A new rule in college football could change the way teams interact with Notre Dame. The rule seems to favor the Fighting Irish, and some athletic directors are already worried. They might choose to avoid scheduling games with Notre Dame in the future.
According to a report by Dan Wolken from Yahoo Sports, some athletic directors are even threatening to freeze Notre Dame out of their schedules. This comes after Notre Dame’s athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, revealed that a new agreement guarantees the Fighting Irish a spot in the College Football Playoff if they finish in the top 12 starting in 2026. If the playoff expands to 14 teams, they will still get a spot if they land in the top 13.
However, there’s a catch. This agreement is only valid for the 12- or 14-team formats. If the playoff system expands further, Notre Dame’s guaranteed spot could disappear.
This situation now has a historical backdrop. Notre Dame missed the playoffs last year, finishing 11th despite an impressive 10-2 record. Both of their losses came from playoff teams, Texas A&M and Miami. Meanwhile, teams with worse records, like Alabama (which finished 10-3), made it into the playoffs, raising eyebrows. Alabama notably had a disappointing loss to a 5-7 Florida State team, yet they still ranked higher than Notre Dame.
Bevacqua expressed his frustration following the playoff decisions, saying there was a collective feeling of shock and sadness among the team. They even opted out of their bowl game after the disappointment of missing the playoffs.
While this new rule doesn’t help Notre Dame right now, it offers hope for future seasons. If they maintain their performance, they could finally get a shot at a championship.
This shift may also influence how teams strategize their schedules moving forward. Avoiding Notre Dame might become a tactic for teams looking to improve their playoff chances, reflecting a new layer in college football dynamics. As the landscape continues to change, both fans and players will be watching closely.
For more detailed analysis on college football changes, check out this report from Yahoo Sports.
