Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2026-2027 Season Outlook: Schedule, Odds & Tickets

After a memorable 2024 campaign that resulted in an appearance in the National Championship Game, Notre Dame entered 2025 with lofty expectations to contend for a national title. The Fighting Irish were ranked inside the preseason top 10 and opened the season against two top-25 opponents in Miami and Texas A&M. After losing both games by a combined four points, Notre Dame fell to 0–2 and dropped to No. 24 in the polls.

The Fighting Irish responded by winning their remaining 10 games to finish 10–2 and reenter the College Football Playoff conversation. A dominant running game and the emergence of freshman quarterback CJ Carr fueled the turnaround. Jeremiyah Love finished third in Heisman Trophy voting after rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on 199 carries, while Carr threw for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 66.6% of his passes.

The College Football Playoff committee ultimately left Notre Dame outside the field, ranking Miami and Alabama ahead of the Fighting Irish in its final rankings. Miami’s head-to-head victory over Notre Dame and Alabama’s stronger strength of schedule worked against the Fighting Irish, despite the Crimson Tide’s lopsided loss in the SEC Championship Game. Notre Dame subsequently declined its bowl invitations, ending the 2025 season abruptly.

Former Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry joined Marcus Freeman’s staff as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Henry was hired to replace Mike Mickens after Mickens accepted a position with the Baltimore Ravens. In 2022, Illinois allowed just 5.6 yards per passing attempt, recorded a nation-leading 24 interceptions and surrendered only 12.8 points per game, the lowest mark in college football that season. Super Bowl LX champion Devon Witherspoon developed under Henry, earning Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year honors and becoming a Thorpe Award finalist in 2022. 

Charlie Partridge was hired as defensive line coach, while Brian Jean-Marie was named linebackers coach. Partridge is widely regarded as one of college football’s top defensive line developers, notably helping develop J.J. Watt during his time on Wisconsin’s coaching staff. His experience could help Notre Dame maximize its defensive front talent in 2026. 

Notre Dame had six players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, headlined by the Arizona Cardinals’ selection of Love with the third overall pick. Love is expected to play a significant role in Arizona’s offense as a primary option on early downs while creating mismatches in the passing game. His versatility could provide a needed boost to a Cardinals rushing attack that ranked second-to-last in rushing yards in 2025. Running back Jadarian Price was selected 32nd overall by the Seattle Seahawks to help replace Kenneth Walker III’s production. It marked the first time in the modern draft era that two teammates were selected as the first two running backs off the board.

The New York Giants selected Malachi Fields in the third round to add depth at wide receiver after he caught 36 passes for 630 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 17.5 yards per reception. Tight end Eli Raridon was selected by the New England Patriots later in the third round, while offensive lineman Billy Schrauth (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fifth round) and defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio (Pittsburgh Steelers, sixth round) rounded out Notre Dame’s draft class.

Price complemented Love in the backfield, rushing for 674 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Jordan Faison led the team with 640 receiving yards, while Will Pauling recorded a team-high six receiving touchdowns. Boubacar Traore and Drayk Bowen anchored the front seven, combining for 10 sacks and 104 tackles. Leonard Moore and Brauntae Johnson spearheaded the secondary, combining for nine interceptions, 10 pass deflections and 79 tackles.

Notre Dame’s 2026 transfer class ranked 11th nationally by 247Sports after the Fighting Irish added seven four-star prospects. Jayden Sanders provides additional depth in the secondary after transferring from Michigan, where he recorded 23 total tackles and one pass breakup last season. DJ McKinney will complement Sanders in a talented secondary, bringing strong coverage ability and a physical style of play. Former Ohio State receivers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham add athleticism and playmaking ability to a deep receiver room. Graham caught six passes for 93 yards, averaging 15.5 yards per reception in 2025.

ESPN’s Football Power Index ranked Notre Dame’s schedule as the 56th toughest nationally. Miami and BYU highlight the slate, as both carry major implications for Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff hopes. The Fighting Irish will travel to Provo, Utah, to face a physical BYU team that retained major offensive playmakers such as LJ Martin and Parker Kingston in one of college football’s most hostile environments. A win could provide Notre Dame with a marquee top-25 victory if BYU emerges as one of the Big 12’s top teams, while strengthening the Fighting Irish’s chances of hosting a College Football Playoff game in South Bend. Miami will visit South Bend for an early-November matchup that could present one of Notre Dame’s most complete tests of the season.

The Hurricanes possess major offensive firepower led by Darian Mensah, Malachi Toney and Mark Fletcher Jr., while their defense has the personnel to pressure Carr and disrupt Notre Dame’s passing attack. The matchup also gives Notre Dame an opportunity to avenge its 2025 loss to Miami, which ultimately played a major role in the Hurricanes finishing ahead of the Fighting Irish in the final College Football Playoff rankings.

Expectations are high for Notre Dame this season, with the Fighting Irish entering 2026 ranked No. 4 in the preseason AP Top 25 and positioned as a national championship contender. Carr returns for his junior season to lead an offense that features a talented running back room and receiving corps, while the Fighting Irish also return a strong defensive unit. Some uncertainty remains along the offensive line after center Ashton Craig tore his ACL last season, while the starting right guard position remains unsettled. ESPN’s FPI projects Notre Dame to finish with roughly 11 wins, while most analysts list a 12-0 ceiling and a 9-3 floor. The Fighting Irish have the roster to compete for a national championship, but their ability to deliver in marquee matchups could ultimately determine their ceiling.

FanDuel Sportsbook lists Notre Dame at +650 to win the national championship.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2026-2027 Schedule & Tickets:

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Article by Christian Bongiorno