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Notre Dame football: How the Irish can make the College Football Playoff

By Daniel Morrison

Dec 29, 2018; Arlington, TX, United States; View of the back of the helmet of Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Max Siegel (64) during warm-ups for the 2018 Cotton Bowl college football playoff semifinal game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Clemson Tigers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2018; Arlington, TX, United States; View of the back of the helmet of Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Max Siegel (64) during warm-ups for the 2018 Cotton Bowl college football playoff semifinal game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Clemson Tigers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – NOVEMBER 13: Jack Coan #17 of the Notre Dame football throws a pass in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – NOVEMBER 13: Jack Coan #17 of the Notre Dame football throws a pass in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

The Notre Dame football team still has a chance to make the College Football Playoff, and here is how they can get into the final four.

It has long since been accepted that Notre Dame football has made a deal with the devil. Yes, the Irish can stay Independent, but to do so they can only make the College Football Playoff under one circumstance-they go unbeaten.

So, as Notre Dame lost to Cincinnati, it would seem like they’re out of luck this year.

There is a big ‘but’ to all of that, though. 2021 is a strange season. It’s so strange that the Group of Five team Notre Dame lost to is ranked 5th. Alabama, Ohio State, and Oklahoma have all lost too. Clemson isn’t even ranked they’re so bad. The PAC-12 is itself, as usual.

Notre Dame football No. 8 in College Football Playoff ranking

In the latest CFP rankings, Notre Dame is ranked 8th. With two weeks worth of regular season and the conference championship games left to play, the Irish are within striking distance. Of course, Notre Dame is going to need help to make the College Football Playoff.

However, the fact there is even a path into the Playoff for the Irish is a testament to how strange this season has been.

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