Actually a correction, Alabama finished the season 10-3, not 8-3. Remember, we played #3 in the CFP rankings twice this season.
Tim, I believe that the last time we spoke seriously with the Big 10, which IMO was the most logical conference for us to join (for selfish reasons relating to geography), it didn't work because the B10 required us to become a full-time member for football. I'm thinking that remains a permanent stumbling block. I don't believe we ever have had conversations with the SEC or Big 12. If I'm wrong, someone will correct me.
I don't have a problem at all with Alabama being in or even with Miami being in despite the gripes from the Miami peanut gallery. My problem is focused on how the ACC actively and publicly campaigned against us despite our presence in the conference since 2014 significantly benefitting the full-time conference members per this quote from the ND AD: “Since 2014,” Bevacqua said, “ACC (football games) sell out roughly 23% of time. When Notre Dame goes to an ACC site, it’s 90% of the time.” To sum up, it has nothing to do with the teams chosen. It has everything to do with - as stated by our AD - the permanent damage the ACC has inflicted on the relationship.
My problem isn't with Alabama, it's with the fact that the 12 best teams as determined by the committee are not in the playoffs.
Idaho Vandals are in town to Face the Irish men tonight. Big question is how will Shrewsberry handle the loss of PG Markus Burton?
Well said, Terry re: your 12 best teams comment. I'm sure the two Group of Five teams would agree with you but they're just happy to be in. I was being diplomatic about Miami and avoiding the argument about who's better. I definitely believe we deserved to be in, period. My focus is on the skulduggery on the part of the ACC.
My Golfing partner, LSUAlum, is thrilled the Irish got screwed. He says if we had to play the LSU schedule we'd struggle to be .500 and Love wouldn't be in NYC for the Heisman. Said he's an average. SEC rb. He hates the Irish. The subject of ND getting a guaranteed slot next year if we are in the top 12 pissed him off. Thinks that any conference champion , even JMU or Duke should get in over ND.
Terry, a good friend of mine also hates ND for different reasons. I've happily lived with it for many years because I value our friendship, and - in my eyes - it's his only fault.
I looked up the changes in the selection process for 2026, and this is what AI provided (Note the error saying Miami lost to ND): Starting in 2026, the College Football Playoff (CFP) process changes significantly for Notre Dame: instead of relying solely on at-large bids or being the highest-ranked non-champion, they get an automatic berth if ranked in the Top 12, guaranteeing them more access than other independents, plus a share of the new conference revenue, a big shift after being snubbed in 2025 despite high rankings. Key Changes for Notre Dame in 2026 & Beyond: Automatic Top-12 Spot: If Notre Dame finishes the regular season ranked 12th or better, they are guaranteed a spot in the expanded 12-team playoff field, regardless of being a conference champion. Financial Benefits: They join the major conferences in sharing playoff revenue, securing significant annual payouts (over $12M estimated) for simply participating, as detailed in a new memorandum of understanding (MOU). Reduced Committee Reliance: This new deal minimizes the controversial role of the selection committee deciding their fate, like what happened in 2025 when they were ranked ahead of Miami but left out. Why It Matters (Context from the 2025 Season): 2025 Snub: In the 2025 season, Notre Dame (ranked 11th) was left out of the 12-team playoff in favor of Miami (ranked 10th), despite Miami losing to Notre Dame earlier in the year. Group of 5 Champions: The 2025 system prioritized the five highest-ranked conference champions (ACC, Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, G5), which saw teams like Duke (ACC runner-up) miss out while James Madison (Sun Belt champ) got in. The new rules solidify the Power Five champions' spots and give Notre Dame its own pathway. In essence, the new agreement ensures Notre Dame is a consistent playoff contender, providing much more stability and financial security than under the old system, addressing the frustrations seen in the 2025 selection.
I like that myself. We still have to be in the top 12 but won't get sidelined by #17 Clemson like Alabama or by either Tulane or JMU who are ranked in the 20's this year.
I believe that feature alone would be motivation for the major conferences doing away with their conference championship game.
Maybe so but the committee has been clear that losing the Championship game will not eliminate a team. At least I believe they will do that for the SEC and Big10. Big 12 loser was out but then unlike Alabama BYU had previously been soundly beaten by Tech.
Irish win tonight vs Idaho. Solid game against a inferior opponent. Game was close in the middle, but then we pulled away at the end. 4 of our 5 starters were in double figures lead by Haralson. We shot 64%from 3 point land.
Yes as I said BYU was previously soundly beaten by Tech, in addition to being soundly beaten again by Tech in the Championship game. Even the Committee would be hard pressed to give BYU a pass.
ND lost their LB coach, Max Bullough, to Pat Fitzgerald and MSU. He's going to be the Co - DCoord . MSU is his Alma Mater. No bowl game so Freeman will have ample time to evaluate prospects.
Maybe. I’m not sure there is an advantage to playing it. If we continue to have 6 or more teams getting automatic bids then we are going to be in the same boat, with deserving teams in the top 12 not getting in the CFP. Just put the top 12 in at the end of the regular season. If one conference has more than another conference, so be it. Do away with the conference championship games, play 12 games, and treat everyone like Notre Dame is going to be treated.
My final thoughts on the subject. First the folks in Vegas are pretty knowledgable when it comes to setting betting lines. Their livelyhood depends on it. ND was raned fourth favorite to win the playoff championship. Then we had the AP poll. ND wasn't 4th but they were in the top 10. Then we had the Playoff committee. The moves and rationale that they gave for what they did was not rational or believable in my opinion. Vegas apparently took some things into consideration that the committee chose to overlook. For instance home field is worth 3 pts. (Vegas calculation) The Miami win was not pursuasive to them. The aTm game was decided on a botched snap and the game was played with SEC refs who seemed to overlook a few things during the game. The performance by ND in their last 10 games was dominant. Thier margin of victory vs Ark. was not much lower than the total point spred combined in the 8 games Ark. played against their SEC conference foes. The team that gave up 98 pts. in their first 3 games (33ppg) gave up 113 in their last 9 (12.5) Many of those points came after the starters were pulled. In short a frosh QB adjusted to the game and the D adjusted to their new DC and by the end of the season they were a formidable playoff worthy team. It took some mental gymnastics and flat out dishonesty to keep them out of the playoffs but the committee did. Im glad Pete ripped the ACC. With Clemson and FSU trying to bolt the last thing that they'd need is ND to blow them a kiss out the door. It's OK to campaign FOR your team but don't piss on an ally and partial member. ND was criticized for it's schedule an that mostly was the crap teams the ACC scheduled us with. I still wonder why we were hooked up with Miami at the hottest most humid time of the year in a first game. Just a coincidence I'm sure. In any event, I agree with ending the season without a bowl. Nothing to be gained with a win and a loss without the best running back in the country playing would just lead to wrongful "told you sos" Revenge is a dish best served cold. I'd rather get even than mad.