The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have landed right in the middle of controversy after being left out of the College Football Playoff. This comes despite a 10-2 season and closing things out with 10 wins in a row.
The decision to leave Notre Dame out—while letting in the Miami Hurricanes and others—has sparked plenty of debate. College football analyst Paul Finebaum hasn’t exactly helped calm things down, either, with his blunt takes.
The Controversial Decision: Notre Dame Left Out
Notre Dame’s exclusion from the College Football Playoff is all anyone seems to be talking about. Even with a 10-2 record and a hot streak to end the season, the committee picked Miami instead.
Miami’s case? They beat Notre Dame head-to-head in the opening week, squeezing out a 27-24 win. That seemed to tip the scales in their favor.
Miami’s Justification and Performance
Honestly, Miami didn’t just sneak in—they backed it up by upsetting the Texas A&M Aggies in the first round. That win gave the committee some ammo for their decision.
Still, the other teams ahead of Notre Dame, like Tulane and James Madison, didn’t really deliver. Their performances left a lot of people scratching their heads.
Disappointment with Tulane and James Madison
Picking Tulane and James Madison over Notre Dame hasn’t sat well with fans or analysts. Both teams got blown out in the playoff, which just made the criticism louder.
There’s a growing argument that Notre Dame—and maybe even Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns—should’ve made the cut instead. The poor showings from Tulane and James Madison have only fueled that fire.
Paul Finebaum’s Take on the Situation
Paul Finebaum didn’t mince words about Notre Dame missing out. On *The Matt Barrie Show*, he said he was glad to see Miami win and hoped it would quiet Notre Dame fans for a while.
He also pointed out that the first round of the playoff felt pretty dull, but Miami’s win brought at least a little excitement back into the mix.
The Need for Change in the NCAA Playoff System
This whole mess with Notre Dame has put a spotlight on the NCAA playoff system. People are questioning whether the current selection process really gets the best teams into the playoff.
Leaving out teams like Notre Dame and Texas, despite their strong seasons, has led to a lot of calls for a fairer and more open process. Maybe it’s time for a real shake-up.
Potential Reforms and Future Considerations
Ideas for fixing things are already floating around. Folks want to see a bigger playoff field, clearer selection criteria, and more transparency from the committee.
The hope is that, with some changes, the NCAA can give the top teams a fair shot at the championship—finally.
For more on all this drama, you can check out the full article on Newsweek Sports.
Conclusion: A Call for Fairness and Transparency
The whole mess with Notre Dame being left out of the College Football Playoff has really stirred things up. People are talking more than ever about whether the NCAA’s selection process is fair or even remotely transparent.
Miami’s spot made sense. But Tulane and James Madison? Their lackluster performances have made folks wonder if the system needs an overhaul.
Everyone’s waiting to see what, if anything, the NCAA changes. Will we actually get a playoff that feels fair and open, or just more of the same old thing?
Keep an eye on Newsweek Sports for updates and takes on college football and whatever else is happening in sports. You never know what’ll happen next.
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