All programs
Capital Rank3
IndependentResearched

Notre Dame

The No. 1 returning-production profile, excellent offensive line and secondary, and C.J. Carr support a top-three ranking. Replacing the leading running backs is the main task.

Reported spendMore than $40M
Roster gradeA+
ConfidenceHigh
Betting confidenceNot assigned

Reported estimate · not audited payroll

Dated assessment · separate from preseason Capital Rank

Improving

The established core and replacement backs delivered second-half separation.

Created Sep 12, 2026, 12:17 AM UTC · evidence cutoff Sep 12, 2026, 12:17 AM UTC · confidence: low

Evidence, uncertainty and next test

Notre Dame won 41–13, outscoring Wisconsin 28–3 after halftime and holding it to 1.4 yards per rush in the second half. Carr passed for 239 yards; Williams ran for 90 and two touchdowns.

Counterevidence

Wisconsin’s offensive baseline remains uncertain; this is no new rank.

Next useful test

Compare Wisconsin’s offense against a different defensive front and Notre Dame’s replacement backfield across subsequent games.

Read the sourced game review

Roster construction

What the roster says

Championship capital
quarterbackResearched

C.J. Carr is a central strength of the returning core.

offensive LineResearched

The offensive line profiles as an elite unit.

secondaryResearched

The secondary is a top-end roster advantage.

Continuity & integration

The overall returning-production profile is exceptional, though the leading running backs must be replaced.

The case

Strengths

  • Top returning-production profile
  • Excellent offensive line
  • Excellent secondary

The countercase

Risks

  • Replacing the leading running backs