The college football season officially gets underway this weekend, with the start of Week 1 seeing Notre Dame travel to Lambeau Field to take on the in the Shamrock Series game.
The expectations couldn’t be higher for the Irish, with many expecting them to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff. Is it possible that Notre Dame ends its championship drought dating back to 1988? think that could be the case.
On Wednesday, their college football staff made their final predictions for the 2026 season, and five of their twelve analysts picked Notre Dame to win. It was the most selections of any team, with getting three votes, then rounding out the picks with and each getting two. The five that picked the Irish were Andrea Adelson, Bill Connelly, David Hale, Eli Lederman and Adam Rittenberg, who believe that both Notre Dame and BYU could be undefeated when they face each other, calling it his game of the year.
ESPN’s staff also picked who they believe will win the Heisman Trophy, with Irish quarterback CJ Carr getting selected by Hale and Max Olson. Most believe that the award goes to Buckeye wide receiver Jeremiah Smith as his teammate Julian Sayin also getting picked multiple times. Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney got a couple votes, along with Oregon’s Dante Moore and Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss.
By all accounts, ESPN is extremely high on Notre Dame this fall, and having them in your corner will surely help when it comes to the CFP selection process.
And our staff roundtable on national title predictions, game of the year, the Heisman race and more: — Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg)Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.
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