I know. It’s super difficult to give Notre Dame any kind of respect. This lack of respect was fuel to the internet outrage over the AP Preseason Poll:

Notre Dame often struggles to earn respect. This is especially true after losing to teams like Ohio State. Many see these teams as a benchmark for quality. People perceive Notre Dame as having a weak schedule and being a “soft” team. However, a post on X pointed out that Notre Dame consistently performs well year after year. This challenges the narrative that they aren’t a strong football team.

Here is a post on X. It made the statement that Notre Dame, despite the perception of a weak schedule and soft team, was actually good… year in and year out. The inch deep analysis follows.

For the “Notre Dame is always overrated ever year” crowd:

Notre Dame’s recent preseason and postseason AP poll rankings.

• 2023: Started #13, finished #14
• 2022: Started #5, finished #18
• 2021: Started #9, finished #8
• 2020: Started #10, finished #5
• 2019: Started #9,… pic.twitter.com/rjvJNrmERH

— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) August 12, 2024

• 2023: Started #13, finished #14
• 2022: Started #5, finished #18
• 2021: Started #9, finished #8
• 2020: Started #10, finished #5
• 2019: Started #9, finished #12
• 2018: Started #12, finished #5
• 2017: Started unranked, finished #11

Strength of Schedule (SOS): Notre Dame consistently faced tough schedules, often ranked in the top 25 for difficulty. 2017 stood out as the hardest with a #2 SOS.

Performance Relative to Preseason Ranking: Notre Dame generally performed well. They often finished close to or above their preseason rankings. However, in 2022, they dropped significantly from #5 to #18.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of Notre Dame’s schedules, strength of schedule (SOS), and postseason results for each of the seasons listed:

2017 Season

• Preseason Ranking: Unranked
• Postseason Ranking: #11
• Schedule:
  • Key games: Georgia (L), USC (W), Stanford (L), Miami (L)
  • Strength of Schedule: Ranked 2nd toughest
• Post-Game Results:
  • Record: 10-3
  • Bowl Game: Won the Citrus Bowl vs. LSU, 21-17

2018 Season

• Preseason Ranking: #12
• Postseason Ranking: #5
• Schedule:
  • Key games: Michigan (W), Stanford (W), USC (W)
  • Strength of Schedule: Ranked 19th toughest
• Post-Game Results:
  • Record: 12-1
  • Bowl Game: Lost in the College Football Playoff Semifinal (Cotton Bowl) vs. Clemson, 30-3

2019 Season

• Preseason Ranking: #9
• Postseason Ranking: #12
• Schedule:
  • Key games: Georgia (L), Michigan (L)
  • Strength of Schedule: Ranked 23rd toughest
• Post-Game Results:
  • Record: 11-2
  • Bowl Game: Won the Camping World Bowl vs. Iowa State, 33-9

2020 Season

• Preseason Ranking: #10
• Postseason Ranking: #5
• Schedule:
  • Key games: Clemson (W in regular season, L in ACC Championship), North Carolina (W)
  • Strength of Schedule: Ranked 15th toughest
• Post-Game Results:
  • Record: 10-2
  • Bowl Game: Lost in the College Football Playoff Semifinal (Rose Bowl) vs. Alabama, 31-14

2021 Season

• Preseason Ranking: #9
• Postseason Ranking: #8
• Schedule:
  • Key games: Cincinnati (L), Wisconsin (W), North Carolina (W)
  • Strength of Schedule: Ranked 30th toughest
• Post-Game Results:
  • Record: 11-2
  • Bowl Game: Lost the Fiesta Bowl vs. Oklahoma State, 37-35

2022 Season

• Preseason Ranking: #5
• Postseason Ranking: #18
• Schedule:
  • Key games: Ohio State (L), USC (L), Clemson (W)
  • Strength of Schedule: Ranked 12th toughest
• Post-Game Results:
  • Record: 9-4
  • Bowl Game: Won the Gator Bowl vs. South Carolina, 45-38

2023 Season

• Preseason Ranking: #13
• Postseason Ranking: #14
• Schedule:
  • Key games: Ohio State (L), USC (W), Clemson (W) (I get it. USC and Clemson are not super good)
  • Strength of Schedule: Ranked 20th toughest
• Post-Game Results:
  • Record: 9-3
  • Bowl Game: Sun Bowl Win

Next at the LWS: Is there a second Connor Stalions’ Manifesto? Stay tuned for updates.