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After a season defined by growth, the Fighting Irish went into Selection Sunday believing they had done enough to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. The team appeared to be in strong standing, with ESPN’s Allstate Playoff Predictor giving Notre Dame a 58% chance of reaching the first round — a significant margin compared to BYU’s 34% and Miami’s 11%. Despite an impressive 10-2 record and an even more stunning 10-game win streak, Notre Dame was widely projected as the No. 9 or No. 10 seed. When Alabama ultimately took the No. 9 seed, fans watched anxiously as the much-debated Irish vs. Hurricanes controversy came to a close. To the shock and heartbreak of many, the CFP Committee selected Miami as its 10th seed and final team at-large.

Following the devastating news, head coach Marcus Freeman’s words to the team echoed the sentiment of most Notre Dame football fans.

“He said he has no answers. It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t add up why ND isn’t in this playoff field,” said ESPN’s Jen Lada. It’s not surprising for Coach Freeman to question the statistics that factored into this decision. Notre Dame had the third-highest Football Power Index (FPI) of all FBS teams, standing only behind defending national champion Ohio State and the No. 1 seed, Indiana. The Irish also ranked fifth amongst all teams in overall team efficiency, which spoke to their outstanding capability on both sides of the ball this season.

But the team’s resume goes far beyond the stat sheet. The Irish collected quality wins, including a victory in a ranked matchup against USC on Oct. 18, and another dominant win on the road against a ranked opponent, Pitt, on Nov. 15. The team was also on an upward trajectory, digging itself out of an 0-2 start and playing its best football in the weeks leading up to Selection Sunday. It only seemed right that the Irish would continue to prove themselves in the playoffs, and many are still searching for an answer as to why they were excluded from that opportunity this postseason.

The Miami Controversy 

Despite the remarkable work of the Irish since Week One against Miami, it was not enough for the College Football Playoff selection committee. “The one metric we had to fall back on was the head-to-head,” said CFP committee chair Hunter Yurachek. In their season debut matchup, the Irish fell short by a mere three points on the road. While a disappointing way to start the season, it was also an understandable one. Redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr saw his first start, but he showed potential that was later reflected in his performance in the remainder of the season. Similarly, senior transfer Malachi Fields recorded 48 receiving yards against the Hurricanes — a substantial difference from the 99 receiving yards he recorded in another big game against Pittsburgh later in the year. Needless to say, Notre Dame’s performance in its first game was a testament to its new dynamic, not its capability. 

Looking beyond the head-to-head matchup, while the Irish continually proved themselves in future games, Miami seemed to struggle. The Hurricanes went on to lose to two unranked opponents. By Week 11, they fell to No. 18 in the CFP ranking as Notre Dame rose to No. 10. At this point, it seemed evident that the head-to-head matchup was not an accurate reflection of which was the better team. From Week 11, both teams went on to win the rest of their games, each ending the season with a record of 10 wins and two losses.

Due to Miami’s failure to reach the ACC Championship, neither team played during Week 15. As a result, they were close in the CFP rankings from Week 14 to selection day, with Notre Dame toeing ahead at No. 10 and Miami following in No. 12. Therefore, it was even more difficult to understand how, after a week of neither team playing, Miami surpassed Notre Dame on the day of selection. If the committee deemed Notre Dame superior the week before, it’s unclear what could have changed their minds.

The Bowl Dilemma 

Later on Sunday, the team announced via social media that it would be withdrawing from consideration for a postseason bowl game. This triggered a mixed response from football fans, some suggesting that Notre Dame did not make the correct decision. ESPN analyst Booger McFarland posted on social media, “To throw a pity party and not play in a bowl game is quite a precedent for a 10-2 team.” But the decision to withdraw consideration from a bowl game may have stemmed from something deeper than self-pity.

The decision to withdraw bowl game consideration came from the captains of the team. Captain Drayk Bowen explained in an episode of Here Come the Irish, the TV series dedicated to an in-depth look at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, that the outcome of selection day caught the team off guard. He went on to explain that, as a result, the football played at a bowl game would likely not be representative of Notre Dame football, given the players’ and staff’s frustration with the postseason. He also added that many key players may have opted out of the game either way to prevent injury. So, even if Notre Dame decided to accept a bowl game, those who were sad not to see their favorite players in action may not have had that opportunity.

A large purpose of bowl games in recent years has been for promotion. Teams receive the opportunity to extend their season
and earn more money for their school by participating. Sponsors get an opportunity to promote their brands, and local venues can promote tourism to the bowl host location. In actuality, bowl games have little to do with competitive, consequential football, which is what Notre Dame was seeking. The priorities of the Irish and the purpose of the bowl game did not align this season, offering a new perspective as to why they did not participate.

Looking Ahead

With no more games to play in the 2025-26 season, Notre Dame must move forward and focus on program strength for next season.

“It’s our responsibility to make sure we leave no doubt,” said head coach Marcus Freeman in a recent press conference.

The team will face a slightly different playoff selection process next year, where finishing in the CFP’s top twelve spots will guarantee a playoff berth for the Irish, given they are independent. With a more definitive pathway to the playoffs comes clearer goals to reach. The team has the opportunity to respond to the committee’s choices with decisive force. While it can be easy to dwell on the seemingly inexplicable ending to the season — and watching Miami at the National Championship raises the “what if ’s” — the best way to move forward is to focus on what is to come for this team.

“We appreciate all the support from our families and fans,” the team wrote on social media," and we’re hoping to bring the 12th national title to South Bend in 2026.”