Who do we want to win this weekend?

maybee1 · 2026-11-05T02:13:18-0600

I know it's cart before horse and all that and we still need to win out, but here are who we want to win the games this week to give us a shot if we can win out:

Miami at ND: Miami
Unlikely we pass Miami. ND is probably eliminated with a loss, and a 9-3 SC will jump a 10-2 ND.

Georgia at Ole Miss: Georgia
The more UGA wins, the better it looks if we beat them. Ole Miss down at 3 losses also gives us a shot to pass them down the stretch, especially with a win over a common highly ranked opponent.

BYU at Utah: Utah
BYU winning puts the Big 12 on pace for potentially 2 or 3 teams in. Utah running the table in the Big 12 is best for us.

Texas at Missouri: Wash
Either of these teams could pick up a 4th loss down the stretch easily with tough games left to go. We would probably have a better chance to pass 9-3 Missouri than 9-3 Texas, so my instinct says it's better to hand Missouri the loss and just get them out of the way already.

Alabama at LSU: Bama
Very unlikely for Bama to pick up a 4th loss, not so unlikely for LSU with Texas and Tennessee still to play. We also might pass a 3 loss LSU.

Oregon at Ohio State: Oregon
Get the finishing blow on Ohio State and knock them out of contention. Without their QBs the committee isn't letting either of these teams sniff the playoffs at 3 losses.

Kentucky at Tennessee: Kentucky
Tennessee at 3 losses we jump with the head to head. Kentucky at 3 losses (unlikely but not impossible to lose 3 more) I doubt given the head to head. Get Tennessee out of the way now.

Assorted upsets that would help:
Minnesota over UCLA (a second loss would kill UCLA)
Cincy over Houston (good chance we jump them down the stretch, but better to make sure now)
Northwestern over Iowa (same as with Houston for Iowa)
West Virginia over Texas Tech (Need Texas Tech to pick up a 2nd loss somewhere to jump them, best chance is next week at Oklahoma State)

Skuddy · 2026-11-05T07:14:24-0600

maybee1 said:
I know it's cart before horse and all that and we still need to win out, but here are who we want to win the games this week to give us a shot if we can win out:

Miami at ND: Miami
Unlikely we pass Miami. ND is probably eliminated with a loss, and a 9-3 SC will jump a 10-2 ND.

Georgia at Ole Miss: Georgia
The more UGA wins, the better it looks if we beat them. Ole Miss down at 3 losses also gives us a shot to pass them down the stretch, especially with a win over a common highly ranked opponent.

BYU at Utah: Utah
BYU winning puts the Big 12 on pace for potentially 2 or 3 teams in. Utah running the table in the Big 12 is best for us.

Texas at Missouri: Wash
Either of these teams could pick up a 4th loss down the stretch easily with tough games left to go. We would probably have a better chance to pass 9-3 Missouri than 9-3 Texas, so my instinct says it's better to hand Missouri the loss and just get them out of the way already.

Alabama at LSU: Bama
Very unlikely for Bama to pick up a 4th loss, not so unlikely for LSU with Texas and Tennessee still to play. We also might pass a 3 loss LSU.

Oregon at Ohio State: Oregon
Get the finishing blow on Ohio State and knock them out of contention. Without their QBs the committee isn't letting either of these teams sniff the playoffs at 3 losses.

Kentucky at Tennessee: Kentucky
Tennessee at 3 losses we jump with the head to head. Kentucky at 3 losses (unlikely but not impossible to lose 3 more) I doubt given the head to head. Get Tennessee out of the way now.

Assorted upsets that would help:
Minnesota over UCLA (a second loss would kill UCLA)
Cincy over Houston (good chance we jump them down the stretch, but better to make sure now)
Northwestern over Iowa (same as with Houston for Iowa)
West Virginia over Texas Tech (Need Texas Tech to pick up a 2nd loss somewhere to jump them, best chance is next week at Oklahoma State)

I like your optimism but:

Only an 11-1 SC will jump a 10-2 ND.

Also, just look to the Spurrier 11-win seasons to see how many SEC blue bloods we jumped that had similar records. How many major bowls did we go to during that period?

And, a 3 loss SC isn't getting into the playoffs. A 3 loss Alabama, LSU or even Clemson will but SC will not. If we win out, we will be in the Music City bowl watching a 3 loss LSU play James Madison or Boise State in the playoffs.

Lurker123 · 2026-11-05T07:17:11-0600

Skuddy said:
I like your optimism but:

Only an 11-1 SC will jump a 10-2 ND.

Also, just look to the Spurrier 11-win seasons to see how many SEC blue bloods we jumped that had similar records. How many major bowls did we go to during that period?

And, a 3 loss SC isn't getting into the playoffs. A 3 loss Alabama, LSU or even Clemson will but SC will not. If we win out, we will be in the Music City bowl watching a 3 loss LSU play James Madison or Boise State in the playoffs.

I could be mistaken, but isn't ND guaranteed a playoff spot as long as they are in the top 12?

PrestonyteParrot · 2026-11-05T07:22:52-0600

SEC

Would be in: Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Texas, Ole Miss

Last team in: Ole Miss. The Rebels have the second-best chance in the SEC to reach the playoff (61.5%) behind Georgia (80.8%), but those teams play each other Saturday. Ole Miss is in a precarious position because of a lopsided loss to Florida, though the committee will at least talk about the fact that it happened on the road following an emotional home win against LSU and the Rebels' former coach, Lane Kiffin. Some committee members will also question Ole Miss' defense, which is No. 25 in total efficiency, but the group will generally reward the Rebels for wins against ranked opponents LSU and Missouri.

First team out: Tennessee. The No. 13 Vols have a double-digit win against No. 5 Alabama, but they lost to Texas and South Carolina. Tennessee has a 21.1% chance to reach the playoff, according to the Allstate Playoff Predictor.

Still in the mix: LSU, Missouri

Out: Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt

College Football Playoff Bubble Watch after first ranking

A conference-by-conference look at which teams are contending for the playoff, who's close and who's out.

www.espn.com

Skuddy · 2026-11-05T07:29:32-0600

Lurker123 said:
I could be mistaken, but isn't ND guaranteed a playoff spot as long as they are in the top 12?

I haven't studied the rules but I think that is the case.

maybee1 · 2026-11-05T07:35:58-0600

Skuddy said:
I like your optimism but:

Only an 11-1 SC will jump a 10-2 ND.

Also, just look to the Spurrier 11-win seasons to see how many SEC blue bloods we jumped that had similar records. How many major bowls did we go to during that period?

And, a 3 loss SC isn't getting into the playoffs. A 3 loss Alabama, LSU or even Clemson will but SC will not. If we win out, we will be in the Music City bowl watching a 3 loss LSU play James Madison or Boise State in the playoffs.

The committee already showed us a lot of respect at 21 this week, the highest ranked 3 loss team, and ND is at 11, much lower than people thought they would be. Bettors think we have ~60-70% odds of making it if we win out (I'm basing this on implied odds from our chances of 9+ wins & our odds of making CFP on Kalshi & Polymarket).

Skuddy · 2026-11-05T07:48:21-0600

maybee1 said:
The committee already showed us a lot of respect at 21 this week, the highest ranked 3 loss team, and ND is at 11, much lower than people thought they would be. Bettors think we have ~60-70% odds of making it if we win out (I'm basing this on implied odds from our chances of 9+ wins & our odds of making CFP on Kalshi & Polymarket).

Thats all well and good and I hope it plays out that way but after 50 years of watching Gamecock sports, I see it happening one of two ways:

1.)We beat everyone left on our schedule except for that inexplicable loss to Arkansas.
2.)We win out and are 9-3 but somehow a 9-3 LSU or any other SEC blueblood will get the nod. However, as a consolation prize, the SEC will allow us to go to the highest non-playoff bowl game.

Harvard Gamecock · 2026-11-05T07:57:59-0600

Lurker123 said:
I could be mistaken, but isn't ND guaranteed a playoff spot as long as they are in the top 12?

Yes.

18IsTheMan · 2026-11-05T08:05:09-0600

maybee1 said:
I know it's cart before horse and all that and we still need to win out, but here are who we want to win the games this week to give us a shot if we can win out:

Miami at ND: Miami
Unlikely we pass Miami. ND is probably eliminated with a loss, and a 9-3 SC will jump a 10-2 ND.

Georgia at Ole Miss: Georgia
The more UGA wins, the better it looks if we beat them. Ole Miss down at 3 losses also gives us a shot to pass them down the stretch, especially with a win over a common highly ranked opponent.

BYU at Utah: Utah
BYU winning puts the Big 12 on pace for potentially 2 or 3 teams in. Utah running the table in the Big 12 is best for us.

Texas at Missouri: Wash
Either of these teams could pick up a 4th loss down the stretch easily with tough games left to go. We would probably have a better chance to pass 9-3 Missouri than 9-3 Texas, so my instinct says it's better to hand Missouri the loss and just get them out of the way already.

Alabama at LSU: Bama
Very unlikely for Bama to pick up a 4th loss, not so unlikely for LSU with Texas and Tennessee still to play. We also might pass a 3 loss LSU.

Oregon at Ohio State: Oregon
Get the finishing blow on Ohio State and knock them out of contention. Without their QBs the committee isn't letting either of these teams sniff the playoffs at 3 losses.

Kentucky at Tennessee: Kentucky
Tennessee at 3 losses we jump with the head to head. Kentucky at 3 losses (unlikely but not impossible to lose 3 more) I doubt given the head to head. Get Tennessee out of the way now.

Assorted upsets that would help:
Minnesota over UCLA (a second loss would kill UCLA)
Cincy over Houston (good chance we jump them down the stretch, but better to make sure now)
Northwestern over Iowa (same as with Houston for Iowa)
West Virginia over Texas Tech (Need Texas Tech to pick up a 2nd loss somewhere to jump them, best chance is next week at Oklahoma State)

Why would a 3-loss Gamecock team pass a 2-loss ND team? ND is a blue blood.

Lurker123 · 2026-11-05T08:11:14-0600

Looked it up to be sure. ND has to be ranked 12 to guarantee a spot.

After they play Miami this week, they play BC, SMU and Syracuse.

We could hope they lose two, but im not sold that we get a nod over someone like ND even with the same record.

It looks like they've only got one real test left on the schedule, so they will probably have at most 2 losses.

Piscis · 2026-11-05T08:32:58-0600

18IsTheMan said:
Why would a 3-loss Gamecock team pass a 2-loss ND team? ND is a blue blood.

FGF is a logic torture chamber.

Harvard Gamecock · 2026-11-05T08:45:22-0600

Lurker123 said:
Looked it up to be sure. ND has to be ranked 12 to guarantee a spot.

After they play Miami this week, they play BC, SMU and Syracuse.

We could hope they lose two, but im not sold that we get a nod over someone like ND even with the same record.

It looks like they've only got one real test left on the schedule, so they will probably have at most 2 losses.

They just need to be in Top 12. So, if they are 11 and let's pretend we are #12. We don't get in.
ND is automatic, and the next bid goes to a G6 team.
To actually make the CFP we would have to be no less than #10. I just don't see that scenario.

maybee1 · 2026-11-05T09:05:11-0600

18IsTheMan said:
Why would a 3-loss Gamecock team pass a 2-loss ND team? ND is a blue blood.

Because ND hasn't beaten literally anybody and all the big conferences (the committee is made up of conference people) dislike them for refusing to join a conference. Do you not remember what the committee did to Notre Dame just last year?

Kalshi has Notre Dame at 71% chance to beat Miami and a 75% chance to make the playoff. This basically tells us that if they lose to Miami, their chances of making the playoff drop to about 14%.

We are in a conference and have the big wins. Notre Dame doesn't and is not. It's not any more complicated than that.

maybee1 · 2026-11-05T09:07:20-0600

Harvard Gamecock said:
They just need to be in Top 12. So, if they are 11 and let's pretend we are #12. We don't get in.
ND is automatic, and the next bid goes to a G6 team.
To actually make the CFP we would have to be no less than #10. I just don't see that scenario.

Why would we have to be no less than #10? It's most likely all 4 big conference champs will be in the top 10. We just need to be #11, because only the final champion from the G6 will jump in above the #12 team.

Lurker123 · 2026-11-05T09:08:24-0600

maybee1 said:
Because ND hasn't beaten literally anybody and all the big conferences (the committee is made up of conference people) dislike them for refusing to join a conference. Do you not remember what the committee did to Notre Dame just last year?

Kalshi has Notre Dame at 71% chance to beat Miami and a 75% chance to make the playoff. This basically tells us that if they lose to Miami, their chances of making the playoff drop to about 14%.

We are in a conference and have the big wins. Notre Dame doesn't and is not. It's not any more complicated than that.

Last year's scenario is why ND got the guarantee added in. We wont jump a 10-2 ND team, and if they are top 12, the rule mandate we won't.

maybee1 · 2026-11-05T09:09:34-0600

Skuddy said:
Thats all well and good and I hope it plays out that way but after 50 years of watching Gamecock sports, I see it happening one of two ways:

1.)We beat everyone left on our schedule except for that inexplicable loss to Arkansas.
2.)We win out and are 9-3 but somehow a 9-3 LSU or any other SEC blueblood will get the nod. However, as a consolation prize, the SEC will allow us to go to the highest non-playoff bowl game.

The SEC is gonna go to bat on the committee for the same LSU they're in a lawsuit against? You can already see from the ranking they're setting up LSU to not make it at 3 losses. This is politics and nobody likes Kiffin or LSU. Either they win out or people will find an excuse to leave them out.

I'll give you Alabama, Georgia, Texas, probably Kentucky, maybe Ole Miss above us at 3 losses, but Tennessee, LSU, Missouri, Florida we are not going lower than. This season is setting up for probably 2, maybe 3 SEC teams to make the playoff. There's a decent chance we're one of them.

Lurker123 · 2026-11-05T09:10:30-0600

maybee1 said:
Why would we have to be no less than #10? It's most likely all 4 big conference champs will be in the top 10. We just need to be #11, because only the final champion from the G6 will jump in above the #12 team.

If we are 11, and ND is 12, they are guaranteed to be in. Then a spot goes to the G6.

Thebonly way we could be #11 and get in is if ND drops below 12. And at 10-2? It might happen, but i doubt it.

Skuddy · 2026-11-05T09:15:37-0600

maybee1 said:
Why would we have to be no less than #10? It's most likely all 4 big conference champs will be in the top 10. We just need to be #11, because only the final champion from the G6 will jump in above the #12 team.

Because in Harvard's example, ND would get the 11th spot because they are in the top 12 and a G6 would get #12.

maybee1 · 2026-11-05T09:18:30-0600

Lurker123 said:
If we are 11, and ND is 12, they are guaranteed to be in. Then a spot goes to the G6.

Thebonly way we could be #11 and get in is if ND drops below 12. And at 10-2? It might happen, but i doubt it.

If the committee doesn't want ND in, they'll drop them out of the top 12. It's all politics, and it's an easy sell to drop them below a bunch of 3 loss SEC schools/2 loss other P5 schools given how they've set up the first poll. I simply don't think the committee likes Notre Dame.

maybee1 · 2026-11-05T09:21:07-0600

Skuddy said:
Because in Harvard's example, ND would get the 11th spot because they are in the top 12 and a G6 would get #12.

You can quote me on this in a month if Miami wins and I'm wrong (probably not because ND most likely beats Miami), but this is essentially an elimination game for ND. The committee doesn't like them and if they lose Saturday they will have 0 significant wins. They won't be in the top 12 in that scenario.

Lurker123 · 2026-11-05T09:27:56-0600

maybee1 said:
If the committee doesn't want ND in, they'll drop them out of the top 12. It's all politics, and it's an easy sell to drop them below a bunch of 3 loss SEC schools/2 loss other P5 schools given how they've set up the first poll. I simply don't think the committee likes Notre Dame.

Last year, the committe dropped a 2 loss ND team to 11. Hence the new guarantee.

I think you might be overestimating the ND hate. I know I wish it was true.

I4CtheFuture · 2026-11-05T09:35:44-0600

Well, right off the bat OP said:
Minnesota over UCLA (a second loss would kill UCLA)

UCLA is currently 8-0 - so I don't know why he said a second loss would.....???

IMHO, the CFP people putting ND @ #11 is all but telegraphing their intention.....meaning if ND loses to MIAMI, with no other quality wins on the schedule before or after, they will be out of the top #12 and even the ND fans online are saying if they lose they're out.

I hope MIAMI beats the living hell out of ND. We all understand that after this year, ND will be in the playoffs every single year with 24 teams. May as well say 23 teams. It's utterly absurd how the media and talking heads slobber all over ND. They are frauds and have been frauds for almost 40 yrs.

maybee1 · 2026-11-05T09:53:56-0600

Lurker123 said:
Last year, the committe dropped a 2 loss ND team to 11. Hence the new guarantee.

I think you might be overestimating the ND hate. I know I wish it was true.

I think you're overestimating the ND rule. It's all politics no matter what. The margin between 11 and 13 is always pretty thin, and they'll politic their way to moving ND down two spots easily. The committee has already set them up to drop with a loss by putting them at 11, which is lower than anyone projected. It's a signal that ND is playing an elimination game Saturday.

maybee1 · 2026-11-05T09:55:30-0600

I4CtheFuture said:
Well, right off the bat OP said:
Minnesota over UCLA (a second loss would kill UCLA)

UCLA is currently 8-0 - so I don't know why he said a second loss would.....???

IMHO, the CFP people putting ND @ #11 is all but telegraphing their intention.....meaning if ND loses to MIAMI, with no other quality wins on the schedule before or after, they will be out of the top #12 and even the ND fans online are saying if they lose they're out.

I hope MIAMI beats the living hell out of ND. We all understand that after this year, ND will be in the playoffs every single year with 24 teams. May as well say 23 teams. It's utterly absurd how the media and talking heads slobber all over ND. They are frauds and have been frauds for almost 40 yrs.

Yeah I was referring to if UCLA loses taking their first loss then a second one would kill them. Best chance is against USCw at the end of the season.

Lurker123 · 2026-11-05T10:20:56-0600

maybee1 said:
I think you're overestimating the ND rule. It's all politics no matter what. The margin between 11 and 13 is always pretty thin, and they'll politic their way to moving ND down two spots easily. The committee has already set them up to drop with a loss by putting them at 11, which is lower than anyone projected. It's a signal that ND is playing an elimination game Saturday.

Possibly. They would also have 3 weeks of teams around them losing while they sit at 10-2.

To be hinest though, im hoping Miami slaughters them.

18IsTheMan · 2026-11-05T10:23:43-0600

Lurker123 said:
Looked it up to be sure. ND has to be ranked 12 to guarantee a spot.

After they play Miami this week, they play BC, SMU and Syracuse.

We could hope they lose two, but im not sold that we get a nod over someone like ND even with the same record.

It looks like they've only got one real test left on the schedule, so they will probably have at most 2 losses.

Yeah. There's chance we would jump ND if they have a comparable record. I don't know what people are thinking.

Harvard Gamecock · 2026-11-05T10:27:02-0600

maybee1 said:
Why would we have to be no less than #10? It's most likely all 4 big conference champs will be in the top 10. We just need to be #11, because only the final champion from the G6 will jump in above the #12 team.

I was about to answer, but Skuddy beat me to it. (Thank you sir)

TheRoo · 2026-11-05T11:27:31-0600

What a Botman thread this is. I'd love to see you in action.

The best thing to do -- whether it be the playoffs, Briles future, etc. -- is live in the present and let things play out as the may.

Otherwise, you're likely just going to have another meltdown and be calling for Beamer's head again in short order.

I'm looking forward to seeing some good games the next few weeks.

If we happen to slip in the playoffs.....great.

If not, then you hope Sellers and Briles come back and see if they can make a run at a 24-team playoff next year.

Piscis · 2026-11-05T13:32:33-0600

maybee1 said:
Because ND hasn't beaten literally anybody and all the big conferences (the committee is made up of conference people) dislike them for refusing to join a conference. Do you not remember what the committee did to Notre Dame just last year?

Kalshi has Notre Dame at 71% chance to beat Miami and a 75% chance to make the playoff. This basically tells us that if they lose to Miami, their chances of making the playoff drop to about 14%.

We are in a conference and have the big wins. Notre Dame doesn't and is not. It's not any more complicated than that.

You must be new to college football.

Piscis · 2026-11-05T13:36:56-0600

maybee1 said:
If the committee doesn't want ND in, they'll drop them out of the top 12. It's all politics, and it's an easy sell to drop them below a bunch of 3 loss SEC schools/2 loss other P5 schools given how they've set up the first poll. I simply don't think the committee likes Notre Dame.

The committee doesn't like ND? LOL. ESPN runs the CFP and there is no other team in the country with as much tradition, history or as large of a fan base as ND. ND is more likely to get into the playoff with 3 losses than any other team.

It isn't politics, it is money, advertising money for ESPN to be exact. If there is any way at all to get ND into the playoff, ESPN is going to make sure they are in.

maybee1 · 2026-11-05T13:44:20-0600

Piscis said:
The committee doesn't like ND? LOL. ESPN runs the CFP and there is no other team in the country with as much tradition, history or as large of a fan base as ND. ND is more likely to get into the playoff with 3 losses than any other team.

It isn't politics, it is money, advertising money for ESPN to be exact. If there is any way at all to get ND into the playoff, ESPN is going to make sure they are in.

Yeah the same committee that loves ND dropped them out last year making them so mad they refused to play in a bowl and put them at 11 in the poll this week. This is political and nobody likes ND not being in a conference. It's that simple.

Piscis · 2026-11-05T13:46:08-0600

maybee1 said:
Yeah the same committee that loves ND dropped them out last year making them so mad they refused to play in a bowl and put them at 11 in the poll this week. This is political and nobody likes ND not being in a conference. It's that simple.

Yeah, they hate them so bad they rewrote the rules to make it easier for ND to get in the playoff.

maybee1 · 2026-11-05T15:14:18-0600

Piscis said:
Yeah, they hate them so bad they rewrote the rules to make it easier for ND to get in the playoff.

They agreed to that before the whole thing last year. I don't think ND is particularly favored by anyone associated with conferences or broadcasting and rightfully so. Their TV deal isn't with Disney or Fox so why should they go to bat for them?

Lurker123 · 2026-11-05T15:16:18-0600

maybee1 said:
They agreed to that before the whole thing last year. I don't think ND is particularly favored by anyone associated with conferences or broadcasting and rightfully so. Their TV deal isn't with Disney or Fox so why should they go to bat for them?

This is incorrect. They changed the rule AFTER the snub.

Notre Dame's CFP Snub and the 2026 Top-12 Rule | BCSFootball.org

How Notre Dame's independent status shaped its 2025 CFP snub at No. 11 and the new top-12 guarantee starting in 2026.

bcsfootball.org

USCEE82 · 2026-11-05T15:44:14-0600

I4CtheFuture said:
Well, right off the bat OP said:
Minnesota over UCLA (a second loss would kill UCLA)

UCLA is currently 8-0 - so I don't know why he said a second loss would.....???

IMHO, the CFP people putting ND @ #11 is all but telegraphing their intention.....meaning if ND loses to MIAMI, with no other quality wins on the schedule before or after, they will be out of the top #12 and even the ND fans online are saying if they lose they're out.

I hope MIAMI beats the living hell out of ND. We all understand that after this year, ND will be in the playoffs every single year with 24 teams. May as well say 23 teams. It's utterly absurd how the media and talking heads slobber all over ND. They are frauds and have been frauds for almost 40 yrs.

I'm not sure how you feel about ND.

maybee1 · 2026-11-05T16:38:40-0600

Lurker123 said:
This is incorrect. They changed the rule AFTER the snub.

Notre Dame's CFP Snub and the 2026 Top-12 Rule | BCSFootball.org

How Notre Dame's independent status shaped its 2025 CFP snub at No. 11 and the new top-12 guarantee starting in 2026.

bcsfootball.org

>The Notre Dame CFP snub did not happen in a vacuum. Notre Dame and the other nine FBS conferences had already agreed to a new CFP contract framework on March 15, 2024, and as part of that deal Notre Dame secured a memorandum of understanding guaranteeing a field of at least 12 teams beginning in 2026. Buried inside that agreement was a specific protection for Notre Dame: if the Irish finish inside the top 12 of the final CFP rankings, they automatically qualify for the playoff, starting with the 2026 season. Bevacqua confirmed the terms publicly on December 8, 2025, noting that the guarantee applies whether the field expands to 12 or 14 teams, though it does not extend to a smaller bracket.

Seems like they already had it agreed to, and the rule only went into effect after.

Lurker123 · 2026-11-05T16:59:27-0600

maybee1 said:
>The Notre Dame CFP snub did not happen in a vacuum. Notre Dame and the other nine FBS conferences had already agreed to a new CFP contract framework on March 15, 2024, and as part of that deal Notre Dame secured a memorandum of understanding guaranteeing a field of at least 12 teams beginning in 2026. Buried inside that agreement was a specific protection for Notre Dame: if the Irish finish inside the top 12 of the final CFP rankings, they automatically qualify for the playoff, starting with the 2026 season. Bevacqua confirmed the terms publicly on December 8, 2025, noting that the guarantee applies whether the field expands to 12 or 14 teams, though it does not extend to a smaller bracket.

Seems like they already had it agreed to, and the rule only went into effect after.

True. The beginning of the article seemed to indicate otherwise. My bad.

But that rule will screw someone this year.

Piscis · 2026-11-05T19:00:42-0600

maybee1 said:
They agreed to that before the whole thing last year. I don't think ND is particularly favored by anyone associated with conferences or broadcasting and rightfully so. Their TV deal isn't with Disney or Fox so why should they go to bat for them?

ND is, and always has been, the media's ultimate darling. ESPN wants ND in the playoff because they bring more viewers than any other team. ND is the only college team with a true national audience.

I4CtheFuture · 2026-11-05T19:05:27-0600

Piscis said:
The committee doesn't like ND? LOL. ESPN runs the CFP and there is no other team in the country with as much tradition, history or as large of a fan base as ND. ND is more likely to get into the playoff with 3 losses than any other team.

It isn't politics, it is money, advertising money for ESPN to be exact. If there is any way at all to get ND into the playoff, ESPN is going to make sure they are in.

Including extreme measures like expanding the playoffs to 24 teams...... thus ensuring Noodle Lame always gets in after this year. They're the only team in the world that can be 0-12 and still be ranked #24

I4CtheFuture · 2026-11-05T19:10:19-0600

USCEE82 said:
I'm not sure how you feel about ND.

Who do we want to win this weekend?

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