Notre Dame's Big Break: How New Rules Boost Their Playoff Chances

Notre Dame football is riding a wave of good fortune. The College Football Playoff has shaken things up for the 2025 season. The new rules mean the Fighting Irish could get a big advantage. Before, Notre Dame was left out of the opening-round bye, even if they were a top-four seed. Now, the selection committee will rank the top 12 teams in the country. This change could put Notre Dame in a much better spot. Last year, Notre Dame showed they could compete with the best. They won three playoff games in a row. They beat Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State before losing to Ohio State in the championship. This run changed how people see the team. They proved they could beat top teams, even if they didn't win the big one. The 2025 season looks promising for Notre Dame. They have a talented roster. Jeremiyah Love, a Heisman Trophy candidate, will lead the backfield. They also have Jadarian Price, Leonard Moore, and Aamil Wagner. These players could make a big difference. Notre Dame has some big shoes to fill. They need to replace quarterback Riley Leonard and a few key defenders. But with their talent, they could still be a top contender. They are +1300 to win the national championship. That puts them seventh among preseason title contenders. Three SEC teams and three Big Ten teams are ahead of them. The Fighting Irish have a new defensive coordinator, Chris Ash. He replaces Al Golden. The team is also in the middle of a quarterback battle. CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey are competing for the starting spot. Steve Angeli, who backed up Leonard last season, transferred to Syracuse. This means the team has some big decisions to make. Notre Dame's coach, Marcus Freeman, is in his fourth full season. He has a 33-10 overall record. That includes a 14-6 mark against nationally ranked teams. Freeman is known for his tough love approach. He pushes his players to be their best. This could be the year Notre Dame finally wins it all. The new rules and Notre Dame's talent could make for an exciting 2025 season. The Fighting Irish have a chance to prove they are one of the best teams in the country. They have the talent and the drive to make a run for the national championship. It will be interesting to see how they perform under the new format.