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Notre Dame football: 5 reasons the Irish have earned a CFP berth

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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Oct 23, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Bo Bauer (52) celebrates after Notre Dame defeated the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Bo Bauer (52) celebrates after Notre Dame defeated the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: 5 reasons the Irish have earned a CFP berth

They Have Improved to be One of the Four Best Teams in College Football

The goal of the College Football Playoff is not to put the four most deserving teams in the College Football Playoff. The goal is to put the four best teams in the Playoff. That’s why the eye test matters, as well as the quality of your resume. It’s also why we tend to see the same teams in the Playoff every year, as they recruit the best and have the most raw talent. Those teams get the benefit of the doubt.

Notre Dame was not one of the four best teams during the month of September, but in the second half of the season the Irish have been a top-four team in all of college football. They’ve overcome adversity and they’re dominant in their wins. The talent that they have is top end, and there is more than a little bit of NFL ready talent on the Irish roster.

Then look at the other teams at the top. Georgia is clearly the best team in the country. Cincinnati is unbeaten and has looked great. After that, it’s kind of a mess. Michigan looked great against Ohio State, but is still liable to lay an egg. Alabama probably should have lost multiple games already, and Oklahoma State’s offense simply isn’t good this season. Notre Dame is better than those teams by any metric.

If your goal is to put the four best teams in, the Irish belong.

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