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Notre Dame Falls in Latest ESPN FPI Rankings as Championship Chances Take a Hit

Notre Dame’s 5-0 start took a slight setback in the latest ESPN Football Power Index rankings, dropping one spot to No. 3 after a 37-26 win over North Carolina that, while sufficient for the victory, exposed defensive vulnerabilities.

The Fighting Irish had held opponents to just 33 combined points in their first four games, but North Carolina’s 26 points—despite its own offensive struggles—highlighted lapses that cost them in the rankings and slightly diminished their national championship hopes. Despite the dip, Notre Dame remains a heavy favorite in its upcoming rivalry with Stanford, where ESPN FPI projects a 99% chance of victory after the Cardinal’s 57-3 loss to Wake Forest last week.

The Irish’s projected season path shows strong odds against most opponents, though Miami now stands as the biggest underdog threat with a 59.6% chance of winning in South Bend, up from previous weeks. The ranking shift reflects a cautious reassessment after a game that, while won, left questions about Notre Dame’s ability to sustain dominance against more formidable offenses.

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