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Notre Dame's Playoff Dreams Dashed: First Postseason Absence Since 2016

12/9/2025

23 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Notre Dame's 2025 season ended without a College Football Playoff (CFP) bid, finishing 10-2 and marking its first postseason absence since 2016.
Notre Dame was ranked No. 11, just behind Miami, earning the final at-large bid after a head-to-head win.
Notre Dame will not participate in any bowls, including a potential Pop-Tarts Bowl matchup against BYU.
Athletic director Pete Bevacqua said the playoff opportunity felt "stolen" from the players.

History

Historical Context

Established in 2014, the College Football Playoff (CFP) replaced the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) to determine the NCAA Division I FBS champion. The inaugural CFP featured four teams, with Ohio State defeating Oregon for the title in 2015. The CFP's structure, involving a selection committee, addresses previous controversies over rankings and postseason opportunities, significantly impacting team recruitment and funding.

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Story summary

Notre Dame's 2025 season ended without a College Football Playoff (CFP) bid, finishing 10-2 and marking its first postseason absence since 2016.
Notre Dame was ranked No. 11, just behind Miami, earning the final at-large bid after a head-to-head win.
Notre Dame will not participate in any bowls, including a potential Pop-Tarts Bowl matchup against BYU.
Athletic director Pete Bevacqua said the playoff opportunity felt "stolen" from the players.

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