What’s the point of playing any more games?

[IrishLax]

Besides them being fun to watch, obviously. Kelly had some interesting quotes after the BC game about fatigue and the toll the season is taking on the team.

We’ve already played more games than any PAC12 or Big Ten champ will play. Anyone think Ohio State is going to get kept out for playing 8 games?

I think it’s crazy that pundits give us shit every year for no “13th data point” and then this year ACC + SEC teams are going to end up playing significantly more games than some other “contenders.” Every additional game = more injury risk and more risk of an upset.

 

[NDisme]

Besides them being fun to watch, obviously. Kelly had some interesting quotes after the BC game about fatigue and the toll the season is taking on the team.

We’ve already played more games than any PAC12 or Big Ten champ will play. Anyone think Ohio State is going to get kept out for playing 8 games?

I think it’s crazy that pundits give us shit every year for no “13th data point” and then this year ACC + SEC teams are going to end up playing significantly more games than some other “contenders.” Every additional game = more injury risk and more risk of an upset.

It’s an interesting conundrum. The only thing that would work against us I think is having a month off waiting for the Big 10 and pac 12 to finish their abbreviated seasons. If we were to end our season now.

 

[NDShark]

Had the same thought. I guess we'll find out soon how the committee thinks about a 3 or 4 win OSU team compared to 7-8 win teams. If "eye test" or advanced metrics outweigh record, why ever play the games, even in normal times?

 

[Irish YJ]

Just my opinion, but I think it's because we'll have played more games (and Clemson, TAMU, FL too) vs tougher opponents, that we'd get in with 1 loss over an undefeated PAC team.

Both USC and Oregon play joke schedules until they get to the PAC-C. Neither team will have a top 25 win prior to the CC unless Utah pops up for a week.

While each additional game risks more injury, it also allows for more development and chemistry. Cuts both ways.

 

[Henges24]

ACC / SEC should go off and do their own top 4, “You Bring Your Best Two, We’ll Bring Ours”, if the committee accepts Ohio State.

It only makes sense.

 

[Irishize]

Besides them being fun to watch, obviously. Kelly had some interesting quotes after the BC game about fatigue and the toll the season is taking on the team.

We’ve already played more games than any PAC12 or Big Ten champ will play. Anyone think Ohio State is going to get kept out for playing 8 games?

I think it’s crazy that pundits give us shit every year for no “13th data point” and then this year ACC + SEC teams are going to end up playing significantly more games than some other “contenders.” Every additional game = more injury risk and more risk of an upset.

Agreed. ND just lost a key DL & starting center to injury. Add that to Lenzy & Austin and it makes depth through the end of the year risky.

The SEC/ACC/B12 had the balls to try to play a season (we can debate the merit of even doing that) while the P12 & B1G played passive and then caved to peer pressure. Ohio State is likely the only contender of those two conferences. They (& the networks) will play the “eye test” card early & often...wait until the annihilate IU this Sat & ask yourself why they’re extra juiced about OSU.

It’s bullshit.

 

[Irishize]

ACC / SEC should go off and do their own top 4, “You Bring Your Best Two, We’ll Bring Ours”, if the committee accepts Ohio State.

It only makes sense.

The compromise will be an expansion of the playoff to 6 or 8 teams.

 

[phork]

Thats the funny point. ND finally gets its 13th data point and is held out of the playoff after a loss in the ACC champ game. Meanwhile 8-0 OSU and 7-1 TexasAM slip in.
Don't be fooled by all these game cancellations either. The SEC aint no fool. I think a lot of them are false.

 

[Irish YJ]

The compromise will be an expansion of the playoff to 6 or 8 teams.

Give me 8 with a P5C+3
So much headache would be gone

 

[NorthDakota]

Besides them being fun to watch, obviously. Kelly had some interesting quotes after the BC game about fatigue and the toll the season is taking on the team.

We’ve already played more games than any PAC12 or Big Ten champ will play. Anyone think Ohio State is going to get kept out for playing 8 games?

I think it’s crazy that pundits give us shit every year for no “13th data point” and then this year ACC + SEC teams are going to end up playing significantly more games than some other “contenders.” Every additional game = more injury risk and more risk of an upset.

To be fair, the lack of the 13th data point hasnt bit Notre Dame yet though has it? Just the talking heads pissing and moaning. I could be missing a year. The heartbreak just kinda blend together if you are young enough to have not been alive for the '88 year.

Give me 8 with a P5C+3
So much headache would be gone

I would be okay with it. I know you'd get the random 9-4 PAC team or whatever but that will correct itself eventually.

Then you throw a G5 team in there and two (likely) P5 at-larges and the system could probably work.

 

[Irish YJ]

I would be okay with it. I know you'd get the random 9-4 PAC team or whatever but that will correct itself eventually.

Then you throw a G5 team in there and two (likely) P5 at-larges and the system could probably work.

I'd be more than OK with a shit Big12 and/or PAC team getting in every once in a while or even every year. At most that's 2 of 8 slots, and you still get 6 quality teams.

All I'd want to see is that they 1) dedicate a spot for the highest ranked G5 team, and 2) stack them according to rank, so if a PAC for instance is outside the top 10 and lowest ranked, they're playing #1 first round, not the G5 team ranked higher.

With a P5+3, the only ones that possibly bitch are the 1 loss P5s that didn't make it. And it's more than likely the best 1 loss guys are getting in anyway. Just pushing the 4th vs 5th/6th/7th debate down to 8th vs 9th/10/11th/etc., is worth it to me.

And it's simply more fun. Who wouldn't want to see BYU or Cinci begin the CFPs vs Bama or OSU....

 

[Irishize]

The most 2020 thing possible for us ND fans would be for the rest of the season to be canceled for all college football due to COVIE spikes & the powers that be decide to nullify all wins/losses since they can’t name a NC & it’s not fair to all.

 

[Irish YJ]

The most 2020 thing possible for us ND fans would be for the rest of the season to be canceled for all college football due to COVIE spikes & the powers that be decide to nullify all wins/losses since they can’t name a NC & it’s not fair to all.

NCAA give participation trophies to all, and Bama declares themselves NCs since they are ranked #1 in both polls.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

I have been thinking the same. We've already done what Ohio St will have to do this year. We won 8 games including 1 against the best team in the conference and top 4 in the country. We should just sit on our #2 ranking and get ready for the playoffs. 8 game undefeated season does not equal a 12 game undefeated season.

 

[BeauBenken]

Hah. It will be great to hear the justifications. Shouldn't we just be #1 at this point since we are undefeated at 8-0 (no other team has that many wins other than BYU and Liberty who have weak schedules) and with the best win?

It is crap because they will try to remove us from the playoffs at the slightest chance. The SEC is 100% trying to get two teams in. And the Big Ten will gladly just let OSU cruise there.

We have the least to prove, yet apparently we have the most to prove because three of the playoff teams have already been decided barring something drastic happening.

I think the topic needs to brought up among the media. If the Big Ten or SEC cancels anymore games, does ND's record keep them from dropping out of the playoffs even if they lose the ACC championship game? I think the answer would have to be yes.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

NCAA give participation trophies to all, and Bama declares themselves NCs since they are ranked #1 in both polls.

If the season ends today, ND should absolutely claim a natty. And somebody (the AP?) will give them a justification to do it.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

https://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-41103602-4

I mean, this stuff is hilarious. The Big 10 has the highest chance of placing 2 teams in the playoffs according to ESPN's shit playoff predictor?

 

[phork]

https://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-41103602-4

I mean, this stuff is hilarious. The Big 10 has the highest chance of placing 2 teams in the playoffs according to ESPN's shit playoff predictor?

Makes no sense. SEC would be closest to 2 teams. OSU will beat the west team knocking them out. A&M already lost to bama and if Florida wins the SEC you have 3 teams crammed in the top 6.

I fully believe ND has to beat Clemson again or be left out.

 

[philipm31]

Makes no sense. SEC would be closest to 2 teams. OSU will beat the west team knocking them out. A&M already lost to bama and if Florida wins the SEC you have 3 teams crammed in the top 6.

I fully believe ND has to beat Clemson again or be left out.

Absolutely. ND has no margin for error. Undefeated or get left out. Which is a crime this year when they will have easily played the most games and the best schedule and have the best win.

 

[TDHeysus]

I fully believe ND has to beat Clemson again or be left out.

I see what you are saying, and in most cases would agree with you.....However, I actually believe that if ND has 1-loss at the end of the year, and that loss is in the ACC-C against Clemson(with one loss). I think the playoff is ALA(no losses), OSU(no losses), ND, Clem.

in that scenario both ND and Clem would have the nations 'best loss'. The only other undefeated teams that would have a shot would be Cincy and BYU and their schedules are laughable. The PAC-12 is very weak this year.

If Florida, or TAMU win out and beat Bama in the SEC-C, that could cause some issues for ND's playoff chances - But I have no reason to think at this time that Bama is going to lose in the SEC-C.

Of course, ppl love to screw ND, so that scenario is always a possibility. But I tend to think as long as ND takes care of business against UNC and WF (not a given; although they should be), they will have a very strong shot at the playoff.

ADDED: If ND makes the ACC-C, I will admit - as a ND Fan, I want that ACC title. that opportunity (to win the ACC-C) may never again present itself.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Besides them being fun to watch, obviously. Kelly had some interesting quotes after the BC game about fatigue and the toll the season is taking on the team.

We’ve already played more games than any PAC12 or Big Ten champ will play. Anyone think Ohio State is going to get kept out for playing 8 games?

I think it’s crazy that pundits give us shit every year for no “13th data point” and then this year ACC + SEC teams are going to end up playing significantly more games than some other “contenders.” Every additional game = more injury risk and more risk of an upset.

In my eyes,

1. Continue pounding the ACC

2. Get an undefeated regular season in double digits

3. Our entertainment

4. I don't see any team benefiting from taking a month off, unless the next opponent is Michigan.

 

[NDShark]

I see what you are saying, and in most cases would agree with you.....However, I actually believe that if ND has 1-loss at the end of the year, and that loss is in the ACC-C against Clemson(with one loss). I think the playoff is ALA(no losses), OSU(no losses), ND, Clem.

in that scenario both ND and Clem would have the nations 'best loss'. The only other undefeated teams that would have a shot would be Cincy and BYU and their schedules are laughable. The PAC-12 is very weak this year.

If Florida, or TAMU win out and beat Bama in the SEC-C, that could cause some issues for ND's playoff chances - But I have no reason to think at this time that Bama is going to lose in the SEC-C.

Of course, ppl love to screw ND, so that scenario is always a possibility. But I tend to think as long as ND takes care of business against UNC and WF (not a given; although they should be), they will have a very strong shot at the playoff.

ADDED: If ND makes the ACC-C, I will admit - as a ND Fan, I want that ACC title. that opportunity (to win the ACC-C) may never again present itself.

I'd also note ND and Clemson would have the best wins too, unless someone takes down Bama.

 

[phork]

Sadly most projections have us losing to Clemson and therefore out of the playoff. Various degrees of Alabama, OSU and Clemson with fill in Oregon, Florida, TAMU, Cincy and BYU.

Florida beating bama is our worst case scenario. We are almost assured out in that case if we lose to Clemson.

 

[GATTACA!]

Sadly most projections have us losing to Clemson and therefore out of the playoff. Various degrees of Alabama, OSU and Clemson with fill in Oregon, Florida, TAMU, Cincy and BYU.

Florida beating bama is our worst case scenario. We are almost assured out in that case if we lose to Clemson.

Even if we beat Clemson, Florida beating Alabama set us up for a nice opening round matchup with the tide.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

Duke - Wake game this weekend just got Covid canceled. Sampson is picking up on the less games idea too. Chancing a loss makes less sense with everyone playing less games. SEC started at 10 and seemingly most will play 9. Some 8. Why are we striving for 11 again? I agree show out vs UNC would be the final win we need. Senior day and work on things vs Syracuse. And then bye week before Clemson rematch. Dabo’s crew has the 12th open.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just a thought…<br><br>If Notre Dame is locked into the ACC Championship Game before Dec. 12 (likely), does the ACC even want Notre Dame to play at Wake that weekend? Does it instead reschedule Wake-Duke and give Notre Dame another idle week to help two ACC teams make the CFP?</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1328909505648881664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Irish#1]

Fatigue is natural this time of year. Injuries are part of the game whether it be 2020 or any other year.

I;ve heard quite a few national talkers on the radio and most think ND would still get in with a loss in the ACCCG.

OSU is not a lock yet. They have no room for canceling a game at this point and given the current situation there's a good chance they see another of their games get cancelled. That would keep them from 8 wins. Besides, IU is going to pull the biggest upset of the season this weekend! lol

 

[Irish YJ]

Fatigue is natural this time of year. Injuries are part of the game whether it be 2020 or any other year.

I;ve heard quite a few national talkers on the radio and most think ND would still get in with a loss in the ACCCG.

OSU is not a lock yet. They have no room for canceling a game at this point and given the current situation there's a good chance they see another of their games get cancelled. That would keep them from 8 wins. Besides, IU is going to pull the biggest upset of the season this weekend! lol

That would just be amazing

 

[Wingman Ray]

OSU being ranked #2 with playing the schedule they play is criminal to begin with. Then add in the fact that they play so few games and it just doesnt seem right. However, if they excluded OSU for any reason, you would see major B10 uproar.

And there is 0% chance Florida beats Bama folks. Sorry just not going to even kinda happen.

Sadly ND does have the hardest path period to the playoffs. Will take beating Clemson twice where OSU best team they will play all year is IU. Go figure.

And dont even get me started on Oregon.

 

[Irishize]

Duke - Wake game this weekend just got Covid canceled. Sampson is picking up on the less games idea too. Chancing a loss makes less sense with everyone playing less games. SEC started at 10 and seemingly most will play 9. Some 8. Why are we striving for 11 again? I agree show out vs UNC would be the final win we need. Senior day and work on things vs Syracuse. And then bye week before Clemson rematch. Dabo’s crew has the 12th open.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just a thought…<br><br>If Notre Dame is locked into the ACC Championship Game before Dec. 12 (likely), does the ACC even want Notre Dame to play at Wake that weekend? Does it instead reschedule Wake-Duke and give Notre Dame another idle week to help two ACC teams make the CFP?</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1328909505648881664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

And the clones immediately thought he meant ND was afraid to lose to WF when it’s a larger issue than that. In other words, playing an “unnecessary” game could lead to infections the following week thus minimizing the chance for ND to compete in the ACC CG. It also gives both teams a bye before the ACC CG so while it appears “greedy” from the ACC perspective it does put both teams in the best position to play well enough to both get a playoff bid (assuming Clemson wins by 7 or less points).

And IMO it becomes a moot point if tOSU looks to stay undefeated b/c the media will let us know real quick as to whether only playing 8 games is enough to earn a CFP slot. If it is, then why should other teams vying for a spot risk COVID infections, injury, etc.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Including any potential conference championship, Wisconsin won't play more than seven games this season. So if they manage to win out would they get in? What if they have another regular season game canceled? Would a 6-0 B1G champion get in?