The 2024 Notre Dame Football Schedule: A Season of Promise
As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, college football fans eagerly anticipate the arrival of a new season. For the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the 2024 season is particularly significant as they aim to reclaim their spot among college football’s elite. After finishing the 2023 season with a commendable 10-3 record, the Irish are setting their sights on the College Football Playoffs for the first time since 2020. Here’s a detailed look at the 2024 Notre Dame football schedule, including dates, times, TV channels, and scores.
2024 Notre Dame Football Schedule: Key Dates and Matchups
The Fighting Irish kick off their season with a challenging matchup against No. 20 Texas A&M, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting year. Below is the complete schedule for the 2024 season:
| OPPONENT | SCORE | DATE | TIME (ET) | TV | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at No. 20 Texas A&M | W, 23-13 | Saturday, Aug. 31 | 7:30 p.m. | ABC | College Station, Texas |
| vs. Northern Illinois | L, 16-14 | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 3:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock | South Bend, Ind. |
| at Purdue | W, 66-7 | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 3:30 p.m. | CBS | West Lafayette, Ind. |
| vs. Miami (Ohio) | W, 28-3 | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 3:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock | South Bend, Ind. |
| vs. No. 15 Louisville | W, 31-24 | Saturday, Sept. 28 | 3:30 p.m. | Peacock | South Bend, Ind. |
| vs. Stanford | W, 49-7 | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 3:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock | South Bend, Ind. |
| vs. Georgia Tech | W, 31-13 | Saturday, Oct. 19 | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN | Atlanta, GA |
| vs. No. 24 Navy | TBD | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 12 p.m. | ABC | East Rutherford, N.J. |
| vs. Florida State | TBD | Saturday, Nov. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock | South Bend, Ind. |
| vs. Virginia | TBD | Saturday, Nov. 16 | 3:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock | South Bend, Ind. |
| vs. Army | TBD | Saturday, Nov. 23 | 7 p.m. | NBC/Peacock | Bronx, N.Y. |
| at Southern Cal | TBD | Saturday, Nov. 30 | TBD | TBD | Los Angeles, CA |
Notable Matchups
The schedule features several intriguing matchups that could define the Fighting Irish’s season. The game against No. 15 Louisville on September 28 is particularly crucial, as it will test Notre Dame’s mettle against a ranked opponent. Additionally, the rivalry game against Southern Cal on November 30 is always a highlight, with both teams looking to assert their dominance.
The Road to the College Football Playoff
The 2024 season marks a pivotal moment for the College Football Playoff, as it will be the first year featuring a 12-team format. This expansion opens the door for more teams to compete for the national championship, and the Fighting Irish will be eager to secure a spot. After finishing No. 14 in the final 2023 CFP rankings, Notre Dame is poised to make a significant leap if they can navigate their schedule successfully.
College Football Playoff Schedule
The playoff schedule is as follows:
| ROUND | GAME | DATE | LOCATION | STADIUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | Playoff First Round | Dec. 20, 2024 | TBD | TBD |
| First Round | Playoff First Round | Dec. 21, 2024 | TBD | TBD |
| First Round | Playoff First Round | Dec. 21, 2024 | TBD | TBD |
| First Round | Playoff First Round | Dec. 21, 2024 | TBD | TBD |
| Quarterfinals | Fiesta Bowl | Dec. 31, 2024 | Glendale, AZ | State Farm Stadium |
| Quarterfinals | Peach Bowl | Jan. 1, 2025 | Atlanta, GA | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| Quarterfinals | Rose Bowl | Jan. 1, 2025 | Pasadena, CA | Rose Bowl (Stadium) |
| Quarterfinals | Sugar Bowl | Jan. 1, 2025 | New Orleans, LA | Caesars Superdome |
| Semifinals | Orange Bowl | Jan. 9, 2025 | Miami Gardens, FL | Hard Rock Stadium |
| Semifinals | Cotton Bowl | Jan. 10, 2025 | Arlington, TX | AT&T Stadium |
| Final | CFP National Championship | Jan. 20, 2025 | Atlanta, GA | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
Reflecting on 2023
The Fighting Irish had a solid 2023 season, maintaining a presence in the AP top 25 throughout the year. Despite a setback against unranked Clemson, they ended the season on a high note with a decisive victory over No. 19 Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. This momentum will be crucial as they head into the 2024 season, where they will look to build on their successes and address any weaknesses.
2023 Notre Dame Football Schedule Recap
| OPPONENT | SCORE | DATE | TIME (ET) | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs. Navy | W, 42-3 | Saturday, Aug. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Columbus, Ohio |
| vs. Tennessee State | W, 56-3 | Saturday, Sept. 2 | 2:30 p.m. | South Bend, Ind. |
| at NC State | W, 45-24 | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 2:30 p.m. | South Bend, Ind. |
| vs. Central Michigan | W, 41-17 | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 3:30 p.m. | Chapel Hill, N.C. |
| vs. No. 6 Ohio State | L, 17-14 | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Las Vegas, NV |
| at No. 17 Duke | W, 21-14 | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | South Bend, Ind. |
| at No. 25 Louisville | L, 33-20 | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 2:30 p.m. | South Bend, Ind. |
| vs. No. 10 USC | W, 48-20 | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 12 p.m. | Syracuse, N.Y. |
| vs. Pitt | W, 58-7 | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | South Bend, Ind. |
| at Clemson | L, 31-23 | Saturday, Nov. 4 | 12 p.m. | Baltimore, Md. |
| vs. Wake Forest | W, 45-7 | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 2:30 p.m. | South Bend, Ind. |
| at Stanford | W, 56-23 | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Los Angeles, Calif. |
| vs. No. 19 Oregon State (Sun Bowl) | W, 40-8 | Friday, Dec. 29 | 2 p.m. | Jacksonville, Fla. |
Keeping Track of Rankings
As the season progresses, fans can keep an eye on where the Fighting Irish stand in the national rankings. The AP top 25 will be a crucial indicator of their performance and playoff aspirations.
The 2024 Notre Dame football season is shaping up to be an exciting journey filled with potential and promise. With a mix of challenging opponents and the opportunity to compete for a playoff spot, the Fighting Irish are ready to make their mark.