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Newsstand: Where On3’s Brett McMurphy lists Notre Dame in latest bowl projections

Singer headshotby: Mike Singer10/07/25MikeTSinger
marcus freeman on3 fp miami postgame
Aug 31, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts after the after the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

On3’s Brett McMurphy had Notre Dame No. 13 in his latest AP Poll ballot on Sunday, listing the 3-2 Fighting Irish higher than most who vote in the AP Poll.

But if the season ended today, Notre Dame wouldn’t be included in the 12-team College Football Playoff. It’s hard to argue against that, and McMurphy’s Week 6 postseason projections reflect that.

If Notre Dame wins out, it’ll most likely get in with the carnage that’s expected to happen around the sport. A two-loss Irish team with 10 straight wins will be difficult to keep out.

But again, for now, the Irish are on the outside looking in. And McMurphy has the Irish currently projected to play against the BYU Cougars in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Fla. on Dec. 27.

Here is McMurphy’s first-round CFP projection:

First Round (Dec. 19-20)
No. 12 Memphis at No. 5 Ole Miss
No. 9 Georgia at No. 8 Texas Tech
No. 11 Indiana at No. 6 Oklahoma
No. 10 Georgia Tech at No. 7 Alabama

And below is the teams who McMurphy has getting a first-round bye, advancing and eventually winning the national title as of today.

Quarterfinals
Cotton Bowl (Dec. 31)
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
No. 3 Oregon vs. No. 6 Oklahoma

Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 2026)
Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.
No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Alabama

Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1, 2026)
Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
No. 4 Texas A&M vs. No. 5 Ole Miss

Orange Bowl (Jan. 1, 2026)
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
No. 1 Miami vs. No. 8 Texas Tech

Semifinals
Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 8, 2026)
State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Oregon

Peach Bowl (Jan. 8, 2026)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
No. 1 Miami vs. No. 4 Texas Tech

National Championship (Jan. 19, 2026)
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
No. 1 Miami vs. No. 3 Oregon (Miami winner)

Notre Dame tweets of the day

Quote of the day

“Yeah, I think as you look back at something, you believe in momentum. You say, ‘Man, we gained some momentum.’ I believe there’s a confidence that helps with momentum, that success brings you. But I don’t believe you can rely on momentum to achieve an outcome that you want. I believe you achieve the desired outcome by the work you put in every single day. And there’s a little bit of fear, if we don’t put in the work, we’re not gonna get the result that we desire. And so we can’t rely on momentum, but I think as you look back, momentum is a real thing.”

— Irish head coach Marcus Freeman on “momentum” for his team

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