Notre Dame’s loss to Northern Illinois was ugly—there’s no sugarcoating it. But somehow, the Irish are still in the playoff hunt and even in a position to host a first-round game.
How? Well, it seems like the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee is giving them a free pass, and a lot of that has to do with the “magic” of Notre Dame’s reputation and the famous golden dome. They’re ranked No. 6, ahead of multiple two-loss SEC teams, even though they’ve had an easier schedule.
When Notre Dame lost at home to a team from the MAC (Northern Illinois), many thought that might be the end of their playoff hopes. But, surprise! The committee is looking past that and still keeping the Irish in the race.
The committee’s reasoning? They say Notre Dame has bounced back strong since that loss, with solid wins and standout performances. But the big question remains: Should they really get the chance to host a playoff game, especially when their schedule isn’t as tough as some of the other teams in contention?
While Notre Dame has impressed since the Northern Illinois loss, some are saying they shouldn’t get a home game, especially since they haven’t faced the toughest competition.
Other teams, like Alabama or Georgia, have played much harder schedules and still have just two losses. Notre Dame’s strength of schedule just doesn’t stack up to those teams, but here they are, ranked higher than them.
What stands out about Notre Dame’s schedule is that they’ve only played three true road games, one of which was against Purdue—who’s having a rough season. Their biggest win? A road victory over Texas A&M, but is that one win enough to vault them to a home playoff spot?
If the playoff started today, Notre Dame would be seeded No. 8 and host a first-round game. But, with a few teams above them set to play each other, there’s a chance the Irish could climb even higher.
If they finish the season strong, winning their remaining games, they could land a No. 5 seed. But, if they lose? Well, they won’t be hosting anything, and teams like Tennessee would get a shot instead.
So, should Notre Dame be in the playoff? Yes, they’ve done enough to earn it. But should they host a game? That’s where the debate starts. They’ve got two tough games ahead, and if they win, they could avoid the drama of seeding. But if they lose, their playoff spot is in jeopardy. Either way, Notre Dame’s golden dome has worked its magic—at least for now.
