Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman’s No. 10 Fighting Irish were on the fringes of the College Football Playoff question going into conference championship weekend. According to PFSN’s College Football Playoff Meter, the Fighting Irish currently have a 100% chance of making the showcase event.
Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff case has regularly been weighed against the No. 12 Miami Hurricanes’, who have a similar 10-2 record and beat Freeman’s team 27-24 in their season opener.
Marcus Freeman Makes Playoff Case Despite Miami Loss
During an appearance on the “Fox College Football” show, Freeman addressed Notre Dame’s playoff case compared to coach Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes’ case for inclusion in the 12-team field.
“We’re 10-2 with losses to currently No. 7 and No. 12 teams in college football rankings by a combined four points,” Freeman said. “And they were the first two weeks of the season.
“You look at Miami, who went 10-2 and’s a really good football team, but their two losses are to two unranked teams in the middle of the season and in early November. I just don’t believe you can eliminate a team based on one data point.”
According to PFSN’s College Football Playoff Meter, Miami has a 100% chance of being included in the playoff, further adding intrigue to Selection Sunday.
Freeman Shifts Focus to Notre Dame vs. Alabama
One of the teams that dominated the College Football Playoff discourse was coach Kalen DeBoer’s No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide, who were blown out 28-7 by the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC championship game. The loss dropped them to 10-3 for the season, raising the question of whether a three-loss team will be included in the field.
Despite the debate leading into Selection Sunday mostly pitting Notre Dame against Miami, Freeman shifted the focus to the Fighting Irish versus the Crimson Tide.
“I think the ultimate question is: ‘Who’s the best team now?'” Freeman said. “And that’s what the playoff committee wants, and I’m sure that’s what college football fans want. I think anytime you look at one single data point, it’s going to sway you one way or another.
“But the committee made it clear on Tuesday that the debate and focus has been on Notre Dame and Alabama. I might not agree with their decision to flip us, but it shows the debate isn’t Notre Dame (and) BYU (or) Miami, it’s Notre Dame and Alabama.”
Notre Dame, Miami, and Alabama are currently engaged in a fascinating battle to secure the final two spots in the College Football Playoff, with inclusion and exclusion raising intriguing questions about the postseason tournament’s future.
