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Where does Notre Dame football rank in the Week 12 AP Poll?

Kyle Kellyby: Kyle Kelly11/09/25ByKyleKelly
Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman. (Mike Miller/Blue & God)

The Notre Dame football program is on a seven-game winning streak and is one of the 12 best teams in the nation in the eyes of Associated Press Poll voters. On Sunday, that was reflected in its No. 9 position in the Week 12 AP top 25 ranking.

The Irish (7-2) moved up one spot after beating Navy (7-2) 49-10 on Saturday night. That win fell favorably in the eyes of Blue & Gold senior writer Eric Hansen, who ranked Notre Dame No. 8 in his official AP Poll ballot. On3 national college recruiting reporter Brett McMurphy placed the Irish as the No. 9 team in the country Sunday.

Earlier on Sunday, Notre Dame slotted similarly in the US LBM Coaches Poll, checking in at No. 9. The Irish are the highest-ranked two-loss team in both the AP and coaches polls.

Four of the Irish’s opponents this season cracked the latest AP top 25, including Saturday’s rival, Pittsburgh, which is the No. 23 team. Texas A&M is the highest-ranked of the bunch, coming in at No. 3. Miami and USC are the Nos. 16 and 17 teams in the country, respectively.

Notre Dame’s ranking in this week’s AP Poll should be a sign of things to come with their official standing in the College Football Playoff when the updated rankings are revealed Tuesday. In last week’s rankings, Notre Dame was the No. 10 team in both the AP and CFP.

Based on this week’s AP Poll, the Irish would hypothetically face Texas Tech on the road in a first-round Playoff game. But first, Notre Dame needs to handle its business for the remainder of the regular season.

The Irish control their own destiny in the 12-team Playoff. Meanwhile, the Panthers are seemingly on the outside looking in for an at-large bid because they have two losses. However, a win over last year’s national championship runner-up would go a long way toward strengthening Pittsburgh’s résumé in the event chaos ensues. It could also earn an automatic bid by winning its conference championship game.

Pittsburgh had a bye week and a revitalized team before Saturday’s game. Since they elevated true freshman Mason Heintschel to starting quarterback, the Panthers have won all five straight ACC games and are tied with Georgia Tech, Virginia and SMU for the best conference record at 5-1.

Saturday will mark the second time Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi have met. The last time these two teams played, ND took down Pitt 58-7, at Notre Dame Stadium on Oct. 28, 2023. Saturday’s game is set for Noon ET on ABC.

Week 12 AP top 25

  1. Ohio State (9-0)
  2. Indiana (10-0)
  3. Texas A&M (9-0)
  4. Alabama (8-1)
  5. Georgia (8-1)
  6. Ole Miss (9-1)
  7. Oregon (8-1)
  8. Texas Tech (9-1)
  9. Notre Dame (7-2)
  10. Texas (7-2)
  11. Oklahoma (7-2)
  12. BYU (8-1)
  13. Vanderbilt (8-2)
  14. Georgia Tech (8-1)
  15. Utah (7-2)
  16. Miami (7-2)
  17. USC (7-2)
  18. Michigan (7-2)
  19. Louisville (7-2)
  20. Virginia (8-2)
  21. Tennessee (6-3)
  22. Cincinnati (7-2)
  23. Pittsburgh (7-2)
  24. James Madison (8-1)
  25. South Florida (7-2)