Notre Dame moves up in ESPN's updated power rankings after Week 1
Notre Dame moved up 1 spot in ESPN’s updated top-25 power rankings, which were released on Tuesday morning.
The Fighting Irish are now No. 13 nationally, per ESPN. They began the year at No. 14 in ESPN’s preseason rankings and have opened the year with blowout wins over Navy and Tennessee State.
Notre Dame has not allowed a touchdown in its first 2 games of the season. It’s the first time the Fighting Irish have accomplished that feat since 1975.
Here’s some analysis from ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg:
Playing just a week after a game in Ireland, Notre Dame got through a predictably sluggish first quarter to pull away from Tennessee State. Quarterbacks Sam Hartman and Steve Angeli combined for 324 passing yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. The Irish had 221 rushing yards, led by Audric Estime’s 116, and continued to receive stifling play from their defense.
Notre Dame’s schedule does get tougher from here. In Week 2, the Fighting Irish will travel to NC State to face the Wolfpack. With a win in Raleigh and some help elsewhere, Notre Dame could move into the top 10 of ESPN’s power rankings.
Notre Dame and NC State kickoff at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday.