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The inaugural season of the new College Football Playoff process certainly had plenty of twists and turns. As it relates to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the process certainly wasn’t too kind. Notre Dame debuted at No. 10 in the first set of the rankings when they were ranked three spots higher in the AP poll. While it didn’t matter in the long run thanks to Notre Dame’s November collapse, the committee’s selection for the College Football Playoff should alarm the Irish moving forward.
Ohio State was ranked number No. 4 despite playing in a weakened Big Ten Conference and having the worst loss of the teams in contention for that final spot. The Buckeyes lost to a six-loss Virginia Tech team at home by two touchdowns.
However, the committee overlooked those factors partly because Ohio State had an extra opportunity to make a statement in the Big Ten Championship. The Buckeyes took advantage of that 13th game with an emphatic rout of Wisconsin 59-0. Committee chairman Jeff Long said Ohio State’s victory gave them another quality win over a highly ranked opponent. Ohio State wouldn’t have made the playoff without that victory, and that game provided a lasting image for the committee before making their decision.
Meanwhile, TCU and Baylor, the other two schools in contention for the final spot, play in the Big 12 Conference where there is no conference championship game and only 12 games. While TCU and Baylor both won impressively, the extra opportunity wasn’t afforded to them and they were deemed as co-champions instead of having one recognized champion.
Down the road, Notre Dame could find themselves in the same predicament as TCU and Baylor if the Irish are in contention. Notre Dame has no opportunity for a 13th game since they are unaffiliated with a conference. While Notre Dame typically plays a tough schedule, they must hope those teams are strong in the years they meet the Irish. Also, Notre Dame will need the ACC to bolster their play on the field since the Irish will play five ACC teams per year.
If Notre Dame goes undefeated, they should be in the playoff no questions asked. However, where the Irish should be worried is what if they are 11-1? For instance, a Notre Dame team that was 11-1 with their only loss being to a six-loss team would probably not make the playoff this year.
Head coach Brian Kelly mentioned in his bowl press conference how this is a “fluid situation” and he will talk with athletics director Jack Swarbrick to make sure Notre Dame is making the right decisions with regards to scheduling. After the first year of the selection committee process, the Irish should be worried about what it will take for them to reach the playoff in the upcoming years.
Patrick Leiva is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter and add him to your network on Google.
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