Notre Dame consensus No. 1: Three major preseason projections place Notre Dame as the No. 1 seed for the 2026 College Football Playoff. Georgia seed varies: Analysts differ on Georgia's projected seed, placing them anywhere from No. 2 to No. 6.

Notre Dame kick returner Jayden Harrison took the opening kickoff of the second half back 98 yards to cap off an unbelievable stretch of 17 points in 54 seconds against 2-seed Georgia in a 23-10 win in the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal.

Now listed at 215 pounds, Notre Dame football quarterback CJ Carr has packed on noticeable muscle this offseason.

The Irish, who were shunned by the CFP selection committee last year, are the team to beat in 2026 with QB CJ Carr and CB Leonard Moore.

Three teams on Notre Dame’s 2026 regular-season schedule made the Top 25 in preseason US LBM Coaches Poll. See where the Irish are ranked as well.