Ranking Notre Dame's 2026 opponents from easiest to toughest as Fighting Irish seek CFP redemption

Notre Dame entered 2026 still smarting from last season's College Football Playoff snub. The Fighting Irish were passed over for the final at-large spot in favor of Miami, which went on to finish as the national runner-up. But this new year offers a chance for redemption, and the 2026 schedule aligns perfectly with the opportunity. Only four true road games -- at BYU, North Carolina, Purdue and Syracuse -- and neutral-site matchups at Navy and Wisconsin limit travel, while most opponents are projected to be manageable for Marcus Freeman and his team. With potential Heisman Trophy-contending quarterback CJ Carr returning, the Irish are the way-too-early favorites to win the national...