Notre Dame Withdraws from Bowl Season After Playoff Snub

In a surprising turn, Notre Dame has decided to withdraw from the bowl selection process after just missing out on the College Football Playoff (CFP). The Fighting Irish wrapped up their regular season with a solid 10-2 record but were left out of the new 12-team bracket, landing at No. 11 in the final playoff rankings.

This move has stirred up plenty of debate and frustration among fans and the team. The controversial selection process has only added fuel to the fire.

Notre Dame’s Decision to Withdraw

After being left out of the College Football Playoff, Notre Dame announced they wouldn’t participate in any bowl game this season. The Irish were the first team out, finishing at No. 11, just behind Miami, who snagged the last at-large bid at No. 10.

Both Notre Dame and Miami sat idle during conference championship weekend, which only made the committee’s decision feel more contentious. It’s a tough pill to swallow after a season like this.

Season Overview

The season got off to a rough start for Notre Dame, with early losses to Miami and Texas A&M—both playoff teams, as it turns out. But then, something clicked. They rattled off ten straight wins, including victories over Mountain West champ Boise State and No. 16 USC.

Still, even that wasn’t enough to push them into the playoff. The disappointment was pretty palpable.

Reactions and Statements

The backlash to Notre Dame’s exclusion has been loud. Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua didn’t hold back, calling the ranking process an *absolute joke and a waste of time*.

He spoke about the emotional toll on student-athletes, saying it’s just brutal to see them left hanging by the committee’s last-minute choices.

Team’s Perspective

Head Coach Marcus Freeman and his players were clearly crushed. The team put out a statement thanking their families and fans for the support, but you could feel the sting of disappointment.

They made it clear, though, that their eyes are still on bringing a national title back to South Bend.

Implications for Notre Dame

This marks the first time since 2016—and only the second since 2009—that Notre Dame won’t play in a postseason game. Last year, they made it all the way to the College Football Playoff National Championship before falling to Ohio State.

Missing out this year is a major setback for a program that’s almost always in the playoff conversation.

Future Outlook

The goal going forward is obvious: win that elusive 12th national title. Notre Dame will need to build on what worked this season and figure out what went wrong.

With a strong core and a chip on their shoulder, it’s hard not to think they’ll come back swinging next fall.

Broader Trends in College Football

Notre Dame’s choice to skip a bowl game isn’t happening in a vacuum. Other programs, like Iowa State and Kansas State, have also said no to postseason play this year.

Both are dealing with coaching changes and weren’t in the playoff hunt, so it makes sense for them to focus on the future instead.

Changing Landscape

College football’s landscape is shifting. More teams are starting to prioritize long-term goals and player development over chasing a bowl appearance, especially if it doesn’t really move the needle.

Maybe it’s just the start of something bigger. Or maybe it’s just a weird year. Either way, it’s something to keep an eye on.

Conclusion

Notre Dame’s withdrawal from the bowl selection process has shaken up this college football season. It’s one of those moments that makes you stop and think about how complicated the playoff system really is.

There’s a lot of emotion behind the decision, especially for the student-athletes who worked so hard all year. Some folks wonder if this could be the start of a bigger trend, with teams looking beyond the short-term and focusing on long-term goals.

If you’re curious and want to dive deeper, you can read the full article on CBS Sports.