Overview
- ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit publicly said he is choosing Notre Dame to win the College Football Playoff and called quarterback CJ Carr “the real deal.”
- Herbstreit’s comments build on scouting praise for Carr after summer work at the Manning Passing Academy that evaluators said showed improved timing and accuracy.
- Media preseason odds and power indexes place Notre Dame among the top title contenders with Ohio State the favorite, making the Irish a frequently cited second choice.
- Coverage notes Notre Dame returns a large share of its 2025 production and many starters and has added transfers and recruits at key spots on offense and defense.
- All projections are preseason views before fall camp and games, so the endorsement raises expectations but does not determine how the season will unfold.