Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock looks on at practice August 1, 2024 flanked by TEs Davis Sherwood (38) and Cooper Flanagan (87). (Photo Joseph Weiser)
In the last week both the AP and the Coaches preseason college football polls have been released and ND scheduled opponents are well represented, but none is ranked higher than the Irish who came in at No. 7 in both polls. Each opponent’s ranking is the same in both polls, as it is for ND.
Florida State is the highest ranked opponent coming in at No. 10. The Irish are currently a 4.5 point favorite in the game to be contested November 9 in Notre Dame Stadium. In it’s 2024 game by game breakdown from earlier in the summer, Fighting Irish Preview rated the game a toss-up. Mike Norvell’s Seminoles were 13-0 in the 2023 regular season before being famously snubbed by not being invited to the playoffs. FSU lost a lot to graduation, but have reloaded with 17 total transfers, including five from Alabama. DJ Uiagalelei who faced the Irish twice while at Clemson and now a grad transfer, will be FSU’s quarterback.
Coming in at No. 20 is Texas A&M who the Irish will take on in the August 31 season opener at A&M. Fighting Irish Preview also rates this game a toss-up. The Aggies under first year head coach Mike Elko brought in 27 transfers to add to an already talented roster, that boasts eight five star recruits. One of the transfers is the Big Ten’s top pass rusher a year agoout of Purdue, Nic Scourton. A&M is a 1.5 point favorite.
USC is No. 23 in the polls and the Irish will close the regular season against them in Las Angeles on November 30. Fighting Irish Preview rates this as a “lean to Notre Dame”. The Trojans have revamped their defense under former UCLA defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, and reloaded with 17 transfers in total. One of the nation’s best running backs over the last three seasons, Woody Marks comes over Mississippi State. ND is a 3.5 point favorite.
ND’s September 28 opponent at home, Louisville also garnered votes in the polls and was just short of making the top 25. The Cardinals came in at 26th in the AP poll and 27th in the Coaches rating. The Irish will be seeking revenge in the game after having been upset at Louisville last season, 33-20. ND is an early 9.5 point favorite. Fighting Irish Preview judged the match-up a “lean to Notre Dame”.
