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In looking at Alabama's strength of schedule and the teams they lost to, versus Notre Dame's pancake Sisters of the Poor schedule... If Alabama had at least and kept the game close -- say within 7 points, and had not received an absolute total beatdown from Georgia on Saturday, I could see them being selected over Notre Dame. But not after Alabama was totally body slammed by Georgia, in a game that Alabama really believed that, at a minimum, they needed to keep close to earn a spot in the playoffs. But perhaps the Fighting Irish are learning that scheduling these cupcake opponents for almost the entire season, is not doing them any favors. And maybe they will decide to grow a pair and join an actual conference.

Thing is...ACC has an ironclad contract that they can't join a conference other than the ACC through 2036. They are accusing the ACC of pushing Miami instead of them for playoffs. Bridge burned

I mean that was one of the biggest reasons to take on a bowl game was the added practice time. But now with the transfer portal I don't know if programs see that as worth while. You're not prepping next year's team because you might lose your best players to the portal and not have them on the team at all and some of the pieces on next year's team won't be added until the portal opens.

Won't it be 7:30 pm?

5-7 Rutgers said, 'Good Knight' to a bowl invitation. Practice? Practice! For the P4, I think a 13th stand-alone champ game and lower-level bowl games are dying on the vine. FCS - 24 team PO. If the NCAA and not ESPN managed the FBS postseason, we'd already have a 24-team PO. Stop dumping on Tony Petitti and go to 24 with AQs and plenty of at-large spots that would keep Notre Dame and Miami out of the cardiac ward and make everything groovy in South Beach and South Bend.

Their body clocks will be playing at 1:30 p.m. The time zone change could have some impact, but I think it will be fairly minimal.

The Autzen crowd is also going to rock the Dukes. They have not played in a stadium anything remotely like what they're going to experience Eugene. I think the crowd could be worth 7 points in this game.

I think Notre Dame should also fine itself $500,000.

The payout generally goes to the conference for bowl game participation. I don't know how much each team gets for conference participation. I'm pretty sure a team showing up and playing costs less than $500,000. This is meant to hurt because participating in bowl games is for the good of the conference. It does highlight the end of season December chaos has never been greater and the emphasis on playoff or bust has never been higher.

Also, perhaps it's time that Notre Dame grow a pair and join a real conference.

Since others have posted that G6 champions should get in, I don't feel so out of place suggesting this, if we go to 16 teams: I don't think any conference should get 4 automatics. Go with 3 and 2. If the 4 spot in the SEC and the B1G are that good, they will get an at large bid anyway. Why should a 13th ranked BIG12 get pushed out by a 17th ranked team that is fourth in his conference. Granted, this will not happen very often, but it will. G6 Champs have play-in games, matchups according to rankings (1 hosts 6, 2 hosts 5, 4 hosts 3) This way, the G6 gets 3 spots in the field of 16. (This would mean there would actually be 19 teams in the playoffs.) Any champion that didn't win its play-in game is not eligible for an at large bid -- they lost their chance. Therefore, 16 teams in the final bracket: 4 P4 champs, 3 G6 champs, 2 each more from the SEC and the B1G, 1 each more from the ACC and BIG12, and 3 at large bids. I think it would be even better to say 4 P4 champs, 3 G6 play-in champs, and 9 at large bids, but there are a couple of powerful leagues that are afraid of losing out. If they are so powerful, what are they afraid of??? They should get 5 or 6 in anyway. Right, SEC?

I was about to say the same thing. There's not a chance in hell that he made this decision in a vacuum. Clearly, he had full support and direction of the administration as well.

Or, at a minimum, be radically altered.

Hear they’re all filled now, some solid 5-7 post season action!

Whatever the thought process that led to ND’s decision, likely tilting it a bit for Freeman was just the thought of all those press conference questions directed at how they could have screwed up so bad and ended up there.

It might cost more money to go to a bowl game then the $500,000. If that is the case, and we know its all about the money, its a wise decision.

I heard a Talking Head say that Norte Dame has signed an agreement that if they finish in the top 12 in the ranking they are automatically placed in the tournament. Anyone else hear this? If that is the case why schedule any hard opponents? Go 12-0 with cupcakes you are in. Just join a league, it is that simple. Why is everybody else changing with the times except Norte Dame?

...and USC went to South Bend this year. Two years in a row they get them at home? How does that work??

Up to 10 schools and counting now.

I actually think its kind of cool that James Madison players can play a top brand like Oregon in a playoff game. I checked their schedule for the past few years. UVA and Louisville have been their biggest branded teams played

Thanks for the slack Charles!

Well he's joining the team in January, he'll have some time to work the rust out, but I imagine it will take a little time to see him grow into the great player he has the potential to be.

Other than Miami and USC not exactly a murderers row schedule.

Notre Dame: Boycotting a bowl game reduces player exposure and should hurt recruiting. I would certainly be reluctant to send a kid there. Perhaps they're worried about being exposed like FSU was in their bowl game after being left out of natty contention.

ND's 2026 schedule. Wonder why they get no respect. Only 3 road games.