Heather Dinich Uncovers Notre Dame’s Surprising Strategy to Crush CFP Doubts in 2026
Notre Dame made a run to the National Championship game of the College Football Playoff in 2024. In 2025, they would miss the CFP, being the first team out, leading to Notre Dame opting out of a bowl game over the perceived snub.
Now, Heather Dinich of ESPN is giving the key to the Irish making the playoff in 2026.
“Convincing wins. Notre Dame’s highest-ranked opponents will likely be Miami and BYU, with SMU also a likely CFP top-25 team. There might not be another ranked opponent on the schedule. If the Irish can assert themselves against weaker, unranked opponents on a consistent basis, and not leave any doubt in the eyes of the committee that they were the better team, Notre Dame can overcome what is at least now perceived to be a weaker schedule and have a chance at a higher seed. Dominant performances could mean the difference between earning a first-round bye, hosting a playoff game or having to hit the road,” Dinich wrote.
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