In a packed college football season with as much parity as ever in the new NIL and transfer portal era, nobody knows who is going to win the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. Oregon, Texas, Georgia and Ohio State feel like the most popular picks, but other teams like Penn State and Notre Dame are lurking in the shadows.

On Friday night, former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn went out on a limb with his title pick. Following Boise State's 21-7 win over UNLV in the Mountain West Championship Game, Quinn boldly declared that his Fighting Irish would take home the hardware and become the National Champions in college football.

Notre Dame doesn't have a conference and cannot win a conference championship, so it cannot be seeded any higher than No. 5 in the bracket even if it is ranked higher than that in the official rankings. However, with conference championship weekend in progress and Notre Dame's ranking secured, the Fighting Irish know that they will be hosting a playoff game in South Bend on either Dec. 20 or 21.

Notre Dame has bigger goals than just reaching the CFP and it is rolling into the postseason on one of the biggest hot streaks in the country of late. Notre Dame has won 10 games in a row and is as hot as any team in college football.

Notre Dame has a path to glory in the CFP

Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) jumps over Southern California Trojans safety Kamari Ramsey (7) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Article Continues Below
More NCAA Football News
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas players take the field for warm up at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Texas beats Bill Belichick, North Carolina for 4-star DLLorenzo J Reyna ·
South Carolina coach Frank Beamer celebrates after Thursday's bowl victory against North Carolina in Charlotte. Jg Mayobowl 123021 055
South Carolina secures 4-star twins in massive recruitment winLorenzo J Reyna ·
UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster greets his players after a Bruins touchdown against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the third quarter at Rose Bowl.
DeShaun Foster posts sly reaction after UCLA lands East Coast 4-starLorenzo J Reyna ·
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel high-fives fans as he walks down the tunnel for warm up before the USC game at Michigan Stadium
Michigan AD Warde Manuel explains revenue sharing planScotty White ·
A Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with the M flag after a touchdown during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State lost 45-23.
4-star CB breaks down recent Michigan football visitScotty White ·
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal on the sideline against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Miami, Mario Cristobal loses key member of coaching staffLorenzo J Reyna ·

Even though it will certainly have to play four games in the College Football Playoff in order to win the National Championship, Notre Dame has shown that it has the capability to beat just about anyone this season.

Since a shocking loss to Northern Illinois way back in September, Notre Dame has won 10 games in a row and will be rolling into the CFP with a month off to rest and prepare and a ton of confidence and momentum. On top of that, this may be one of the most complete Notre Dame teams in the playoff era.

The Fighting Irish can really move the ball offensively on the back of a physical offensive line and a great running game. Quarterback Riley Leonard has been smart with the football through the air and also adds some value with his legs, and running back Jeremiyah Love has become a star throughout this season.

On defense, Notre Dame is very hard to throw the ball against with an elite secondary that returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns in the regular season finale against USC. Safety Xavier Watts is one of the best impact players on the defensive side of the ball in the whole country. Notre Dame is even doing it without star cornerback Ben Morrison, who is out for the season due to an injury.

No matter who Notre Dame ends up playing in its first CFP game, it has a chance to make a deep run and push for a national title.If the Fighting Irish are clicking on both sides, they will be a tough out for anyone.