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Joey Galloway explains Notre Dame's path to College Football Playoff, importance of Texas A&M win

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz10/22/24NickSchultz_7
NCAA Football: Central Michigan at Notre Dame
(Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports)

Early in the season, following a Week 1 win over Texas A&M, it looked like Notre Dame had a direct path to the College Football Playoff. But a loss to Northern Illinois dealt a blow to the Fighting Irish’s chances of making the 12-team field – and added to the importance of winning out.

To ESPN’s Joey Galloway, though, there’s still a road for Notre Dame to make the CFP. It starts with that season-opening victory in College Station.

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Notre Dame held on to defeat Texas A&M 23-13 at Kyle Field to start the year. The Aggies haven’t lost since and came in at No. 14 in this week’s AP Top 25 – two spots behind Notre Dame. If Texas A&M keeps rolling, Galloway said that helps the Fighting Irish’s chances of getting into the CFP if they win out.

“Here’s the thing to keep in mind when you talk about Notre Dame. They have a really outstanding win to open the season that is only looking better as this season goes along,” Galloway said Tuesday night. “They went to Texas A&M and won that game. So that, if Texas A&M continues to win, will go onto Notre Dame’s resume going forward.

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“I agree, Northern Illinois is one of the worst losses of the season. But they do have Navy, they have Army, they would hope that USC would start to look a little better. But Notre Dame, I wouldn’t be worried if they continue to win out.”

One week after that win over Texas A&M, Notre Dame struggled en route to a 16-14 loss to NIU on a last-second field goal in South Bend. Suddenly, the road to the CFP got bumpy, but five straight wins since – including one over Louisville at home – give the Fighting Irish a 55.25 chance of getting in, according to ESPN’s FPI.

However, a big test awaits this week. Notre Dame will head to MetLife Stadium to take on Navy, which enters Week 9 undefeated with its best record since World War II. A win would keep the Fighting Irish’s hope of making the 12-team field in tact, while a loss could spell danger since they don’t play in a conference championship.