While it might be true that many Notre Dame fans are sick of former head coach Brian Kelly, with his new job in the media, it’s going to be hard to avoid him.
This past weekend he started calling games in the booth, and with the season “officially” starting in the coming days, many are solidifying their picks to win the College Football Playoff. Kelly made his choice on Tuesday, as he believes that Ohio State will come out on top this fall.
He cited the fact that they have a veteran quarterback returning, the defense led by Matt Patricia is elite, and how they’ve performed late in the season. Well Brian, the Buckeyes didn’t finish last year on a high note, and while they did go undefeated during the regular season, a loss to eventual national
champion Indiana in the Big Ten title game and then an early exit in the CFP as Miami knocked them off in the quarterfinals after a first-round bye. That’s not exactly finishing the season on a high note.
An argument can be made that Notre Dame has the same qualities as Ohio State, with CJ Carr at quarterback, a veteran, and a top defense led by Chris Ash. The Irish should be viewed as one of the few title contenders this fall, as another on the panel, former UCLA quarterback and head coach Rick Neuheisel did pick Notre Dame to win it all.
We’ll see who is right at the end of the year, if Kelly gave the Buckeyes a kiss of death or if Neuheisel correct has the Irish hoisting up the CFP trophy.
"I'm putting my stock on Ohio State."@CoachBrianKelly picks the Buckeyes to win it all.#ICF pic.twitter.com/oov3rFsiYC
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 2, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Brian Kelly makes his pick to win the 2026 College Football Playoff
