Notre Dame Football: Could the Irish really pass on the CFP?
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame Football team is likely headed to the College Football Playoff, but head coach Brian Kelly could pass on it.
The Notre Dame football team will take on the Clemson Tigers on Saturday, looking to win the ACC Championship and guarantee a spot in the College Football Playoff. This has been an extremely exciting season for the Irish, as they have run through their ACC schedule with a perfect record, and should make the playoff even without a win against the Tigers.
On Friday, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly threw a wrench into the possible postseason berth, saying that the team may not play in the playoff if they make it there during his conference call on Friday. He cited that if families cannot attend, why even bother?
Moving the Rose Bowl?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Southern California has strict restrictions on who can attend sporting events, and if the Irish make it to the Rose Bowl, one of the CFP semifinals, Kelly stated the team may not play. That would be a crushing blow to not only the program but to the players, who have worked so hard to get where they are.
Kelly spoke about possibly moving the Rose Bowl, saying that there needs to be flexibility, especially in a year ravaged by a national pandemic. For the Irish players, having at least their families at the game would be very special, considering how hard it is to qualify for the playoffs.