2024 Notre Dame College Football Season Preview: Can Riley Leonard, Fighting Irish Reach Playoff ?
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are hoping to get over the hump in 2024 and return to the College Football Playoff. Thanks to an expanded field and an easy schedule, they are on the fast track to get there. Can Riley Leonard and the Fighting Irish get it done? Matt McCuen thinks so, and explains why in his 2024 Notre Dame season preview.
Matt McCuen - August 28, 2024, 1:00 PM EDT
5 min2024 Notre Dame College Football Season Preview: Can Riley Leonard, Fighting Irish Reach Playoff ?
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish enter the season with aspirations of becoming a National Champion.
Notre Dame is one of the most storied programs in college football.
This season creates a new opportunity for the Irish.
Notre Dame Prediction
College Football has expanded its playoff format to 12 teams.
This will allow a school like Notre Dame, one of the best regular-season teams over the last decade, a greater chance at a playoff berth.
The Irish are not a part of a conference, which could hurt them with the new playoff format.
Notre Dame finished with a record of 10-3.
Third-year head coach Marcus Freeman knows this is an important year for his Irish.
Riley Leonard was added from the portal from Duke and is a top-tier quarterback.
Leonard is a dual-threat who will help elevate this Irish offense.
Additionally, Notre Dame added wide receiver depth in Beaux Collins (Clemson) and Kris Mitchell (Florida International).
The Irish begin the year ranked 5th in the nation.
2024 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Season Schedule
- Week 1: Notre Dame @ Texas A&M
- Week 2: Northern Illinois @ Notre Dame
- Week 3: Notre Dame @ Purdue
- Week 4: Miami, Ohio @ Notre Dame
- Week 5: Louisville @ Notre Dame
- Week 7: Stanford @ Notre Dame
- Week 8: Notre Dame @ Georgia Tech
- Week 9: Navy vs Notre Dame (Neutral)
- Week 11: Florida State @ Notre Dame
- Week 12: Virginia @ Notre Dame
- Week 13: Notre Dame vs Navy (Neutral)
- Week 14: Notre Dame @ USC
2024 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Season Prediction
According to the analytics, the Irish have the best chance of going undefeated.
The Irish have an extremely favorable schedule.
Notre Dame will be one of the best defensive teams in college football while adding talent to their offense.
The Irish will be a playoff team with one loss and possibly two.
Pick: Notre Dame To Make Playoffs -155 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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