Notre Dame moves up to No. 9 in CFP rankings thanks to explosive offense

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame is back in the College Football Playoff conversation — landing at number nine in the latest rankings — and the offense deserves some credit.

Through nine games, the Irish have found their rhythm, averaging nearly 462 yards per game. They’ve struck a balance between the pass and the run — 274 yards through the air and 188 on the ground — showing they can beat teams in multiple ways.

Quarterback CJ Carr has led the charge, throwing for over 2,200 yards this season with poise and confidence well beyond his years. Behind him, running back Jeremiyah Love has become a Heisman hopeful, sitting just shy of 1,000 rushing yards and already in double-digit touchdowns.

Love says his success reflects the team’s hard work:

“At the end of the day, it’s a team sport. I don’t go out and do anything on my own.”

Add in Jordan Faison, who’s emerged as Carr’s go-to receiver with over 540 yards, and an offensive line that’s allowed just 1.1 sacks per game, and it’s easy to see why this group is clicking.

Offensive line coach Joe Rudolph says that every player, whether a starter or backup, trains with the same expectations — and that mindset has paid off.

Now, the Irish are preparing for a Top 25 matchup at Pittsburgh, where they’ll look to keep that offensive firepower rolling. ABC57’s Kickoff crew will have full coverage from the Steel City in this weekend’s two-hour Kickoff show.