The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are an independent college football entity. Thus, they can only make the College Football Playoff by securing an at-large spot. The current CFP format includes 12 teams: five are selected from the top five conference champions, and the other seven are selected based on the final rankings of the College Football Playoff committee.
Jeremiyah Love’s Fighting Irish, who appeared in the national championship game last season, are sitting at No. 10 in the last-second final CFP rankings, notably, ahead of the Miami Hurricanes.
Notre Dame CFP Scenarios Explained
- Needs to rank ahead of Miami in final CFP rankings
Currently, Notre Dame sits in the final spot among at-large ranked teams. Their biggest challenge will be to be ranked ahead of Miami when the CFP releases its final rankings. This is because voices are being raised that Miami should be ranked ahead of Notre Dame since they defeated the Fighting Irish 27-24 in the final rankings. Moreover, since both of them faced the same opponents mostly, it’s difficult to differentiate them, making their head-to-head result the only way to give an advantage. But, still, it appears the CFP committee is giving Notre Dame an edge.
2. Needs Texas Tech To Beat BYU In Big 12 Championship Game
Notre Dame’s chances go out the window if BYU manages to defeat Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game. That’s because, if that happens, BYU qualifies through a championship bid, while Texas Tech qualifies through an at-large spot.
Thus, it’s utmost necessary that Texas Tech defeats BYU, so the Cougars have no way to get into the playoffs, thereby opening up a spot for an at-large hopeful team.
3. Notre Dame would like if Georgia beat Alabama in SEC championship game
While the result of the SEC championship game doesn’t matter much, it will improve the rankings of the Fighting Irish if the Bulldogs manage to defeat Alabama. That’s because, then Alabama will take a loss to their name and might fall behind Notre Dame in the final CFP rankings.
4. Notre Dame wants Virginia to win ACC championship game
It’s hard to see a world where the College Football Playoff doesn’t include an ACC team. The ACC championship game will be played between Virginia and Duke. If the Cavaliers win, that will ensure an ACC team in the CFP’s 12-team field. But if Duke wins, the ACC will miss on their championship bid since the Blue Devils have a worse overall record than the Sun Belt’s James Madison.
In the scenario that Duke wins, the ACC will run a campaign in favor of Miami to be deserving ahead of Notre Dame. That could maybe affect the committee’s decision in the final CFP rankings.
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