In the 2026 football season, all Notre Dame has to do is finish in the Top 12 when it comes to the College Football Playoff rankings, and they are guaranteed a spot to compete for a National Championship. This guarantee was negotiated because the Irish are independent and can not be penalized for not winning a conference championship.
The Irish can avoid what happened during the 2025 season, where they were in the Top 12 of the College Football Playoff rankings all season long and then snubbed in the bracket reveal. Former NFL and Alabama running back Mark Ingram, who is also on the desk for Fox Big Noon Kickoff, gave his take on Notre Dame having this ability to make the CFP next season, and he certainly has a way with words.
Ingram actually respects Notre Dame for doing this, for standing its ground and not joining a conference. He knows they have the muscle and power to be able to make this deal so they can be in the playoffs from here on out.
"They don't have to join no conference because they got the muscle to be able to say 'If I'm a top 12 team, I'm getting in the playoff whether you like it or not'" Ingram said.
Notre Dame has the muscle and can just drop their 🥜’s and make the playoffs, according to @markingramII #collegefootball #notredame pic.twitter.com/EMI0WBJS99
— The Triple Option (@3xOptionShow) February 2, 2026
Ingram then went on to describe how Notre Dame, in a way, is simply flexing on other teams; he just said it in a bit more of a colorful way. In the end, Ingram respects Notre Dame for being able to do this and show they are one of the best teams in the country year in and year out.
Notre Dame will be going through quite a few changes heading into the 2026 season, though, with star running back Jerimiyah Love planning to play on Sundays in the NFL next season. Love was the focal point for the Irish the last two seasons, so Notre Dame will have to have a new look offensively that is just as explosive to make that Top 12 cut.