2024 changed the narrative of the modern Notre Dame program
The year 2024 was monumental for Marcus Freeman. As he stepped into his third season leading the Notre Dame program, expectations were sky-high. Historically, the third year has been a defining moment for Irish head coaches—separating those destined for long-term success in South Bend from those who fall short.
Freeman rose to the challenge in dramatic fashion. Notre Dame rattled off 14 straight wins, including three in the College Football Playoff, before falling just short in a hard-fought national title game. Now, heading into 2025, the question looms: where does Notre Dame stand among the elite programs in college football?
Is Notre Dame a top five program right now?
Notre Dame must do more to be a top five program, at least for right now
Labeling Notre Dame as a true top-five program still feels a bit premature, even after the impressive 2024 campaign. One hot playoff run, while noteworthy, typically isn’t enough to cement a program’s place in that elite tier—especially without a national championship to cap it off.
Sustained success over time is the real differentiator. At the moment, and without digging into metrics or all-time historical weight, it feels like the current top tier consists of Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, and Oregon. Texas is right on the fringe, with Penn State potentially pushing their way into the conversation this year. As for Notre Dame—they’re close, but not quite there yet.
If the Irish manage another deep playoff run in 2025, especially with a first-time starting quarterback, then they’ll have a much stronger case. Back-to-back elite seasons would signal that Notre Dame is not just peaking, but entering a new era of sustained national relevance.
Under Marcus Freeman, the program has undergone a significant transformation. The roster is now faster, longer, deeper, and more athletic than anything Brian Kelly ever assembled in South Bend—and the results are beginning to reflect that.
The Irish are stepping into what looks like their “winning window” under Freeman. If 2024 was the breakthrough, the next few seasons will be about proving they belong among college football’s true elite. It’s going to be a fascinating ride.
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