Notre Dame Bowl eligibility: Could Marcus Freeman's team make the college football postseason in 2024?
The No. 8 notre-dame-fighting-irish-football" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-1) have greatly improved after their loss in Week 2 of the college football season.
On September 7, Notre Dame suffered a close 16-14 defeat to the Northern Illinois Huskies (4-4, 1-3 Mid-American Conference). Since then, the Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman has led the team to a six-game win streak and has increased their chances of playing in the postseason.
Notre Dame is coming off a dominant 51-14 victory over the Navy Midshipmen (6-1, 4-0 American Athletic Conference) last Saturday. The win over Navy in Week 9 gave the Fighting Irish their seventh win, and they have earned eligibility to play in a bowl game.
However, the Notre Dame coach still has more work to do so that the team can play in the college football playoffs.
Freeman will need to lead the team to victory in the four remaining games of the regular season. If Notre Dame ends the season with an 11-1 record, it would be realistic for the Fighting Irish to compete in the playoffs.
Notre Dame's schedule for 2024 season
Notre Dame still has a long road to the playoffs. Although they are on a six-game winning streak, their upcoming matchups will put them through some serious test. One of the teams that the Fighting Irish will have to contend against will be the No. 21 Army Black Knights (7-0, 6-0 The American) in Week 13.
Army is also having a great season and has defeated their opponents in a dominating manner, scoring over 40 points in five games. The Black Knights are among the challenging teams Notre Dame will have to overcome to reach their goals of playing in the playoffs.
Here is Notre Dame's schedule for the remainder of the season:
- Nov. 2: Open Week
- Nov 9: vs. Florida State
- Nov. 16: vs. Virginia
- Nov. 23: vs. Army
- Nov. 30: @ USC
College Football Week 11: Florida State vs. Notre Dame
Notre Dame will be out of action for Week 10. The time off will allow them to prepare for the return game in Week 11 against the Florida State Seminoles (1-7, 1-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) on Nov. 9.
The Fighting Irish will have the advantage of facing the Seminoles at home at the Notre Dame Stadium.
Florida State comes into the matchup on a four-game losing streak. Notre Dame is currently favored to win and extend their record to 8-1. The time off in Week 10 may bode well for the Fighting Irish as they attempt to make an ambitious push to a bowl game and potentially the playoffs.