Notre Dame's 31-24 victory over Louisville was huge for the Fighting Irish, who continue to scratch and claw their way back into the College Football Playoff picture after the upset loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2.

Notre Dame is 3-1. Notre Dame opened the season with a 23-13 victory over Texas A&M in College State, Texas, before falling in its home opener to Mid-American Conference school Northern Illinois, 16-14, in a stunner for the Irish. The Irish bounced back with a 66-7 victory at Purdue and then dispatched Miami (Ohio), 28-3, last weekend at home.

Perhaps Notre Dame fans shouldn’t be too surprised. It’s going to be an uphill climb after the Week 2 failure against Northern Illinois, and the Irish’s schedule is considered less challenging than usual. That said, if the Irish continue to win and play well, perhaps they’ll be back on the pundits’ radar.