Posted on 12/07/2025 8:17:56 PM PST by Red Badger
Notre Dame Withdraws from Bowl Game Consideration After CFP Committee Snub 5 PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Head Coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish lDavid Madison/Getty Images Dylan Gwinn7 Dec 2025296 2:55 On Sunday, the College Football Playoff (CFP) Committee told Notre Dame that its presence in this year’s playoff was not needed. A couple of hours later, Notre Dame informed college football that if they weren’t competing for a national championship, they weren’t interested in playing at all.
“We appreciate all the support from our families and fans, and we’re hoping to bring the 12th national title to South Bend in 2026,” Notre Dame said in a statement.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
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ND’s schedule is unusually weak this year...
Many of the “name” colleges and universities schedule weak or smaller market teams to “pad” their record to try to get into the CFP or bowl games to bolster their funds.
ND ended up 10-2 on the year and that record according to the polls from the people that determine the playoffs was only good enough for 8th place on the list tied with Oklahoma as there were seven other teams that had a better record and far more TV face time nationally.
But tossing the extra money from the bowl game could be a kiss of death for them in their bid for anything next year as the media gets pissy about being shunned.
wy69
Not really. They wanted their cake and to eat it too with how they approached being in a conference. If they had played the ACC conference game with scheduling and won the ACC title game, there were in. But the NBC TV contract was too important to be shared.
Just another example of the Golden Domers thinking they are bigger than the sport. The playoff committee should not select teams that refuse to play in a conference.
+1
With so many teams backing out of bowls, maybe the Gators might be able to play in a bowl game.
Players are simply not going to risk their potential NFL careers to play in a meaningless bowl game.
Get rid of the bowl games.
I think the playoff design required at least one G5 rep to get approval.
The problem this year falls squarely at the feet of the ACC playing with its food regarding their two participants in their Championship game.
So, maybe Notre Dame can blame the ACC for James Madison getting in over them.
Maybe that will motivate Notre Dame and the ACC to stop playing footsie in all other sports but football, or motivate Notre Dame to join the ACC for football.
Iowa St and Kansas St. were fined $500K by the Big 12 Conference for declining bowl games after the coaches left. That is not really fair for the fans and the players.
Not with that coach, they ain’t.
I haven’t followed this stuff in years, so I might be wrong. Does ND still play an independent schedule? Or are they part of a conference? Winning one of the automatic bid conferences makes it a lot easier to get into the playoffs.
ND played an independent schedule because it made more money for them because everyone wanted them on their schedule.
Sometimes you reap what you sow.
Not a Catholic university, so even God is no longer on their side and he loves everybody.
Of course they were. The NCAA just had to put Bama in somehow. They couldn't go two years without their beloved cash cow.
ND in a word. And a picture worth 10K words.
I think the football committee has sent a message. Ease up on the punching down.
“That is not really fair for the fans and the players.”
I hope you don’t think the colleges care. College sports to them is as business, not a rah rah.
wy69
And ND isn’t a cash cow?
James Madison was the Committee’s way of telling Notre Dame to stop being so special and join a conference. And running on 37 year old history doesn’t get it.
They had no choice but to let in James Madison, given the rules.
What they should have done, is to have two Play-In Games.
#11 Notre Dame hosts JMU, and #12 BYU hosts Tulane, with the winners going to the playoffs. I could see them making that tweak next season.
I am not privy to how the bowl game selection sausage is made, but it seems to ND would have had a decent bowl game. Maybe playing Michigan or Texas. The stadiums would be full and TV money would be flowing.
They are one of the most arrogant teams in the NCAA.
Always root against them.
They are too good to join a conference. Their schedule is usually weak and they always demand more attention than they warrant.
I’m happy they won’t be playing. I’d rather the bowl money be spent elsewhere.
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