Will it take 12-0 to make the playoffs next year?? I think we could possibly get in at 11-1 depending on the perceived strengths of the other one loss teams. Not having a 13th game hurts us for sure. Georgia Tech scares the heck out of me (wins over Clemson, Georgia and Miss. State this year).

USC will be very good next year also. As will Clemson. Hard to tell right now . Things change so much year to year.

I was thinking about this yesterday too. And I think the answer is yes ND has to be undefeated. Look what happened to TCU and Baylor. That same thing will happen to ND. I would be shocked if the Big 12 isn't working on a playoff game right now. Which means even harder for ND. ND needs to hope for a 6 or 8 team playoff and fast.

I was thinking about this yesterday too. And I think the answer is yes ND has to be undefeated. Look what happened to TCU and Baylor. That same thing will happen to ND. I would be shocked if the Big 12 isn't working on a playoff game right now. Which means even harder for ND. ND needs to hope for a 6 or 8 team playoff and fast.

 

TCU and Baylor didnt make it because they have no name recognition... ND is fine on that front.

TCU and Baylor didnt make it because they have no name recognition... ND is fine on that front.

 

This! The bottom line is still money. Putting osu and meyer in the playoffs meant more money than tcu and patterson.

This! The bottom line is still money. Putting osu and meyer in the playoffs meant more money than tcu and patterson.

 

TCU didn't make it because they lost head-to-head with Baylor.

Baylor didn't make it because they have no name recognition.

If TCU had won the conference outright (instead of being co-champions with Baylor, who beat them), even with one loss, I believe they would have been in the final 4.

I think TCU is becoming a bit like Oregon. Building name recognition through repeated success over a 10-15 year period.

Baylor probably has a way to go in that regard.

Let's say ND's only loss was a close one to FSU. They are out. I do not think they would not have gone in place of OSU.

In a typical season, yes, it will take a 12-0 season to get in. Not being in a conference hurts ND.

IF the SEC loses committee confidence after these bowl appearances & depending on HOW the Irish lose & to who, they can make a top4. Just my opinion

Let's say ND's only loss was a close one to FSU. They are out. I do not think they would not have gone in place of OSU.

 

I think they would have gotten in because they were ranked quite a few spots ahead of OSU. If ND finished 11-1 this season, they would have reach the final 4. NO doubt in my mind.

Unless ND goes undefeated, they will need to join a conference to made the final 4.

If we had gone 11-1 this year we would've made it and I would bet if we only have 1 next year we'll make it.

 

We better hope that's the case because we have usc the week after navy, bad news

If we had gone 11-1 this year we would've made it and I would bet if we only have 1 next year we'll make it.

 

We better hope that's the case because we have usc the week after navy, bad news

 

I respectfully disagree. Everything the committee showed is that you better be in a power 5 conference and win your your championship game.

i think they would have gotten in because they were ranked quite a few spots ahead of osu. If nd finished 11-1 this season, they would have reach the final 4. No doubt in my mind.

 

m.....y......o......p.......i.....a

I think they would have gotten in because they were ranked quite a few spots ahead of OSU. If ND finished 11-1 this season, they would have reach the final 4. NO doubt in my mind.

 

No way. Not one possibility whatsoever. No way. Did you see what we were ranked at 6-1?

 

No doubt in my mind or Ty Willingham's. Zero percent chance. 0 %.

I think the 1 loss thing has more to do with when it happens and where you're ranked at the time. Losing 1 early on and slipping a few spots still gives you time to move back up as conference play allows teams to kill each others chances (as happened to Auburn, Ole Miss, and Miss St this year). I think another thing that ND will have going for it next year that TCU did not is a high pre-season ranking.

No way. Not one possibility whatsoever. No way. Did you see what we were ranked at 6-1?

 

No doubt in my mind or Ty Willingham's. Zero percent chance. 0 %.

 

lol, we were ranked #7, 6 spots ahead of Ohio State, right behind Oregon, and a couple spots ahead of TCU and Baylor. We would have wins against ASU, Louisville, and U$C. We would have gotten in. Especially when Notre Dame would have had the best loss among all 1-loss teams.

 

You guys are just over reacting. Notre Dame will get in with 11-1, even if it is on name alone for ratings and money. 11-1 Notre Dame will not be denied.

 

One year does not make a pattern people. 0% chance 11-1 Notre Dame team would have been left out. I agree.

If we had gone 11-1 this year we would've made it and I would bet if we only have 1 next year we'll make it.

 

We better hope that's the case because we have usc the week after navy, bad news

 

We should play our 2nd and 3rd stringers exclusively against Navy...seriously, there is no comparison in talent level even by sending out our back-ups, but the motivation and opportunity for a Navy player to cheap shot one of our defenders would be off the table.

 

Notre Dame does not need to expose its starters to the likes of Navy, in fact, I would have the second and third teamers work ONLY Navy prep for 2-3 weeks before the game and have the starters focus on the real teams we play. Gimmicky go-getters with too much testosterone and too little respect for the health of their opponents do not deserve the honor of playing or the opportunity to injure greater athletes, period.

TCU didn't make because Ohio St or even Florida St is a bigger money draw

We should play our 2nd and 3rd stringers exclusively against Navy...seriously, there is no comparison in talent level even by sending out our back-ups, but the motivation and opportunity for a Navy player to cheap shot one of our defenders would be off the table.

 

Notre Dame does not need to expose its starters to the likes of Navy, in fact, I would have the second and third teamers work ONLY Navy prep for 2-3 weeks before the game and have the starters focus on the real teams we play. Gimmicky go-getters with too much testosterone and too little respect for the health of their opponents do not deserve the honor of playing or the opportunity to injure greater athletes, period.

 

While I agree with the spirit of your post, our starters barely best them year in and year out... I also steadfastly disagree with your suggestion that Navy is a dirty team. Cut blocks, until they are outlawed, are within the confines of the rules.

I was thinking about this yesterday too. And I think the answer is yes ND has to be undefeated. Look what happened to TCU and Baylor. That same thing will happen to ND. I would be shocked if the Big 12 isn't working on a playoff game right now. Which means even harder for ND. ND needs to hope for a 6 or 8 team playoff and fast.

I personally feel that ND missed out when they turned down the Big Ten. With Ohio State, Mich St. & the return of Harbaugh to Michigan this conference is gonna rival the Sec from here on out....Just imagine ND in that mix.....We coulda worked something out with playing Navy every year & still worked in USC & Stanford occasionally. .....Now we partially belong to one of the weaker conferences & have no championship game...Your right it's gonna take an almost perfect season year in and year out...The only hope now is that the playoffs get expanded to 8 teams for us to have a consistent chance.