College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2024

7. Notre Dame (10-3)

Notre Dame is one of those teams that can be either truly elite or hovering around the middle of the AP Top 25 -- much like LSU. I'm going to give the Irish the benefit of the doubt because Marcus Freeman is entering his third year as head coach and I truly believe he's starting to figure things out.

Freeman went into the portal last offseason and landed Sam Hartman from Wake Forest and he did that again this year, landing Riley Leonard from Duke. However, Leonard is going to have to fend off a suddenly-confident Steve Angeli who dominated Oregon State in a blowout bowl win. Plus, talented freshman CJ Carr is coming in to bolster the quarterback room.

The offense shouldn't be a major problem despite Audric Estime and Hartman both leaving, but the defense is going to have some major shoes to fill like Cam Hart, JD Bertrand, Marist Liufau, and Thomas Harper. It won't be easy, but that side of the ball is usually fine in South Bend and Freeman addressed that in the portal with Rod Heard, RJ Oben, and Jordan Clark.

The third-year head coach also added three receivers in the portal which should help out the offense and I think this team has the schedule that sets up nicely for a 10-plus win season again.