Does this College Football Playoff prediction have Notre Dame slotted correctly?

Only one game has been played, but Notre Dame’s statement win at Texas A&M has the pundits and College Football Playoff bracketologists giving the Fighting Irish high marks.

On3 Sports’ Andy Staples has the Irish getting a five seed and playing UNLV in the CFP.

Notre Dame will never be able to get a better seed under this current format. Since the Irish are independent they can’t play in a conference championship game, and the top four seeds go to conference champions.

Staples believes that the growth shown by a young offensive line combined with a talented, experienced defense will set the Irish up for a shot at running the table.

The schedule certainly looks favorable right now, especially as Florida State struggles — the Seminoles were supposed to be the biggest challenge on the slate. That said, Louisville did beat the Irish last year and is currently in the top 25, and Georgia Tech, which beat Florida State, has snuck into the rankings. Long-time rival USC beat LSU this weekend and lurks just outside the top 10.

Florida State could rebound, too.

On the other hand, the Irish are home against Louisville and Florida State.

Things can — and will — change from week to week. But for now, at least one analyst is giving the Irish a good shot at the fifth seed.

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