Could #15 Notre Dame (4-1) Still make it to the Playoff?

[nathans8823]

Yes, I understand they probably could if they win out the rest and hope USC or Stanford wins Pac-12 but I want to know what you guys think.

 

[KnuteRoc]

I think it's a strong maybe. I won't say Yes because I can't be that confident in our play alone much less in getting the help we might end up needing. But I do think there's a shot.

Even if there isn't, I want them to think there is. I don't know maybe they need that as a reason to come out and play their best individually and collectively. I never needed that kind of outside incentive, but everyone's different. I would much rather see this team just hunker down and play lights out for the rest of the season and what's more, we should, we already faced the best D we'll see, Stanford is probably second best but that's the last game. We'll have our hands full with USC on defense, that's where I'm scared truthfully. Kessler is slinging it with precision, they have no D, but then again we have an O that can be up and down, but we're still poised to be able to reach 11-1 and I wouldn't call that a bad season necessarily.

If we go 11-1 and then we look back on things and ask, would we have predicted 11-1 knowing that Zaire, Folston, Smythe, etc. etc. were all not going to be there for the majority of the season? I think we'd all be thinking in terms of 3-4 losses, maybe an outside shot at 2 only. That's pretty damn good considering.

 

[Lillyliverd]

Can they? Yes, with a lot of help and if they take care of business.
Will they? Maybe.

 

[purguy12]

100% make it if Clemson goes 12-0 because then our 1 Loss would be to a 12-0 team at their place. If Clemson loses I still think ND has a 90% chance of making it if we win out. We would need some help but not a crazy amount.

I with Kelly on this just take care a business and everything should work out. That's all you can ask for. If you look at the teams ahead of us a lot of them play each other.

 

[jjc2009]

100% make it if Clemson goes 12-0 because then our 1 Loss would be to a 12-0 team at their place. If Clemson loses I still think ND has a 90% chance of making it if we win out. We would need some help but not a crazy amount.

I with Kelly on this just take care a business and everything should work out. That's all you can ask for. If you look at the teams ahead of us a lot of them play each other.

I think Clemson getting a playoff spot is going to greatly hurt our chances. They're not likely to let a team they beat get in as well over another P5 conference champion, esp. since we don't play in a conference. You keep saying this and I don't know what the logic is behind it.

I am sure the committee views us as a de facto ACC team. Of all the P5 conferences, they're not going to let two teams from the ACC get in. If we were going to go 11-1 it would have been better it be USC, if for no other reason that they'll likely to implode against someone else and finish with a worse record than us. If we were the de facto ACC champ by going 6-0 against those teams, our case would have been stronger.

 

[jjc2009]

Its really quite simple, we have to win out and the other P5 conference champions will need at least one loss each. The committee is going to punish us for not playing a conf. championship game, plain and simple. If we beat Stanford and USC and one of them goes on to win the Pac-12, that bodes well for us, much better than Clemson going the distance and getting a spot. Then and only then are we likely to get in on an 11-1 record.

 

[poewelch84]

The SEC West will beat up on one another so they are all going to end with one loss or only one will go 12-0 and it won't be Alabama (that could be trouble if the committee put them at 4 even without winning conference), Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma will all play one another and the Pac12 still have a lot of games so the help will likely come.

 

[purguy12]

I think Clemson getting a playoff spot is going to greatly hurt our chances. They're not likely to let a team they beat get in as well over another P5 conference champion, esp. since we don't play in a conference. You keep saying this and I don't know what the logic is behind it.

I am sure the committee views us as a de facto ACC team. Of all the P5 conferences, they're not going to let two teams from the ACC get in. If we were going to go 11-1 it would have been better it be USC, if for no other reason that they'll likely to implode against someone else and finish with a worse record than us. If we were the de facto ACC champ by going 6-0 against those teams, our case would have been stronger.

Its just common sense. Only loss to the #1 or #2 team would not be a bad thing. better then a 1 loss team like bama who got blown out. That is my logic. Its the same feel if the loser of MSU and OSU game gets in.

 

[Irish7478]

There is no way that the SEC champ doesn't make it. For us to make it in, that means there can be only two teams from the ACC, Big12, PAC12 and Big10.

The Pac12 is the easiest to drop out. We need SC or Stanford to win the conference and we obviously need to beat both of them. That would put us in over them.( Hopefully Utah comes back to earth.)

The Big 12 is trickier. They won't want to screw them twice in a row. We would need these teams to knock each other off. An undefeated Big12 team makes it in.

The Big10 almost knocked themselves out last week with Ohio State and Mich State, but we need these guys both to lose. If whoever wins between OSU and MSU loses in the Big10 championship game, the Big10 won't be represented.

The ACC comes down to Clemson Vs FSU. Best case for ND would be for FSU to beat Clemson then lose to Florida or lose in the ACC championship game. I don't think a one loss Clemson makes it into the playoff if they don't even make it to the ACC championship game.

With these things in mind, I think the playoffs would end up with ND, Sec champ, Big10 champ, Big12 champ. I still don't think the committee believes in the ACC or the Big12, but they won't screw the Big12 twice.

 

[purguy12]

There is no way that the SEC champ doesn't make it. For us to make it in, that means there can be only two teams from the ACC, Big12, PAC12 and Big10.

The Pac12 is the easiest to drop out. We need SC or Stanford to win the conference and we obviously need to beat both of them. That would put us in over them.( Hopefully Utah comes back to earth.)

The Big 12 is trickier. They won't want to screw them twice in a row. We would need these teams to knock each other off. An undefeated Big12 team makes it in.

The Big10 almost knocked themselves out last week with Ohio State and Mich State, but we need these guys both to lose. If whoever wins between OSU and MSU loses in the Big10 championship game, the Big10 won't be represented.

The ACC comes down to Clemson Vs FSU. Best case for ND would be for FSU to beat Clemson then lose to Florida or lose in the ACC championship game. I don't think a one loss Clemson makes it into the playoff if they don't even make it to the ACC championship game.

With these things in mind(if we win out), I think the playoffs would end up with ND, Sec champ, Big10 champ, Big12 champ. I still don't think the committee believes in the ACC or the Big12, but they won't screw the Big12 twice.

We win out and Clemson wins out we both make and then a SEC team makes it and then Big 10 makes it. Pac12 is out because we would beat both and I don't see the Big 12 making it. There is my logic.

I hope Clemson wins out. Helps us big time. If they lose they need to lose twice because then a 1 loss FSU team would jump us at the end.

 

[ChicagoIrish]

No way will Notre Dame and Clemson be in the playoff. It's one or the other.

 

[GeekSportsFan]

Absolutely....we've already had some top teams fall, and I think Ohio State is due, as is Michigan State. This could be a season where no one runs the table. Plus, it was not too long ago that a 2-loss LSU won the NC.

 

[nathans8823]

No way will Notre Dame and Clemson be in the playoff. It's one or the other.

Well Notre Dame does have a tougher schedule... so if they win out ND should be secure (hopefully)

 

[poewelch84]

All they can do is win out and see how things shake out.

 

[bbirish73]

i agree.....just worry about what you can control and that is winning.

 

[awclayton]

not even thinking about it, just win out and lets see what happens. if they lose another one, it wont matter. side note for all the cubs fan, Go Cubs Go!

 

[nathans8823]

not even thinking about it, just win out and lets see what happens. if they lose another one, it wont matter. side note for all the cubs fan, Go Cubs Go!

Love the Cubs! And so lucky you got to go to the game! #LetsGo

 

[DJ]

Possibly but they'd have to win out and they still have Navy (no gimme imo), USC, Pitt and Stanford.

 

[DJ]

Hell......Temple may not exactly be a pushover.

 

[poewelch84]

Well I'm hoping USC has three losses when UCLA plays them and if they play like they did against Washington it should be a good night for the Irish.