Notre Dame Football: 3 bowl game possibilities for the Irish in 2017

1. Citrus Bowl (Orlando, Fla.)

Not only does playing in the Citrus Bowl offer a more even matchup than would the Cotton Bowl or World Camping Bowl, it also serves as the most realistic possibility for the Irish. In this case, an Ohio State win likely propels Alabama into the Playoff while keeping an SEC team out of the Orange Bowl, thus making room for the Irish in the Citrus Bowl.

Of course, there is the chance that Ohio State beats Wisconsin badly enough that the Buckeyes are vaulted into the Playoff instead of Alabama, a situation that would play out similarly to that of the Camping World Bowl. At the end of the day, Notre Dame’s hopes for the Citrus Bowl hinge not only on Ohio State beating Wisconsin, but on the committee sending the Tide to the Playoff despite a potentially big win from the Buckeyes.

Again, with Vegas currently holding Ohio State as a nine point favorite, this scenario serves as the most likely one for the Irish. However, it will take a little help from a selection committee that will undoubtedly have quite a few difficult decisions on its hands come Selection Sunday.

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Should this situation play out, the Irish would be slated with an appetizing game against either LSU or Mississippi State. However, Brian Kelly’s seat will get no cooler should the Irish lose their third straight game to anyone from Penn State to Iowa State. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come against the latter.