Breaking down Notre Dame football bowl possibilities

After another impressive win over the weekend, Notre Dame football is moving up the rankings and we examine different bowl game scenarios for the Irish. 

College football still has a four-team playoff for 2022, but if it was already expanded to 12 teams, Notre Dame football would be in the mix for a berth.

The Irish are 8-3 and after dominating Boston College (44-0) over the weekend, you can’t deny that the Irish are one of the hottest teams in college football. They dominated Clemson a couple of weeks ago and also beat the other division champion in the ACC.

Notre Dame football beat Syracuse on the road when the Orange were ranked and also blew out Boston College last weekend in the snow. USC is on tap for the regular-season finale and it’s worth asking where the Irish will go bowling with a win or a loss?

Is a New Year’s Six Bowl game a possibility for Notre Dame football?

the Irish are ranked 13th in the AP Poll after College Football Week 12 and we’ll see where Notre Dame football sits in the playoff rankings on Tuesday.

USC is likely going to be No. 5 or No.6 and while Notre Dame does have three losses, an upset win over USC could put Notre Dame back in the mix for a NY6 bowl.

Having a team like Penn State lose a game would help. The same can be said for North Carolina. But I have a feeling if Notre Dame upsets the Trojans, they are going to be in a good spot for a New Year’s Six berth.

The Irish would be right around the top 10 with a win and maybe just outside, but that should be high enough to get selected for a New Year’s Six bowl.

It’s not a guarantee but it would be hard to deny Notre Dame was one of the 10 best teams if it is able to beat USC on top of its other wins (Clemson, North Carolina).

There have been some bad losses too and beating USC on the West coast won’t be easy. A loss would probably send Notre Dame to the Gator Bowl or maybe the Sun Bowl.

If Notre Dame football wins though, a New Year’s Six bowl could be the destination and at worst would be the Cheez-It Bowl, which is one of the top bowls in the ACC pecking order.

There is a lot to be determined and if you’re Notre Dame, you’d love to get a ninth win and let the chips fall where they may.