Instead of gearing up for the College Football Playoff, Notre Dame finds itself in the spotlight for less-than-ideal reasons.
There are whispers—perhaps more than whispers—about other school athletic directors considering actions that could freeze Notre Dame out. Reports suggest that the school’s status for next year’s playoff could lead to its removal from schedules. The silver lining? As long as Notre Dame finishes in the top 12 of the final rankings in 2026, it will secure a spot in the CFP.
Recently, a freeze-out report surfaced from Yahoo Sports, and Jeremiah Love, a running back for the Fighting Irish, didn’t hold back his reaction. He placed third in the Heisman Trophy voting last Saturday and expressed some frustration. “They’re afraid to play against us,” he said. “They don’t want to play Notre Dame because we are Notre Dame. You’re taking us off the schedule. It doesn’t look good. Why won’t you just play us? That’s how I see it.”
Despite wrapping up the season with ten straight wins, the Irish were once again left out of the CFP, opting not to enter a bowl game after being disqualified.
Pete Bevacqua, the athletic director for Notre Dame, has been quite vocal about the disappointment over the playoff decisions. He labeled the exclusion a “terrible” move, even drawing attention from Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark.
As for how this freeze might impact Notre Dame’s upcoming schedule? Well, that’s a bit murky. Head coach Marcus Freeman is rumored to be a candidate for NFL coaching positions, which adds another layer of uncertainty for the program.
After parting ways with head coach Brian Daboll earlier this season, the Giants are reportedly watching Freeman closely, now under interim coach Mike Kafka. “Everyone’s eyes are on Marcus,” Bevacqua told the press. “Colleges are looking at him, the NFL is interested, and even Hollywood is probably paying attention… He’s the best coach for Notre Dame, no doubt.”
Love shared his thoughts on Freeman possibly moving to the NFL: “I think he could still connect with players, but it’s a different atmosphere. They’re not college students anymore. They have their own lives. Yet, he would still have some level of connection. He would make a fantastic head coach at any level.”
