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College Football Rankings 2017: Projected Top 25 after Week 1

By Michael Whitlow

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 02: Bo Scarbrough #9, head coach Nick Saban, and Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate with the Chick-fil-A Kick-Off Game trophy after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 24-7 in their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 02: Bo Scarbrough #9, head coach Nick Saban, and Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate with the Chick-fil-A Kick-Off Game trophy after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 24-7 in their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Josh Adams, RB, Notre Dame Fightin' Irish
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 02: Josh Adams #33 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after rushing for a one-yard touchdown against the Temple Owls in the fourth quarter of a game at Notre Dame Stadium on September 2, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. The Irish won 49-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

25. Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish

Ranking before Week 1: N/A

Before the Irish play their first SEC regular season opponent in 12 years on Saturday night in South Bend, they should crack this week’s polls after their romp over a young Temple bunch, 49-16.

Irish head coach Brian Kelly mentioned before the season that he was basically a substitute teacher and didn’t have any control of his team last season, but the Irish showed a sense of urgency and physicality against the Owls, rushing for 422 yards on 44 carries.

Brandon Wimbush got his first career start for the Irish on Saturday and put up 290 total yards with three total touchdowns to get Notre Dame off on the right track to start the season after a disastrous 4-8 season last year.

Despite Jacob Eason already being ruled out for Saturday night’s game against the Irish, the blue and gold will face a tough test against the Georgia Bulldogs. It’s one of many interesting matchups for the Irish this season, including future matchups with USC, at Miami, Navy and at Stanford to close out the year.

Expectations are always high in South Bend and after last season’s chaos, it’s not crazy to think about how hot Brian Kelly’s seat is. For now, the Irish are fine and should be inside of the top-25 for next week.

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