Notre Dame took care of business on Saturday but now isn’t the time to exhale.
The Fighting Irish know that style points will count when the final College Football Playoff selection happens. It’s the punishment Notre Dame is still living with because of an inexcusable loss to Northern Illinois.
It’s why beating Navy was only part of the job yesterday. The other part was beating the Mids by a score that reflects domination. That was accomplished when the clock hit 0:00, and the scoreboard said, “Notre Dame 51 Navy 14.”
Notre Dame has moved to 8th in the AP Poll, but danger still lurks.
The four major conference winners will get a bye, and the highest-ranked Group of 5 will also get a spot. That leaves seven spots up for grabs.
If we look at a realistic outcome:
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- ACC two bids (Miami and Clemson)
- SEC four bids (Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Texas)
- Big Ten three bids (Oregon, Penn State, and Ohio State)
- Big XII one bid (BYU)
Group of Five one bid (Boise State)
That’s 11 teams, with Notre Dame being the 12th.
When you look at the list, some Power Four schools are still running, with some probably thinking they should get in before Notre Dame.
Indiana and Iowa State would be offended if the Fighting Irish got in before them.
Curt Cignetti has already told the world to check the internet, while the Big XII thinks they are more than a one-bid conference.
Notre Dame is 3-0 against ranked teams when they played. The Texas A&M win gets better and better by the week. Wins over Louisville, ranked 15th at the time, and Navy, ranked 24th at the time, don’t hold as much weight. As of this week, the only ranked team left on Notre Dame’s schedule is 21st-ranked Army.
Notre Dame’s status as an Independent in the current system has disadvantages. However, if the Fighting Irish win out this season, the Power Conference contenders will still have tough games against each other and the Conference Championship game.
Notre Dame’s offense is starting to catch up to the defense. It’s a must if the Fighting Irish want style points. If they slip and play a close game, win or lose, it gives the committee a reason to have another Power Four pass Notre Dame.
