I think this comes straight from the AP Poll guidelines, but don't quote me:

To rank the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, calculate the ranking one would normally assign any other D1 team with that win-loss record and strength of schedule. Now subtract 8 and place Notre Dame in that spot.

For example:

W-L: 9-2
Opponents' W-L: a little under .500

Normal D1 ranking: approx. 13 to 15 if in tough conference

Notre Dame Factor: 13-8 = 5

Final Special Notre Dame Ranking: #5

We've cracked the code!!

Let's see...#6 Notre Dame lost big to #4 Ohio St. That loss ought to put Notre Dame at #1 now, right?! It has to, at least in the AP poll. I'm not sure if #1 is high enough for Notre Dame, but it will have to do. You Irish suck.