In college football, it's easy to buy into hype. Flashy quarterback highlights, spring game stats and the transfer portal carousel can distract you from what actually matters when the lights are brightest in December and January.
But if you strip away the noise, the winning formula remains simple: continuity and veteran talent. If you don't have both, you're building your house on sand.
Notre Dame has the foundation: solid, tested and ready to hold weight for a second straight playoff run.
Marcus Freeman is entering his fifth year as Irish head coach. He has navigated injuries and rotating quarterbacks. He led Notre Dame to the national title game last year in the kind of season that either breaks a young coach or forges him into something special. Freeman has grown and has proved he belongs among the sport's elite.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock returns for his second year, and with Notre Dame's system already in place, the timing of the offense should improve, reads should get sharper and the playbook likely will expand because players are able to jell.
Chris Ash steps in as the Irish's new defensive coordinator, and while that's technically a dent in continuity, Ash isn't a first-timer. He is a veteran with Big Ten, SEC and NFL experience. Ash walks into a locker room stacked with returning starters at all three levels. He's not being asked to build a defense; he just needs to steer the ship on an already traveled voyage.
Now, layer in the veteran talent on the roster.
Notre Dame's offensive line is the type of unit that titles are built around. Billy Schrauth and Ashton Craig have double-digit starts and blocked for a group that averaged over 200 rushing yards per game last year. Behind that line is arguably the best running back room in the country. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price combined for over 1,800 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns last season as part of a committee. Add sophomore Aneyas Williams and freshman Kedren Young, and the Irish now have four running backs who could start on most Power 5 teams.
The Irish aren't lacking playmakers at receiver either. Jaden Greathouse was electric in last year's College Football Playoff with 128 yards on six receptions. The Irish bolstered the room with experienced transfers Malachi Fields and Will Pauling. Eli Raridon, if healthy, can carry on the tradition of exceptional tight ends at Notre Dame.
And then there's the defense, led by one of the best linebacking groups in the country. Drayk Bowen, Jaylen Sneed and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa have logged significant reps and bring a nasty edge to the middle of the field. The defensive line doesn't feature a nationally-recognized name yet, but it goes eight deep with veterans. This group doesn't have a superstar, but it's a high-floor, high-ceiling unit that can win at the point of attack.
Quarterback is the only area that could hold Notre Dame back. CJ Carr is a five-star talent -- sharp, composed and gifted with an arm that makes NFL scouts lean forward in their chairs -- but he's also a redshirt freshman who has yet to start a college game.
Kenny Minchey is still in the mix, and though he doesn't carry the same recruiting pedigree, his presence is a reminder that Carr will have to go out and earn the starting job. That's good for the locker room and good for accountability.
Notre Dame doesn't need Carr to be spectacular, at least not yet. It just needs him to be steady. The run game, offensive line and defense have the heavy lifting covered. If Carr (or Minchey) can be decisive, take care of the ball and grow into the role week by week, this team has everything else it needs to get back to the CFP -- and possibly win it.
How to bet Notre Dame
Notre Dame's season win total is 10.5 at ESPN BET. I lean toward the over 
because I'm confident Notre Dame beats Miami in Week 1. As a tough opener on the road, in the heat, with a new quarterback, that game serves as a tone-setter. If the Irish win, the path to 11-1 opens up. Notre Dame can afford a stumble later and still hit the season win total or make the CFP. It also tells us Carr is probably ready, because if he can handle that environment, the ceiling rises fast.
To make the playoffs at -185 is still pricey, but it's more justified if the Irish start 1-0. To win the national title at +1100 is the best value. That number drops if the Irish win in Miami.