David Pollack Thinks One Team Might Be A CFP Lock After Week 1

Even though the 2024 college football season is only one week old, former ESPN college football analyst David Pollack believes the Notre Dame Fighting Irish may have already clinched a spot in the 2025 College Football Playoff.

After No. 7-ranked Notre Dame recorded a 23-13 victory over the No. 20-ranked Texas A&M Aggies during Saturday's primetime ABC matchup, the Fighting Irish earned praise from Pollack through an impressive offensive showing in a hostile Kyle Field atmosphere.

Pollack also mentioned Notre Dame has only two top-25 ranked opponents (Florida State and USC) on the remainder of its schedule, which should allow the program to secure a CFP spot.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard finished Saturday's game with 158 passing yards on 18 completions and 63 rushing yards. Meanwhile, the offensive line created separation at the line of scrimmage, which allowed the Irish to score two touchdowns and accrue 135 rushing yards from their running backs.

With Notre Dame recognized as an FBS-Independent, the program's highest seed it can secure in the 12-team College Football Playoff is the No. 5 seed due to the top four spots belonging to the winners of the Power Four conferences.

However, the caveat of the fifth seed is intriguing as it would allow the Irish to host their first-round matchup at home against the No. 12-seeded at-large program. The matchup winner would then proceed to the CFP quarterfinal on a neutral site against the No. 4 seed, which would also be the lowest-ranked Power Four conference winner.

As the Fighting Irish have a relatively favorable schedule for the remainder of the season, the program controls its own destiny to qualify for the CFP for the first time since 2020.

Notre Dame's next game will be on Sept. 7 against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Notre Dame Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff. The Week 2 matchup will air on NBC and Peacock.

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