Notre Dame being left out of the College Football Playoff despite finishing with the same record as Miami has ignited a wave of anger across the college football world. Miami’s head-to-head win gave the Hurricanes the edge.
Notre Dame’s independent status, meaning no conference championship and no late-season resume boost, became a major factor in the selection. The decision triggered immediate backlash from fans who felt the Fighting Irish were unfairly positioned and that the ACC played a role in shaping the narrative against them.
As criticism mounted, ACC commissioner Jim Phillips stepped in with a formal statement addressing the controversy. Instead of easing tensions, the message only added fuel to the fire.
Many fans viewed it as defensive, vague, or even dismissive of Notre Dame’s concerns, and reactions across social media reflected the rising frustration surrounding both the selection process and the ACC’s involvement.
“Why isn’t his obligation to support inclusion of the conference champion?” A fan wrote.
Why isn’t his obligation to support inclusion of the conference champion?
— JAW (@homer78749) December 8, 2025
“Weird……I never saw the ACC campaign one bit for both Miami AND Notre Dame over Alabama. Why didn’t they show Florida State/Alabama nonstop on their network channel like they did for another game?” A fan wrote.
“What a dumpster fire for the ACC. The ACC champion is ranked behind not one, but two Group of 5 teams. Then the ACC disparages their own (near full) member, and most important business partner (desperately) lobbying for Miami to be in the playoff “permanently damaging” the relationship,” a fan wrote.
“lol… wow, full CYA mode. ACC is feeling the heat today,” a fan wrote.
“The fact they felt they needed to put out a statement, they are extremely worried about ND leaving. If ND leaves. Clemson, Miami, and Florida St might leave. They were close 4 years ago,” a fan wrote.
There are hundreds of comments under the post by Matt Fortuna, showing the official statement from Phillips. Most of them are saying that ACC is burning itself to the ground with its decisions.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips on Notre Dame
Phillips’ statement attempted to strike a balance between acknowledging Notre Dame’s importance to the ACC and explaining the conference’s responsibility to promote its full-time football members.
He emphasized that Notre Dame remains a respected partner across most sports, but when it comes to football, the ACC must advocate for the programs that actually compete under its banner.
His message underscored that supporting Miami’s playoff bid wasn’t an attack on Notre Dame, nor was it an indication that the Irish were unworthy of consideration.
STATEMENT from ACC commissioner Jim Phillips on Notre Dame: pic.twitter.com/nNqmDDbphW
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) December 8, 2025
He also noted that the conference never suggested Notre Dame didn’t deserve a place in the playoff field, but reaffirmed that the ACC had an obligation to stand behind its football teams throughout the selection process.
Phillips closed by saying the league was thrilled for Miami while acknowledging the sting Notre Dame felt after missing out.
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