Notre Dame does not just feel disappointed. The team is absolutely furious with the current situation, and Stephen A. Smith analyzed the conflict thoroughly. He explained why the Fighting Irish feel robbed and blames the College Football Playoffs committee.
They also blame the ACC and their own independence. Everyone shares some of the blame for this snub. However, the frustration stems from a repeated history in the sport. “Highway robbery is synonymous with college football,” Smith said. Every year, a deserving team is left out; Alabama suffered last year. Miami has also complained, and now Notre Dame has the worst possible luck.
According to The Sports Rush, Smith says they cannot pretend surprise at the system. But he also did not exempt the Irish from blame. “Notre Dame—you had two losses,” the analyst recalled. He mentioned a key detail about their defeats: “One of them was head-to-head against Miami,” he pointed out. Although it was on August 31st, that loss carried weight. “Don’t you think that should influence the decision…?” Smith questioned the logic of ignoring that direct result.
A conflict of interest with the ACC
In the end, the direct result proved determining, and BYU opportunely fell in the final ranking. That forced a direct comparison between Notre Dame and Miami. The Hurricanes’ victory finally mattered. Hunter Yurachek had said it would not be a factor, but Miami (10-2) took the last invitation. Notre Dame, also 10-2, was left out at #11, becoming the first team eliminated from the list.
The university’s reaction was immediate and explosive. They announced their withdrawal on social media X, stating: “As a team, we have decided to withdraw our name…“. They will not seek consideration for any minor bowl and hope to win the national title in 2026. They joined the boycott of Iowa State and Kansas State, but Notre Dame faces no fines.
Their problem centers on the broken relationship with the ACC. They maintain independence in football, but partner in other sports. Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua attacked harshly, calling the rankings a “farce.” He said the university was “perplexed” with the ACC. The conference advocated against its own partner, and Commissioner Jim Phillips defended its full members.
Stephen A. Smith criticized the independence strategy: “Why didn’t Notre Dame simply join the elite conference?” He pointed out that staying on the sidelines carries consequences. “This is the only time it seems to burn them,” he concluded. Next year, the format will change to 12 teams, which will guarantee access if they maintain this level. But that does not repair the damage done now.
