Notre Dame Excluded from 12-Team Playoff Sparks Debate

Notre Dame's exclusion from the 12-team College Football Playoff has ignited widespread debate over the selection process, strained the university's ties with the Atlantic Coast Conference, and prompted renewed calls for expanding the postseason field. The Fighting Irish, who finished the season 10-2 with a 10-game winning streak, dropped to No. 11 in the final rankings released earlier this week, allowing the ACC's Miami Hurricanes to secure the last at-large berth despite both teams sharing identical records.

The committee's decision hinged on several factors, including Miami's 27-24 victory over Notre Dame in their season opener on August 31. Notre Dame's only losses came against playoff-bound teams Northern Illinois and Miami, by a combined margin of four points. Miami, ranked below Notre Dame for much of the season, climbed to No. 10 in the final poll after four straight wins to close their campaign. Officials with the College Football Playoff did not immediately comment on the specific rationale, but the selection has drawn sharp criticism for overlooking teams with strong resumes.

Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua voiced strong disapproval of both the committee...