Takeaways from the Notre Dame College Football Playoff Media Day

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ATLANTA, GA – December 6: Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban, Oklahoma Head Coach Lincoln Riley, Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney and Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly pose with the National Championship Trophy at the College Football Playoff Semifinal Head Coaches News Conference on December 6, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Disrespect from the Media

A touchy subject among the players and coaches, but one that had to be addressed: The constant disrespect from the media and college football “analysts”. No one has given Notre Dame a shot all season , and STILL no one seems to give the Irish a shot, even at 12-0.

The undefeated Irish have done everything asked of them and more, but are still disrespected around the country. Kelly and his players realize that though, and are not fazed by it. They all know that this Notre Dame team is a force to be reckoned with and they plan to prove it come December 29th.

The mantra from the players all season, and especially now has been the same — “If you aren’t Notre Dame, you hate us. And we are okay with that.” This was especially highlighted by Drue Tranquill at media day. He seemed to be unbothered by what the media has to say, and that attitude is reflected by his teammates as well.

https://twitter.com/ChaseClaypool/status/1074137468608372738

Head coach Brian Kelly even joked Saturday about claiming the National Championship as Notre Dame’s this season if it was to be kept out of the playoff somehow. I say “somehow” because it is common sense that Notre Dame should be in the College Football Playoff. But, some hard-headed “analysts” that don’t even watch Notre Dame will still insist that a 2-LOSS Georgia team should be in over Notre Dame.

But all of that is beside the point. Kelly and his boys realize that in this current playoff format, they will most likely always need to go 12-0 and prove themselves along the way — but he is okay with that. Kelly spoke in his interview late Saturday afternoon that every game for Notre Dame is a playoff game, so his players are ready for this game and that it will be nothing new.

The facts are that Notre Dame has accepted their place in the world of college football — most people hate them. Whether it’s because of the TV deal with NBC, the religious overtones or the golden helmets — so be it.

These guys just want to play football and prove — once again — that they belong among the nation’s elite.

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