Slap the Sign
Fansided

Can Notre Dame still make the College Football Playoff?

By Mason Plummer

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: The College Football Playoff logo is seen before the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: The College Football Playoff logo is seen before the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Notre Dame
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 12: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players celebrate after the game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated USC 30-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

When you are an independent like Notre Dame, going 12-0 to make the College Football Playoff is almost always necessary. Can an 11-1 Notre Dame team do it?

In short, it is going to be very difficult for Notre Dame to return to the College Football Playoff for a second straight year. As stated above, going undefeated is just about Notre Dame’s only shot at making it, considering it has no conference championship or tie-in.

Now sitting at 5-1 after a win against USC, Notre Dame will need some help from the seven teams ranked above them to make the College Football Playoff.

Currently ranked ahead of Notre Dame in the AP Poll are: 1) Alabama, 2) LSU, 3) Clemson, 4) Ohio State, 5) Oklahoma, 6) Wisconsin and 7) Penn State.

Each and every one of those teams currently ranked above Notre Dame are undefeated. That will not last, so ND fans — here is your slate of teams to root against.

Notre Dame has a bye this week, but, if you Irish fans can stomach rooting for Michigan, this weekend would be the time to do it. No.18 Michigan takes on No.7 Penn State away from home. If Michigan manages to pull off what would be quite the upset, it likely turns into a top 10 matchup at the Big House the following weekend between Notre Dame and Michigan. That is a great opportunity for the Irish to accrue a ‘big win’.

Regardless of all of this, Notre Dame is somewhat in control of its own destiny at this point. If the Irish win out, they will be 11-1, with the only loss coming to a very good Georgia team. That is a solid case to be in the playoff.

Or is it?

Let’s take a closer look.

Home/Notre Dame Football