Notre Dame Expected to Reach College Football Playoff in 2024

Since Marcus Freeman took the helm at Notre Dame in 2021, the team has achieved a 19-8 record, including bowl victories in the past two seasons. Despite this success, the Irish have not yet reached the championship level expected of them. With a projected win total of 10.5 and odds of 18/1 to win the national championship, Notre Dame is currently ranked eighth in the betting market, indicating a strong but unfulfilled potential. The offensive strategy for the upcoming season will be led by new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, who previously guided quarterback Jayden Daniels to a Heisman trophy at LSU. Denbrock's success will largely depend on the health and performance of Duke transfer Riley Leonard. On the defensive side, the return of standout defensive backs Benjamin Morrison and Xavier Watts positions Notre Dame to boast one of the top secondaries in the nation. The Irish's schedule presents numerous opportunities for victories, with the team favored in nearly all matchups, except for a closely contested season opener against a new head coach. Notably, the season kicks off with a game against Texas A&M, where Leonard will face his former coach, Mike Elko. Road games against Navy and Army are also expected to yield favorable outcomes for Notre Dame. As the Irish aim for one of the seven at-large bids in the revamped College Football Playoff, securing 10 wins could be crucial for their postseason aspirations. Instead of betting on Notre Dame to win 10-plus games at -205 odds, a more appealing wager may be on their chances to make the College Football Playoff.