Why is Notre Dame's ranking in the College Football Playoff controversial?

According to the CBS analyst, Notre Dame's "monster brand" and storied reputation, rather than their actual on-field results, are the main reasons for their high ranking in the CFP standings.

How does the analyst say Notre Dame's brand is affecting other teams?

The analyst argues that teams like Miami and Texas are not getting proper credit for beating Notre Dame, because the Fighting Irish's high ranking is not justified by their performance.

What does the analyst say about the influence of team "brands" in the CFP rankings?

The analyst claims that both Notre Dame and Texas are "living off what their logos mean, not necessarily what their performances have earned" when it comes to their CFP rankings.

Home / Sports / Analyst: Notre Dame's 'Monster Brand' Taints College Football Playoff Rankings

Analyst: Notre Dame's 'Monster Brand' Taints College Football Playoff Rankings

13 Nov

•

Summary

CBS analyst Rick Neuheisel criticizes Notre Dame's high ranking despite losses
Argues Notre Dame's "storied brand" gives them unfair advantage in CFP rankings
Cites Miami and Texas as other teams not getting proper credit for beating Notre Dame

According to a report published on November 13, 2025, CBS Sports analyst Rick Neuheisel has strongly criticized the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, accusing Notre Dame's "storied brand" of unfairly influencing the standings.

In his analysis of the latest CFP rankings, Neuheisel questioned why Notre Dame sits at No. 9 despite losing to Miami and Texas A&M earlier this season. He argued that the Fighting Irish's "monster brand" is the reason for their high ranking, rather than their actual on-field performance.