In advance of their home opener against the Purdue Boilermakers, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish cracked the AP Top 25 college football poll for the first time this season. The Irish are the lone debutante this week, taking the place left by Boise State, which was No. 24 before losing at Michigan State on Friday. Notre Dame sits at No. 22 this week, eight points ahead of Louisville for No. 23.
Several future Irish opponents sit above Notre Dame. First is No. 2 USC, whom the Irish will face to finish the season in Los Angeles. No. 5 Oklahoma is also still highly rated in advance of Notre Dame's trip to Norman. No. 11 Michigan State, another Notre Dame road game, is also there.
Stanford at No. 25 is the fourth ranked future opponent for Notre Dame. The biggest drop this week came from No. 19 Michigan, which fell 11 spots after losing to Alabama. BYU, who received 63 votes, could become the sixth ranked team Notre Dame is scheduled to face.
For more Fighting Irish coverage, visit SB Nation's One Foot Down, College Football Hub, and SB Nation Chicago.