Notre Dame Ranks 10th In ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 25

The Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings are pouring out now that the 2023 season is complete, and Notre Dame continues to rack up Top 10 preseason rankings. ESPN released its Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings for the 2024 season, and Notre Dame was ranked among the ten best teams.

In fact, Notre Dame ranked 10th in the ESPN list, which came out after the national title game was completed. 

"The Fighting Irish won 19 games in coach Marcus Freeman's first two seasons, and big changes are coming on offense in 2024. Offensive coordinator Gerad Parker left to become Troy's coach. Freeman replaced him with LSU's Mike Denbrock, whose Tigers unit led the FBS in scoring and yards per game in 2023. Leonard, who accounted for 43 touchdowns the past three seasons at Duke, was added to replace Hartman. The Irish landed Mitchell (Florida International) and Collins (Clemson) to shore up what was an underwhelming receiver corps. Mitchell led Conference USA in receiving yards last season, while Collins had 510 receiving yards and three touchdowns with the Tigers. Finding replacements for both starting offensive tackles and Estime (1,341 rushing yards with 18 touchdowns) will be priorities in the spring. The good news: Several defensive starters, including tackles Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills, linebacker Jack Kiser and safety Xavier Watts, announced they're coming back." - Mark Schlabach, ESPN

Notre Dame ranked 13th in the preseason Top 25 rankings from the Associated Press and Coaches Poll coming into the 2023 season. The Fighting Irish finished the regular season ranked 16th in the College Football Playoff rankings and the Coaches Poll, while ranking 15th in the Associated Press Poll. 

Two Notre Dame opponents were ranked in the ESPN Top 25 for 2024. 

Florida State is widely considered Notre Dame's top opponent in 2024, and that's also true for ESPN, which ranks the Seminoles No. 16 in their Way-Too-Early list. Louisville is next at No. 22.

Notre Dame gets both the Seminoles and Cardinals at home this season, with the Notre Dame vs. Louisville game slated for September 28th and the Notre Dame vs Florida State game slated for November 9th.

None of Notre Dame's other ten opponents in 2024 were in the ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 25.