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Notre Dame Declines Pop-Tarts Bowl, Eyes Next Season

1/4/2026

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Story summary
  • The University of Notre Dame declined an invitation to the Pop-Tarts Bowl after being snubbed from the College Football Playoff.
  • The Pop-Tarts Bowl, featuring BYU and Georgia Tech, drew 8.7 million viewers, the most-watched non-CFP bowl since 2019.
  • Analysts say administrative pressure, not player choice, drove Notre Dame's postseason skip amid backlash over a 10-2 season.
  • The Irish aim to return to the playoffs next season.