Notre Dame enters the 2026 college football season carrying the weight of last year’s disappointment and a clear sense of unfinished business.
The Fighting Irish finished the 2025 campaign at 10-2 but were left out of the College Football Playoff. In response, the program declined an invitation to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, a decision that underscored their frustration with the selection process.
That snub has fueled expectations both inside the locker room and among outside observers. Many now view Notre Dame as a legitimate contender for the national title this fall.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit recently added his voice to that conversation. Appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show,” he selected the Irish when asked to pick a national championship winner.
“I’m going Notre Dame… CJ [Carr] is the real deal,” Herbstreit said. “I like Notre Dame.”
Herbstreit’s endorsement centers heavily on quarterback CJ Carr, who delivered a strong performance in 2025. Carr completed 195 of 293 passes for 2,741 yards, threw 24 touchdowns against six interceptions and posted a 168.1 passer rating.
Those numbers established Carr as one of the more efficient signal-callers in the country and have only raised the bar for what he is expected to deliver next season.
Betting markets reflect the growing optimism around the program. DraftKings lists Notre Dame with the second-best odds to win the national championship at +650.
The 2025 season itself produced several memorable moments, none bigger than Indiana’s perfect 16-0 run that ended with a national title. Yet the year also featured plenty of debate, much of it focused on which teams belonged in the expanded playoff field.
Notre Dame found itself at the center of one of those debates. While opinions differed on whether the Irish deserved a playoff berth, the program’s decision to sit out the postseason bowl game left little doubt about how the coaching staff and players felt.
Head coach Marcus Freeman now faces the challenge of channeling that disappointment into focus. Supporters believe the roster is built to respond, particularly with Carr returning under center and a group motivated by the events of last December.
Herbstreit’s public backing only amplifies the spotlight. College football analysts often influence how fans and recruits view a program’s trajectory, and a vote of confidence from a longtime ESPN voice carries weight.
The Irish will need to prove they can handle that attention once the games begin. A demanding schedule and the usual parity of the sport mean nothing is guaranteed, even for teams with strong preseason credentials.
Still, the combination of returning talent, a clear chip on the shoulder and early support from prominent voices has positioned Notre Dame as one of the more intriguing storylines heading into 2026.
Fans will watch closely to see whether Carr and company can convert last year’s motivation into the kind of results that end with a championship trophy.
For now, at least one respected analyst is already on board with that possibility.
