Summary
Notre Dame is facing criticism for its 2026 football schedule. The schedule includes mostly teams with losing records from the 2025 season. This comes after a change in playoff rules that offers Notre Dame a better chance to qualify if they rank in the top 12.
Key Facts
- Notre Dame did not make the College Football Playoff this past season; Alabama and Miami (Hurricanes) were chosen instead.
- Changes to the College Football Playoff rules mean a top 12 ranking will now get Notre Dame an automatic spot.
- The 2026 schedule for Notre Dame includes many teams that had losing records in 2025.
- Critics described the schedule as weak and questioned if it might be the easiest in Notre Dame's history.
- Notre Dame will play against just four teams that had winning records in 2025.
- The team's head coach is Marcus Freeman.
- Some believe Notre Dame will be favored in most games in 2026.
