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2026 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Predictions with Betting Odds and Best Bets

by Ryan Cobbett - 7/24/2026

Notre Dame Fighting Irish football predictions CJ Carr

The expectations couldn’t be higher for Notre Dame heading into the 2026 campaign. Not only did a rule change play in their favor, but the Irish also have an easy schedule, and they are touting one of the best defensive units in the country. They are coming off a 10-win season that was oddly disappointing as they stumbled out of the gates with back-to-back losses to Miami and Texas A&M. This year, it is not unreasonable to see the Irish put together a perfect regular season. They have two tough tests this season, but the schedule stacks up rather favorably. Marcus Freeman and the rest of the coaching staff have put together a championship-caliber roster on paper, but the pressure is on them to lead this squad to a National Championship game, and to come back to South Bend with a trophy.

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish Summary of Last Season

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish came up just short in their two opening games of the season last year. They opened the season with a too little, too late loss to the Hurricanes as their 17-point fourth quarter was not enough to come back and take down Miami. A week later, the Irish saw their playoff hopes all but eliminated when Marcel Reed and the Texas A&M offense put together a clutch drive that resulted in a touchdown with just 13 seconds left. The Irish then went on to win their next 10 games, picking up ranked wins at home against USC and on the road at Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, we did not get to see any postseason action from the Irish after they opted out of their bowl game after learning they were left out of the college football playoffs.

The Irish’s offense ranked 12th in the country in total YPG, and they were one of just 17 teams in the country to average more than 200 yards on the ground per game. They did this while averaging 42 PPG, which was the second-best mark in the country. Carr completed over 66% of his passes, totaling 2,741 passing yards, and 24 touchdowns. He also added three more rushing touchdowns, while only recording six interceptions. Jeremiyah Love was the focal point of the offense as he finished the season with 1,372 rushing yards with 18 touchdowns. His 1,372 rushing yards were good for a Top 10 finish in the country and his 18 rushing touchdowns ranked third in all of college football. He also added three receiving touchdowns. Jadarian Price was a solid backup for Love as he added 674 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns on the ground and another two receiving touchdowns. Aneyas Williams also added five rushing touchdowns in his limited action (24 carries). Jordan Faison and Malachi Fields were the top two receivers for this Notre Dame team as they both finished with more than 600 receiving yards and they combined for nine touchdowns. Will Pauling led the receivers with six touchdowns, while adding 381 receiving yards on 26 receptions.

Their defense ranked inside the Top 25 in the country in yards allowed (313.5 YPG). They help opponents to just 17.6 PPG and kept the opposition to right at 100 rushing YPG. Linebacker Drayk Bowen led the team with 67 tackles, while also recording 3.5 sacks, and three pass deflections. Cornerback Leonard Moore was one of the best lockdown corners in the country as he led the team with seven pass deflections while ranking in the Top 10 in the country with five interceptions. Defensive lineman Boubacar Traore led the team with 6.5 sacks while also adding a forced fumble and 37 tackles. Safeties Tae Johnson (four) and Luke Talich (three) combined for seven interceptions on the season.

2026 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Key Additions/Losses

The Irish rank atop the country in returning production heading into the new season, but that does not go without losing perhaps their two best playmakers from a year ago. Love and Price were both taken in the first round of the draft. Fields and tight end Eli Raridon were both taken in the third round, followed by interior offensive lineman Billy Schrauth (5th round), and defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio (6th round). Backup quarterback Kenny Minchey left for Kentucky via the transfer portal, while the Irish also saw edge rusher Joshua Burnham (Indiana), cornerback Cree Thomas (Colorado), and safety JaDon Blair (Missouri) also leave.

Despite the losses, the Irish not only have the best returning production, but they also put together an incoming transfer portal class that ranks 11th in the country. Their incoming portal class is headlined by defensive linemen Tionne Gray (Oregon), Francis Brewu (Pittsburgh), and Keeon Keely (Alabama). They also added wide receivers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham from Ohio State and cornerbacks DJ McKinney (Colorado) and Jayden Sanders (Michigan) to round out the class.

2026 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule Breakdown

The Notre Dame schedule may be the easiest schedule amongst playoff contenders. They open the season in an exciting neutral site game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau field. Then they have two home games against Rice and Michigan State. After the two game homestand, they will then travel back-to-back weeks to face off against Purdue and North Carolina. They have another home game against Stanford before their first big test of the season when they travel to Provo (Week Seven) to take on the BYU Cougars. Their next test doesn’t come until Week 10 against Miami. There is little doubt that Notre Dame wins 11 games and could possibly put together an undefeated regular season.

2026 Notre Dame Fighting Irish X-Factors/Big Questions

Can CJ Carr win the Heisman?

Carr is the betting favorite to take home the trophy, and rightfully so thanks to an easy slate of games ahead of him. He will need to put together at least one solid performance against BYU or Miami as Notre Dame will need to win one of those games, and Carr will need a strong performance in order to beat out Arch Manning, Trinidad Chambliss, and Darian Mensah as they will face much tougher opponents.

Can the defense lead the Irish to an undefeated season?

The offense will be stacked with Carr, Faison, the two Ohio State transfer receivers, and Williams who will look to fill the shoes of Love and Price. However, the defense was the focal point of the transfer class. The defensive line is going to be one of the best units in the country, and their secondary might be even better. The Irish didn’t lose much and, they got even better through the additions of Keely, McKinney, Gray, and Brewu. Notre Dame will have to shut down one of the best offenses in the country in Miami during their Week 10 matchup, and this game could be the one that makes or breaks a perfect regular season for the Irish.

2026 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Notable Odds:

National Championship: +650

To Reach CFP Quarterfinals: -280

To Reach CFP Semifinals: +135

Heisman Winner- CJ Carr: +700

Predicted Win Total: 11.5 Games

2026 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Predictions:

A top five defensive line, a top five secondary, the Heisman favorite, and a running back who scored a touchdown on over 20% of his carries last season. That is what Notre Dame is bringing to the table ahead of the season. CJ Carr will need to show that he has made big strides as he lost the ever-reliable duo of Love and Price, but he has many weapons around him and a solid line upfront to protect him. They have an easy schedule and will be an enticing pick to bring home the national championship this season. Notre Dame has the second-best odds to do so (+650), behind only Ohio State. With the schedule, if Notre Dame can get past BYU and Miami, they should finish the regular season undefeated. Take the over on the win total, take what could be the best defense in the country to lead the Irish to the CFP semis (+135), and take some stock in them bringing home the championship this season.

Prediction: Over 11.5 Wins, +172

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