Notre Dame football’s position in 247Sports’ 2025 Big Ten power rankings has become a topic of increasing relevance given their ongoing scheduling relationships with Big Ten schools and the upcoming expansion of the conference. While Notre Dame is an independent program, its 2025 schedule will feature several Big Ten opponents due to traditional rivalries and new matchups. As the conference continues to evolve, including the addition of USC and UCLA, the Irish are poised to play a significant role in the shaping of the Big Ten’s competitive landscape.
First, it is important to recognize that Notre Dame’s relationship with the Big Ten has historically been a complicated one. The school has maintained its independence for decades, enjoying lucrative bowl appearances, national title runs, and a prestigious reputation, while still scheduling a number of games against Big Ten schools, including Michigan, Michigan State, and Purdue. While these teams have formed the foundation of Notre Dame’s non-conference scheduling, the school’s independence in football has kept it from being formally part of the Big Ten, allowing Notre Dame to negotiate its own television deals and avoid the constraints that come with conference affiliation.
However, as the Big Ten continues to grow and evolve, with a combination of traditional powers and newly added programs, Notre Dame is being drawn closer into the fold. The addition of USC and UCLA to the conference in 2024, along with the ongoing expansion of college football’s playoff system, suggests that Notre Dame may have to consider some kind of integration with the Big Ten in the future. The Big Ten’s increased national presence means that, despite Notre Dame’s independent status, their place within the hierarchy of the conference’s top teams will matter more than ever, especially as they face several key Big Ten opponents in 2025.
247Sports’ 2025 Big Ten power rankings will likely place Notre Dame in the middle of the pack, potentially in the 4th or 5th spot, depending on the performance of other teams leading into the season. This prediction is based on several factors: Notre Dame’s overall consistency, their historical success against Big Ten teams, and the level of talent they bring to the table each year.
Key Factors for Notre Dame’s Placement in the Power Rankings
1. Recent Performance and Recruiting Success
While the Irish have historically been a top-tier program, their performance in recent seasons has been somewhat inconsistent. Under head coach Marcus Freeman, the team is in a period of transition, with a focus on building a strong recruiting base and developing young talent. The success of the 2025 recruiting class will play a major role in determining Notre Dame’s ranking within the Big Ten hierarchy. A strong class of incoming players would bolster the team’s chances to climb higher in the rankings, especially as they prepare to face Big Ten opponents.
In recent years, Notre Dame has recruited well nationally, competing with the top programs in college football for some of the best high school talent. While they may not be at the level of Ohio State or Michigan in terms of raw recruiting numbers, Notre Dame has continued to produce top-tier talent and has a solid foundation at most positions, including quarterback, offensive line, and defensive line. The Irish are also strong in developing players once they arrive on campus, meaning their rankings in 2025 will likely reflect their ability to mold these athletes into top-level performers by that time.
2. Competitive Strength Against Big Ten Opponents
Notre Dame’s historical success against Big Ten teams should give them an edge when evaluating their place in the 2025 power rankings. Over the years, the Irish have maintained a solid record against Big Ten programs, particularly Michigan, Michigan State, and Purdue. The rivalry with Michigan is perhaps the most notable, and while the series has seen back-and-forth results in recent years, Notre Dame has generally held its own.
In 2025, the Irish are scheduled to face several Big Ten teams, including key matchups against Michigan State, Penn State, and possibly Wisconsin or Iowa. These games will serve as important barometers for Notre Dame’s placement in the power rankings. Given that teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State are expected to continue competing for national prominence, Notre Dame’s ability to hold its own against these teams will have a significant impact on how they slot into the Big Ten pecking order.
3. The Impact of Conference Realignment
The realignment of the Big Ten in the coming years, with the inclusion of USC and UCLA, will drastically change the landscape of the conference. These teams, both of which have been historically strong, will add new challenges for every team in the Big Ten, and for Notre Dame, they could provide an additional challenge. While the Irish are not yet formally a part of the conference, their schedule will force them to contend with these new rivals.
Additionally, teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State are always in the conversation for top-tier status, and their performances in 2024 will likely set the tone for the 2025 season. The Irish’s performance against these programs in the coming years will influence how they are ranked within the Big Ten’s hierarchy, particularly given the pressure these teams will bring to the table with their recruiting and program development.
4. Long-Term Potential and Future Success
Looking at the long-term potential of Notre Dame football in the context of the Big Ten, there is a lot of optimism for future success. The team’s infrastructure, including state-of-the-art facilities and a strong recruiting network, positions them well for continued success in the coming years. If Notre Dame can maintain its momentum under Freeman and capitalize on the recruiting classes from 2024 and 2025, they could be well-positioned to challenge for a top-tier spot in the Big Ten rankings for the foreseeable future.
Additionally, the Irish have the luxury of scheduling tough opponents from various conferences, allowing them to get valuable experience in high-stakes games outside of the Big Ten. This schedule flexibility is a significant advantage, as it gives Notre Dame the ability to test its strengths and weaknesses against a variety of top teams before entering the Big Ten slate.
Conclusion
Given the landscape of college football, Notre Dame’s standing in the 2025 Big Ten power rankings will be shaped by multiple factors, including their performance in 2024, their ability to compete with top-tier Big Ten programs, and the impact of realignment. While they may not yet be a formal member of the conference, their role in shaping the competitive balance of the Big Ten will be critical as they continue to play against conference opponents. In terms of ranking, Notre Dame will likely slot into the middle of the Big Ten hierarchy, but their long-term success will depend on their continued development as a program, their ability to recruit top-tier talent, and their success in the high-profile matchups ahead.
