Home / Sports / Notre Dame's CFP Hopes Hinge on Rankings Upset
Notre Dame's CFP Hopes Hinge on Rankings Upset
4 Dec
Summary
- Alabama surprisingly ranked above Notre Dame in CFP rankings.
- Notre Dame coach questions the committee's reasoning for the swap.
- A one-spot difference could impact playoff qualification significantly.
The College Football Playoff selection committee has stirred controversy by ranking Alabama ahead of Notre Dame, placing the Crimson Tide at No. 9 and the Fighting Irish at No. 10. This decision, made in the penultimate rankings, has left Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman puzzled, especially after his team's decisive 49-20 victory over Stanford.
Freeman questioned the committee's rationale, highlighting that Alabama's 27-20 Iron Bowl win against Auburn was less dominant. He voiced confusion over what actions Notre Dame could have taken differently to maintain its higher standing, noting the significant impact a single ranking spot can have on playoff aspirations.
CFP selection committee chair Hunter Yurachek explained the swap, citing the close debate over the two teams in recent weeks and Alabama's strong road performance in a rivalry game as factors influencing committee members. He clarified that protecting teams from falling out of the bracket after championship game losses was not a consideration for this ranking.
