Freeman’s Impact and Leadership
Head coach Marcus Freeman deserves significant credit for the turnaround. In his fifth season at the helm, Freeman has instilled toughness, discipline, and adaptability in his team. His game planning and player development have elevated Notre Dame back to legitimate national title contender status.
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Freeman’s calm leadership and recruiting success have also positioned Notre Dame for sustained success beyond this season, something the program hasn’t consistently had since the early Brian Kelly years.
Final Thoughts
Notre Dame might not have the perfect record, but few teams in the country check as many boxes as it does. They’ve passed the eye test, built a balanced and explosive offense, and fielded a defense that is improving by the week.
While critics will continue to question the Irish’s playoff legitimacy, the metrics, results, and growth speak for themselves. As Marcus Freeman’s team keeps winning, Notre Dame’s path to the College Football Playoff remains wide open.
This isn’t bias; it’s balance, and the Fighting Irish are proving they belong among the elite.
