Notre Dame Football 2026 Preview: Why This Is The Best Irish Team In A Generation

Notre Dame enters 2026 with what Ty believes is the program’s best team since The Solid Verbal started in 2008, and unlike past contenders, there is no obvious weakness waiting to be exploited. CJ Carr is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, the offensive line should once again be a strength, and the defense is loaded with depth, pass rushers and one of the best secondaries in college football. The biggest offensive question is how Mike Denbrock replaces first-round running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, and whether Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse, Mylan Graham, Quincy Porter or someone else emerges as the receiving threat that can stress elite playoff defenses.

There are still things to monitor, including major turnover on the defensive coaching staff and a schedule that will fuel plenty of Notre Dame arguments. Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, BYU in Provo, Miami and SMU are the four marquee matchups, but the Irish could be favored in every game they play. If Carr takes another step and the new skill players emerge around him, how high is the ceiling for Marcus Freeman’s most complete roster yet?

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*Key Moments:*
0:00 A Complete Notre Dame Roster
1:52 The CJ Carr Hype Train
4:27 Replacing Key Playmakers
8:03 Defensive Coaching Turnover
8:29 Navigating the 2026 Schedule

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