Notre Dame Football’s playoff chances are fully intact
The Notre Dame football team lost to Ohio State but not in such a way that the Irish can’t come back and make the College Football Playoff.
There’s no question that Notre Dame football would be better off if the Irish had won in Columbus and defeated Ohio State.
The Irish would be the third-ranked team in the country and it would also be the most impressive win so far this season.
Yet, even in defeat, Notre Dame football put on a solid display. This isn’t horseshoes and getting close isn’t good enough. But the Irish led 10-7 at halftime and dropped a game 21-10 that many expected them to lose in a lopsided fashion.
Ohio State wasn’t at full strength but fans who were commenting about how this is the end of Notre Dame’s playoff hopes haven’t really thought it out.
Notre Dame football has a chance
The Irish still have a chance because of the schedule. Last season, the loss to Cincinnati is what cost Notre Dame. The Bearcats went undefeated and the win over the Irish got them over the hump.
That won’t happen this time around. Notre Dame has games against Clemson and USC. The Tigers could be a playoff contender and are the top one out of the ACC.
If the Irish beat them and wins out, Notre Dame should be able to make it based on head-to-head because an ACC title won’t be that impressive.
The game against USC could provide another big playoff opportunity. Utah and Oregon are in a tough spot, especially the Ducks. Utah can at least argue a close loss.
But if USC winds up being the class of the Pac-12, which is very possible, if Notre Dame is able to beat them too, then they only real threat to an 11-1 Notre Dame team for a top-4 spot, outside of the two SEC teams and the Big Ten champion (one loss or less), would be the Big 12 champion.
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A lot still needs to go right. But to say the Irish don’t have a shot to make the playoff after the loss to Ohio State isn’t accurate at all, especially if the Buckeyes runt the table.