Tony Petitti weighs in on Notre Dame, access to College Football Playoff

Amid numerous rounds of conference realignment and changes to the College Football Playoff, one thing has been consistent. Notre Dame is an Independent, and there are plenty of different opinions floating around the sport about the Irish.

As potential changes in the Playoff are discussed, it’s not surprising that Notre Dame has once again come up, given that they have a unique path to the Playoff and are coming off a run to the national championship. That’s led to some pushback about the Irish either getting special treatment or needing to join a conference. However, as Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti explained on The Joel Klatt Show, he doesn’t see things that way.

“Look, I think Notre Dame has got access,” Tony Petitti said. “We’ve all agreed that they should have their path and access. I don’t think anybody’s suggesting that we change that for them. It’s not something that they’d be obligated to do.”

Notre Dame can’t make the Playoff at an automatic bid because they have no conference to win. That means, in the 12-team format, they’re not going to be able to earn a bye week. It’s a sort of trade-off for not playing a conference championship game. However, in a 16-team model, they might have what is seen as an advantage to some.

“No matter what format change — and the process is in the format change is the Big Ten and the SEC have to come together to make a suggestion. Then the others weigh in. We take that feedback, decide what we want to incorporate,” Petitti said. “But there are certain parameters that are guaranteed. We can’t come up with a format, for example, where the conference champions aren’t in. That’s not what we agreed to. So, even with the discretion that we have together with the SEC, there are parameters that we’ve agreed to on certain things. Part of that is Notre Dame’s access. I’m fine with that.”

Notre Dame has now made it to the College Football Playoff three times. Twice they made it in the four-team model, including the Covid-19 season when they played as a member of the ACC and lost the conference championship to Clemson. Then, last season in the first season of the 12-team format. Now, it looks like expansion is on the horizon and, depending on the model, there could be even more at-large spots for the Irish to snag.

“I’m not looking to relitigate any decisions we’ve made in the past. People can argue about what their path is versus somebody else. I just want to do what’s best for the Big Ten. I think as a byproduct of that, I believe,” Petitti said. “And people can say we’re wrong, I believe that it’s better for college football overall. Everybody’s entitled to have their opinion. Those other commissioners are going to represent their leagues very well like they always do and, hopefully, we’ll come together and find something that makes everybody happy.”

Marcus Freeman on Notre Dame’s Playoff access, joining a conference

One thing Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has made clear, it’s that the Irish are proud of being Independent. They don’t plan on changing that. That is, unless being Independent impacts their ability to make the Playoff and, ultimately, win a national championship.

“It’s what this football program was built from. As long as we can, we will [retain independence]. I have a lot of confidence in our administration and Pete Bevacqua, or AD, that he’ll always keep us in a position to be successful. So, as long as we can keep that Independence, we will. But, if there ever comes a time that we are at a disadvantage because we aren’t in a conference, I’m sure he’ll make the decision. Along with our president, to say, ‘Alright, we’re gonna join one of these conferences, and position ourselves to not be negatively impacted by being Independent.’ I think if you talk about being at a disadvantage to make the postseason,” Freeman said.

“Because you’re not in the Playoff. Or, if there comes a time when teams won’t schedule you because the Big Ten or the SEC are saying we’re gonna play nine games and we’ll play a crossover game and who cares about Notre Dame? Well, then I think there’s going to be a point where we’re forced to join a conference. But until that point happens, which it doesn’t look likely, we’re going to stay Independent as long as we can.”

For his part, Tony Petitti doesn’t think Notre Dame has a need to join a conference. They’re in a good spot for now, and there hasn’t been a push to put the Irish in an uncomfortable spot either.

“And they have a great path now,” Tony Petitti said. “That’s fine. We’ve all agreed to do that. No one’s suggesting we should change anything. They’re a huge part of the ecosystem of college football. They had a remarkable season last year going down to the last game against Ohio State.”