About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sports Illustrated has been one of the few outlets taking the opportunity to put US LBM Coaches Poll No. 2 Notre Dame as the top seed of their mock College Football Playoff bracket.
SI had the Fighting Irish at No. 1 for three straight weeks , mainly due to being undefeated and dominating teams as they went. Despite beating Stanford in overwhelming fashion last Saturday, it wasn't enough for SI to give Notre Dame the top spot for a fourth week in a row.
Notre Dame defensive lineman Boubacar Traore (5) intercepts a pass during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) looks to throw a pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. (Michael Caterina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, center, celebrates with his team after winning a NCAA football game 58-7 against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) The Notre Dame leprechaun celebrates during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame quarterback Noah Grubbs throws the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr scrambles with the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame quarterback Noah Grubbs throws the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame wide receiver Jaden Greathouse catches a pass during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman walks the field before a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame running back Nolan James Jr. scores a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame running back Jonaz Walton rushes the ball for a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame wide receiver Jordan Faison (6) rushes the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame tight end Jack Larsen (85) gets tackled during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame wide receiver Jaden Greathouse, left, rushes the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame running back Nolan James Jr. (2) rushes the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Davis Warren #8 of the Stanford Cardinal is pressured by Armel Mukam #88 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on October 10, 2026 in South Bend, Indiana. (Justin Casterline, Getty Images) Notre Dame cornerback Dallas Golden (1) celebrates after a turn over during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame linebacker Kahanu Kia (43) celebrates after a turn over during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame defensive lineman Boubacar Traore celebrates after forcing a fumble during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame wide receiver Jaden Greathouse falls into the end zone for a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame linebacker Jaiden Ausberry (4) celebrates after picking up a Stanford fumble during a NCAA football game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame running back Javian Osborne, right, falls into the end zone for a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame running back Jonaz Walton (20) cerebrates after scoring a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams (22) catches a pass and scores a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) Notre Dame defensive lineman Loghan Thomas (10) celebrates after getting a stop during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 1 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame defensive lineman Boubacar Traore (5) intercepts a pass during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 1 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame defensive lineman Boubacar Traore (5) intercepts a pass during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 2 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) looks to throw a pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. (Michael Caterina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, center, celebrates with his team after winning a NCAA football game 58-7 against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 4 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal The Notre Dame leprechaun celebrates during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 5 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame quarterback Noah Grubbs throws the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 6 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr scrambles with the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 7 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame quarterback Noah Grubbs throws the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 8 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame wide receiver Jaden Greathouse catches a pass during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 9 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman walks the field before a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 10 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame running back Nolan James Jr. scores a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 11 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame running back Jonaz Walton rushes the ball for a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 12 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame wide receiver Jordan Faison (6) rushes the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 13 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame tight end Jack Larsen (85) gets tackled during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 14 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame wide receiver Jaden Greathouse, left, rushes the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 15 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame running back Nolan James Jr. (2) rushes the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 16 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Davis Warren #8 of the Stanford Cardinal is pressured by Armel Mukam #88 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on October 10, 2026 in South Bend, Indiana. (Justin Casterline, Getty Images) 17 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame cornerback Dallas Golden (1) celebrates after a turn over during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 18 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame linebacker Kahanu Kia (43) celebrates after a turn over during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 19 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame defensive lineman Boubacar Traore celebrates after forcing a fumble during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 20 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame wide receiver Jaden Greathouse falls into the end zone for a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 21 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame linebacker Jaiden Ausberry (4) celebrates after picking up a Stanford fumble during a NCAA football game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 22 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame running back Javian Osborne, right, falls into the end zone for a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 23 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame running back Jonaz Walton (20) cerebrates after scoring a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 24 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams (22) catches a pass and scores a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) 25 / 25 See photos of Notre Dame's 58-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal Notre Dame defensive lineman Loghan Thomas (10) celebrates after getting a stop during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune) The Irish dropped from No. 1 to No. 3 in SI's latest projected CFP bracket . Two teams – No. 1 Georgia and No. Ohio State – leapfrogged Notre Dame in seeding.
SI now has the Irish facing No. 6 Indiana in the Cotton Bowl of the CFP quarterfinal round. If Notre Dame was beat the Hoosiers, they'd move on to face the Buckeyes in the Orange Bowl of the semifinal round.
Even though SI is backtracking on Notre Dame's spot in the bracket, they still have the Irish going up against Georgia in the CFP National Championship Game in Las Vegas.
Source: Sport
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