Notre Dame is a football team no one wanted to play. More importantly, they are an independent entity that no one wanted to pay. In a stunning display of hypocrisy and dishonesty, the Playoff Selection Committee ended Notre Dame’s season on Sunday. For several weeks the Committee ranked the Irish solidly within the Top 12. They explained their process and rationale for doing so, calling Notre Dame “a complete team”. It all made perfect sense. Today, however, the Committee reversed their previous logic and crushed the dreams of the Irish players.
What happened? Let’s begin with money. Last season, Notre Dame earned a considerable windfall as an independent in its run to the national championship game. An unworthy Alabama team was left out those playoffs. The all-powerful SEC was miffed. This season’s edition of the Crimson Tide was no more deserving. On Saturday, they left a steaming pile of excrement on the turf at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Somehow, the Committee chose to reward them.
Then we have the Miami Hurricanes. Since a five-loss Duke squad won the ACC championship, the conference did not earn an automatic bid. The ACC quickly realized it would not have a single snout at the playoff money trough. Fortunately for them, their media benefactors at ESPN had already organized a campaign to prevent such an injustice.
They fed their army of talking heads with a lengthy script. Its purpose was to extol the virtues of Miami and Alabama while diminishing Notre Dame. It played on a continuous loop for three weeks leading up to today’s announcement. The objective was simple and all too obvious. Notre Dame was not going to extract more money out of the conference coffers this year.
This cabal has additional agendas at work. Number one is to force Notre Dame to join a league and share its revenues. Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevaqua addressed that issue today. “We love being independent in football. It’s part of our DNA,” he said. “We have zero intention of changing that. It’s part of who Notre Dame is. Quite frankly, this further cements our independence. We are out there fighting for ourselves. That’s something we accept.”
The second objective of the media and conference power brokers is to expand the playoffs to 16 or even 24 teams. ESPN’s ability to provoke widespread outrage over Notre Dame’s exclusion works plays right into their hands. Sadly, there is no limit to the greed at the expense of the student athletes. We know the players earn a small fraction of the overall riches through NIL deals. However, they are not awarded extra or direct compensation for playoff games. That money goes directly to ESPN and the conferences.
In the end, the Irish players are the real victims of this fraud. Coach Marcus Freeman could only attempt to console them in their bewilderment. “Usually there are reasons and answers and explanations, but we don’t have one for you with this”, he told them. If nothing else, these talented and deserving young men learned a valuable life lesson. In sports like any other big business, corruption usually follows when big money is involved.
Al says:
You’ve done an injustice to “steaming pile of excrement.”
This “Committee” does its work with zero oversight and zero accountability and there arent any real journalists calling them out. one might ask: 1.By what margin would Alabama have had to lose to warrant exclusion?100? and 2. what justifies penalizing Ohio State and BYU for losses but not Alabama? Or is it only the SEC Championship game that has no potential downside.
Shameless whores, all of them.
John E Cosgrove says:
Follow the money. SEC and ACC conferences have broadcast contracts with ESPN.
Coachd8 says:
totally agreed and still believe ND should pull out of the ACC and just go back to 100% independence or maybe rejoin the Big East for the other sports it will better fir the basketball in particular
Tex Reese says:
That’s an insult to whores, especially to the ones coming out of Ann Arbor. The committee is just a group of shameless skanks. A whore at least earns what she gets.
Frank Augustyniewicz says:
Well said. My daughter goes to Bama and we weee at the SEC game. We were driving home and listening to the field announcement. She looked at me and said “You got ‘screwed.’ we (Bama) shoildnt be in, we don’t deserve it”. Most Bama fans on the train after the game said they were out. Use it as fuel for next year vengeance tour. Like lacrosse did a few years ago!
RayF says:
Spot on John. The Irish got hosed. Pure greed.
George Krasnick says:
John, well said. This was a travesty. It reminds me of several years ago when a top-rated men’s lacrosse team was inexplicably left out of the playoffs. They responded by winning the next two national championships. Us against the world. The decision to not accept a bowl bid is absolutely the right decision. There would be no upside to participation and potential injury to players turning pro or coming back. There were three factors against us: 1) Catholic, with all the prejudice that comes with that, especially from the south/SEC; 2) independence and the financial realities you outlined; and 3) lack of ESPN control of ND, unlike 99% of the rest of college football. I can’t say I was completely surprised listening to that bloviating imbecile Booger MacFarland for the past few days.
Irish Coffee says:
The playoff committee is nothing but a bunch of good ‘ole boys. There is no credibility or consistency in the process whatsoever. This isn’t a playoff. This is prejudice and hatred at best.
Terry Mcintire says:
I’m so grateful for the character that Notre Dame has demonstrated by their decision to opt out of a bowl bid. This can only help ND.
GraceHallChapel86 says:
I agree 100%. All these Irish haters saying it’s a “tantrum” obviously have no life experience in being passed over in a rigged system so someone less qualified can be promoted for the benefit of the powers that be.
This will be Freeman Fuel for next season.
ND fan in the South says:
The team decision to withdraw from consideration of a bowl game shines a glaring light on the injustice and downright corruption that we all witnessed. The world knows Alabama doesn’t belong. It’s not about the Miami/Notre Dame comparison, it’s about the SEC bias and the jealousy and envy of the Irish independence.
Will says:
It was a very shocking decision for the CFP committee to reverse its prior rankings and downgrade Notre Dame. John, I fear your explanation for this decision is all too true. This was the year I thought that ND could go all the way. We will never know. I do feel strongly that this year’s Irish team is stronger than last year’s squad and that this year’s CFP field is weaker than last year’s. I am pleased that the team has voted down a bowl game for 2 reasons. First with the CFP the bowl games have become meaningless. Everyone knows this…especially the players. Why risk injury in an exhibition game so that ESPN can make more money? Eventually the bowls will fade away. Iowa State and Kansas State have also both opted out of the bowl idiocy. Second, with the transfer portal opening on January 2 this gives ND’s staff more time to devote to roster management. So be it. It is what it is. On to 2026.
LetsgoND says:
John, great write-up. This is absolutely gut wrenching. It’s plain as day that ND is a playoff team, and they are a big problem for anyone they play against. Watching the other teams in the field, ND has a great shot at winning it all.
To me, the worst part of this is: *all* that hard work. The evolution of this team. They’re beating the brakes off everyone. They’re reaching a momentum where you just know the post-season is going to be magical, yet again. It’s time to see this team unleash against the best… and then… a word is uttered from the playoff committee: “…Nope…”
Everything tossed in the garbage– just like that. With the sports analysts saying, “yeahh… ND would probably beat Miami if they played today…” *shrug* …or, “yeah, NDs chances of winning it all are darn good…” *nod then shrug*
A knee-jerk reaction was: Reject any bowl games– don’t let these bowls, businesses, networks, ESPN, et al., feast on anymore profits off this team’s back. Shut it all down. (Of course, it all depends on what the team wants. They did opt out from the looks of things. Good for them.)
And let’s sit back and watch Alabama get waxxed, again. Let’s watch James Madison and Tulane get blown up. And Miami (who we ranked above) with it’s penchant for stumbling.
Happy Holidays
David Krhovsky says:
It’s interesting. I’ve been sparring with folks all day about the Irish being denied a birth in the playoffs. The resounding response is “you’re not in a conference”. This reveals the ongoing hate for Notre Dame, but it misses the point entirely. The playoffs theoretically want to include the 12 best teams in college football. I defy anyone to convince me that the number 20 and 24 team in the rankings should be there before the Irish just because they won their conference. This is a bitter pill that it will be difficult to swallow for a long time. I can only hope that the Committee learns something from all this but, frankly, I’m skeptical.
irishhawk50 says:
If the Irish won one of the first 2 games they wouldn’t be in this fix although I agree with all you have written and it is a travesty. If Denbrock had a game plan that let Carr throw downfield maybe Miami would not have been able to stuff the box and hold Love to 33 yards or if Angeli started it may have been a completely different opened up game plan. Anyway, it is what it is and ND has an even weaker looking schedule next year so maybe even one loss will keep them out of the playoff!
I feel bad for the players who did all that was asked of them and in this College Football environment it was not enough. I guess it is a valuable lesson in life. I support the team in their decision not to go to a bowl game and wish them all the best.
I again, this year, want to sincerely thank you for all the work you do on this site and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
The Obvious says:
The DNA and tradition of Notre Dame Football is independence. No matter what, I don’t want that to change. There’s too much “change for the sake of change” in our society these days, Be Notre Dame. Stay Notre Dame. And don’t blow football games. Any football game. That’s your responsibility, Marcus Freeman. So, here we are.
Until next season … Health and Happiness to you, Notre Dame Nation and fellow alums. Let this season be a lesson learned. No more excuses. Win games. Win them all. Be Notre Dame.
Gary Cunningham says:
Exactly correct! ACC, SEC, and the less than noble selection committee are now thrown into the same Disney $ Slop Bucket with ESPN! I had to abandon the NFL for its corruption, and now college football! I’m out!
goirish1988 says:
Assuming the players were consulted and agreed, I love the decision to skip the bowl game. While there may be emotional and financial reasons for the decision (I don’t understand who the winners and losers are and by how much), Bevacqua (and Freeman and the players) are returning ND to the “natty or nothing” mindset that prevailed in the late 80s and 90s before the successive terrible coaching hires and Jack “Mediocre is Good Enough” Swarbrick sent us into 30 years of misery. While I am furious about the last-minute nonsense causing us to not make the playoffs, I am still so happy we are free of the frauds BK and JS and we have real leadership now. The future is bright.
PC says:
John, You could see this coming from a mile away after last weeks inexplicable swap with Alabama. ND really couldn’t have much better of a weekend, Boise wins big, BYU loses and actually played better then score indicated and Bama gets smoked. Yes, Duke winning might’ve been the final straw but I have a feeling the fix was in from last week. Just so everyone is aware, Alabama is now the first team to lose their conference title game and not drop at all. Oh and they lost by 21, had negative rushing yards and the game wasn’t even as close as final score indicated. The ultimate injustice to our boys.
BIRGE ROBERT says:
Alabama rushed for minus-3 yards, its lowest total in a game since 2000. The only touchdown it scored against Georgia was aided by penalties.
Zahm 1974 says:
I am completely bewildered by the Irish missing the playoffs. Even Nick Saban was confused by the CFP’s idiocy. ND is better than at least 7-8 teams selected. After watching a bunch of games , I also think ND would give OSU, Indiana and Georgia a tight game, maybe even win. Since when does the CFP take a 3 loss team like Bama that was clearly floundering the last few weeks ? I am a 74 grad and can only conclude that there is significant bias against ND on that committee. ND and Miami should be in and the Tide out.Period.Damn glad the team chose to bag any other bowl games. Use other polling to pick 12 best teams and James Madison and Tulane ???
GraceHallChapel86 says:
A very astute analysis of the situation.
Farley man says:
Do not watch a single CFP game. Boycott them all. No Notre Dame fan– or for that matter any fair-minded observer– should support the corruption on display here. In retrospect, moving Alabama ahead of ND when they nearly lost to Auburn while ND stomped Stanford was a clar warning sign of their intentions all along. And then to leave Alabama ahead of both ND and Miami when they were unmasked by Georgia (could they have been beaten any worse?? -3 yards rushing??) is beyond ludicrous/nonsensical; it is corrupt.
Dean W says:
I’m an IU grad and I really like Coach Cig so I’ll be watching their games. Otherwise I’d boycott the whole crooked mess.
JimmyWishbone says:
100% agree
Thank you for the article John Vannie
Jeff says:
Why would ND want to remain in the ACC in any sport after what the league pulled this week? Not only were the talking heads at ESPN pumping up Miami, the ACC Network re-ran the ND-Miami game at least 10 times this past week trying to convince anyone still on the fence that head-to-head results are the most important criteria in determining CFP worthiness. We Irish fans know that hasn’t always been the case (1993).
goirish1988 says:
That 1993 reference is a good one. Two teams at the end with 1-loss records. Team A beat Team B (it was a beatdown late in the season despite the final score being close). Team B was voted the national champion by the media. Team A of course was Notre Dame and Team B was Florida State, coached by media darling Bobby Bowden, who deserved a natty gifted to him given how long he had been trying.
SOCOJoeIrish says:
When the talking heads kept mentioning head-to-head, the first thing that came to mind was the 1993 head-to-head scenario with FSU. My friends could only muster up the lame argument that ND choked to BC. Sure, but ND went on to win the bowl game and had an identical W-L record as FSU, AND THE IRISH BEAT FSU HEAD-TO-HEAD. It’s clear that college football and the networks hate ND. Merry Christmas.
Murph says:
Vannie you are right on the comments you posted. I’m disappointed for the players the school and the fans. I’m going to be short – one of God’s commandments is Thou shalt not steal. I’ll leave it at that.
NBND75 says:
Great analysis. Hypocrites and phonies at ESPN, SEC, ACC and Big Ten. All about money and nothing else. Glad we said no to making money for ESPN in a BS bowl.
Jake in Cali says:
JVAN,
This is the ultimate “Kangaroo Court” by all of the “buffoons” on the committee !!
Shameful talking heads on ESPN talking the Irish down all week…
The system is already broken and totally corrupt..
A blatant lie by the committee to the entire Notre Dame family around the world..
I’m boycotting the entire post season..
Jerrod says:
Been anticipating your write up all day Vannie. Agree with everything above. Crazy how bad we got conned. The fix was clearly in last week. I’m going to miss you all this offseason ND nation. Next year will be another great one. Too bad the sport itself is so corrupt.
Jim Blaum says:
Next year when ESPN Game Day wants to come to ND accepting ideas how to make their request worst for them: 1) Egg barrage to panel while making their pick of our game, but with 1st giving silent notice to Coach Sabin to wear rain gear; 2) boycotting not showing up…no one allowed to show up at all behind the panel; 3) bring their food trays full of the slop we were fed at dining halls between 1968-May 15,1972….heavy on the mystery meat!! More ideas welcome.☘️
NBND75 says:
Double helpings of mystery/rainbow meat! Selection show completely rehearsed- everyone knew the decision. Bad acting by Manuel pretending to change his opinion and Dinitch feigning shock.
Greg says:
Since this morning’s decision, I cannot get the word “RICO” out of my head.
Topgome says:
This is all about jealousy and hatred for ND. ND had a very real shot at winning the NC this year and that would have had the rest of college football screaming about us keeping the money that went with it. Why else are people demanding and insisting that ND join one of these craptastic conferences? The only good that I can see coming from this is that Freeman will not have to use some bizarre loss in the regular season next year to motivate his team. ND is going to punish teams on their schedule next year enroute to an undefeated season and National Championship.
mike'73 says:
To all that read Vannie consistently, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year, despite the excrement that flowed out of Grapevine, Texas today. I am by no means an oracle, but as I watched the evolution of the rankings each week it became evident to me that there was something afoot, and that it would most likely cause ND to suffer. Bama was gonna get in (almost) no matter what, and Miami was moving up relentlessly. We were likely to become the sacrificial lamb to the SEC and the ACC, especially if Virginia lost the ACCCG. That drove me to get to Palo Alto for what I fully expected to be the last opportunity to see Love, Price and others play in ND uniforms. It was a long drive, and Love played very little, but it was worth it. Great environment, though that intentional injury of Love (no one will ever be able to convince me o/w) put a damper on the result, a bit. Thanks for all you do each season, John. Enjoy your respite from the struggle. GO scorched earth IRISH in ’26!!
PanDomer73 says:
Thank you JV for your insightful analysis on this most disappointing and regretful day. I feel for this team; if I thought they had a shot at a NC, imagine how they feel, losing it in the boardroom and not on the field. I love our independence, who we are, and what we stand for. This was a memorable team with a great season. Fear the Irish next year!
Dean W says:
F the committee, especially that lying hick from Arkansas. F the SEC, F Lord Saban, F the NCAA, and F ESPN. They all want ND to bend the knee and join a conference. They can’t stand to see a school that operates outside their overlapping fiefdoms. F them all. I support the team sitting this one out. And I hope the boys make those bastards pay next season.
John C says:
Looking FORWARD – thoughts on whether Freeman can convince Love and Price to stay? Given the platoon approach that helps keep them both fresh and reduces chance of injury, I can’t think of a better opportunity to bring back talent and for someone like Marcus to convincingly make that pitch to two young men.
Carr should be a preseason Heisman contender. Were Love, and Price, to stay, they would join him.
Imagine that.
Marcus has brought an intensity to the field that was glaringly absent during the Kelly and prior eras. Rage from what just happened may put us over the top. Maximum talent plus rage would equal domination.
11/7/26. Circle it. Will be a bloodbath.
Jim G says:
I agree/hope you are correct about 11/7/26. No mercy can be shown. Actually, other than Navy that needs to be the case with every game next year, but especially Miami.
I don’t agree with you about J Love & J Price coming back. First, I doubt ND has enough money (playing by the NIL rules) to pay them what they can earn in the NFL. Also, we all saw the cheap shot on J Love at Stanford. That would be a risk all season long. Let them go, they’ve done more than enough for this school.
Go Irish
Tom says:
I agree and share the outrage at being denied a CFP berth. I’m disappointed by ND’s decision to skip playing in a bowl game. Besides the “sour grapes” feeling it conveys, it prevents the team from getting some meaningful practice time. Love and Price were never going to play in a bowl game. Williams and some other potential starters for next year could have gotten some meaningful reps during practices and the game. More importantly, it sends a misguided message to the young men and women at ND about how to deal with disappointment and frustration. The leadership at ND sent a message of “We’ll take our ball and go home” rather than “ Let’s use this time to improve our team.”
John Vannie says:
I thought Pete Bevacqua explained the rationale quite well this morning. I support the decision to stay home. You can’t force players to play. Any extra practices would lack the commitment and intensity the team is known for.
Joe says:
Review Aesop. Sour grapes only applies to something that is not possible for one to achieve. In this case, it would mean griping that the playoffs would not have been worth it, etc. This case is different. To accept the Pop-Tarts bowl would have meant rewarding the ACC, media, and other powers that be for a corrupt process. This is not sour grapes. It is called walking away on principle, even though ND also takes a financial hit.
I have a kid in the band. They are devastated. The seniors use these road trips to hand on traditions to the next generations. ND no longer takes the band to the Shamrock Series because of the anticipated playoff expenses. These kids worked their tails off for more than a year with the one reward of going on a trip that will now not materialize. They don’t get money, no scholarships, long hours, and basically a pretty basic backpack (their traveling luggage) as the one perk for the year. They have a right to be livid. But from what I understand, the ones I know of understand and support the decision. Their anger is appropriately directed at the real culprits, not the football team.
Martin says:
1. The rules have always been different for Notre Dame and this time we got screwed.
2. The repercussions of this will be felt in board rooms when TV ratings crash.
3. Marcus Freeman is one of the great motivators of this time. This is motivational gold. How does Freeman use this going forward?
South Cook Irish says:
The Irish should, if legally possible, leave the ACC. How to understand the league commissioner bad-mouthing a conference member in all but football? The Irish are the only reason anyone watches teams from this woeful conference. Thanks John for a great article and reporting this season.
marleyman01 says:
C’mon guys. We are all disappointed. We observed the momentum building in the latter half of the season and saw this team really turning into a competitive group. I was excited about a dynamic young quarterback and the most outstanding backfield in recent memory. But let’s be honest. They lost the two games that really counted and then went on to play a mediocre schedule. The ND faithful appear to be gushing sour grapes. Did we get hosed? Perhaps. But should we be shocked?
mike '73 says:
If you can’t see what was happening throughout this putrid process, especially now that it is after the fact, and how it was clearly directed at ND, well, I would suggest an ophthalmologist first, and then some serious time for reflection. “Sour grapes?!” That is probably THE most sadly ridiculous take on this situation. The team voted not to go to a minor bowl, NOT ND, for reasons wholly reasonable and appropriate. Playing would benefit NO ONE other than the very two groups most responsible for the end result (unless you wish to add the SEC refs who TOTALLY cost ND the victory against TAMU on TWO occasions: the NON-targeting targeting call on Shuler, and that crime of a non-call against the TAMU O-lineman against Hinish on the penultimate TAMU play that was the tying TD). Playing would give tacit acceptance of this atrocious CFBP Committee process, AND to the traitorous politicking by the ACC and ESPN to exclude ND. Do better. BE better.
marleyman01 says:
Did ND lose the only two games that counted on their schedule? As a lifelong fan, even I recognize that we are in a privileged position due to name recognition. As for joining a conference, the administration knows what it is doing. Remaining independent guarantees ND CONTROL. Could you imagine our lads being in the SEC or Big Ten? Incidentally, I don’t blame the team for not wanting to participate in a cupcake bowl game. Merry Christmas, old timer.
mike'73 says:
The prompt to the reply was the accusation of “sour grapes,” as mentioned in that reply. That accusation was wholly inaccurate and uncalled for, except for the typical ND haters out there who have zero interest in looking beyond the most superficial aspect of any issue that denigrates any and all things ND. WE have owned our part in those two losses, and in fact as a fan base have really essentially let it slide that that last play in the TAMU game was the result of a combination of gross negligence and incompetence, tinged with a heavy dose of intentional bias by the SEC refs. The objections to the PROCESS by which the CFBP Committee conducted itself is the issue, as Bevacqua amply explained in his presser Tuesday. THAT is the problem, and MUST be called out, and addressed. Merry Christmas to you and yours, too, grasshopper.
Fulkerson's Ghost says:
The committee might as well pull names from a hat.
But anyone here acting surprised is a fool. If the Irish don’t run the table and there is a chance to shaft them, they are going to get shafted.
John Hutton says:
John Hutton
9:00 AM (17 minutes ago)
to viewpoint
Dear Editor,
Over the past weeks, sports news outlets have reported the reluctance of CFP-eligible teams to meet the current version of the Irish team. The Conference Football Playoff committee, also known as the College Football Playoff committee, has formalized this reluctance by excluding the Notre Dame Brotherhood, also known as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, from its playoff. It was a sophomoric error.
Notre Dame is an Independent. The 2025 ND Brotherhood is the acknowledged football champion of the nation’s independent teams. As the Independent Football Champion, the Brotherhood has the right and ability to “invite” the CFP (conference, college, or whatever) champion to a final game – say ten days after the CFP game, at a neutral site like Indianapolis.
You know, of course, that this game is a real possibility. Who would not want a true college football superbowl (excluding, of course, The Conference Football Playoff committee.) So don’t whine, growl, or grumble, Irish fans. The 2025 ND Brotherhood is alive, in shape, and waiting for the go-ahead.
John Hutton, ’62
bodysurf73@gmail.com
912-786-5116
Hurler on the Ditch says:
Great summary JV.
Hindsight being 20-20, could the Irish AD have negotiated a one time revenue split with the ACC 6 days ago, prior to the selection and exclusion of ND? Miami stays out, ND is in and the ACC all get a piece of the revenue.
ND fanatic for 64 years, I am devastated by our exclusion and with an ND team that’s better than last years runner up. Pro sports and now college football are irreparably corrupt. I need to find a new hobby.
Pete says:
The SECularization of college football, orchestrated by ESPN, is complete. A team gets beat like a stepchild, does the near impossible by rushing (?) for -3 yards, and is in at #9.
Chris Amenson says:
I was hopeful that ND would not accept a bowl bid and am very pleased it decided not to.
Next year I hope the Irish win all 12 games, are ranked #1 at the end of the season, and then AGAIN declines to participate in the college playoffs.
That would leave the Playoff Selection Committee performing a useless, fraudulent selection, just like this year.
Joseph Wells says:
Urban Meyer who formerly coached at Notre Dame has a longstanding hatred of the Fighting Irish. He argued that Alabama deserved its position despite being mauled by Georgia. Good to see Brady Quinn’s response.
Dean W says:
Urban is a POS who ran dirty programs at both Florida and OSU, and he didn’t have the stones to take the ND job when he had the chance. In other words, he’s a perfect fit with those money grubbing dirtbags at ESPN.
Mike says:
Urban Meyer is sleazy. He even looks it. Why he still has a place at the table . . . ? ? ?
P.S. Wise decision to skip the bowl game route. Any astute football fan knows Notre Dame by season’s end is one of the top four teams, maybe top two along with Georgia. Both notably improved along the way, Georgia from its slow starts, Notre Dame from the two razor thin losses.
Jim says:
We all know what a crock/farse this whole thing was. ESPN, Disney and all the talking heads can go pound sand. What we as ND fans need to do is lick out wounds for a couple of days, but then get over it and stop talking about it because that feeds right into the greedy ESPN/SEC narrative and they love the attention. Screw them. I will be boycotting any and all college football games the rest of the year. We need to tune out mentally and def tune out ESPN. Go Irish!
Zahm 1974 says:
You are 100 %correct – they are already calling us crybabies. Screw them – I am currently drinking Lagavullin 16 scotch and it certainly smooths all things out.
Joe says:
Let us not forget that one of our losses was to Texas A&M, a game in which we should have played a lot better. There were many performance reasons leading to why we lost that game but despite all of those, one almost undeniable reason we still lost that game, was due directly to the blatantly missed offensive holding call ( the A&M offensive lineman tackled our player to prevent a sack on the 4th down winning touchdown play) not flagged by the Conference refs, yet TV caught plain as day. If not for that blown no-call ND most likely wins the game , goes eleven and one and might even have been a top seed. Why didn’t the CFP Committee watch that play when deciding who was worthy? You can say that one blown call was pivotal in all this and ND was doubly penalized for it. Conference officiating should be done away with and replaced by an independent officiating body. As an Independent ( and Independence forever!!) we will always be vulnerable to Conference officials highly susceptible to at minimum implicit bias in favor of their conference team, especially today, when so much money rides on how the conference performs. You try but you can’t always succeed in taking the game out of the officials’ hands. That blown Texas A&M call cost us dearly this season and it rankles!!
irishhawk50 says:
Thank you for reminding me about that non-call! Your analysis is right on.
russd79 says:
ND haa repeatedly been screwed over by allowing opponents to their conference officials into our house. That needs to stop now.
NBND75 says:
JV, your articles and insights are the best. Sorry the season is over. I agree with an SI writer who opined that there is a rule that Alabama always makes the playoffs. How else can you explain a team that lost to a terrible FSU team in its opener, lost to a mediocre Louisville, barely beat terrible LSU and Auburn teams and got blown out by a Georgia team on a neutral field? Oh, but they did barely beat Georgia in their first game and, of course, had that dominating win over FCS Eastern Illinois!
ESPN reporters are knowing participants in this farce. Why didn’t they focus on BYU getting blown out and OSU losing a close game in their championship games, and both dropped in the rankings. Even a blind man can see the fix was in and as many commentators have pointed out, it was obvious the week before when the committee inexplicably flipped ND and Alabama even though Alabama barely beat a terrible Auburn team while we handily beat Stanford. Alabama gets rewarded for struggling against weak sisters while we get punished for winning big over lesser opponents. Also, we only had one “good” win over USC? Didn’t we beat the Mountain West Champion – Boise State? Miami gets credit for beating Pitt but now us! ESPN has ruined college football and I have no respect for any of their phony reporters.
As biased as it oftentimes is, the AP Poll is a better determiner of who should make the playoffs if only because it is harder to fix an outcome. A small committee of handpicked corrupt Yes Men is an awful way to pick teams for a playoff. Take the top 12 or 16 in the AP Poll and you will get a fairer process than the backroom deals orchestrated by ESPN and the SEC.
Finally, I agree with not putting any more money in ESPN’s coffers by playing in a meaningless bowl game. We have made this decision in the past and I agreed with it then too. I wonder if the people saying our decision is sour grapes are saying the same thing about the 2 other schools that made the same decision and are each paying conference fines of $500k?
I think I have vented enough and will go back to enjoying the holidays. Merry Christmas to the ND family.
♥️#501988🍀🏈💪 says:
There is nothing more I can say than what I read from above comments! As a proud ND fan I can say this without convictions as to how I couldn’t be any MORE PROUDER TO BE A ND FAN than I am right now!
What I can say and will promote is for ND to BREAK AWAY from that #### @@@ conference we are affiliated with in other sports called ACC! They do NOT DESERVE ND and ALL of the ACCOLADES that come with it!
Back to the BIG EAST!
GREAT season IRISH! You were ROBBED by sneaky and shady men in the committee, by espn (no longer need them), The Good Ole Boys from the SEC and I would go as far as to say screw Miami! Only time IF/WHEN we play those jerks is in November when it’s cold in SOUTH BEND and we NEVER go to S. Florida to play them unless it is to play in the Orange Bowl!!!!
TODAY, LET THE REVENGE TOUR BEGIN FOR 2026!!!!🍀🏈💪
NBND75 says:
Great points! Especially leaving the ACC. It’s a joke of a conference that will have a tough time surviving if we leave. And the bonus is we stick it to ESPN who makes plenty of money off our ACC away games that are only watched by a significant audience if we are playing. That would make any renegotiated contract between the ACC and ESPN be for lower dollars, which hurts both of them. Perhaps we could have those other sports play in the Big Ten like our hockey team (which the Big Ten amazingly agreed to without holding our football team hostage)? Maybe the Big Ten would now be open to giving us the same deal as we have with the ACC? Our main rivalries are with that conference’s teams anyway and playing 5 games (USC, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue and Indiana/Wisconsin) in that conference might now be a help to the Big Ten’s competition with the SEC. Just a thought.
❤️#591988☘️🏈💪🏻 says:
THANK YOU for the kinds words and agreement on my views about the ACC and leaving.
I hear what you are saying about the little x and it makes sense. But I’m sceptical of them! I believe they would try to lure us in and make it impossible to have our independence. Especially the historical bigotry towards ND and our religion. That’s why I think Big East is a better fit for the ☘️ because similar schools, more of a following and no issue with football.
Either way, I have the UPMOST confidence in Pete and he has the ☘️ best interest first!
GO IRISH ☘️!
Terry Mcintire says:
E’Sec’ is in total cya over its inability to erase the SEC bias and its distain over NDs independence. Did they also have the team watch Miami’s losses? So much for consistency.
Jeff Merritt says:
When Alabama jumped ahead of the Irish before the final CFP Bracket I could see the writing on the wall.
Jim Oregonia says:
So, since head to head matters so much then we actually gained a National Championship yesterday. In 1993 we beat FSU head to head in the game of the century. Both ND and FSU finished 12-1 that year…somehow FSU was rewarded the National Championship when we all know head to head matters, thus we just picked up another National Championship!!! So there is always a silver lining!!
Arnold Vance says:
We’ve seen this crap before. Please join me in boycotting all these games. You need to be ashamed ESPN.
Arnie Vance 068
Dave says:
The second objective you mention, to expand the playoff, sounds like is a goal of Notre Dame’s as well. AD Bevacqua said as much to Dan Patrick this morning. But what ESPN didn’t count on is that ND outrage it’s helped manufacture would torpedo its lucrative “bowl system.” When ND won the title in 88, there were 17 bowls. Last year 44 were played. This is an immense revenue generator for Disney/ESPN. Notre Dame just started the process that will kill it. I would acknowledge it was already hanging on by a thread with all of the opt outs, but, like the ACC, it was being salvaged. But now it won’t survive this and ESPN will have to add games to make up for the ones they lost. The other unintended consequence of this for ESPN is it might also start a process of eliminating conference championship games. These and the ridiculous excess of bowls are both products of ESPN’s growing broadcast in the last 20 years. The irony is ESPN is losing control of the product it created as now Paramount/CBS, FOX and Warners (HBO/TNT) see that its profitable and have deeper coffers (ESPN is not a high priority of Disney; its budget cut significantly 2 years ago). It will not be long before one or more of those studios has control of the playoff and ESPN is relegated to a handful of bowl games between Troy and Toledo much like they have to settle for the NIT in basketball.
A 16 team format, or even 24, like the fcs, would not eliminate all controversy. But like in the basketball tournament, the teams being excluded are never going to be teams that are among the top 3 favorites to win the title.
John Vannie says:
Playoff games are much more lucrative for ESPN and the conferences than meaningless bowl games. My biggest beef with an expanded playoff is the players don’t see a dime of this money while the extended season puts their health at risk.
The cure to thrive in a 12-team playoff is to be good enough not to have to worry about making the field.
irishhawk50 says:
100% agree with you. I will change my mind when #12 beats # 1!
Dave says:
I completely agree about the revenue sharing. For a long time short-sighted athletic directors and the NCAA opposed players unions. But NFL (and NBA, MLB, etc) are all able to function because they have two competent institutions that can negotiate with each other. Collective bargaining solves lots of issues with college football; a CBA could set an age limit, set stricter portal windows and lay out basic minimal requirements for player contracts. Forming a players union is actually the easy part, though. Then the question is who do they talk to? Popular sentiment in the legal and lobbying community is that the conferences, not the NCAA or the schools themselves, are the employers. That’s a tough issue to figure out, though.
The next hurdle is the CFP Administration needs to revisit its long term deal with ESPN. The NFL has a rotational agreement with major networks for the super bowl to maximize its profits (and as a result it reduces the corruption from having one network locked in for several seasons).
All of this, and especially Notre Dame’s independence, hinges on the TV money. I’m glad Bevacqua comes from that world and I’m very interested in his next moves. The private capital deal with the Big10 is also interesting in its timing as it opens the door to unequal distributions.
Mike says:
I agree with pretty much everything here. But make no mistake, this was weeks in the making. It was a systematic effort to get ND out. It started with the complete nonsensical jump of Alabama over Notre Dame, coupled with the incoherent explanation of why they did it. And it ended with the final nail that they could finally factor in head to head, which is lacks complete common sense.
Jon Torolski says:
Can we start a GoFund Me for the University. ND will lose out on a lot of money because of this CFP committee. I bet ND nation and all its followers could make the University more money than all the money paid out in these Playoffs.
John Vannie says:
The University will be fine.
Jon Torolski says:
I know they will be fine. But I honestly believe there is too much momentum that it could make them real fine. It’s just to throw it in the face of all those who participated in wronging this team. This would get more publicity than the actual CFP.
John Vannie says:
That’s a good point, but I think the main focus should be on the players going forward. They are the real injured party in this case.
That said, I have nothing against opening the wallet a little more to send in this year’s gift to ND.
Jon Torolski says:
I know they will be fine. But with momentum like this. We could throw this in the face of every participant who wronged the Irish. This was a complete set up and they burned these kids. With the ND following we could make more money for this school than all conferences combined will make it the playoffs. Just to send a message. We don’t need the money but you stole a real opportunity for this team and the school to win a National Championship. Not too mention what you took from all these fans
Hydrostan says:
How about this: We schedule 2 top 20 teams for our first 2 games. We had a lot of new/young players who of course got better as the season went on. Maybe we should follow the lead of other top schools who schedule “patsies” for their first few games?
manager47 says:
John – can’t thank you enough for your columns this past season. You hit the nail on the head today. What a complete joke the CFP committee attempted to spin. The Chairman is fooling himself – ESPN and the SEC are running College Football. I am disgusted with Jim Phillips the ACC Commissioner – former ND Administrator. Thankful the Irish were able to rise above the mockery and deceit. Head to Head ? We remember in 1993 that wasn’t the case. Trust you will continue to provide your tremendous previews and game recaps in 2026. Go Irish.
John Vannie says:
I’ll write them in 2026 if I’m still alive, but I can’t promise they will be “tremendous”. I will do my best.
As an aside, I’ve already written my Miami game preview for 2026. ND 256 Miami 0.
Ndvette says:
John, having followed ND for over 75 years I have come to expect the haters as just part of deal of being Catholic, Independent, and for a long time always at the top. Even with the fiasco in 89 when they bypassed us to let Miami in the playoffs. If the playoffs are to let the best teams (at the time of the playoffs) play how could they conceivable overlook ND. I understand the money issue but still can’t believe they took it this far. This theft is obvious, ugly, unworthy, and will not achieve any of ESPNs goals. In fact I believe it will be exactly opposite I think this will allow us to focus on the Transfer portal and get receivers anxious to catch passes from what I feel will be a Heisman candidate. Go Irish.
CrazyIrish says:
I liken the CFP show to Survivor. ND got voted off the island after a bunch of alliances got formed and then was back stabbed.
OneHistorian says:
I long ago gave up on understanding the selection process for getting into the playoffs, but it is completely obvious even to me that college football today is a shitshow.
Alabama gets a serious butt-kicking from Georgia and they get into the playoffs ahead of the Irish. Duke, with a 7-5 record gets into the playoffs ahead of the Irish. Neither of those selections makes ANY sense.
GO HOOSIERS!!!
mike'73 says:
Duke is NOT in. They won the ACCCG, but were replaced for the CFBP by one of the Group of 5 teams that was ranked higher by the CFBP Committee, which is consistent with the established rules.
OneHistorian says:
I stand corrected.
irishhawk50 says:
I think the saddest thing about this committee coup is that they all knew this year’s team had a real chance to win it all. I really think if they thought the Irish were a weaker entry that would have been happy to see the Irish get beat in the first round. My point is that they knew deep down that the Irish were a real threat not that they were not qualified to even make the cut so they had to be left out.
paul argentieri says:
If you have the balls, after getting kicked in the balls, to do something, then sue the NCAA & the ACC, et al, in a anti-trust action.
But first secure a TRO suspending any play off games until the Court reviews a very anti-competition business system wherein the schmucks who own Disney/ESPN is in bed with the SEC/Big 10 to deny the opportunity of student/athletes´ at universities who also take federal funding are being discriminated against.
Force the NCAA to expose its rotten business model, and pay to play scheme, that incredibly denies other conferences an opportunity to win it all and cannot possibly legally explain that the Committee´s subjective process
not being an anti-trust violation.
Indy Irish says:
Thanks again for a great season, John, and for this analysis! If people want to watch James Madison get routed or Tulane face the same team that beat them earlier this season by 30, they can have it. How exciting to see Alabama manhandled one more time this season!?! I don’t watch baseball after the Cubs get eliminated in April, so why would I watch lousy bowls featuring football teams I dislike sponsored by products I don’t want? I certainly have no desire for Pop Tarts, although Duke’s Mayo can keep my hair shiny until our early enrollees at Notre Dame appear in the Blue & Gold Game, Go Irish!
Brian91 says:
Opt out of CFP games on ESPN! Don’t watch em. Money doesn’t care if you cry or rant. It cares if you starve it.
John Vannie says:
Nine other teams have now joined Notre Dame in refusing to play in meaningless bowl games. I hope ESPN goes broke.
NBND75 says:
Great news. I think ND may have opened the floodgates that ultimately tank all of the bowl games, which generally have become a losing financial proposition for schools participating in them.
Also, I read with amusement the ACC’s press release trying to make amends with ND. Too little, too late. If we leave the ACC, I don’t give that conference more than 2 years before it folds and its members get swallowed up by the SEC and Big Ten. Which, of course, would put the head of that conference out of a job. Unbelievable shortsightedness taking sides against a football business partner that routinely fills empty stadiums across the ACC (as well as increasing its TV ratings) in favor of a team that routinely plays in its own empty stadium to low TV ratings.
Thanks for all of your hard work maintaining this excellent forum for thoughtful ND fan commentators to express well-reasoned opinions on our favorite team.
mijke'73 says:
Great to hear, John. I think as ND fans, and Catholics too FWIW, we are all used to catching undeserved abuse from uninformed people about all things ND and Catholicism. So, despite the recent spat of social media and sports “reporters” abuse about the decision not to play that meaningless bowl game, if it has led to others making the same appropriate decision for whatever reasons they might have, then so be it. We have broad shoulders and tolerate prejudice-based abuse for the greater good.
OneHistorian says:
It’s safe to say what the members of next season’s team will be doing this winter:
One more lift, one more lap
(Stop and think)
ONE MORE LIFT ONE MORE LAP
Ad nauseam
Distilled Spirit says:
The NCAA Football playoff is NOT March Madness. Why is any conference with low-ranked teams represented? Tat said, Alabama doesn’t deserve to be in the playoff.
Publius says:
I waited a few days to post to let emotions evaporate (if that’s possible) and I fully agree with the above sentiment regarding the avarice of ESPN so nothing new to add there. It hurts even more knowing the roster was rounding into full health (or at least closer than it was last year this time) and we will never see Love embarrass another defender at the college level.
While I understand the animus toward Miami (I was there the first week and obnoxious is a good euphemism for stupid to describe a good portion of the Miami faithful) but I am reminded of Kant’s first categorical imperative and support a head to head result.
A real issue I haven’t seen addressed too much is: Tulane has a rematch against the Lane Kiffins when the first score was 45-10 and Oregon is roughly a 24 point favorite over James Madison: Irish boycott or not, very few people are circling 12/20 for a great day of football. I understand excluding the group of 5 from the table has seismic consequences, so a simple solution seems to be 16 teams with all the same rules in place.
Or perhaps this is all moot as I saw that starting next year as long as Notre Dame is ranked in the top 12, they are in. The cynic (or perhaps the pragmatist?) would say the committee will find a way to put them at 13 but this new caveat (any word on how/why it was not included for the first two years of the 12 team playoff?) will at the very least lose the margin for the screw to be placed.
Thanks John for a great year of posts; checking this website near daily makes the year go by fast
John Vannie says:
I just added a follow-up article regarding the fallout from this debacle.