This wasn't/isn't a playoff team. It was supposed to be a transition year.

It lost 14 players to the NFL, including its quarterback and four offensive linemen.

It went 10-1 so far this season and a NY6 bowl bid is pretty certain. That is a pretty good transition year.

Why do people think that the 4 playoff spots are the only thing to care about ?

If ND really wanted to make the playoffs, it needed to beat Cincy and go undefeated.

It did not, so see you next year.

The future is bright, with ND playing 7 true freshman on offense alone this year and also having a Top 5 recruiting class coming in.

The people who are decrying the potential of ND not making the playoffs this season are non-ND fans who really don't want to see the Irish make the playoffs.

They just want to see something "force" ND to give up football independence against its will.

Not going to happen.

About 125 football conference teams are going to miss the playoffs too.

Should they all immediately change what they are doing and switch conferences to try to improve their playoffs odds?

No, because nobody has an agenda to see that happen.

There is no reason for ND to completely change who it is, how the future will unfold and spit on its past and its brand for a one year playoff issue.

If ND had played in the ACC and won the championship but lost to the Bearcats, I doubt winning a very down ACC this season would have made any difference, anyway.

Besides, the playoffs are going to expand, either very soon or in a few years.

So, that will take care of itself in due course.









[Post edited by TerryD at 11/25/2021 09:29AM]