Notre Dame Fighting Irish is 0-0 on the season, 0-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +26.9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish enters the season with a power rating of +26.9, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish host Wisconsin next in Week 1. In 2025, Notre Dame Fighting Irish went 10-2 overall, 6-6 against the spread, and 6-6 on totals.
In Week 0 of 2026 the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Power Rating of +26.9 is 26.7 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Notre Dame Fighting Irish have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 6,979 miles, ranking 71th heaviest in the FBS.
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | — | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Wisconsin | 214 mi | 429 mi |
| Week 2 | Rice | Home | 429 mi |
| Week 3 | Michigan State | Home | 429 mi |
| Week 4 | Purdue | 94 mi | 617 mi |
| Week 5 | North Carolina | 556 mi | 1,730 mi |
| Week 6 | Stanford | Home | 1,730 mi |
| Week 7 | BYU | 1,328 mi | 4,387 mi |
| Week 8 | — | Bye | |
| Week 9 | Navy | 771 mi | 5,930 mi |
| Week 10 | Miami | Home | 5,930 mi |
| Week 11 | Boston College | Home | 5,930 mi |
| Week 12 | SMU | Home | 5,930 mi |
| Week 13 | Syracuse | 525 mi | 6,979 mi |
| Week 14 | — | Bye | |
| Week 15 | — | Bye | |
| Week 16 | — | Bye | |
Quarterback CJ Carr enters his second season as the undisputed offensive centerpiece after throwing for 2,741 yards with a 24-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2025. The Irish plan to remove the training wheels and let Carr attack downfield more, leveraging a deep receiver room that includes Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse, Micah Gilbert, and Ohio State transfers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter. Carr's accuracy and moxie make him a legitimate Heisman contender, and the offense's success hinges on his continued growth.
Despite losing running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, the Irish offensive line remains a powerhouse. Rising star tackles Guerby Lambert and Will Black bookend the line, while third-year starter Anthonie Knapp shifts to left guard. The return to health of center Ashton Craig and guard Charles Jagusah could make this unit dominant. The line's ability to create running lanes for Aneyas Williams and Nolan James Jr. and protect Carr will be critical to Notre Dame's offensive identity.
Coordinator Chris Ash returns a seasoned back seven that helped Notre Dame rank 10th nationally in scoring defense (17.6 points per game) and fourth in interceptions (21) in 2025. Linebackers Drayk Bowen and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, cornerback Leonard Moore, and safeties Adon Shuler and Brauntae Johnson form a formidable core. Up front, defensive end Boubacar Traore is poised for national acclaim, while transfers Francis Brewu (Pitt) and Tionne Gray (Oregon) bolster the interior alongside returnees Jason Onye and Elijah Hughes.
After two seasons of placekicking inconsistency, the Irish added Purdue transfer Spencer Porath, who made 15-of-17 field goals in 2025. Australian punter Jasper Scaife takes over for the second time in three years. Head coach Marcus Freeman has instilled a 'Leave No Doubt' mentality following last season's College Football Playoff snub, emphasizing sacrifice and edge. This mindset, combined with a favorable schedule, gives Notre Dame a clear path to run the regular-season table.
Notre Dame's schedule is conducive to a special season, with no obvious landmines and a neutral-site opener against Wisconsin where the Irish are heavy favorites. The combination of a high-powered offense, a veteran defense, and a motivated coaching staff positions Notre Dame to contend for a College Football Playoff berth. The key will be maintaining focus week to week and avoiding the letdowns that have plagued past Irish teams.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish is 0-0 against the spread in the 2026 season.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +26.9, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish's home field advantage rating is 2.2 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish travels 6,979 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 71th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 0-0 overall, 0-0 ATS, power rating +26.9.
