Notre Dame's best possible draw in the College Football Playoff is more about seed than it is about hosting a home game.

Debating Notre Dame's Playoff prospects at No. 10, plus depth under Marcus Freeman compared to Brian Kelly and more questions.

Notre Dame linebacker Jaylen Sneed (3) and linebacker Jack Kiser (24) celebrate getting a stop during a NCAA college football game against Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend. / MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Penn State was ranked sixth Tuesday night in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season and projected to play Notre Dame at home in the first round. The Nittany Lions (7-1) were ranked behind No. 1 Oregon (9-0), Ohio State (7-1), Georgia (7-1), Miami (9-0) and Texas (7-1). They’re coming off a 20-13 home loss to the Buckeyes.

While the game means little for Florida State, Notre Dame needs a win to keep marching toward a playoff spot in the 12-team field.

The first College Football Playoff rankings finally dropped on Tuesday night, giving teams and fans a rough road map through the final month of the season. Unsurprisingly, Oregon’s status as the (current) No. 1 team in the country was confirmed by the selection committee.

Notre Dame football received some good news on Tuesday night, rising up to No. 8 on the most recent College Football playoff ranking. That ranking is up two spots after coming in at No. 10 to kick things off last week.

The second College Football Playoff rankings were released, with the big questions surrounding who would be No. 3 and where the SEC teams would land.

The second set of College Football Playoff rankings were released on Tuesday night in an abbreviated show — which was much appreciated. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish moved up two spots thanks to a loss from Georgia to Ole Miss and a loss from Miami to Georgia Tech.