As Notre Dame continues to sit at No. 3 in the latest US LBM Coaches and Associated Press polls, Sports Illustrated believes the Fighting Irish belong in a particular spot.
For the second straight week, SI has Notre Dame as the No. 1 seed in its updated mock College Football Playoff bracket. According to Bryan Fischer of SI, the Irish will have a bye into the quarterfinals, where they will face No. 9 Indiana in the Cotton Bowl after the Hoosiers took on No. 8 Iowa in the first round.
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman waits to lead his team onto the field before a NCAA football game between Notre Dame and Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman waits to lead his team onto the field before a NCAA football game between Notre Dame and Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame takes the field before a NCAA football game between Notre Dame and Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame arrives at Ross-Ade Stadium before a NCAA football game between Notre Dame and Purdue on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame defensive lineman Bryce Young, bottom, forces a fumble as he tackles Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne, bottom left, during a NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette. The ball was recovered by Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen and ran for a touchdown.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame quarterback Noah Grubbs calls for a player during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame wide receiver Jaden Greathouse catches a pass during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams rushes the ball during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame running back Jonaz Walton (20) rushes the ball during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame defensive lineman Boubacar Traore (5) waits for the snap during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame wide receiver Jordan Faison (6) rushes the ball during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame safety Joey O’Brien celebrates after getting a sack during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame tight end Cooper Flanagan rushes the ball for a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams (22) scores a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) scores a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame wide receiver Matt Jeffery hypes up the crowd during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen celebrates after getting a stop during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) rushes the ball during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame safety Brandon Logan (25) celebrates after getting a stop during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s 49-10 blowout win against Purdue
Notre Dame wide receiver Matt Jeffery celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Fischer then has Notre Dame in the semifinals for a Sugar Bowl contest against No. 5 Texas. Finally, Fischer pits the Irish versus No. 2 Georgia at the CFP National Championship game in Las Vegas.
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