If and when Notre Dame does make the playoffs, they appear to have some reinforcements coming. The team has dealt with several key injuries over the last few months, but there is some hope that there is good news on the horizon. Getting as healthy as possible is key for this Irish team to try to make another strong run.

Hunter Yurachek explained the CFP selection committee's choice to rank Notre Dame one spot ahead of Alabama football.

College Football Playoff selection committee chair Hunter Yurachek said Notre Dame is ranked ahead of Miami because of the quality of the teams' losses

Since starting the season 0-2 with last-second losses to major playoff contenders, Notre Dame has settled in as one of the most reliable teams in college football. The Irish sit at No. 9 in the College Football Playoff Rankings with only games against bottom feeders Syracuse and Stanford remaining.

CFP chairman Hunter Yurachek explains Miami and Notre Dame comparison, and reveals what shaped the committee’s rankings.

Notre Dame enters at Week 13 with an 8-2 record, sitting No. 9 in the AP Top 25 and on track for a second straight College Football Playoff appearance. The 2025

The 8-2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish are gearing up to face the 3-7 Syracuse Orange this Saturday afternoon in their annual Senior Day game. This will be the fourth time since 2000 that the Irish host the Orange on Senior Day.

Quarterback CJ Carr has also emerged as one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the nation, completing 67% of his passes for 2,487 yards and 21 touchdowns. Next to Love, the star running back, the Notre Dame offense is incredibly potent and physical.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) reaches out to stiff arm Stanford linebacker Gaethan Bernadel (0) during a NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in South Bend. / MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images