When the final College Football Playoff rankings came out, Notre Dame’s postseason dreams took a serious hit. Even though they didn’t play, the Fighting Irish watched as Miami leaped over them to grab the No. 10 spot.
This move set off a wave of outrage and disappointment among Notre Dame fans and alumni. Many saw it as a slap in the face, and honestly, it’s hard not to feel for them.
After the snub, Notre Dame turned down all bowl invitations. Some folks think this was a direct shot at ESPN, since they run most of the bowl games.
Pete Bevacqua, the school’s athletic director, hasn’t been shy about sharing his frustration. He’s been especially critical of the ACC’s involvement in all this.
Notre Dame’s Postseason Hopes Dashed
Notre Dame’s shot at a postseason game was gone the moment the final rankings dropped. Both Notre Dame and Miami were idle, yet somehow, the Hurricanes jumped ahead and claimed the No. 10 spot.
It was both surprising and, weirdly, not all that shocking if you’ve followed the committee this year. The way things have played out just leaves you shaking your head.
Notre Dame’s Response
The Irish felt slighted by the committee, ESPN, and the ACC. Turning down bowl bids was their way of pushing back, maybe even making a statement.
Bevacqua made the rounds in the media, making sure everyone knew how Notre Dame felt about the whole mess. He didn’t hold back.
The Role of the ACC
This whole episode put a real strain on the relationship between Notre Dame and the ACC. While the Irish are ACC members in most sports, they still run solo in football.
The ACC choosing to back Miami over Notre Dame definitely didn’t help things. There’s a lot of tension simmering now.
Pete Bevacqua’s Comments
Bevacqua didn’t mince words about the ACC’s actions. He said the conference’s decision to support Miami over Notre Dame did lasting damage.
“We didn’t appreciate the fact that we were singled out repeatedly and compared to Miami,” Bevacqua said. He made it clear the issue wasn’t with Miami itself, but with how the ACC handled the whole thing.
ACC’s Defense
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips defended the conference’s position. He said Notre Dame is important to the ACC, but the conference has to look out for its full-time football schools.
Phillips expressed respect for Notre Dame but stood by the call to support Miami. Not much wiggle room there.
Long-Term Ramifications
All this drama has people wondering about Notre Dame’s future with the ACC. The Irish play five ACC teams each season, but they’re still independent when it comes to football.
Recently, Notre Dame signed a long-term scheduling deal with Clemson. That move has other ACC programs a little uneasy, and you can’t really blame them.
Potential Impact on Scheduling
Notre Dame’s scheduling deals with big-name ACC teams could leave other members out in the cold. Missing out on a home game against Notre Dame means losing out on some serious revenue.
This whole situation might push Notre Dame to double down on deals with the ACC’s top programs. If that happens, the tension inside the conference could get even worse.
Next Year’s Changes
Funny enough, all this will be irrelevant next year. Notre Dame’s Memorandum of Understanding with the College Football Playoff kicks in, guaranteeing them a spot if they finish in the top 12.
It’s a big change, but it doesn’t help Notre Dame this year. The sting is still fresh, and you can feel the disappointment hanging over the program.
Conclusion
The College Football Playoff rankings controversy has left Notre Dame feeling pretty bamboozled. Frustration is running high.
Seeing Miami ranked ahead of the Irish? That stings and has definitely strained their relationship with the ACC. It also makes you wonder what future scheduling agreements will look like.
Next year’s changes might help a bit, but honestly, this season’s disappointment just won’t go away. If you’re curious about all the twists and turns, check out the full article on CBS Sports.
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