Notre Dame is absolutely steamrolling opponents early in the 2026 college football season, and the oddsmakers are taking notice. The Irish are currently sitting at -800 odds to make the College Football Playoff, a number that screams “lock it in.” This insane confidence in them comes after they controversially got left out of the 2025 Playoff, and they’re clearly playing with a chip on their shoulder. They’ve already outscored Wisconsin and Rice a ridiculous 93-13 in their first two games. Seriously, 93-13. That’s not just winning; that’s a statement.
The Irish Are Running the Table (Almost)
It’s not just the dominant scores that have everyone buzzing about Notre Dame. Their path to the Playoff looks pretty clear sailing, at least on paper. Aside from two crucial matchups, one on October 17 at BYU and another big clash on November 7 with Miami, the Irish are presumed to have a relatively easy schedule in 2026. Those -800 odds from DraftKings Sportsbook reflect that presumed ease. If they navigate those two tough games, they’ll be in a prime position. With the 2026 Playoff once again featuring 12 teams, and the top four overall ranked teams getting those sweet first-round byes regardless of conference titles, a dominant Irish team has a huge advantage. They just need to keep piling up wins and impressing the selection committee.
Big Ten Powerhouses Stumble Early
While Notre Dame is flying high, some traditional powerhouses from the Big Ten are already facing an uphill battle. Two of the three Big Ten squads that were practically penciled in for the Playoff have already taken a loss, and we’re still early in the season. Oregon got absolutely shocked by Oklahoma State, a result that sent ripples through the entire landscape and pushed the Ducks all the way down to 11th on the odds board at +160. Ohio State also fell to Texas in what’s been called the biggest game of the season so far. While the Buckeyes didn’t slide too far in the rankings at -290 odds, that loss is a major dent in their resume.
The Ducks, though, still have a shot to get back in the mix, but they’ve got a brutal gauntlet ahead. They’ll need to solidify their résumé with matchups against USC, Michigan, and Ohio State this season. If they can somehow run that gauntlet, that Oklahoma State loss might just become a footnote. But for now, the early Big Ten struggles are a serious curveball in the Playoff picture. It’s a long season, but these early losses are making things real interesting for everyone else vying for one of those 12 spots.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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