After the loss to Northern Illinois University, the Fighting Irish seemed done for. The campus went into mourning as students wailed about dashed hopes of a playoff or a national title. Yet the football team’s prowess revealed itself more and more throughout the season, and the Irish managed to finish the main season with an 11-1 record. So, despite that little stumble in week 2, the team is going to the playoffs.

This will be the first time the Irish will make an appearance in the College Football Playoffs since 2020. First, Notre Dame (seeded at No. 7) will play No. 10 Indiana University at home, then the victor will play No. 2 University of Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The winner will then advance to the semifinals and play the winner of the Fiesta Bowl, and the winner of that matchup will advance to the finals at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20, 2025.

The future is uncertain for the Irish as it stands now, so fill out the bracket below as the championship approaches!