About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US LBM Coaches Poll No. 8 Notre Dame is still holding its own in projected College Football Playoff pictures.
Despite the loss to No. 4 BYU , ESPN's Heather Dinich believes the Fighting Irish still have a chance at a top-four seed in the CFP .
"It was a close loss on the road against a ranked opponent – which isn't doomsday in the committee meeting room, but Notre Dame doesn't have much on its résumé to help overcome it," Dinich said in her latest CFP report. "The Fighting Irish are helped by the BYU defeat being considered a good loss in the room – better than Georgia losing at home to unranked Auburn or even Indiana losing at home to Ohio State and certainly better than Ole Miss getting hammered at Florida . It also helped Notre Dame that Alabama and Texas do have two losses each."
Dinich, however, explains why the Irish could be lower than the No. 4 seed.
"Notre Dame has two wins against Power 4 opponents above .500: Wisconsin and at North Carolina ," Dinich added. "The Irish's defense, which has been one of the nation's best, allowed BYU's Bear Bachmeier to complete 72% of his passes in the first half when they fell behind by 11 points."
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander III runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs for a two-point conversion against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Micah Gilbert of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looses a pass during the first half of their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader holds a sign during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Allegiant Stadium. (Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports) Preston Rex of the Brigham Young Cougars is chased by Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders perform before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) can't make a catch against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Cade Uluave (4) during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 2 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander III runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs for a two-point conversion against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 5 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Micah Gilbert of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looses a pass during the first half of their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 6 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader holds a sign during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Allegiant Stadium. (Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports) 7 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Preston Rex of the Brigham Young Cougars is chased by Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 8 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders perform before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 9 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 10 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 11 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 12 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 13 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 14 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 15 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 16 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 17 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 18 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 19 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) can't make a catch against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 20 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Cade Uluave (4) during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 21 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Dinich noted that Notre Dame is "guaranteed a spot in the CFP if it finishes in the top 12" on Selection Day, but "it's not guaranteed a spot in the top 12."
The Irish's Nov. 7 matchup against top-ranked Miami is the toughest remaining game on their schedule. According to ESPN's Football Power Index, Notre Dame has at least a 50% chance to win the rest of its games on the regular-season schedule.
"Which means beating (No. 1) Miami in November and avoiding a second loss is critical to its own mantra of 'leave no doubt,'" Dinich said. "If Notre Dame also falls to Miami, it will have lost the two biggest games on its schedule without a conference title opportunity to make up for it. That would open the door for debate in the committee meeting room."
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Is Notre Dame still a factor in ESPN's latest CFP projections?
Source: Sports
