Notre Dame: 3 games that will define 2026 season

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Notre Dame enters 2026 looking to return to the College Football Playoff after being left out last season with a 10-2 record.

The Irish lost by a combined four points against CFP teams Texas A&M and Miami. However, a relatively weak schedule didn’t help their case. ND only beat two ranked teams, USC and Pittsburgh.

USC is off the schedule this fall, and the Irish have a weaker schedule than last season. Notre Dame’s margin for error is smaller this year.

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Here are the three games that will define Notre Dame’s season.

Notre Dame at BYU (Oct. 17)

It could be until mid-October before Notre Dame plays a ranked team. BYU was supposed to be the Fighting Irish’s opponent in the Pop-Tarts Bowl before ND pulled out. ND added BYU to the schedule after losing its rivalry game with USC.

The Cougars nearly made the CFP last season, but two losses to Texas Tech kept them out. A win over the Irish would give BYU, a contender to win the Big 12 in 2026, credibility with the CFP committee.

Notre Dame needs to take advantage of beating a legit CFP contender on the road.

Miami at Notre Dame (Nov. 7)

Notre Dame’s loss to Miami during the humid days of August wound up being critical when the selection committee bumped the Hurricanes above the Irish in the final CFP ranking. Miami wound up making a run to the national championship before losing to Indiana.

This year, Miami will be heading to chilly Indiana for a November contest against the Irish. The Hurricanes will be the toughest contest for Notre Dame this season, and they need a win to impress the CFP committee nearly a month before the final ranking comes out.

SMU at Notre Dame (Nov. 21)

SMU is expected to be a top three team in the ACC this season, and should be a fringe Top 25 team. The Mustangs will be Notre Dame’s third toughest test of the regular season, and the prime time matchup will be the final game for the Irish to put its stamp on its CFP resume.

Senior quarterback Kevin Jennings will be dangerous for SMU, and should give head coach Marcus Freeman’s defense some trouble. A convincing win over SMU could be the difference in the Irish getting a bye in the CFP.

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