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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.
Neuheisel pointed to Miami's position behind Notre Dame as evidence of this bias, stating that "It's the power of the victory over Notre Dame" that is not being properly credited. He also cited Texas as another example of a team "living off what their logo means, not necessarily what their performances have earned."
As the college football season enters its final stretch, the debate over the CFP rankings and the influence of team brands is likely to continue. With several spots still up for grabs, Notre Dame's status as an independent program means their ranking will remain a point of contention.
