Notre Dame Football: 3 bold predictions for December 2020

3 of 3

Oct 24, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Ben Skowronek (11) reacts as he scores a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Notre Dame makes playoff despite Clemson loss

Losing to Clemson would normally be the end of playoff hopes for an ACC team, but the Irish aren’t your average ACC team. The Irish are in the ACC for just this season and they were considered a top playoff contender even before joining temporarily. They’ve even faced Clemson in the playoff before (back in the 2018 season).

Notre Dame is going to be given plenty of credit for winning against Clemson earlier in the year and the Irish will head into the ACC title game with an unbeaten record after beating Clemson.

How can the playoff committee admit a Clemson team with a 10-1 record and win over Notre Dame in the ACC title game over an Irish team with the same record and a win over the Tigers. They’re essentially on the same level.

If Notre Dame heads into conference championship week undefeated, the Irish should be a lock to make the playoff. No one is truly a “lock” but the Irish are as close as it gets.

Notre Dame will lose to Clemson but still make its second College Football Playoff appearance in three years.

Next. Ranking college football's top 50 fanbases. dark

Home/Notre Dame Fighting Irish