Notre Dame Ranked Among Nation’s Best in Phil Steele’s 2025 Power Poll, Fueling Sky-High Expectations for the Irish

If you’re looking for a sign that Notre Dame is about to reassert itself on the national college football stage in 2025, look no further than Phil Steele’s much-anticipated Power Poll rankings. Known for his meticulous research and predictive accuracy, Steele’s preseason Power Poll has become a benchmark in the sport—and for Irish fans, the 2025 edition offers plenty of reason for excitement.

Steele has placed Notre Dame squarely among the elite, positioning the Fighting Irish as a legitimate contender for the College Football Playoff. In a world where perception matters and polls help shape narratives and postseason possibilities, this high ranking is more than symbolic. It’s a declaration: Notre Dame is back, and in a big way.

The Irish find themselves ranked inside Steele’s top five, surrounded by familiar juggernauts like Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, and Oregon. That alone places Marcus Freeman’s team in rarefied air. But beyond the number next to their name, what makes this team worthy of such a lofty spot?

Start with experience. Notre Dame brings back a loaded roster with veteran leadership at nearly every position group. Quarterback play, a question mark in recent years, should be a strength in 2025. The Irish landed one of the top signal-callers in the transfer portal, and his arm strength, decision-making, and ability to extend plays have transformed the offense during spring and summer camp.

At running back, Notre Dame boasts a bruising, downhill attack backed by a stable of dynamic backs, each capable of breaking open a game with a single cut. The offensive line, long a hallmark of Irish success, is once again deep, cohesive, and physically dominant—anchored by All-American candidates at both tackle spots. Steele’s poll heavily weights returning production and trench play, two areas where Notre Dame excels.

But perhaps the biggest reason for Notre Dame’s rise in Steele’s eyes is the defense. Under Freeman’s watch, the Irish have evolved into one of the nastiest, most versatile defensive units in the country. Their defensive line rotates eight deep, their linebackers are fast and instinctual, and the secondary features NFL-caliber talent with range and physicality. This is a group capable of stifling elite offenses and making game-changing plays.

What sets Steele’s Power Poll apart from others is its predictive nature. Unlike the AP or Coaches Poll, which typically reflect previous season records and name-brand value, Steele’s formula focuses on how good a team will actually be. He evaluates roster talent, returning starters, schedule difficulty, coaching staff stability, and NFL Draft prospects to project which teams are best built for the coming season. In Steele’s eyes, Notre Dame checks every box.

Even the schedule—which can often be Notre Dame’s undoing—might work in their favor. While not easy, it’s manageable and provides marquee matchups to impress the CFP committee. The Irish will face traditional rivals like USC and Stanford, but it’s the mid-season clash with Ohio State that looms largest. A win there could launch them into the playoff driver’s seat, while a close loss might not derail them entirely thanks to their overall strength of schedule.

There’s also the matter of momentum. Freeman, entering his fourth season at the helm, has brought a fresh energy to the program. Once criticized for game-day management and conservative play-calling, Freeman has matured into a confident leader who commands the locker room and consistently puts his players in position to succeed. His recruiting has also been stellar. Notre Dame’s 2024 and 2025 classes were among the most talent-rich in school history, and the fruits of that labor are now showing on the depth chart.

Off the field, Notre Dame is finally embracing the realities of modern college football. The administration has become more aggressive in navigating the NIL space and transfer portal, two areas where the Irish had traditionally lagged. Those improvements are already evident in their roster makeup and recruiting wins. Notre Dame is no longer content to play catch-up with the SEC and Big Ten powers—it’s ready to go toe-to-toe with them.

Phil Steele’s Power Poll is not just a prediction. It’s a signal that respected voices in college football believe this team can deliver something special. And with a roster full of veterans, a coaching staff that’s hitting its stride, and a national schedule built to impress, the stars are aligning.

Of course, being ranked highly in July doesn’t guarantee anything in November. Notre Dame has been in this position before, only to falter under the weight of expectations or stumble in games they should win. But this year feels different. This year feels earned. There’s a quiet confidence around South Bend that hasn’t been there in a while. Not arrogance—just the belief that they have all the pieces, and now it’s about putting them together.

One overlooked aspect of Steele’s ranking system is special teams. The Irish bring back one of the top punters in the country and have a kicker with a booming leg and proven accuracy in pressure situations. Field position and three-point opportunities can swing tight games, especially in playoff-caliber matchups. Notre Dame’s ability to win those “hidden yards” battles could make the difference against elite competition.

Another key factor Steele considers is “close-game experience.” Notre Dame had its share of nail-biters last season and learned how to finish. That composure, forged in last-minute drives and goal-line stands, can’t be taught—it has to be lived. Now, with that experience in their back pocket, the Irish are unlikely to blink in critical moments this fall.

The national buzz around Notre Dame’s 2025 outlook is real—and it’s not just driven by fans or media hype. When Phil Steele puts your program among the top-tier based on analytics, experience, and talent, it carries weight. His Power Poll has accurately forecasted the trajectory of past national champions, and Irish faithful hope that 2025 will be the next example.

For Freeman and his team, the challenge now is to meet those expectations. It won’t be easy. College football is more competitive than ever, and injuries, bounces, and unforeseen adversity await every contender. But Notre Dame enters the season with the rare combination of high-end talent, depth, leadership, and motivation. That’s the formula champions are made of.

As the countdown to the 2025 season continues, Notre Dame fans have reason to dream big. The Golden Dome is shining a little brighter. The echoes are stirring. And if Steele’s Power Poll is to be believed, the Fighting Irish might just be ready to finally return to college football’s mountaintop.