SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 07: Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Luke Talich (28) celebrates after catching the ball for an interception during the game between the Miami (FL) Hurricanes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on November 7, 2026 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 07: Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Luke Talich (28) celebrates after catching the ball for an interception during the game between the Miami (FL) Hurricanes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on November 7, 2026 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images · Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Pretty much everyone was surprised by Notre Dame’s No. 11 ranking in the first set of College Football Rankings. The Irish were ranked No. 4 in the AP Top 25, which put most fans at ease, but even my skeptical prediction (which varied between 7 and 9) didn’t come close to No. 11.

But that was last week.

This week we have a different outlook on who the Irish are, and I think the CFP Committee will as well — but it’s not going to be as good of a shake that many of you think should exist.

Here’s my prediction for the top 15:

  1. Georgia Bulldogs
  2. Utah Utes
  3. Alabama Crimson Tide
  4. Indiana Hoosiers
  5. UCLA Bruins
  6. Texas Longhorns
  7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
  8. Miami Hurricanes
  9. Tennessee Volunteers
  10. Texas Tech Red Raiders
  11. Kentucky Wildcats
  12. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
  13. Iowa Hawkeyes
  14. Oregon Ducks
  15. Houston Cougars

More than the actual rankings, I can’t wait to hear what nonsense they are trying to push this week when they trot Hunter Yurachek (don’t care if I spelled it right) to face the “hardball” questions from Rece Davis and the rest of the circus.

Source: Yahoo Sports