Kirk Herbstreit explains why he picked Notre Dame as national champion

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ESPN lead college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit announced on College Gameday Saturday morning his College Football Playoff National Champion for the 2026 season.

Herbstreit didn’t sugarcoat his pick, noting the champion won’t be from the SEC or the Big 10. His clear national title winner is Notre Dame.

"I think Notre Dame has a chance to have a big year. They're going to prove that,” Herbstreit said on College Gameday. “I think last year's team was better than the one that went to the National Championship against Ohio State in previous years. Notre Dame has a chip on its shoulder and is going to be a tough out in the postseason.”

The Irish are out for redemption after they were snubbed out of the CFP last season. Notre Dame faces Wisconsin in the Shamrock Series game at Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, on Sunday.

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Kirk Herbstreit explains why he picked Notre Dame as national champion

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