Notre Dame's CFP Snub Sparks Controversy and Criticism

Notre Dame's exclusion from the College Football Playoff has triggered significant backlash from the university's administration and its fan base. Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua expressed his frustration on the Dan Patrick Show, stating that the Atlantic Coast Conference's attacks on Notre Dame were mystifying and have caused "permanent damage" to the relationship between Notre Dame and the ACC.

Notre Dame, which joined the ACC for all sports except football in 2013, had been ahead of Miami in the College Football Playoff rankings until the final announcement when Miami jumped ahead to claim the last at-large bid, despite both teams not playing that weekend.

Bevacqua criticized the committee's handling of the rankings, claiming it was a disservice to the student-athletes and left them feeling as though their playoff dreams were shattered. Additionally, he revealed that starting in 2026, if Notre Dame is ranked in the top 12, they will be guaranteed a playoff spot.

The decision not to accept a bowl invitation following the snub has further fueled discussions about the implications of the selection process and fairness, with former players and fans expressing their outrage.

Former Notre Dame player Ryan Harris suggested that the decision-making process seemed questionable and called attention to the need for Notre Dame to perform better in critical games to avoid such situations in the future.

The controversy highlights the ongoing debate about the fairness of the College Football Playoff selection criteria and the impact it has on teams like Notre Dame, who have a storied history in college football.