ESPN just dropped its mid-spring update for the way-too-early 2026 college football rankings, and the landscape looks a bit different. Notre Dame, which had been sitting pretty at No. 3, now finds itself at No. 4.
That’s not really a knock on the Irish—more a sign of the strength of the teams that jumped ahead. Ohio State, Oregon, and Georgia have all leapfrogged them. Indiana, last year’s national champ, slid all the way from No. 1 to No. 6. Funny how quickly things can change, right?
ESPN’s Latest Rankings: A Closer Look
In ESPN’s latest way-too-early 2026 college football rankings, Ohio State rockets up to No. 1 from No. 6. Oregon and Georgia follow close behind.
Notre Dame hangs on at No. 4 and still looks like a legit threat. Indiana’s drop to No. 6 is a bit wild, especially since they just won it all.
Key Rankings and Changes
- Ohio State (1) – Up from No. 6
- Oregon (2) – Up from No. 5
- Georgia (3) – Up from No. 4
- Notre Dame (4) – Down from No. 3
- Texas (5) – Down from No. 2
- Indiana (6) – Down from No. 1
Teams like Miami at No. 7, Texas Tech at No. 8, Ole Miss at No. 9, and Texas A&M at No. 10 round out the top 10. The competition is fierce, and even small changes can shake things up fast.
Notre Dame’s Key Losses and Additions
Notre Dame’s roster took some hits this offseason. Running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price—who combined for more than 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns—are gone.
They’ll also have to replace wide receiver Malachi Fields, tight end Eli Raridon, offensive tackle Aamil Wagner, and safety Jalen Stroman. That’s a lot of production and leadership out the door.
Impact of Key Additions
On the flip side, the Irish have made some interesting pickups:
- Francis Brewu (DT, Pittsburgh)
- Keon Keeley (DL, Alabama)
- Jayden Sanders (CB, Michigan)
- DJ McKinney (CB, Colorado)
- Quincy Porter (WR, Ohio State)
- Mylan Graham (WR, Ohio State)
- Spencer Porath (K, Purdue)
- Tionne Gray (DL, Oregon)
These new faces should help patch the holes left by departures. Especially worth watching is Aneyas Williams, who averaged a ridiculous 9.3 yards per carry last year. He might just be the next big thing in the Irish backfield.
2026 Season Outlook
Even with the rankings dip, Notre Dame looks set for a solid season. Quarterback CJ Carr should take a step forward in his second year as a starter.
Getting Jaden Greathouse back from his hamstring injury could be a game-changer for the offense. On defense, nine of the top ten tacklers from 2025 are back, so there’s some serious continuity there.
Key Games to Watch
Notre Dame will be big favorites in almost every game—except maybe two:
- Home against Miami
- At BYU
Those games could decide if the Irish make it back to the national championship. They’ll have to prove themselves against powerhouses like Ohio State, Oregon, and Georgia, and keep an eye on Texas and Indiana lurking just behind in the rankings.
Conclusion: A Season of High Stakes
Notre Dame’s dropped to No. 4 in ESPN’s latest way-too-early 2026 college football rankings. Still, they’re hanging tough as a serious contender for the season ahead.
Honestly, the shifting rankings just show how wild and competitive college football can get at the top. With some new faces and a bunch of key players coming back, Notre Dame’s got a real shot to make some noise.
This season’s going to push them—no question. But if you’ve watched the Irish, you know they’ve got grit and enough talent to make things interesting.
If you’re looking for the full rundown and all the nitty-gritty details, check out the original article on On3.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
