Why Notre Dame’s No. 10 College Football Playoff Ranking Doesn’t Add Up

Notre Dame has been ranked No. 10 in the first College Football Playoff (CFP) Top 25 of the 2025 season despite holding a 6-2 record. The Fighting Irish's prominent position in the rankings highlights their potential path to the playoff if they win their remaining games, including a notable matchup against No. 24 Pittsburgh. Key victories include a win over USC, while their losses came against Miami and Texas A&M, the latter ranked No. 3 and undefeated.

The ranking has sparked debate due to Notre Dame's record compared to teams like Louisville, which stands at 7-1 and four spots behind despite defeating Miami, a common opponent. The selection committee, led by chairman Mack Rhoades, cited Notre Dame's solid performance on tape as a factor in their ranking.

The perception of conference strength also played a role, with the ACC receiving less favor from the committee, as evidenced by the lower rankings of Miami and other ACC teams. Louisville's