Notre Dame football's path through the playoffs has a Lone Star State look

The Notre Dame football team took care of business on Saturday. And they're taking care of business when it comes to getting the best seed they possibly can in the College Football Playoffs.

The massive win over the Army Black Knights, paired with some losses we said were important for the Irish's playoff picture, the Blue and Gold move up a seed. Last week, they were the No. 8 and were set to host the Alabama Crimson Tide.

This week, the Notre Dame football team jumped up to the No. 7 seed. In the grand scheme of things that doesn't mean a whole lot, other than it appears they are more safely in the bracket. Of course, a loss to USC probably means they were never safe at all, even if they were the No. 5 seed.

Notre Dame football road goes through Texas teams

If there is one benefit, it would mean that they would play the No. 2 seed of the entire tournament rather than the No. 1 seed, in the second round.

This week, the Irish are slated to hose SMU, should the season end today. That's certainly an interesting squad to host as the Mustangs certainly haven't seen much in the way of cold weather this season.

Should this bracket hold true and Notre Dame football beats SMU, they would then take on the Texas Longhorns in the second round. It feels like that's definitely an easier path to the semifinals than they were lined up for last week. Win against USC, and maybe it gets even easier.