Mario Cristobal reacts to Notre Dame calling out the ACC over College Football Playoff snub

The biggest debate before, during and immediately after conference championship week was whether Miami should be in the College Football Playoff over Notre Dame. In the end, the committee left the Irish out and put the ‘Canes in as the No. 10-seed.

With Notre Dame out of the 12-team field, the Irish have gone ahead and opted out of their bowl game entirely this season. Irish AD Pete Bevacqua now believes there is “permanent damage” between the Irish and ACC as a result of his decision. On Monday, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal was asked his initial thoughts on the Notre Dame’s current predicament.

“I would say, first and foremost, I wouldn’t comment on anybody else’s situation because you never know exactly what’s up,” Cristobal said. “And I have too much respect for football and for Notre Dame to comment on their situation.

“As it relates to us, we haven’t been faced with that situation, and we don’t ever expect, want to, or would really allow that situation to happen. But that’s, again, that’s not a comment in any way, shape, or form, as it relates to them. You just don’t know what each program is going through. Some programs lose a coach, sometimes you’re going to be down a ton of players, and people have to make a decision. But, yeah, I don’t want to comment on anybody else’s stuff because, again, it’s just not my place, and it would be disrespectful.”

Cristobal argued all week the importance on Miami’s head-to-head win over Notre Dame on Aug. 31 during the regular season opener. The ‘Canes defeated the Irish 27-24 during the matchup, however, the College Football Playoff committee slotted the Irish over Miami in every CFP ranking until the bracket reveal.

In the end, Miami becomes the only representative of the ACC in the playoffs despite being held out of the conference championship game. The Canes’ 10-2 record was enough after BYU lost in the Big 12 title game, moving Miami up and allowing the committee to consider the head-to-head result from Week 1.

“The truth spoke loudly. And so it was a unique week in many, many ways. So, here we are,” Cristobal said. “On we go.”

Miami will move forward to College Station where it will take on Texas A&M in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Kickoff is set for Dec. 20 at Noon ET live on ABC and ESPN.