Slap the Sign
Fansided

Notre Dame Football: 3 Reasons the Irish were ranked too low in final AP Poll

By Andrew Hall

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish calls the cadence during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish calls the cadence during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Notre Dame football had better quality wins. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images)
Notre Dame football had better quality wins. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images) /

Quality wins

Quality wins also differentiate the Irish from the Aggies, with both teams notching two quality wins during the 2020 season. The Irish beat Clemson and North Carolina, while the Aggies beat Florida and North Carolina.

Clemson and North Carolina finished No. 3 and No. 18 in the final AP Poll. and the Gators ended the year ranked No. 13. In quality victories, Notre Dame slightly edges the Aggies.

However, the argument can be made that Notre Dame’s victory over Clemson was not the No. 3 team because Trevor Lawrence was out with COVID-19. Where would a Clemson led by D.J. Uiagalelei rank among the Top 25?

The Tigers would have made a significant push to the College Football Playoffs even without Lawrence, and the key would have been if the Tigers could have beaten the Irish in the ACC Championship with Lawrence. Based on Notre Dame’s offensive performance, Clemson definitely could have won. The Tigers would have made the playoffs with Uiagalelei and thus probably would be ranked in a similar spot.

To further emphasize how good Clemson is with Uiagalelei at quarterback, many betting outlets believe he is a top-5 contender for the Heisman Trophy this season. He is not as good as Lawrence, but he is a top quarterback despite his age and experience, therefore, a victory over a Lawrence-less is better than a victory at home against Florida.

Home/Notre Dame Football