“Why did Notre Dame end the year higher ranked than Miami and Alabama, in both polls?
They didn’t. They came in at #11 with Miami and Alabama just above them.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings
Additionally, ESPN ranked Notre Dame in scheduling at number 13 in Strength of Record Rank, behind Alabama at number 10 with Miami right behind them.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/fpi/_/view/resume
But remember that ND was not offered a bowl position because they elected not to participate, not that they were over looked. They chose this because they thought they should be considered within the top 4 that stats display they didn’t earn and threw a tantrum. If they had not been offered a bowl I would have been in disagreement. And I think they may well have been given the opportunity to compete. But with their win loss and team competition record, it would not have been a major bowl.
wy69