College Football Top 25: Buying or selling the 2015 preseason rankings

Dec 30, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) hands the ball off to running back Tarean Folston (25) during the first half against the LSU Tigers in the Music City Bowl at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Highest Rank:  4 (SI)
Lowest Rank:  12 (Athlon)

SELLING

There’s simply nothing to indicate that Notre Dame belongs in the Top 15, other than the fact that they are Notre Dame and it’s good for college football when they are making news – good or bad.

The Fighting Irish had a mediocre season in 2014, and it certainly shows in their stats, finishing 40th in scoring offense and 84th in scoring defense nationally. Every time it seems the Irish had a game in hand, they’d cough it up (did I mention their minus three turnover margin?) or letting a team hit on big plays to get back in the game.

Malik Zaire will try to do what Everett Golson never could, and that’s be consistent enough at quarterback to keep the Irish winning, and with most of the offense and defense returning intact, we’ll soon see if the problem has been talent or coaching in South Bend.

The Irish will finish in the Top 25, but don’t look for any less than three losses, probably four or five. They’ve got a lighter than usual schedule for a typical Notre Dame season, so that could play into their favor. The game against Navy sandwiched between Clemson and USC is a potential trap game.

Next: Clemson