Notre Dame’s Playoff Assurance for Next Season: A Game-Changer

If the Notre Dame Fighting Irish find themselves in a similar position next year, they won’t face the same College Football Playoff (CFP) snub. Starting next season, if Notre Dame is ranked in the top 12, they will secure a spot in the CFP bracket, as per an agreement established by CFP officials, according to Irish athletic director Pete Bevacqua.

Significant Changes to CFP Rankings

Guaranteed Spots

• Top 12 Guarantee: Notre Dame will be assured a playoff spot if they are ranked in the top 12.
• Expanded Bracket: Should the playoff bracket increase to 14 teams, ranking No. 13 or higher will also guarantee Notre Dame a playoff appearance.

This new positioning means that in previous seasons, where competitiveness led to disappointing exclusions, Notre Dame will have a defined pathway to playoff participation.

Context of Notre Dame’s Previous Ranking

During the most recent playoff selection, Notre Dame faced a controversial exclusion. Miami clinched the final at-large berth by finishing No. 10, one spot ahead of Notre Dame. In a head-to-head match earlier this season, Miami edged out Notre Dame with a score of 27-24, a result that contributed to Notre Dame’s departure from the playoffs.

Controversial Exclusions

The college football landscape was taken aback when Notre Dame was overlooked while idle over the weekend. Notably, Alabama, despite a poor performance in the SEC Championship, remained at No. 9 and was not penalized for playing an extra game. Conversely, BYU fell to No. 12 after a crushing defeat, which added to confusion around the rankings.

Bevacqua expressed frustrations over the selection process, stating, “There is no explanation that could possibly be given to explain the outcome.” His remarks highlight the bewilderment stemming from being ranked higher than competitors yet receiving a lesser playoff opportunity.

Upcoming College Football Playoff Matches

As we look ahead, here are some key matchups in the upcoming playoff:

Round 1 Matches

• No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma: Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. ET
• No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M: Dec. 20 at 12 p.m. ET
• No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss: Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. ET
• No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon: Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Quarterfinals Matches

• No. 10 Miami/No. 7 Texas A&M vs No. 2 Ohio State: Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET
• No. 12 James Madison/No. 5 Oregon vs No. 4 Texas Tech: Jan. 1 at 12 p.m. ET
• No. 9 Alabama/No. 8 Oklahoma vs No. 1 Indiana: Jan. 1 at 4 p.m. ET
• No. 11 Tulane/No. 6 Ole Miss vs No. 3 Georgia: Jan. 1 at 8 p.m. ET

These matchups will set the stage for an exciting playoff season, allowing teams to showcase their skills on a national stage.

Notre Dame’s Decision Following the Snub

In light of the recent playoff exclusion, Notre Dame has decided not to accept an invitation to a bowl game, further expressing their dissatisfaction with the current ranking system.

Bevacqua’s Stance

In his statement, Bevacqua emphasized the emotional toll these decisions take on young student-athletes, stating, "We feel like the playoff was stolen from our student-athletes." This sentiment resonates deeply within the Notre Dame community and among college football fans nationwide.

For further information about the College Football Playoff and the upcoming matchups, please visit the official CFP website.

Notre Dame’s situation not only brings to light the complexities of college football rankings but also sets a precedent for future seasons. As they embark on the next chapter, fans and players alike will be watching closely to see how these changes affect their journey.