Notre Dame Makes Its Case for the College Football Playoff - and Marcus Freeman Isn’t Holding Back
The regular season is in the books, and Notre Dame is officially in wait-and-see mode. While the rest of the college football world gears up for conference championship weekend - with heavyweights like Georgia, Alabama, BYU, and Texas Tech still battling it out - the Irish are left with no more games to play, only a résumé to present. And head coach Marcus Freeman is stepping to the podium with confidence.
After a dominant 49-20 win over Stanford to close out the regular season, Freeman didn’t waste time making his pitch for Notre Dame’s inclusion in the College Football Playoff. His message? Don’t judge us by how we started - look at who we are now.
“Who are the best teams now?” Freeman asked postgame.
“Not Week 1 - now. It’s hard to argue we aren’t one of those teams.”
A Team Hitting Its Stride
Freeman’s argument isn’t just coach-speak - it’s backed by one of the most impressive stretches in college football this season. Since opening the year 0-2, the Irish have rattled off 10 straight wins, each by double digits. That kind of dominance down the stretch is what playoff committees say they want to see: a team evolving, improving, and peaking when it matters most.
“You’re talking about a team that is playing as well as anyone right now,” Freeman added. “Won 10 straight games, all of them by double-digit points.”
That’s not just a stat - it’s a statement. In a sport where momentum and trajectory matter almost as much as raw wins and losses, Notre Dame is making a compelling argument that it's one of the four best teams in the country right now.
The CFP Debate: Notre Dame vs. Miami
Of course, the Irish’s late-season surge hasn’t come without controversy. One of the hottest topics in playoff discussions has been whether Notre Dame deserves to be ranked ahead of Miami - a team that beat the Irish in the season opener. On paper, the Hurricanes have the head-to-head advantage, and many analysts have pointed to that as a key reason Miami should be ahead.
But the College Football Playoff Committee has been clear: head-to-head matters, but it’s not everything. Consistency, quality of wins, and how a team looks now all factor into the equation. And that’s where Notre Dame’s case gets stronger.
Freeman’s comments echo the committee’s own language. Ten straight wins, all by comfortable margins, suggest a team that figured it out - and fast. While Miami may have the early-season bragging rights, Notre Dame has the body of work that screams playoff-caliber football.
Eyes on Tuesday - and Sunday
Right now, both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll agree with Freeman’s assessment. Notre Dame is ranked ahead of Miami in both, a sign that voters are buying into what the Irish have done since September. But the real verdict comes Tuesday night when the latest CFP rankings drop - and ultimately on Selection Sunday, when the final four are announced.
Notre Dame can’t add another win, can’t make another statement on the field. But the Irish have done what they can.
Ten wins in a row. Double-digit margins.
A team that’s playing its best football in December.
Now, all they can do is wait - and hope the committee sees what Marcus Freeman sees: a team that belongs.