Veteran college football analyst Josh Pate has unveiled his preseason top 25 rankings for the 2026 college football season, a list that places Texas at the summit of the AP poll but crowns his personal favorite as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Pate’s personal board ranks the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers at No. 3, while acknowledging that both Texas and Notre Dame have strong cases for the top spot, but he believes the Irish have the edge in his own evaluation.
Why Notre Dame Leads the Pack
Central to Pate’s preference is quarterback CJ Carr, who burst onto the scene in 2025 with 2,741 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions, earning the best Heisman Trophy odds and a MVP nod at the Manning Passing Academy.
Adding to the optimism, head coach Marcus Freeman will return with his full staff, including offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, marking the first time in the Freeman era that both the starting quarterback and play‑caller are retained.
The receiving corps also receives a boost with Ohio State transfers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter joining the squad, giving Carr a deeper set of targets heading into the new campaign.
Pate points to a schedule that is built for a title run, featuring just four true road games and marquee home matchups against Miami and SMU in November, a slate that could propel the Irish into the conversation for the No. 1 ranking.
The season will open with a high‑profile test at Lambeau Field, where Notre Dame will face Wisconsin on Sunday, Sept. 6, broadcast on NBC, setting the tone for what Pate expects to be a compelling year.