Notre Dame Secures Playoff Spot with Favorable 2026 Schedule
Notre Dame’s athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, hasn’t hidden his frustration over the Fighting Irish missing out on a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth. He even claimed that the selection committee “stole” their spot.
With a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) in place, though, Notre Dame’s playoff odds are set to get a lot better from 2026 onward. Let’s dig into what this MOU actually means, what it could do for Notre Dame’s future schedules, and how it fits into the ever-messy college football world.
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Notre Dame’s Playoff Assurance: A New Era from 2026
Starting in 2026, Notre Dame will lock in a playoff berth if they finish inside the top 12 of the final poll. That’s straight from a new MOU signed last spring.
This agreement shakes up the playoff picture quite a bit, giving the Fighting Irish a much clearer path to the postseason. If this rule had been in place this year, Notre Dame would’ve grabbed the final at-large spot over Miami. That hypothetical alone has fans and analysts talking.
Details of the Memorandum of Understanding
The MOU Notre Dame signed last spring includes a few key points:
- Guaranteed Playoff Berth: Notre Dame gets a playoff spot if they’re inside the top 12 of the final poll.
- Expanded Bracket Clause: If the CFP grows to 14 teams, Notre Dame is in if they’re ranked No. 13 or better.
These changes are meant to tackle what many see as biases and inconsistencies in the current selection process. Notre Dame, for one, feels they’ve been shortchanged by the system before.
Notre Dame’s 2026 Schedule: A Favorable Lineup
Looking at 2026, Notre Dame’s schedule shapes up to be one of the softest in big-time college football. They’ll play just three true road games, with the rest either at home or at neutral sites.
That could set them up for a strong season and maybe a real shot at the playoff.
Breakdown of the 2026 Schedule
Here’s what the 2026 slate looks like:
- vs. Wisconsin (Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.) – September 6
- vs. Rice – September 12
- vs. Michigan State – September 19
- at Purdue – September 26
- at North Carolina – October 3
- vs. SMU – TBA
- at Syracuse – TBA
- vs. Navy (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.) – October 31
- vs. Miami – November 7
- vs. Stanford – TBA
- vs. Boston College – November 21
- vs. USC – TBA
Of those teams, only Navy was bowl-eligible last season, and honestly, Notre Dame has owned that rivalry lately, winning eight straight. It’s hard not to see them as heavy favorites in most of these games.
Controversies and Criticisms of the Current CFP System
The CFP selection process gets a lot of heat for being inconsistent and, well, kind of biased at times. Notre Dame felt it this year.
Even with strong wins over USC and Pittsburgh to close things out, the Irish lost out to Miami for the final playoff spot. The committee’s decision to keep Alabama at No. 9 after a blowout loss to Georgia in the SEC title game only added fuel to the fire.
The Impact on Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s playoff snub has sparked some serious debate. Losses to Miami and Texas A&M early in the season hurt, but their late surge was impressive.
Still, the committee’s subjective calls left Notre Dame on the outside looking in. It’s no wonder people are calling for a more transparent and fair process.
Looking Ahead: The Future of College Football Playoffs
The new MOU for Notre Dame feels like a step in the right direction for fairness. Guaranteeing a playoff spot for teams inside the top 12 should cut down on subjective snubs and give deserving teams a clearer shot at the postseason.
Potential Expansion of the CFP
The MOU also mentions an expanded playoff bracket. If the CFP ever moves to 14 teams, Notre Dame gets a guaranteed spot as long as they’re ranked No. 13 or higher.
This sort of change could really shake things up. More teams would have a shot at the national championship, which feels overdue, honestly.
Notre Dame’s new MOU is a big deal for college football. By locking in a playoff berth for the Irish if they finish inside the top 12, it takes on some of those old complaints about fairness in the CFP process.
The 2026 schedule looks good for them, and with the playoff possibly expanding, Notre Dame seems set up nicely for what’s ahead. More details are available in the original article on CBS Sports.
