https://athlonsports.com/college-football/top-25-college-football-rankings
12. Notre Dame
Since going 4-8 in 2016, Notre Dame is 43-8 overall and has earned two trips to the CFB Playoff in that span. Coach Brian Kelly has established a strong foundation in South Bend and another season of at least 10 victories should be within reach. However, the big prize – the CFB Playoff – won’t be easy to attain again unless the offense quickly reloads behind Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan at quarterback (at least until Tyler Buchner is ready) and four new starters are identified up front. The Fighting Irish return All-America candidate Michael Mayer at tight end but need more playmakers to step up on the outside at receiver. Provided the line stabilizes, the one-two punch of Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree at running back should be the strength of the offense. The hire of Marcus Freeman to replace Clark Lea as defensive coordinator should ensure this unit doesn’t miss a beat. Safety Kyle Hamilton headlines the key returnees for Freeman, and there’s good depth, experience and talent in place to overcome some of the personnel departures up front and at linebacker. A manageable ‘21 schedule features a neutral-site matchup against Wisconsin in Chicago, home games against Cincinnati, USC and North Carolina and road treks to Florida State, Virginia and Stanford.
By Conference:
AAC:
1. Cincinnati (8th nationally)
2. UCF (Just Missed)
ACC:
1. Clemson (2nd nationally)
2. North Carolina (10th nationally)
3. Miami FL (14th nationally)
Big 12:
1. Oklahoma (3rd nationally)
2. Iowa State (7th nationally)
3. Texas (20th nationally)
4. TCU (25th nationally)
5. Oklahoma State (Just Missed)
Big Ten:
1. Ohio State (4th nationally)
2. Wisconsin (13th nationally)
3. Iowa (16th nationally)
4. Penn State (19th nationally)
5. Indiana (21st nationally)
MWC:
1. Boise State (Just Missed)
PAC 12:
1. Oregon (9th nationally)
2. Arizona State (15th nationally)
3. USC (18th nationally)
4. Washington (22nd nationally)
5. Utah (Just Missed)
SEC:
1. Alabama (1st nationally)
2. Georgia (5th nationally)
3. Texas A&M (6th nationally)
4. Florida (11th nationally)
5. LSU (17th nationally)
6. Ole Miss (Just Missed)
7. Auburn (Just Missed)
Sun Belt:
1. Louisiana (23rd nationally)
2. Coastal Carolina (24th nationally)
12. Notre Dame
Since going 4-8 in 2016, Notre Dame is 43-8 overall and has earned two trips to the CFB Playoff in that span. Coach Brian Kelly has established a strong foundation in South Bend and another season of at least 10 victories should be within reach. However, the big prize – the CFB Playoff – won’t be easy to attain again unless the offense quickly reloads behind Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan at quarterback (at least until Tyler Buchner is ready) and four new starters are identified up front. The Fighting Irish return All-America candidate Michael Mayer at tight end but need more playmakers to step up on the outside at receiver. Provided the line stabilizes, the one-two punch of Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree at running back should be the strength of the offense. The hire of Marcus Freeman to replace Clark Lea as defensive coordinator should ensure this unit doesn’t miss a beat. Safety Kyle Hamilton headlines the key returnees for Freeman, and there’s good depth, experience and talent in place to overcome some of the personnel departures up front and at linebacker. A manageable ‘21 schedule features a neutral-site matchup against Wisconsin in Chicago, home games against Cincinnati, USC and North Carolina and road treks to Florida State, Virginia and Stanford.
By Conference:
AAC:
1. Cincinnati (8th nationally)
2. UCF (Just Missed)
ACC:
1. Clemson (2nd nationally)
2. North Carolina (10th nationally)
3. Miami FL (14th nationally)
Big 12:
1. Oklahoma (3rd nationally)
2. Iowa State (7th nationally)
3. Texas (20th nationally)
4. TCU (25th nationally)
5. Oklahoma State (Just Missed)
Big Ten:
1. Ohio State (4th nationally)
2. Wisconsin (13th nationally)
3. Iowa (16th nationally)
4. Penn State (19th nationally)
5. Indiana (21st nationally)
MWC:
1. Boise State (Just Missed)
PAC 12:
1. Oregon (9th nationally)
2. Arizona State (15th nationally)
3. USC (18th nationally)
4. Washington (22nd nationally)
5. Utah (Just Missed)
SEC:
1. Alabama (1st nationally)
2. Georgia (5th nationally)
3. Texas A&M (6th nationally)
4. Florida (11th nationally)
5. LSU (17th nationally)
6. Ole Miss (Just Missed)
7. Auburn (Just Missed)
Sun Belt:
1. Louisiana (23rd nationally)
2. Coastal Carolina (24th nationally)
