Pat Forde: Notre Dame Won’t Leave Its Playoff Fate to Anyone Else This Season
Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman and his players are using the disappointment of last season's playoff exclusion as motivation for the upcoming year. The team is focused on taking control of their own destiny rather than relying on external rankings.
Why it matters
The article reflects the high-stakes nature of college football playoff selection and the psychological impact of competitive exclusion on student-athletes.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A year ago, Notre Dame was finishing up the shortest football offseason in school history. The Fighting Irish had a glow about themselves after playing to the very end of the 2024–25 College Football Playoff on Jan. 20. Despite losing to Ohio State, that team walked away satisfied that it took the full measure of itself across a 16-game marathon.
This year, the offseason has been a long marination in disappointment. A controversial playoff exclusion, followed by a controversial decision not to play in a bowl game. After 10 straight victories by double digits, everything just ended. Forget playing into January; the Irish didn’t even suit up in December.
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