As the clock ticks down to Selection Sunday, Notre Dame football fans are on edge, waiting to see if their team will make the College Football Playoff (CFP). This season’s been a wild ride, and Boise State’s recent win has given the Fighting Irish a bit of hope.
But honestly, there are still a handful of games this weekend that could change everything for Notre Dame. Their playoff dreams are hanging by a thread, and it feels like every snap matters.
Notre Dame’s Current Standing
Heading into the last weekend before Selection Sunday, Notre Dame is technically “in” the CFP, at least according to chairman Hunter Yurachek. Still, that spot feels shaky, with so many crucial games left to play.
The Irish have put together a solid season, but it’s not all up to them now. Their future depends on how other teams perform.
The Importance of Boise State’s Win
Boise State’s recent Mountain West Championship win is a big deal for Notre Dame. The Broncos didn’t just sneak by—they beat UNLV 38-21, snagging their third straight and final Mountain West title.
Why does this matter? Well, Notre Dame took down Boise State earlier in the season. So, seeing Boise State finish strong only makes Notre Dame’s win look better.
Boise State wrapped up the regular season with a 9-4 record and won their last four games. Sure, it wasn’t their most dominant season, but a conference title is still a nice boost for Notre Dame’s playoff case.
Other Key Games to Watch
Boise State’s win is great, but it’s hardly the end of the story. There are a few more games this weekend that could make or break Notre Dame’s playoff hopes.
- Texas Tech vs. BYU: If Texas Tech beats BYU, that’s another checkmark in Notre Dame’s favor.
- Georgia vs. Alabama: Irish fans will be pulling for Georgia to not just win, but to make a statement against Alabama. The bigger the win, the better for Notre Dame’s ranking.
- Virginia vs. Duke: A Virginia victory over Duke would help too.
These matchups might seem small, but the CFP Committee is known for sweating the details. Every result could tip the scales.
What Needs to Happen
For Notre Dame to really lock in a CFP spot, here’s what needs to go down:
- Boise State’s win: That’s already in the books, thankfully.
- Texas Tech defeats BYU: This one would help out a lot.
- Georgia convincingly beats Alabama: The more dominant Georgia looks, the better for Notre Dame.
- Virginia takes care of Duke: Another piece of the puzzle falling into place.
If all of this lines up, Notre Dame’s chances at staying in the CFP look a whole lot better. The committee’s eye for detail could finally work in their favor, especially with Boise State’s win already helping their case.
The Bigger Picture
As Selection Sunday gets closer, it’s hard not to think about the bigger picture. The CFP Committee weighs all sorts of things—head-to-head wins, strength of schedule, conference titles.
Notre Dame’s had a strong run, but their fate is tangled up with these other games. It’s going to be a long, anxious weekend for Irish fans.
Final Thoughts
The anticipation leading up to Selection Sunday? It’s honestly off the charts for Notre Dame fans. The team has played well this season.
Still, a bunch of outside factors will decide their playoff fate. Boise State’s recent win feels like a big step, but there are other games this weekend that could shake up the final CFP rankings in ways nobody can quite predict.
If you’re hungry for a deeper dive into Notre Dame’s playoff chances and what Boise State’s victory really means, check out the full article on Notre Dame Football CFP Hopes.
With Selection Sunday almost here, every key matchup suddenly matters a whole lot more. Stay tuned, keep your fingers crossed, and maybe, just maybe, the Irish will get the break they need.
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