Path to the CFP?

[NDdomer2]

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.

If we can get a playoff matchup equal to the quality of opponent we've been playing well continue to play our "best ball".

​​​​​We've def made some improvement but hard to distinguish how much has been opponent driven.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

#6 this week…….

 

[KPENN]

Man, they sure try hard to downplay Notre Dame. Lol

 

[Blazers46]

#6 this week…….

When the dust settles I would love a ND-Cinci rematch.

 

[NDMatt91]

Man, they sure try hard to downplay Notre Dame. Lol

Because they hate ND and will complain if we get into the playoff and get blown out. Funny how they don't crap on Oklahoma who has been humiliated 3 times in the CFP.

 

[ACamp1900]

Because they hate ND and will complain if we get into the playoff and get blown out. Funny how they don't crap on Oklahoma who has been humiliated 3 times in the CFP.

Or they use ND to get ratings and make money,… 6 is the perfect spot to upset everyone

 

[Dizzyphil]

I'm throwing this out there and I'm probably going to catch a little 'hell' on this... But Cincy could be on upset alert against East Carolina.

 

[irishtrooper]

The fat guy with the lisp is a Miami alum and HATES Notre Dame. He tries to hide it in the interest of appearing unbiased, but it’s obvious. I’m sure the committee doesn’t care what that dude thinks. I’m not saying that some of his points don’t have any merit, but he almost exclusively mentions the weak points of ND and fails to illustrate the stronger points. I’m happy the host did bring it up….. The guy is always banging the tired ND is overrated drum. It’s annoying and it’s just one of the reasons it’s hard to take ESPN seriously

 

[317Irish]

The fat guy with the lisp is a Miami alum and HATES Notre Dame. He tries to hide it in the interest of appearing unbiased, but it’s obvious. I’m sure the committee doesn’t care what that dude thinks. I’m not saying that some of his points don’t have any merit, but he almost exclusively mentions the weak points of ND and fails to illustrate the stronger points. I’m happy the host did bring it up….. The guy is always banging the tired ND is overrated drum. It’s annoying and it’s just one of the reasons it’s hard to take ESPN seriously

The Bear? Chris Fallica

 

[NDGOLDEN]

The fat guy with the lisp is a Miami alum and HATES Notre Dame. He tries to hide it in the interest of appearing unbiased, but it’s obvious. I’m sure the committee doesn’t care what that dude thinks. I’m not saying that some of his points don’t have any merit, but he almost exclusively mentions the weak points of ND and fails to illustrate the stronger points. I’m happy the host did bring it up….. The guy is always banging the tired ND is overrated drum. It’s annoying and it’s just one of the reasons it’s hard to take ESPN seriously

I can’t stand the bear. Literally don’t think he has ever picked us to win

Bama moving down to 3 is actually really huge. I can’t imagine the committee would move bama only down 1 spot if the lose to Georgia

 

[GATTACA!]

Even after being blown out it's clear just playing in these big games is a program changer. After getting blown out in 2012 we followed it up with a top 5 class in 2013. The momentum we're seeing for 2022 and 23 was built off our two playoff losses. NY6 bowls just don't move the needle. Does ANYONE care about a Fiesta bowl win over Pitt? Other than ND fans that are tired of hearing about the NY6 drought?

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Even after being blown out it's clear just playing in these big games is a program changer. After getting blown out in 2012 we followed it up with a top 5 class in 2013. The momentum we're seeing for 2022 and 23 was built off our two playoff losses. NY6 bowls just don't move the needle. Does ANYONE care about a Fiesta bowl win over Pitt? Other than ND fans that are tired of hearing about the NY6 drought?

I mean, we’re REALLY tired of hearing about the NY6 drought.

 

[NDRock]

I can’t stand the bear. Literally don’t think he has ever picked us to win

Bama moving down to 3 is actually really huge. I can’t imagine the committee would move bama only down 1 spot if the lose to Georgia

Especially if it set up an immediate rematch with Georgia.

 

[Sea Turtle]

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.

The only teams we would have a chance against are Cincinnati and Michigan.

 

[irishff1014]

Even after being blown out it's clear just playing in these big games is a program changer. After getting blown out in 2012 we followed it up with a top 5 class in 2013. The momentum we're seeing for 2022 and 23 was built off our two playoff losses. NY6 bowls just don't move the needle. Does ANYONE care about a Fiesta bowl win over Pitt? Other than ND fans that are tired of hearing about the NY6 drought?

When you get your opportunity to beat someone on national tv you do it. Until the expand the playoffs it just makes that much more of an argument of why it should be expanded. *which i was against at first but it needs to be done.*

 

[GATTACA!]

When you get your opportunity to beat someone on national tv you do it. Until the expand the playoffs it just makes that much more of an argument of why it should be expanded. *which i was against at first but it needs to be done.*

We get the opportunity to beat someone on national TV almost every single week.

How many recruiting battles are we in with Pitt? Oregon State?

 

[NDGOLDEN]

When you get your opportunity to beat someone on national tv you do it. Until the expand the playoffs it just makes that much more of an argument of why it should be expanded. *which i was against at first but it needs to be done.*

No one is gonna pay attention to a bowl game that doesn’t mean anything anymore.

Recruits don’t care about a bowl game against a Pitt team we would probably destroy. Selling us going to 3 out of the last 4 playoffs is way better than a bowl win against Pitt.

I don’t understand why anyone would want to go to a NY6 bowl that means nothing rather than going to the playoffs that literally only 4 teams make it. There is 123 other schools that would kill to even be considered going to the playoffs and we don’t want to go cause we are worried about getting destroyed? Like the other 123 teams in the country would probably get destroyed too.

 

[NDdomer2]

Because they hate ND and will complain if we get into the playoff and get blown out. Funny how they don't crap on Oklahoma who has been humiliated 3 times in the CFP.

Do you think that's because they have had major bowl wins in recent history?

 

[irishff1014]

No one is gonna pay attention to a bowl game that doesn’t mean anything anymore.

Recruits don’t care about a bowl game against a Pitt team we would probably destroy. Selling us going to 3 out of the last 4 playoffs is way better than a bowl win against Pitt.

I don’t understand why anyone would want to go to a NY6 bowl that means nothing rather than going to the playoffs that literally only 4 teams make it. There is 123 other schools that would kill to even be considered going to the playoffs and we don’t want to go cause we are worried about getting destroyed? Like the other 123 teams in the country would probably get destroyed too.

I am not worried about that at all.

 

[irishff1014]

The only teams we would have a chance against are Cincinnati and Michigan.

We had our chance on with them. Rees and Kelly BLEW with the offense and the QB position.

 

[GATTACA!]

I am not worried about that at all.

 

[BeatSC]

The Bear? Chris Fallica

Yes the Bear. He does even know he’s being made fun if and has been elevated to the shows mascot dufus.

 

[IrishRazor82]

I updated what I said the other day, no chance Bama gets in now since they're slated at #3, even if they lose 34-31. They lose and they are fully out, regardless of circumstances. It's not just OSU crushing but Bama looking very so-so against Arkansas too.

 

[Irish2155]

Yes the Bear. He does even know he’s being made fun if and has been elevated to the shows mascot dufus.

I thought it was just Bear. Who kinged him with the The prefix like he’s OSU or something?

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Quick ramble:

ND's "ascension" is almost entirely based on quality of opponent these last 3 weeks (and this coming weekend). VA, GT, Stanford, and Navy all rank 112, 107, 92, and 91 respectively in scoring defense and all but Navy are ranked even lower in Total Defense YPG. The offense has looked better but the caliber of defenses they've done it against are at the opposite end of the spectrum compared to the CFP level teams. The same can be said for the defense. They've looked amazing, but GT, Stanford, and Navy rank 87, 106, and 114 respectively. Only VA ranks higher at 20, but ND didn't play against their starting QB. Again, the caliber of offense our defense would likely see (even in a NY6 game) is night and day. With that said, I feel it's always better to be playing your best football in November and that some of this success can carry over.

I'd also like to opine that a NY6 game against WF or Pitt puts ND in a scenario where they have nothing to gain and everything to lose. Idk if it's possible to land a more "reputable" opponent in this type of game, but ND winning a NY6 against a bigger name school carries more weight in the immediate and long term sense. I'd rather play Georgia. Just my .02

As far as the CFP goes, ND's ability to get in is possible. Honestly, the scenarios are endless. There are some really tough matchups looming and ND gets to sit back and watch it unfold. In dealing with 18-22 year old kids, anything is possible. Would anyone be shocked if Georgia finally beats Bama? Ok State and OU split? Cincy loses to Houston? UM or Wiscy beat OSU?

 

[NDFAN2008]

Honestly I would rather us not make the playoff, Give me a bowl game against PITT, WAKE, or Michigan State. This team would get beat like a drum against Georgia and Ohio State. Part of the reason why we have looked so good lately is because we've been playing teams that aren't that good. Yes we spanked Virginia but if their QB plays its most likely a different game.

 

[benneboy]

Honestly I would rather us not make the playoff, Give me a bowl game against PITT, WAKE, or Michigan State. This team would get beat like a drum against Georgia and Ohio State. Part of the reason why we have looked so good lately is because we've been playing teams that aren't that good. Yes we spanked Virginia but if their QB plays its most likely a different game.

This perspective just blows my mind. Assuming you think we have a 1 out if 10 chance to beat Georgia and then OSU, wouldn't you still want a 10% chance at winning a national championship vs 0%?

Feel like too many fans are worried about ESPN and their comments on us getting beat in big games. If thats the case then shouldn't we just relegate ourselves to becoming Michigan State, Wisconsin, or even Texas at this point? Making the playoffs is a extremely rare and high achievement in itself. 3% of college football teams can make that claim every year. Yes, everyone wants to take that next step, but not making the playoffs isn't progress towards that.

 

[NDMatt91]

This perspective just blows my mind. Assuming you think we have a 1 out if 10 chance to beat Georgia and then OSU, wouldn't you still want a 10% chance at winning a national championship vs 0%?

Feel like too many fans are worried about ESPN and their comments on us getting beat in big games. If thats the case then shouldn't we just relegate ourselves to becoming Michigan State, Wisconsin, or even Texas at this point? Making the playoffs is a extremely rare and high achievement in itself. 3% of college football teams can make that claim every year. Yes, everyone wants to take that next step, but not making the playoffs isn't progress towards that.

By that logic BK and the players should tell the committee to put in Oklahoma/Oklahoma State or a 2-loss Bama because they know they'll get crushed. That's a loser mindset. Again, I don't think any of us are delusional. I think most of us, including myself, know it's very likely that UGA and OSU would crush us. I think most of us, including myself, know it's very likely that Bama would beat us, possibly by double digits.

Going to a NY6 bowl and beating a program having a fluke season (Pitt, Wake) or a team who will be playing their backups because their starters are sitting out for the draft doesn't do much for this program. Going to the playoff, even just to get blown out, does more, IMO. Making the playoff is more of a selling point for recruits. It also is our best hope of continuing to light a fire under BK's ass and forcing him to adapt. After losing to Bama last year he went out and hired Freeman, a great recruiter and one of the top young DC's in the country. Perhaps another blowout loss in the CFP will cause him to demote Tommy and bring in an upgrade or get a OL or WR coach who is a better recruiter.

 

[NDFAN2008]

This perspective just blows my mind. Assuming you think we have a 1 out if 10 chance to beat Georgia and then OSU, wouldn't you still want a 10% chance at winning a national championship vs 0%?

Feel like too many fans are worried about ESPN and their comments on us getting beat in big games. If thats the case then shouldn't we just relegate ourselves to becoming Michigan State, Wisconsin, or even Texas at this point? Making the playoffs is a extremely rare and high achievement in itself. 3% of college football teams can make that claim every year. Yes, everyone wants to take that next step, but not making the playoffs isn't progress towards that.

The problem is we would end up most likely playing Georgia. Their DL will sack Coan 10 or more times. I believe our defense matches up better against their offense than Ohio State. We have seen year after year how bad our DB's get torched against good teams with good WR's we haven't played a team this year with a WR has good as the 3 Ohio State have.

 

[AKRowdy]

With our luck we won’t make the playoffs and get a 2-loss Bama.