Skip to main content
Notre Dame

Where does Notre Dame football rank in the Week 7 AP Poll?

Kyle Kellyby: Kyle Kelly10/05/25ByKyleKelly
Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman. (Mike Miller/Blue & Gold)

The Notre Dame football program continued its steady climb in the latest Associated Press college football rankings released Sunday. In the Week 7 AP Top 25 Poll, the Fighting Irish (3-2) claimed the No. 16 spot. Notre Dame also landed at No. 16 in the latest USA TODAY Sports coaches poll.

AP Poll voters have continued to award the Irish for their efforts over the last three weeks despite starting the season 0-2. Notre Dame has risen eight total spots since dropping a 41-40 game at home to Texas A&M (5-0) on Sept. 13. After that game, the Irish slid to No. 24. However, since then, they have continued their ascent. Notre Dame moved up to No. 22 after beating Purdue (2-3) and then No. 21 following their road victory over Arkansas (2-3). ND rose five spots from last week.

The Irish are the highest-ranked two-loss team in this week’s rankings. The only other two-loss team is Florida State, which ranks No. 25.

Notre Dame’s first two opponents are among the best in the country in the eyes of voters. Miami (5-0) and Texas A&M rank as the Nos. 2 and 5 teams, respectively. ND’s 10 other regular-season opponents are unranked; however, Southern Cal and Navy did receive votes.

Some voters have the Irish even higher than No. 16. In On3 national college recruiting reporter Brett McMurphy’s poll, he listed Notre Dame at No. 13. He also slotted Miami at No. 1 and Texas A&M at No. 5. In McMurphy’s rankings, the Irish would hypothetically be the first team left out of the 12-team College Football Playoff. Still, with seven games left, the Irish have a great chance to strengthen their résumé.

That next opportunity is Saturday against NC State (4-2) at Notre Dame Stadium. Peacock will broadcast the game exclusively.

Week 7 AP Poll

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

Others receiving votes: Cincinnati 129, Texas 111, Penn St. 97, Utah 84, Nebraska 60, Southern Cal 46, UNLV 19, North Texas 16, TCU 14, Washington 10, Mississippi St. 10, Navy 4, Louisville 3 and Auburn 1.