Notre Dame's aspirations for a College Football Playoff berth are hanging by a thread after a heartbreaking 41-40 defeat against Texas A&M in Week 3. This loss, a significant setback for the Fighting Irish, leaves their playoff chances looking exceedingly slim. While it's premature to definitively rule them out, climbing out of their current 0-2 hole and securing a 10-2 finish seems improbable. Their playoff hopes now rest on a combination of unlikely events.
The expanded 12-team playoff, initially perceived as advantageous for Notre Dame, now presents a formidable challenge. With five automatic bids going to conference champions, Notre Dame would need to compete for one of the coveted at-large spots. Last season, multiple teams with two losses made the playoff; however, those teams boasted impressive victories against ranked opponents – something Notre Dame currently lacks.
Consider this: Even with a remarkable run to achieve a 10-2 record, Notre Dame would be competing against numerous highly ranked teams from power conferences. The SEC, for instance, is a powerhouse with multiple teams consistently vying for top rankings, and the Big Ten boasts strong contenders such as Penn State and Ohio State. Assuming the SEC and Big Ten each place at least two teams in the playoff, Notre Dame would be battling for only a few remaining at-large spots alongside other highly competitive teams.
The situation becomes even more complex if teams like South Florida and Tulane continue their strong performances. A scenario where both teams make the playoff isn't unrealistic, further reducing Notre Dame's already narrow chances.
Notre Dame's path requires a perfect storm: winning their remaining games against ranked opponents NC State, USC, and Navy, while simultaneously relying on upsets within the SEC and Big Ten to create openings in the playoff bracket. While not impossible, the road to the College Football Playoff is now incredibly steep for the Fighting Irish. Their initial losses, coupled with the strength and depth of other competing teams, have drastically reduced their odds.
The expansion of the playoff, once a beacon of hope, now underscores the intense competition within college football. Notre Dame’s unexpected early-season stumbles showcase the unforgiving nature of the sport and the challenges faced even by traditionally strong programs.
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Originally published at: https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/why-notre-dames-college-football-playoff-hopes-are-all-but-gone-following-week-3-loss-to-texas-a-m/
