Notre Dame Football: Making the case for Irish in 2019 CFB Playoff
By Jacob Wilson
Verdict: Notre Dame makes the 2018 CFP
Despite taking a 12-0 season into a Peach Bowl matchup vs. No. 7 Auburn, Scott Frost’s UCF squad only climbed as high as No. 10 in the nation, No. 6 following their 34-27 win over the Tigers. The Knights brought two top 25 wins over No. 22 South Florida and No. 16 Memphis out of the regular season, but weren’t quite able to land one of the four coveted playoff spots.
While some have been drawing similarities between the 2017 Knights and the 2018 Fighting Irish, the comparison simply lacks validity. While Notre Dame’s wins have come early enough to springboard them into fifth in the nation, UCF didn’t crack the top 15 until Week 8 of the 2017 season. With an all-around stronger schedule for the Irish, this comparison can be easily dismissed.
While a 12-0 season from the Irish should earn a playoff spot in theory, the remaining schedules of those in front of the Irish must be considered as well. Notre Dame fans have some scoreboard watching to do, particularly in regard to the SEC matchups remaining for both No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Georgia. With Ohio State sharing a schedule similar to Notre Dame’s, all eyes are on Clemson.
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As it stands right now, Notre Dame should sneak in with either a Georgia or Ohio State loss. Alabama likely remains in the top four at 11-1, leaving Clemson as the possible team for the Irish to leapfrog should all five go undefeated. With the expectation that one of these teams goes down, the chances are pretty good for the Irish to sneak into their first ever College Football Playoff.