Notre Dame 2023 Football Schedule Ranked As The 21st Toughest

Notre Dame certainly has a challenging schedule in 2023, with eight of its opponents coming off seasons in which they won at least eight games. The Irish also play three opponents that are considered by most as a preseason Top 10 squad.

In his preseason college football preview magazine, Phil Steele ranked the Notre Dame 2023 schedule as the 21st toughest in the country. Notre Dame's 2023 opponents have the 18th best win percentage based on the 2022 records.

Notre Dame has the eighth toughest schedule of teams that aren't in the Big Ten or SEC, with those two league's tending to be ranked higher in strength of schedule based on perception of those leagues. Stanford (17th) is the only Notre Dame opponent that ranks higher in strength of schedule than do the Irish.

There is no doubt that year two of the Marcus Freeman era will have a more challenging schedule than his first season. As stated above, eight of the 12 opponents won at least eight games last season, and five opponents won at least nine games. Ohio State is coming off a playoff berth, Clemson is the reigning ACC champs and USC won 11 games and played for the Pac 12 title last season.

Four of Notre Dame's 2023 opponents (Ohio State, USC, Clemson, Pitt) finished the 2022 season ranked in the Top 25, and Duke had more votes than any other team that didn't make the Top 25 after winning nine games in the first year of the Mike Elko era. NC State and Louisville also received votes in the final poll, and NC State dropped out of the Top 25 after their 16-12 bowl game loss to Maryland, a game in which the Wolfpack had to play their third string quarterback due to injuries.

Steele ranked the 2022 Notre Dame schedule as the 40th toughest heading into last season, so he clearly sees the Irish schedule as taking a big jump this season.

Here is where Notre Dame's FBS opponents rank in Steele's Powell Poll heading into the season:

2. Ohio State Buckeyes
6. Clemson Tigers
9. USC Trojans
26. Pittsburgh Panthers
29. Duke Blue Devils
39. NC State Wolfpack
51. Louisville Cardinals
67. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
82. Navy Midshipmen
103. Central Michigan Chippewas
111. Stanford Cardinal

Notre Dame ranks 12th in Steele's Power Poll.

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