On a recent episode of ESPN’s “Get Up,” analyst Dusty Dvoracek staked a bold claim: the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are his pick to capture the 2026 college football national championship.
A Bold Prediction
Dvoracek pointed to a defense that he describes as elite, noting the return of several NFL‑caliber players from the 2025 roster, chief among them star linebacker C.J. Carr.
The Irish finished the 2025 regular season with just two defeats, both coming in early non‑conference matchups against playoff contenders Miami and Texas A&M, a testament to the team’s resilience.
The disappointment of being left out of the College Football Playoff that year has been framed as fuel for the program’s title aspirations, with coaches and players citing the snub as a catalyst.
Head coach Marcus Freeman has adopted the mantra “leave no doubt,” a phrase that encapsulates the team’s confidence and the aggressive schedule they have set for the upcoming season.
Notre Dame’s recent championship pedigree includes two appearances in the national title game, the most recent a loss to Ohio State in the 2015 Playoff, a history that adds a layer of urgency to their current quest.
Meanwhile, the Big Ten Conference is eyeing its fourth straight national championship, with Indiana and Ohio State emerging as the primary challengers to the Irish’s forecast.
If the prediction holds, it would mark a historic moment for a program that has long chased a return to the pinnacle of college football.