Lindy’s College Football Preview Magazine Places Notre Dame Fighting Irish Among Top-10 Teams Entering the 2025 Season

The University of Notre Dame football program has long been synonymous with tradition, excellence, and national relevance. As the 2025 college football season approaches, that reputation continues to hold strong. In the recently released Lindy’s Sports College Football Preview magazine, the Fighting Irish have been ranked inside the top-10 nationally — a nod to the promise, potential, and expectations surrounding Marcus Freeman’s squad.

Notre Dame enters the 2025 campaign with a loaded roster, a coaching staff brimming with experience and vision, and a fan base hungry for playoff contention. Lindy’s top-10 placement isn’t just a gesture of respect toward the program’s legacy. Rather, it’s an affirmation of the tangible progress the team has made under Freeman, who now enters his fourth season as head coach. With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, the Irish are well positioned to contend for a spot, and national analysts clearly believe in their ability to do so.

Lindy’s preseason rankings typically consider several critical metrics—returning production, strength of schedule, impact transfers, recruiting class quality, and overall program stability. Notre Dame’s placement in the top 10 reflects a combination of these factors. It also speaks volumes about the belief in Freeman’s leadership and the development of his players over the last two years.

One of the biggest reasons for the confidence in Notre Dame’s 2025 outlook is the maturity and depth of the roster. The Irish return key starters on both sides of the ball, including a veteran offensive line anchored by All-American caliber talent, an experienced defensive front seven, and one of the most reliable secondaries in the nation. Notably, linebacker Nolan Karlen and safety Xavier Watts are back to lead a defense that could be among the stingiest in the country. Karlen’s combination of football IQ, sideline-to-sideline speed, and leadership has made him a standout throughout spring and summer workouts. Meanwhile, Watts, the reigning team MVP, enters the season with All-American buzz after leading the team in interceptions last year.

On offense, Notre Dame’s ability to reload after the departure of several skill-position players has impressed national outlets like Lindy’s. Much of that credit goes to Freeman’s success in the transfer portal and the development pipeline. A transfer quarterback with starting experience is expected to take the reins in South Bend, and early reviews from spring practice have been overwhelmingly positive. While the identity of the starter has not been formally announced, the competition has been fierce, and the coaching staff has options — a luxury not all top programs can claim in this transitional era of college football.

The offensive line, a traditional strength for Notre Dame, is again projected to be one of the nation’s best. Lindy’s highlighted the unit’s physicality, cohesion, and technical discipline as a major strength, particularly in high-leverage games. That’s crucial for Notre Dame, whose 2025 schedule includes several potential playoff-caliber matchups that could make or break their postseason hopes. Key contests against USC, Texas A&M, and Clemson will test the team’s resolve, while also providing high-profile opportunities to move up in national rankings and impress the selection committee.

Lindy’s also pointed to Notre Dame’s incoming recruiting class and their recent recruiting momentum as indicators of sustained excellence. The Irish have built one of the top-10 classes for the 2025 cycle, and those young players are already pushing for reps. There’s a healthy competitive culture in South Bend, and the coaching staff has done a masterful job blending high school recruits with transfer portal acquisitions. That balance has created a versatile and deep roster capable of handling the rigors of a full season in the new playoff era.

Another underrated aspect of Notre Dame’s top-10 projection is the stability and vision of the program’s leadership. Freeman has brought an energy and modern sensibility to the head coaching role while remaining grounded in the core values of the university and the program’s historic identity. Under his watch, player development has improved, NFL Draft numbers have gone up, and national recruiting battles are now being won with regularity. Lindy’s noted that Freeman’s ability to connect with his players — both as a coach and a mentor — has created a strong foundation that continues to elevate the program.

While some critics still question whether Notre Dame can break through and win it all in the current era of NIL, transfers, and super-conference realignment, Lindy’s assessment suggests otherwise. The Irish have embraced the modern college football landscape without sacrificing their identity. That adaptability, coupled with Freeman’s evolving coaching philosophy, puts Notre Dame in position to compete at the highest level in 2025.

Special teams also played a role in boosting Notre Dame’s stock in Lindy’s projections. The return of several specialists, including a veteran placekicker and a reliable punter, gives the Irish a clear edge in field position battles. Lindy’s noted that in tight, playoff-defining games, the margin of error often comes down to special teams execution, and Notre Dame has that box firmly checked.

As for national perception, Lindy’s top-10 ranking serves as both a reward for past consistency and a challenge for the future. Notre Dame has won double-digit games in multiple seasons under Freeman but has yet to make its mark in the playoff under the current regime. The 12-team playoff format provides a more forgiving path — one that allows for a midseason stumble — but it also places a premium on quality wins and strong finishes. Freeman’s squad will need to be sharp in November and beyond if it hopes to validate its preseason billing.

In terms of media exposure and brand power, Notre Dame remains one of college football’s marquee programs. Their status as an independent, while controversial in some circles, continues to give them the flexibility to build elite schedules and control their postseason destiny. Lindy’s factored that into their analysis, noting that the Irish, if they finish with one or two losses and the right mix of resume-building wins, will be nearly impossible to ignore in playoff discussions.

Notre Dame’s presence in the top 10 also impacts recruiting and public perception moving forward. For young prospects around the country, preseason recognition from respected outlets like Lindy’s serves as evidence that South Bend remains a premier destination for top-tier talent. It’s not just about tradition — it’s about opportunity, visibility, and the chance to play for a national championship.

There’s no denying that Notre Dame’s path to the playoff won’t be easy. The pressure will mount with every game, and expectations are now firmly back where the program wants them to be. But with Freeman at the helm, a stacked roster, and momentum on their side, the Irish have a real chance to turn Lindy’s preseason optimism into postseason success.

As September approaches, eyes will be on South Bend to see whether Notre Dame can finally take that next step — from perennial contender to legitimate title threat. The top-10 ranking is just the beginning. The real work starts now.