In many ways, Notre Dame football's game against Pitt was its final audition. The next two games, against Syracuse and Stanford, won't prove much for Marcus Freeman's squad. Unless, of course, they somehow find a way to lose.
So the Fighting Irish's 37-15 win over No. 22 Pittsburgh was ND showing it belongs in the College Football Playoffs. It was a way to show they're one of the best teams in the country. And it has convinced national analysts like Kirk Herbstreit that they are now a lock for the 12-team field.
After Saturday night's games, Herbstreit talked about all the winners who had made their case. Notre Dame was definitely among them, and he pointed to the final two games that won't be much of a roadblock.
After latest statement win over Pitt, experts say Notre Dame football is now a postseason lock
"They have an injured Syracuse team and Stanford. We can punch their ticket," Herbstreit said. "Notre Dame's in the Playoff. They're in. I just put them in," the former Ohio State Buckeye added. "Down to 11."
It's actually a crying shame that the game against the Orange won't be more of a spectacle. When Steve Angeli was the Syracuse starting quarterback, Senior Night would have been his triumphant return to South Bend with his new team. Then he became one of the aforementioned injuries, and Fran Brown's season has spiraled to the point where some wonder if Syracuse admins will welcome him back for 2026.
Saturday Blitz's Josh Yourish also thinks Notre Dame booked their seat in the field.
"Now that Marcus Freeman's team has ripped off eight straight wins with a drubbing of No. 22 Pitt at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday, they've all but locked up a spot in the CFP. The Irish will be huge favorites in their final two games of the year against Syracuse and Stanford. I'll take my chances and say that Notre Dame is in.
Obviously, neither Yourish nor Herbstreit nor any of the other national analysts who think Notre Dame is headed to the playoffs has a say. But they're also not wrong.