The 2026 Notre Dame Football season already has a different feel to it. The Irish will enter this year as a title favorite with a quarterback expected to compete for the Heisman trophy. The roster is deep, the roster is talented, and the coaching staff is top-notch. Add in a favorable schedule, and the Irish are expected to make a deep CFP run. As we enter the dog days of summer, let's examine what we think we've learned about Notre Dame this spring. Notre Dame will be a legit preseason top-five team Notre Dame has been one of the most hyped up teams of the spring . Both national and local media have poured praise on the Irish. This is more than hope; there is a belief that this particular Irish team could claim the sport's ultimate prize. The Irish will start the year ranked in the top five and should stay there with a light early schedule. The question for both Marcus Freeman and his team is simple. How will they handle being a favorite? There can be no September slip-ups or inexplicable losses.…