Projected final 2020 College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings after Week 16
By Zach Bigalke
Pick Analysis. 10-1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish. 5. Scouting Report. lost 34-10 vs. No. 3 Clemson (ACC championship in Charlotte). player. 819
In a rematch against a Clemson team they defeated in double overtime in South Bend earlier this season, Notre Dame fell flat in a 34-10 mismatch. Not only did they miss their chance to win a conference title for the first time in school history, but the Fighting Irish also likely played their way out of the College Football Playoff on Saturday afternoon in Charlotte. The selection committee is projected to drop Brian Kelly’s team just below the Playoff cut in their final Top 25 of the season.
Ian Book went 20-of-28 for 219 yards against Clemson. Book didn’t throw an interception, but he also failed to throw a touchdown pass. Chris Tyree busted off a 21-yard touchdown run, but otherwise the offense struggled to gain much purchase against the Tigers. The Irish defense struggled against Trevor Lawrence and crew, giving up 322 yards through the air and 219 yards on the ground in the 24-point blowout.
Trending. Should the Irish make the College Football Playoff?. light
A close game would likely have kept Notre Dame in the field, win or lose. A blowout will be too much for the committee to overlook given its proclivity toward recency bias this year. Look for Notre Dame to potentially land in the Orange Bowl as the ACC pick this season, or as an at-large pick opposite Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.