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ACC Championship game can determine who Notre Dame football faces in the first round

Notre Dame football fans should also be tuned into the ACC Championship game tonight as they await to see their College Football Playoff path.

By Luke Santangelo

Grant Halverson/GettyImages
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As Conference championship weekend is going on, Notre Dame football fans have many scenarios flooding their head trying to figure out who they might play in the first round. Irish currently are 11-1 after there most recent win over USC and await there opponent on Championship Saturday.

How a Clemson win can impact Notre Dame playoff path

With a Clemson win, the Irish has an opportunity to play the Tigers in the first round if they would be given the fifth seed. If the Irish can secure the five seed the Tigers would most likely be the twelve seed and the Tigers would be coming to Notre Dame Stadium for the first time since the Irish 35-14 victory in 2022.

Clemson won’t be higher then the twelve seed if they can pull off the upset, so the Irish wouldn’t play the Tigers if the Irish are the six seed.

How a SMU win impacts Notre Dame playoff Path

With a SMU victory, Irish would potentially play Alabama, Arizona State or Boise State depending on seeding and where the committee ranks the conference champions and Alabama. Notre Dame will most likely be the five, six or seven seed. If SMU is able to take care of business, they will secure a bye and would make the Irish play Arizona State, Alabama or Boise State. Arizona State dominated Iowa State in the Big 12 championship today 45-19 and could jump Alabama and Boise State in the rankings. If the Sun Devils don’t get a bye and stay behind SMU and Boise State then they would be the 11 or 12 seed and the Irish could face them first round. If they do jump Boise State then the Irish would most likley Boise State or Alabama in the first round

Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

The College Football Playoffs Selection Show takes place tomorrow, Dec. 8 at noon ET. Notre Dame football knows they will at least host a first- round matchup at Notre Dame Stadium, but await what seed and who they will play. The first-round will take place either Dec. 20 or the 21.

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