Notre Dame football has no room for playoffs error, says analyst

It’s clear by now that Notre Dame football doesn’t have much of a margin for error. Their win over Georgia Tech didn’t give them any boost at all when it came to the polls or how and where they might make the playoffs.

Count Paul Finebaum among those who thinks there is no margin at all. The Irish need to win the rest of their games in order to make the playoffs. That starts with a win over a Navy team that is having a Cinderella-type season.

Finebaum appeared on ESPN earlier this week to talk about what Notre Dame football needs to do in order to make the playoffs. He was clear and succinct. They have to win. And not just this weekend.

Notre Dame football has one shot at this

“Notre Dame has to win, Greeny,” Finebaum said. “Remember that ugly loss against Northern Illinois. They don't really have any room for error. Later in the season, Southern Cal will not help them with already four losses. They don't have a conference championship game. They better win this game or they may be watching the playoffs from the outside.”

Mike Greenberg, the man Finebaum was talking to agreed with that assessment.

“Yeah, a must-win game.You take a look at the remaining schedule there. They will not have time to rebuild this thing. I agree with you; Notre Dame has to win. This is a playoff game for them.”

It stands to reason that Notre Dame football should treat the game like a playoff as well. They need to make sure they understand how important a win is. They are essentially playing playoff games for the rest of the season. Winning them all seems like a tall task. But it’s one that doesn’t look totally impossible.