Joel Klatt: Notre Dame is making a big mistake by opting out of bowl game

Joel Klatt strongly disagrees with Notre Dame’s decision to decline a bowl invitation after being left out of the College Football Playoff. The Irish were expected to play BYU in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, according to On3’s Brett McMurphy, before announcing they would not participate in any postseason game.

On The Joel Klatt Show, the FOX Sports analyst was blunt. He laid out three primary reasons why he believes the program is “making a big mistake.”

First, Klatt argued that skipping a bowl hurts Notre Dame’s competitive development going into next season: “If you want to win your 12th national title and bring it back to South Bend in 2026, you know what would be beneficial to you? The extra practices during bowl season,” Klatt said. “Throwing 15 practices to the wind. … How does that help you for next year?”

His second point centered on optics. Klatt believes the move “feels a little bit petty” after Notre Dame publicly expressed frustration with the CFP rankings show and the network that airs it.

“They’re mad at the weekly ranking show. So they’re like, ‘We’re not going to go play a bowl game on that network.’ I think Notre Dame is above that,” the FOX Sports analyst stated. 

Moreover, Klatt’s final argument was directed at the players themselves. He warned that many will one day wish they hadn’t voluntarily ended their season early.

“You’ll regret this,” Klatt proclaimed. “… There are players on that roster that will never play football again. Don’t artificially put the finish line in front of you.”

Klatt on Notre Dame: ‘This is not in their character’

Alas, Klatt also expressed surprise that Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame’s leadership allowed the team to make the call. He stated a belief that strong leadership requires guiding emotional players toward a more rational response.

“This is not in their character,” Klatt concluded. “Marcus Freeman is an incredible football coach and leader of men. … I think Notre Dame should play a bowl game.”

Despite the criticism, Notre Dame appears firm in its decision. They’re turning their focus fully toward a 2026 national title pursuit.

Many around the sport question whether skipping a bowl could cost the Irish valuable development and momentum. That’s something the team and the administration will simply have to live with. 

It’s obvious Klatt believes this was an emotional decision, and the wrong one at that. Notre Dame feels miffed, and that’s alright. But opting to skip their bowl game because of that? It’s something the FOX Sports analyst simply isn’t down with.