. She turned down a massive $5.1 million offer from Michigan to stay true to her roots and committed to the team she loves. That’s not just rare — that’s legendary
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SHOCKWAVES IN SOUTH BEND: Notre Dame Earns Top-7 Spot in ESPN FPI — Playoff Dreams Alive?!
In a bold statement to start the 2025 campaign, Notre Dame has landed at No. 7 in ESPN’s latest College Football Power Index (FPI) — and the numbers paint a thrilling picture for the Irish faithful.
This isn’t just a preseason hype ranking. The FPI model gives Notre Dame a legitimate 45.6% chance to crash the College Football Playoff, with a 7.3% shot at the national title game and a 2.7% chance to win it all. The Irish are tied for the third-best odds in the nation to go undefeated (7%) — something that hasn’t been accomplished since the 2012 regular season.
A Brutal Gauntlet Ahead
The 2025 schedule doesn’t offer any favors. Notre Dame faces four other FPI-ranked opponents, including:
No. 8 Texas A&M
No. 9 Miami
No. 19 USC
No. 22 Arkansas
This stretch will serve as the ultimate proving ground for head coach Marcus Freeman, who is entering a make-or-break year in his Notre Dame tenure. The Irish are projected to finish 9.3–2.7, but there’s a real belief this team could push for double-digit wins — and a spot in the final four.
The Big Picture
With elite talent on both sides of the ball, a rock-solid recruiting class, and a manageable (though challenging) schedule, Notre Dame is poised to reclaim its spot among college football’s elite. If the Irish can emerge from that FPI gauntlet with one loss or less, they won’t just be in the playoff—they’ll be a serious national title threat.
