Path to the CFP?

[ab2cmiller]

hoping that baylor will beat the winner of this weeks OU-OSU matchup in the big12 championship game.

Baylor won't play winner if winner is Oklahoma. Big 12 Championship would be a rematch between Oklahoma and Oklahoma St.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Baylor won't play winner if winner is Oklahoma. Big 12 Championship would be a rematch between Oklahoma and Oklahoma St.

Which is the best case scenario

 

[BeatSC]

Triumvirate of Evil

This is some a serious embarrassing Schitt. What a joker. Does he know how stupid he looks not to mention he looks old and his acting is awful! Lou Holtz would be so much better.

 

[ulukinatme]

This is some a serious embarrassing Schitt. What a joker. Does he know how stupid he looks not to mention he looks old and his acting is awful! Lou Holtz would be so much better.

You're right, Lou would probably make a better duck.

I'm not going to lie though, in the latest commercial when Deion comes into Saban's office with the band...and then stands next to him and asks "Coach to coach, how can I get one of those jackets," and Saban does that little grin and looks at the camera?....drives me crazy. So corny, just...no.

 

[Irish Knuckles]

And now I see Baylor lost to Ok State the first time around. I'm getting really close to pulling for Ok State this weekend. Help me here...

i think baylor wins a rematch against okst. if ou wins bedlam, they'll rematch osu because osu beat baylor earlier. we just need the winner of bedlam to lose in the b12cg.

if uga wins the seccg, and the winner of bedlam loses the b12cg then nd goes to the playoff.

worst case, we play pitt/wake/clemson in the peach bowl. maybe oregon or some other at large team in the fiesta. ny6 bowl as a worst case scenario isn't to shabby.

 

[irish4ever]

i think baylor wins a rematch against okst. if ou wins bedlam, they'll rematch osu because osu beat baylor earlier. we just need the winner of bedlam to lose in the b12cg.

if uga wins the seccg, and the winner of bedlam loses the b12cg then nd goes to the playoff.

worst case, we play pitt/wake/clemson in the peach bowl. maybe oregon or some other at large team in the fiesta. ny6 bowl as a worst case scenario isn't to shabby.

IF the Irish don't make the playoffs, then I'd like to see them play the Ducks in the Fiesta. Playing on New Years Day over a 12/30 date and the Fiesta vs the Peach just sounds much better to me.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Playing Oregon would be best case scenario draw. That's a big name and the this team could definitely whoop on the Ducks.

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[pumpdog20]

Playing Oregon would be best case scenario draw. That's a big name and the this team could definitely whoop on the Ducks.

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Maybe if their #1 draft pick DE doesn't play. Otherwise, I'm not sure we are whooping them, let alone beating them.

 

[Rogue219]

ND is likely going to play Wake or Pitt in the Peach Bowl if they don't make the playoff.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Maybe if their #1 draft pick DE doesn't play. Otherwise, I'm not sure we are whooping them, let alone beating them.

He definitely isn't playing in a bowl game.

I haven't watched Oregon closely but I haven't been all that impressed with what I've seen. What gives you pause about an ND/Oregon matchup?

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

ND is likely going to play Wake or Pitt in the Peach Bowl if they don't make the playoff.

It's based on the committee right?

If Cincinnati makes the playoff and ND doesn't (the most likely scenario, IMO) then what criteria would they use to allocate those bowl spots? I have to assume that if there's complete discretion then they are less likely to pair ND with an ACC opponent even if they haven't seen each other this season.

Though that's more likely than giving ND a Fiesta bid with a Cincinnati rematch if there's no G5 in the playoff.

EDIT: I suppose to clarify for any conversation the bowl situation this year is that that there are two at large bids. One in the Fiesta vs. the highest G5 team and one in the Peach vs. the ACC representative. If a G5 team goes to the playoff then the G5 has no autobid to the NY6 and the Fiesta becomes two at-large bids.

 

[rtrn2glory]

ND is likely going to play Wake or Pitt in the Peach Bowl if they don't make the playoff.

I would be a wreck in this scenario all the way up to the game. A game we should definitely win, but would absolutely destroy the progress of the program if we were to lose.

 

[pumpdog20]

He definitely isn't playing in a bowl game.

I haven't watched Oregon closely but I haven't been all that impressed with what I've seen. What gives you pause about an ND/Oregon matchup?

I haven't done a heavy analysis on it, but I would think if that DE played, he'd likely wreck our offensive game plan single handily. Plus they were good enough to beat OSU in Columbus. Maybe the tides have turned between those two teams, but clearly they have the talent to be dangerous.

So... An offensive line that reminds of earlier in the season if Thibodeaux plays; speed on offense and we're without KH. I can see this being a challenge. But I don't know much.

 

[NDMatt91]

I would be a wreck in this scenario all the way up to the game. A game we should definitely win, but would absolutely destroy the progress of the program if we were to lose.

Another reason to want to make the playoff. Winning a game against Pitt or Wake does nothing for the program. Nothing. I'd rather get blown out by UGA in the playoff.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Another reason to want to make the playoff. Winning a game against Pitt or Wake does nothing for the program. Nothing. I'd rather get blown out by UGA in the playoff.

Winning a NY6 bowl, finishing with a 12-1 record, and carrying all that momentum into the off-season isn't "nothing".

I understand the argument for wanting to make a 3rd playoff appearance in four years, but getting waxed in the semi-final again doesn't help the narrative. Maybe it's better, but it's not pure upside.

It's not likely to happen and beyond our control anyway, so there's no season in losing sleep over it.

 

[Wild Bill]

It's based on the committee right?

If Cincinnati makes the playoff and ND doesn't (the most likely scenario, IMO) then what criteria would they use to allocate those bowl spots? I have to assume that if there's complete discretion then they are less likely to pair ND with an ACC opponent even if they haven't seen each other this season.

Though that's more likely than giving ND a Fiesta bid with a Cincinnati rematch if there's no G5 in the playoff.

EDIT: I suppose to clarify for any conversation the bowl situation this year is that that there are two at large bids. One in the Fiesta vs. the highest G5 team and one in the Peach vs. the ACC representative. If a G5 team goes to the playoff then the G5 has no autobid to the NY6 and the Fiesta becomes two at-large bids.

My understanding is that all four spots in the peach and fiest are at large.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Looking more closely you might be right about the Peach Bowl.

I thought they had to take an ACC team because the Orange Bowl is part of the playoff this year.

 

[Rogue219]

I would be a wreck in this scenario all the way up to the game. A game we should definitely win, but would absolutely destroy the progress of the program if we were to lose.

Pitt and Wake both have very good QBs. I think it would ultimately boil down to Freeman scheming against those guys and ND's offense being more like the second half of the season unit versus the first half version. Pitt's QB should probably win the Heisman because he's not surrounding by mega talent like the kids at Ohio State and Alabama. I would also assume that NFL teams are going to look closer in the months ahead and he'll shoot up the draft boards. It will start with this bowl game and the Senior Bowl.

I'd honestly rather ND face Wake than Pitt. I think ND would beat both, but give me a choice and I'll take Wake for four quarters instead of Pitt's QB.

 

[ACamp1900]

Another reason to want to make the playoff. Winning a game against Pitt or Wake does nothing for the program. Nothing. I'd rather get blown out by UGA in the playoff.

i get it wouldn’t be like winning a natty but finally adding a NY6 win to the 10 wins a year streak absolutely would be a positive for the program…

 

[Dizzyphil]

i get it wouldn’t be like winning a natty but finally adding a NY6 win to the 10 season ins a year streak absolutely would be a positive for the program…

It's almost a 'double-edged sword' IMO... Being Independent, the goal is to get to the playoffs, and of course win it all. Although, a NY6 would look great but to whom? The recruits? Fans? Administration? Players? I'm actually torn between the two. I do believe that if the Irish do get into the playoffs, it will be the '4' spot more than likely and playing either O$U or GA. And if it is not the playoffs and a NY6 game; does KH come back? Does the 'injured crew' have time to get back in shape/released to play?

Lots of variables still to be played out.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

While certainly higher odds than a month ago, I'm not sure we have as great of a shot at the playoffs as some here suggest.

 

[Free Manera]

Still a long shot for sure. Need OkSU and Cincy to lose. A one loss Big 12 champ jumps ND no doubt and I don’t see any reason to put ND over Cincy if they win out. NDs schedule isn’t much better than theirs and they have a much better “best win”.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

While certainly higher odds than a month ago, I'm not sure we have as great of a shot at the playoffs as some here suggest.

Yep, 1000%. I'm not going to count on Wisconsin beating the eventual B1G East champ, so pOSU (more than likely) or scUM will be in.

That means we need 2/3 of: 2 loss Big12 champion, Cincy loss or Bama loss in the SEC. That's not exactly a shoe-in.

I think OKST is more likely to leapfrog ND than OU at 12-1, but I'm quite confident that both will.

 

[NDMatt91]

I understand the argument for wanting to make a 3rd playoff appearance in four years, but getting waxed in the semi-final again doesn't help the narrative.

If that's the case then BK and the players should refuse an invitation to the playoff and tell the committee to put in Oklahoma/Oklahoma St. or a 2-loss Bama. I want to make the playoff because it's a selling point to recruits. That's better than playing a NY6 bowl against a program that is having a fluke season or whose starters are sitting out for the draft. Also, maybe a blowout would continue to light a fire under BK's ass with respect to upgrading his staff and recruiting.

This is Notre Dame, not Purdue. The goal is to win a Natty, and the only way to have a chance is to make the playoff. I'm completely aware of the fact that UGA would steamroll us. Hell, OSU would as well and Bama would probably beat us by double digits. All the talking heads who say ND is a fraud and don't want us to make the playoff because we'll get blown out can kick rocks. Oklahoma has been humiliated time and time again in the playoff and many of those same people don't even bat an eye.

 

[ACamp1900]

If that's the case then BK and the players should refuse an invitation to the playoff and tell the committee to put in Oklahoma/Oklahoma St. or a 2-loss Bama. I want to make the playoff because it's a selling point to recruits. That's better than playing a NY6 bowl against a program that is having a fluke season or whose starters are sitting out for the draft. Also, maybe a blowout would continue to light a fire under BK's ass with respect to upgrading his staff and recruiting.

This is Notre Dame, not Purdue. The goal is to win a Natty, and the only way to have a chance is to make the playoff. I'm completely aware of the fact that UGA would steamroll us. Hell, OSU would as well and Bama would probably beat us by double digits. All the talking heads who say ND is a fraud and don't want us to make the playoff because we'll get blown out can kick rocks. Oklahoma has been humiliated time and time again in the playoff and many of those same people don't even bat an eye.

To clarify things.... Those, like myself, who say ND winning a NY6 is a good thing and probably better than getting our doors blown off in the playoff again are not necessarily saying we don't want the playoff. At least I know that's not what I'm saying. I am willing to take our shots and hell, maybe they pull it off. However, almost all of us seem to admit if our boys make it in it'll prob be at four and thus be against UGA/BAMA in the first round and that a scenario like that prob ends badly. There isn't a team in the country except MAYBE tOSU that would be expected to to do anything else but get euthanized in that spot. So, if I were to pick, win a NY6 against Wake or whoever or loose by 28 vs UGA... I'll take a NY6 win, at least until we win one. This idea that it does nothing for us is looney, of course it'll be a boost. The fact that ND hasn't won one in 30 years is absolutely used against us from all corners. Now, again, that doesn't mean I'm rooting against a playoff spot and winning that first round would also count for my case... I get that. Either way, this program needs a level of win like that. All these other programs that have those wins in the last couple decades don't have an * in their trophy rooms saying "Yes, but it was only against Wake..." No, they show off that shining thing to recruits and use it in a way ND hasn't been able to do in a LONG TIME.

 

[Irish#1]

If that's the case then BK and the players should refuse an invitation to the playoff and tell the committee to put in Oklahoma/Oklahoma St. or a 2-loss Bama. I want to make the playoff because it's a selling point to recruits. That's better than playing a NY6 bowl against a program that is having a fluke season or whose starters are sitting out for the draft. Also, maybe a blowout would continue to light a fire under BK's ass with respect to upgrading his staff and recruiting.

This is Notre Dame, not Purdue. The goal is to win a Natty, and the only way to have a chance is to make the playoff. I'm completely aware of the fact that UGA would steamroll us. Hell, OSU would as well and Bama would probably beat us by double digits. All the talking heads who say ND is a fraud and don't want us to make the playoff because we'll get blown out can kick rocks. Oklahoma has been humiliated time and time again in the playoff and many of those same people don't even bat an eye.

I would rather been in the playoffs, but I'm not as pessimistic about losing 500-0. O & D have improved every week. I think we can be competitive with UGA and Bama. OSU's receivers are what worries me if we can't get constant pressure on the QB.

 

[RDU Irish]

OSU and Bama are down relative to previous years IMO. UGA is the monster that concerns me- particularly their defense eating our offense alive. I think our D versus their O can hold up fine except for the fact we will be eaten alive in the field position (and probably turnover) battle.

 

[Irish#1]

OSU and Bama are down relative to previous years IMO. UGA is the monster that concerns me- particularly their defense eating our offense alive. I think our D versus their O can hold up fine except for the fact we will be eaten alive in the field position (and probably turnover) battle.

That's why I think we can hang (didn't say win) with UGA. Bama just hasn't lived up to the hype of previous Bama teams, particularly on D, which is why I think we can hang with them. I'd feel a lot better if KH was playing against OSU.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Oklahoma is 0-4 in the CFP and yet no one argues they dont belong because they won the Big 12 and have a gaudy offense even though their defense is absolute garbage.

The #4 seed is 2-5 in the CFP semifinal and 2-0 in the final. Both #4s in the seeding who wont their semi went on to win the whole thing.

The #1 seed is 5-2 in the semifinal and 2-3 in the final.

The #3 seed is 3-4 in semi and 0-3 in the final

The #2 seed is 4-3 in the semifinal and 3-1 in the final

 

[tussin]

Call me crazy but I think this year's ND team has a better chance to win in the playoff than any of the previous ND teams. Our guys are playing the best ball of the season heading into the playoff (don't think that has happened in previous years) and the other teams are not as strong as prior years.

We would still be underdogs in both games but I think we have a puncher's chance to pull an upset.