Why was Notre Dame left out of the College Football Playoff?

Notre Dame was ranked 11th in the final CFP standings, becoming the first team outside the playoff bracket. The selection committee's use of a head-to-head tiebreaker with Miami was a key factor.

What did Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua say about the CFP snub?

AD Pete Bevacqua expressed shock and anger, calling the prior rankings a 'joke' and stating the playoff was 'stolen' from the team.

How did Miami get into the College Football Playoff over Notre Dame?

The CFP selection committee used a head-to-head tiebreaker to rank Miami ahead of Notre Dame in the final rankings, securing Miami the last playoff spot.

Home / Sports / Notre Dame Denied CFP Berth: A Shocking Snub?

Notre Dame Denied CFP Berth: A Shocking Snub?

8 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Notre Dame ranked 11th, narrowly missing CFP playoff.
AD Bevacqua calls CFP rankings 'a joke' and 'waste of time'.
Head-to-head tiebreaker controversy between Notre Dame and Miami.

Notre Dame Denied CFP Berth: A Shocking Snub?

The College Football Playoff bracket has been finalized, with Notre Dame notably absent despite a strong season. The Fighting Irish learned on Sunday, December 7th, that they were ranked 11th in the final CFP standings, just outside the coveted playoff spots. This exclusion has sparked significant backlash, with Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua publicly stating his dismay.

Bevacqua criticized the selection process, describing previous rankings as a "joke" and a "waste of time." He conveyed that the team felt "the playoff was stolen from our student-athletes," highlighting the perceived lack of clear explanation for their exclusion. The controversy deepens due to the committee's decision to use a head-to-head tiebreaker between Notre Dame and Miami in the final rankings, a metric not prioritized in earlier assessments.