The preseason AP Top 25 poll has already been released as the official start of the 2026 college football nears.
While the usual contenders, No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 5 Texas, comprise the top five, ahead of defending champions Indiana and runners-up Miami, there is a program in that group that may not be getting the attention it deserves.
The Fighting Irish are viewed by many to be national title contenders one season after being the first team outside of the 12-team playoff despite possessing a 10-2 record. Rece Davis, host of ESPN’s “College GameDay,” was specifically asked if he thinks Notre Dame has a claim to be the best team in the country.
Rece Davis picks Notre Dame to win the championship
“Notre Dame is my preseason No. 1 team and they’re the team I believe will win the national championship,” Davis said during an appearance on Thursday’s edition of “The Pat McAfee Show.” “To answer your question, yes. Now, the schedule is helpful to them early. They’ve got Miami, they’ve got SMU, I believe, later on in the season, who will be very good. But, I think the Irish are loaded. I really believe in (quarterback) CJ Carr and I think this is the year Notre Dame breaks through for the first time since our late, great friend Lou Holtz led them to the title in 1988.”
