ESPN college football writers Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura both have Notre Dame projected to earn a second straight berth the College Football Playoff, and both have the Irish hosting a first round playoff game.

ESPN has updated its Football Power Index ahead of the 2025 season, and if the formula is correct, Notre Dame should have another great season.

When the Notre Dame football program takes the field against Miami on Aug. 31, it’ll feature four of the top 100 players in college football — at least according to ESPN projections. On Wednesday, five ESPN college football reporters — David Hale,

Notre Dame football saw one of its true-freshmen, WR Elijah Burress, getting named by ESPN as one to watch for this fall.

Notre Dame has lost some offensive depth during training camp with season-ending knee injuries to tight end Kevin Bauman and running back Kedren Young.

The No. 7 seed Fighting Irish will host the No. 10 seed Indiana Hoosiers in the first round. Among the 12 teams in the playoffs, ESPN’s FPI gives Notre Dame the second-best odds of winning it all.

ESPN analyst Pamela Maldonado believes that Notre Dame will have more regular season wins than current No. 1 Texas.