Notre Dame football has been making waves as it moves closer to securing a first-round home game in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. With a remarkable streak of eight straight wins heading into Saturday night's showdown at Yankee Stadium against unbeaten Army, the Irish have earned a solid position in the latest selection committee rankings.

Notre Dame's Path to a First-Round Home Game

Notre Dame's Current Ranking and Seed

Notre Dame, currently with a record of 9-1, was seeded 10th and then 9th in the first two selection committee rankings. This week, they earned the No. 6 spot, which puts them at the No. 8 seed in the projected playoff bracket and gives them the opportunity to host the ninth-seeded Alabama (8-2). The four first-round byes this week went to top-ranked Oregon, No. 3 Texas, No. 8 Miami, and No. 12 Boise State. Three one-loss teams, including Ohio State, Texas, and Penn State, are ranked ahead of Notre Dame. 1: The significance of this ranking cannot be overstated. A first-round home game provides a significant advantage for the team, allowing them to play in front of their home crowd and leverage the home-field advantage. It gives the players an extra boost of confidence and motivation, knowing that they have the support of their fans. 2: Moreover, being a higher seed means a potentially easier path to the later rounds of the playoff. It allows Notre Dame to avoid facing tough road opponents in the early stages and focus on advancing in the tournament. This could be a crucial factor in their quest for a championship.

Army's Performance and Ranking

Army, with an undefeated record of 9-0, moved up five spots to No. 19 in the CFP rankings. This shows that they are a formidable opponent and have been performing exceptionally well on the field. Texas A&M (8-2), which lost to Notre Dame at home in the season opener, is ranked No. 15. 1: Army's success is a testament to their hard work and dedication. They have a unique style of play that makes them a challenging opponent for any team. Their ability to control the line of scrimmage and play tough defense has been a key factor in their undefeated streak. 2: Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman has recognized Army's strength and has called them "a dang good football team." This shows that the Irish respect their opponents and are preparing for a tough battle on Saturday night.

Strength of Schedule and Its Impact

Notre Dame's strength of schedule dropped to 82nd in FBS, while Army's schedule ranks 133rd, ahead of only Liberty. Boise State, from the Mountain West Conference, has the 76th-ranked schedule strength thus far. Fifth-ranked Indiana, which plays at Ohio State this week, ranks 106th in schedule strength. No other team in this week's projected playoff ranks lower than 54th in strength of schedule. 1: The strength of schedule is an important factor in the selection process. It shows how a team has performed against tough opponents and how they have fared in different game situations. A strong schedule can demonstrate a team's ability to compete at a high level and handle adversity. 2: However, it is not the only factor that the selection committee considers. The committee also looks at how teams are playing on the field, their recent performances, and their overall competitiveness. Notre Dame's recent wins and their ability to perform well in key games have been crucial in their rise in the rankings.

Notre Dame's Recent Wins and Rankings

Coming off a 35-14 win over unranked Virginia on Senior Day, Notre Dame moved up to No. 6 in both the US LBM Coaches Poll and AP rankings when they were released Sunday. Their only loss came at home to Northern Illinois on Sept. 7. 1: The win over Virginia was a significant milestone for the team. It showed their ability to bounce back from a setback and continue to perform at a high level. The players showed great determination and focus in that game, and it was a clear indication of their growth as a team. 2: The rise in the rankings is a testament to Notre Dame's consistency and their ability to win games. They have been able to maintain their momentum throughout the season and are now in a prime position to make a deep run in the playoff.Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.