Notre Dame drops in ESPN’s Football Power Index, but not as far as you’d think

It was not a Saturday for remember for Notre Dame football, as they once again fell at home to an unranked opponent, losing to Northern Illinois 16-14.

The loss was one of the more stunning results of Week 2, and while we expect the Irish to make a fall in the polls when they come out, ESPN’s Football Power Rankings still think highly of Marcus Freeman’s team after the loss.

Notre Dame was previously ranked as their No. 6, and moved down just four spots to No. 10 after the upset. Looking ahead at the Irish’s remaining schedule, they have two teams that are going to be difficult according to their rankings, USC and Louisville.

While many believe that the Irish may be out of the College Football Playoff race, the FPI still gives them a 22.6% chance to make the field of 12. The win-loss projection took a hit, as they now have Notre Dame closer to 9-3 than last week.

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