You ever feel like no matter how hard you fight, the powers that be keep finding a way to push you back down? That’s exactly what’s happening to Notre Dame right now, and make no mistake: it’s by design.
They keep ranking the Irish low, yet they keep grinding. The College Football Playoff voters have found every reason to nudge them down in their pecking order — despite their record, their résumé, and what they've done on the field. They're #9 in the latest CFP rankings, despite being in the mix and still controlling their own destiny.
That’s not just frustrating. It’s disrespectful. But guess what? The response from them has to be louder than their whispers.
Notre Dame football needs more than a win over Syracuse
Yes, the Irish are favored to beat Syracuse. On paper, it should be a “get-it-done” game. But in this business, the Irish don’t do “just get-it-done.” A victory alone won’t be enough to solidify their playoff case — not with how the committee is playing games.
If they want to clear the path and guarantee their place, they need help. Real help. Outside of their own fight, a few key games around the country need to break in their favor. And frankly, they probably have to. Here’s who to watch — and who has to make a big move for Notre Dame.
USC at Oregon
Notre Dame needs USC to go into Eugene and do something bold — because a USC upset over Oregon would shake things up in a way that helps the Irish.
Key factors for a Trojan upset:
Quarterback Jayden Maiava: Their field general, efficient, capable of big plays.
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WR Makai Lemon: He’s their go-to, explosive downfield threat.
RB King Miller: He gives their offense balance, a real tough runner.
On defense, they need to pressure Oregon QB Dante Moore and force him into mistakes. Oregon’s offense is good, but their defense can be stretched — especially if USC plays with urgency.
Turnover margin will be huge. USC must punch above its weight, play disciplined football, and make Oregon pay for any slip-ups.
If USC pulls this off, it’s a gift. But they’ve got to play with fire, swagger, and discipline. No complacency.
Missouri at Oklahoma
Next: The Irish need a Missouri win over Oklahoma. Yes — that’s a tall ask. But there are cracks, and Missouri can exploit them.
Why they can do it:
Missouri is getting Beau Pribula back at QB — he’s recovered from a left ankle injury and brings more pocket presence than the alternative.
Their running game is massive: Ahmad Hardy leads the charge, and Missouri’s run offense is among the best in the country.
Oklahoma’s strength is on defense, but they have to handle that physicality up front. If Missouri can run with power, control the clock, and keep the game tight, they create real trouble.
On OU’s side, their QB John Mateer is solid, but Missouri’s defense is good enough to challenge him, especially on third downs.
Red zone execution will be critical. Missouri needs to convert — OU's red zone offense has been efficient.
If Missouri wins, it would be a seismic ripple across the playoff picture — a domino that helps Notre Dame’s roadmap.
Virginia Tech at Miami
This one matters more than most realize. Virginia Tech, under interim head coach Philip Montgomery, has a shot to derail Miami’s momentum — and Notre Dame needs that.
Former Penn State Coach James Franklin was named the new coach for the Hokies so Montgomery is trying to earn a spot on the Franklin staff for next season.
Montgomery has spoken about rewriting the story: that this isn’t some throwaway stretch; it’s a turning point.
If Tech plays with heart, discipline, and that “nothing to lose” mindset, they can be dangerous. Miami has been creeping up the rankings, and a VT upset would slow their rise — which is exactly what the Irish want.
Arkansas vs. Texas
The Golden Domers need Arkansas to get scrappy. This is one of those “win like it’s your last game” moments because for interim Head Coach Bobby Petrino it most likely is his last ride leading the sideline.
The Longhorns (Texas) are dangerous. But if Arkansas treats this like a knockout, and play with intensity they should have a chance.
Big plays, turnovers, and playing fast on defense — that’s how you beat a Texas team that’s fighting for respect and playoff relevance.
Arkansas doesn’t need to just show up — they need to dominate phases: on special teams, sustained drives, and by forcing big mistakes from Texas.
If Petrino’s team brings edge, they can make some noise — and that noise could echo in Notre Dame's favor.
Pitt at Georgia Tech
Finally — Pitt vs. Georgia Tech. Marcus Freeman doesn’t need Pitt to win just for themselves; if Pitt can pull one off, it changes the ACC landscape in a way that could benefit Notre Dame.
Pitt is coached by Pat Narduzzi, a grinder, a tough guy, and someone who doesn’t shy away from big moments.
Georgia Tech, led by Brent Key, is fighting to stay in the ACC title picture.
The key for Pitt: stop GT’s QB Haynes King. Narduzzi himself has said King is “really good,” and he has to be contained.
Pitt’s own quarterback, Mason Heintschel, is a true freshman, coming off a big lose against Notre Dame where the kid everyone was hyping up looked real amateur but its not about how bad you lost last week its about what you took from that experience and how you can lead your team to a big victory this week, Narduzzi believes in him and for this weekend so should us Irish fans.
If Pitt’s defense can make plays and Heintschel can manage the game, they can pull off the upset.
A Pitt win would complicate things in the ACC, and that chaos could be just the kind of leverage ND needs.
Here’s the truth: none of those outside-game scenarios matter if Notre Dame shows up flat against Syracuse, everything else falls apart. They must play like champions.
But they're not just playing for a win — they're playing for respect. They're playing for a playoff berth that too many voters still don’t fully believe they deserve. They want to test them, push them, and hope they crack.
So let this weekend be a statement. Notre Dame must finish the fight