Notre Dame entered 2026 still smarting from last season's College Football Playoff snub. The Fighting Irish were passed over for the final at-large spot in favor of Miami, which went on to finish as the national runner-up. But this new year offers a chance for redemption, and the 2026 schedule aligns perfectly with the opportunity. Only four true road games -- at BYU, North Carolina, Purdue and Syracuse -- and neutral-site matchups at Navy and Wisconsin limit travel, while most opponents are projected to be manageable for Marcus Freeman and his team. With potential Heisman Trophy-contending quarterback CJ Carr returning, the Irish are the way-too-early favorites to win the national...
