Notre Dame Stunned by CFP Ranking Drop Despite Decisive Victory

Notre Dame’s football team fell in the College Football Playoff rankings this week. They dropped from ninth to tenth place. This happened on Tuesday, December 3rd. The shift came after their final regular season game.

The Fighting Irish won their last game convincingly. They defeated Stanford 49-20 on the road. Despite this strong performance, the committee moved Alabama ahead of them.

Committee’s Decision Draws Ire from Head Coach Freeman

Head coach Marcus Freeman expressed clear disappointment. He was confused by the committee’s logic. Freeman questioned what more his team could have done in a 29-point victory.

According to CBS Sports, Freeman sought a better explanation. He argued his team did enough to hold their position. The coach did not believe Alabama’s close win over Auburn was superior.

The Alabama Crimson Tide won a tight Iron Bowl rivalry game. They beat Auburn 24-22 with a late score. CFP committee chair Hunter Yurachek explained the switch.

Yurachek said Alabama’s road win in that environment swayed members. He cited a gutsy fourth-down call and a late turnover. This was enough to push Alabama ahead of Notre Dame this week.

Playoff Implications Hinge on Championship Weekend

This single-spot change could have major consequences. The final playoff bracket will be announced on Sunday. Notre Dame’s path to the top four is now narrower.

If BYU wins the Big 12 championship, the scenario gets complicated. BYU would then claim a playoff spot. This could leave Notre Dame as the first team left out instead of Alabama.

Freeman made a public case for his team’s inclusion. He noted Notre Dame has won ten consecutive games. All ten victories were by double-digit margins.

The team must now wait and watch other games. Their playoff fate is no longer fully in their hands. The final decision will come down to the committee’s judgment on Sunday.

Notre Dame’s surprising drop in the CFP ranking has set up a tense championship weekend. Their playoff hopes now depend on results beyond their control.

Info at your fingertips

Why did Notre Dame fall in the CFP rankings?

The College Football Playoff committee moved Alabama ahead of Notre Dame. They valued Alabama’s close road win over Auburn in a rivalry game more than Notre Dame’s larger road win at Stanford.

What was Marcus Freeman’s reaction?

Coach Freeman was disappointed and confused. He publicly stated he did not agree with the decision and saw no great explanation for the drop after a strong performance by his team.

Can Notre Dame still make the playoff?

Yes, but their chances are slimmer. They need favorable outcomes in other conference championship games to have a shot at securing one of the four playoff spots.

Who is the CFP committee chair?

The committee chair is Hunter Yurachek, the Athletic Director at the University of Arkansas. He provides the public explanations for the committee’s weekly ranking decisions.

When is the final playoff selection?

The final College Football Playoff bracket and team selections will be announced on Sunday, December 8th. This follows all conference championship games.