Notre Dame football on 'Bubble Alert' ahead of Saturday's regular season finale

The Notre Dame football team is in a rather odd situation as the season comes to an end. Two things are true at the same time. 

The Irish are absolutely guaranteed to make the postseason as long as they win against the USC Trojans. However, it seems they’re almost certainly assured of missing the playoffs should they lose. And that’s why the Blue and Gold are well aware that they are essentially on “Bubble Watch”

The alert is big enough that some analysts are talking about the Notre Dame football team needing to be well aware that the Irish need to make sure they are zeroed in against USC. While they won’t fall out of the playoffs should they win a close one, they may end up getting less respect and drop a few spots.

Notre Dame football on ‘Bubble Alert’ vs USC

Since suffering the single most befuddling loss of 2024, to NIU in Week 2, Notre Dame has rolled. The Fighting Irish have scored at least 28 points in each of the past 10 games and allowed more than 14 points just once” Wrote Bill Connelly.

“Granted, they've played only one team in the SP+ top 60 in this span, but they've met the moment, and if Texas doesn't have the best pass defense in the country, the Irish do. At fifth, their CFP hopes might survive a loss, but I wouldn't recommend finding out. After all, three teams fell by at least six spots in the CFP rankings just this week.”

Notre Dame football better be ready. Because if they aren’t they might see an end of the year collapse like few have ever witnessed.