23andCounting

Again, doesn't matter. It's no longer a question as to whether they'll be in. Let's discuss something worth debating. With Notre Dame coming in at #9 (fact), who'll be the final three teams. We have Alabama, Miami, Tulane, and James Madison. I like Miami and Tulane for sure. I'm just not sure about that #12 spot. Do we want Alabama, a three loss team that just got curb stomped? Or do we give James Madison an opportunity? I can go either way on this.

Honestly doesn't really matter. The only thing that matters are that media types across the country are calling Notre Dame a national title caliber team. They're in, there's no debate at this point.

I think the Group of Five has to earn it just like everyone else. Maybe just get rid of the automatic qualifier together. Which begs the question. What's the point of the conference championship game? Fans can gripe about Notre Dame all they want. They're in. Period. The Irish can beat anyone in the country, and most people know it. The debate becomes the final two teams. It can't be both Miami and Alabama, so somethings got to give. In my opinion, Alabama shot themselves in the foot by showing they are 21 points weaker than the presumed #3 team in the country. Bottom line, they showed up, but exposed themselves. They had a chance to impress the committee and flopped. No one's fault but their own. The case for Miami. They're two losses against SMU and Louisville suck, plain and simple. But they are playing pretty good right now, which should count for something. Clearly they are the best team in the ACC, everyone knows that. Do we really want to exclude this conference entirely for the sake of having five SEC teams in it, including a three loss Alabama team? Nah. Bama rolls out of the Top 12 making way for the Hurricanes. Tulane gets in over James Madison.

At this point, doesn't anyone really wanna see Bama in the playoffs losing by 21 points to someone? I personally would like to see Miami have a shot. Of course Notre Dame, which is a no brainer as they might be this year's champion.

Their brand in the Midwest is stronger than anywhere else in the country. They went after the East Coast.

From a ND die hard to the IU die hards. Congratulations! See you in the playoffs.

Good work.

Was Notre Dame offered a deal from the SEC when they committed to five games against the ACC?

Because the committee has made it clear. Eye test and how you are playing now, not three months ago, matters. There's no way the committee is excluding one of the best teams in the country.

I know, it's all in good fun.

Confused about the video. Didn't Notre Dame make it to the national championship last year? Maybe I'm going insane, someone help me here.

The arguments against Notre Dame on here are weak. I think you guys will look more credible if try to be objective.

It's how they are beating teams. Transitive property is important except for when it applies to Notre Dame. Do the Irish worry you and your Hoosiers?

Wasn't ND left out in 1993?

Lost to A&M by 1 point when they were playing their worst. A&M beat LSU by 24 points. Beat Missouri by 21 points. There was a time when I feared the SEC as a Notre Dame fan. There's not one team in the SEC that I would take over Notre Dame in a bet. It's widely accepted that Notre Dame is better right now than they were when they rolled through Penn State and Georgia en route to the 2024 title game. Arkansas: Lost to Ole Miss by 6 Lost to Tennessee by 3 Lost to A&M by 3 Lost to LSU by 1 Lost to Texas by 15 Lost to Notre Dame by 42 - this is really hard to ignore. Spin it how you want, Notre Dame is the best team in the SEC.

Another thought. Can we really exclude Notre Dame while placing five teams from the SEC? The SEC is overrated, plain and simple.

Look him up. I heard him being interviewed yesterday. They were talking about Ohio State and all the athletes they have. He said in order for a team to beat Ohio State, they'll have to have balance. Defense, run game, passing game. I thought, hmmm, that sounds like Notre Dame. His answer, Notre Dame. I just thought it fascinating coming from an SEC guy, Georgia I believe. Not saying his opinion is the be all end all. Just a bit of validation for me that I'm not being biased or crazy. Notre Dame passes the eye test, plain and simple. People around the country agree. I'll say it again, even Saban stated that this team is different than they were in in Weeks 1 & 2. New QB and new defensive coordinator. With those things worked out, this team is ready to play for a national championship. Look, at the end of the day, everyone knows Notre Dame is a Top 12 team, more than likely one of the best six teams in the country. If you can't see that, you're probably in denial. But I understand the chaos involved this weekend and how the playoff format is structured. We never thought it would be possible that a legitimate title contender could be left out of the 12 team field, but here we are. All the more reason to move this thing to sixteen. Certain, with sixteen teams, we won't be having this conversation again, right?

At the end of the day, you're recruiting class is still the bread and butter of the program. That's where Penn State is going to struggle.........at least for a year anyway. And honestly, there's not a coach in the country that can do what Cignetti did with the precision that he did it at. I'm still going to say "stock down." This whole thing just has a bad vibe to it.

I think the lesson learned here is that you better have a target and know that there's, at minimum, a 95% chance you're going to land your target before firing your head coach. But you're right, they probably thought that if they couldn't get Cignetti or Elko, other top prospects would be breaking down the door. Something tells me Matt Campbell is going to get swallowed up in the B1G. Stock on Penn State is WAY down.

Brooks Austin likes Ohio State to win the championship. He was asked which team matches up best with them. His answer: Notre Dame. That's saying something coming from an SEC guy and a film expert. I guess maybe I'm not as crazy as some on here think I am. @Footballking16 @Komets2727

And how is Matt Campbell's resume better than they guy they fired?

None of this may even be relevant. I might be rooting for Ole Miss to win the whole thing.

6A: Carroll 5A: Merrillville 4A: Mishawaka 3A: Definitely someone from the south 2A: Eastbrook 1A : South Adams

Notre Dame and Florida State finished with one loss. Notre Dame wins convincingly in the head to head matchup. Florida State wins the title. Something tells me you knew this. Side note: Old enough to be a “grandpa.”

Was it a huge problem when ND got stiffed in 1993?