You learn a lot from how someone handles adversity, which is to say we learned a lot of unflattering things about Notre Dame’s athletic program this week.
The Irish were frustrated by the process that led to them ultimately not being selected for the College Football Playoff’s 12-team field.
That’s entirely understandable. They were put in the top 10 of every ranking until the final one, when being No. 11 pushed them into being the last team out (behind 10 at-large picks and two Group of Five qualifiers, Tulane and James Madison).
Eight of 11 ESPN pickers predicted Notre Dame would get into the field, suggesting the conventional wisdom was that they were likely but not guaranteed to make it.
Television politics sure seemed to help Alabama get in ahead of Notre Dame, while a head-to-head loss against Miami carried more weight in the final ranking than at other checkpoints.
It’s an imperfect process and someone is always going to be upset. This year it was Notre Dame, as I talked about with both Chip Scoggins and Randy Johnson on Wednesday’s Daily Delivery podcast.
The action was out of Notre Dame’s control. The reaction was within the Irish’s control. Let’s run down some of their petulance at the start of today’s 10 things to know:
- Facing the prospect of playing in the Pop Tarts Bowl instead of the playoff after the decision, Notre Dame instead took its ball and went home. The school released a brief statement: “As a team, we’ve decided to withdraw our name from consideration for a bowl game following the 2025 season. We appreciate all the support from our families and fans, and we’re hoping to bring the 12th national title to South Bend in 2026.”
- AD Pete Bevacqua went scorched earth on the CFP committee, telling Yahoo: “There is no explanation that could possibly be given to explain the outcome. ... Why put these young student-athletes through these false emotions just to pull the rug out from underneath them?” Actually there was an explanation. Miami beat Notre Dame head-to-head. Advantage Miami. Alabama had three losses but played a much tougher schedule. One of those three teams was going to be left out. Notre Dame doesn’t belong to a football conference, wants to play by its rules and then wants the breaks in the end. Sounds like privilege to me and others.
- Speaking of not being affiliated: Bevacqua’s most inane complaint was that the ACC — of which Notre Dame is a member in other sports, but not football — threw its social media weight behind actual member Miami getting into the playoff. “I think it has done some real damage, and I think the ACC knows that,” he said.
- Then again, maybe all of this worked out for most of us. To go through an entire bowl season without having to hear about how great Notre Dame is? It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
- Also on Wednesday’s show, we discussed a key departure from the Gophers football program.
- And I wondered whether the Twins’ ever-evolving offseason plan really makes sense given the trade deadline teardown. You want to rebuild the bullpen you just destroyed?
- The Gophers men’s basketball team delivered a shocking win over Indiana last week. A win on Wednesday at Purdue would be a borderline miracle.
- The Vikings’ Sunday night game at Dallas feels like the perfect test at this moment for J.J. McCarthy. The Cowboys are a desperate team and a step (or two) up from Washington. Plus they have a formidable pass rush. But they will also give up a lot of yards and aren’t in the class of, say, Seattle or Green Bay.
- My favorite part of the Philip Rivers comeback story is the assertion that he threw the ball well for the Colts in his workout but that he needs to improve his conditioning. The guy is 44 and has been out of the league for five years! What do you expect?
- Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan is expected to join me on Thursday’s podcast.
