Notre Dame Riding Preseason Hype Train, But Experts' Predictions Don't Matter

Despite high rankings and Heisman buzz, the Fighting Irish's true success will be determined on the field.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 8:23pm

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Notre Dame is receiving significant preseason praise, with analysts like Josh Pate and Brett McMurphy predicting the Fighting Irish will contend for a national championship in 2026. However, the author argues that these "way too early" projections ultimately mean very little, as past predictions have often fallen short. The article cautions that while the hype is exciting for Notre Dame fans, the team's true success will be determined by how they perform on the field.

Why it matters

Preseason rankings and predictions generate a lot of buzz, but they rarely translate to on-field results. This story highlights the disconnect between offseason hype and actual outcomes, reminding readers that a team's performance is what truly matters when it comes to college football.

The details

Analysts like Josh Pate and Brett McMurphy have recently named Notre Dame as a top contender for the 2026 national championship, with Pate even picking the Fighting Irish as his preseason No. 1 team. However, the author notes that Pate's past preseason predictions, such as Alabama beating Oregon in the title game, have often missed the mark. Similarly, McMurphy had Georgia winning the championship in his "way too early" forecast last year, but the Bulldogs ended up losing in the Sugar Bowl. The article argues that while the preseason praise is exciting for Notre Dame fans, it ultimately means very little in the grand scheme of things.

  • In January 2025, Notre Dame defeated Penn State in the Orange Bowl.

The players

Marcus Freeman

The head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.

CJ Carr

The quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who is being listed as a Heisman Trophy favorite.

Josh Pate

A college football analyst who recently named Notre Dame his preseason No. 1 team.

Brett McMurphy

A college football reporter who predicted Notre Dame will win the national championship in his "way too early" forecast.

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What they’re saying

“It's all to say that, yes, Notre Dame seems to have everything a national championship contender needs to be in the picture, but that several other teams make a case as well.”

— Nick Shepkowski

The takeaway

While the preseason hype surrounding Notre Dame is exciting for the team's fans, it ultimately means very little when it comes to the actual on-field performance and outcomes. Past predictions have often fallen short, serving as a reminder that a team's true success is determined by how they play during the season, not by offseason rankings and projections.