Slap the Sign
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Notre Dame football
Nov 13, 2021; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Logan Diggs (22) carries the ball past Virginia Cavaliers outside linebacker Noah Taylor (7) during the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

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

How can it happen?

First things first, Cincinnati has to lose. Because the Bearcats beat the Irish, Notre Dame can’t realistically be ranked ahead of Cincinnati, especially with how Cincinnati controlled that game. The Bearcats have struggled the past month or so, especially on offense, and with a difficult stretch coming up against SMU, ECU, and presumably Houston in the AAC Championship Game, there are plenty of chances for that to happen.

The next thing is that it’s important for Ohio State and Georgia to win out. This would give Michigan State and Michigan a second loss each, eliminating both of them from contention. It would also assure that Ohio State makes the College Football Playoff. Georgia winning out would confirm their spot.

If they play Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and lose, both Alabama and Georgia will make the Playoff. That’s two spots being taken up. However, if Georgia wins out, or Alabama simply loses again, then only Georgia will make the Playoff. No two loss team will make the current format. Not much is certain, but that is true.

Home/Notre Dame Football