Saturday, November 14, 2015

Path to CFB Playoffs -- Notre Dame vs. Big XII


With Stanford and Utah's loss this evening -- the PAC 12 is done when it comes to sending a team to the College Football Playoff -- it robs Notre Dame of a season ending signature win -- and, it opens the door for an undefeated Oklahoma State to jump ND into the top Playoff if they remain that way.

Here's where I see things with two weeks left in the regular season for the top teams:

These THREE PLAYOFF SPOTS are a given -- in my opinion:
  • ACC Champ:  CFB Playoff spot if it's Clemson or North Carolina
  • Big Ten Champ:  CFB Playoff spot if it's Ohio State, Michigan State or Iowa
  • SEC Champ:  Alabama

So, the fourth team in the PLAYOFF will come down to Notre Dame -- if they win their next two games -- OR, one of these two teams from the Big XII:
  • Oklahoma State -- if they win both, they're in / ND is out
    • vs. Baylor 
    • vs. Oklahoma
  • Oklahoma -- if they win both -- it will come down to (see analysis below)
    • vs. TCU
    • @ Oklahoma State

If Oklahoma and Notre Dame both end up 11 - 1 on the season, it will come down to a College Football Playoff Committee vote against teams with these resumes:

Oklahoma:
  • Wins over ranked teams:  (3)  Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma State
  • Opponent's WIN/LOSS Record as of 11/14/15:  63 - 53
  • Strength of Schedule Rank:  #21
  • Common opponent:  Lost to Texas 24 - 17
  • Record of team that beat them as of 11/14/15:  4 - 6

Notre Dame:
  • Wins over ranked teams:  (5)  USC, Navy, Temple, Pitt and Stanford
  • Opponent's WIN/LOSS Record as of 11/14/15:  67 - 53
  • Strength of Schedule Rank:  #5
  • Common opponent:  Beat Texas 38 - 3
  • Record of team that beat them as of 11/14/15:  10 - 0

So -- what does this all mean:
  1. We must win both of our games.
  2. Oklahoma State needs to lose one of their remaining games.
  3. If both happen -- WE ARE IN THE PLAYOFF!

Longest Run in Notre Dame Football History!


Coach Brian Kelly Talks Wake Forest Win!


The Band of the Fighting Irish in 360!!!


Video Proof of ND's Home Field @ Fenway Park



WNDU-TV: Last Home Game of the Season


The Irish Hung a Banner in Purcell Last Night!


Wake Forest Week: Notre Dame Pep Rally


Photo: Notre Dame's Grotto Early This Morning


Notre Dame's Campus Ministry tweeted this photo this morning from the Grotto -- as the world mourns yesterday's tragedy in Paris, France.

France is the birthplace of the Congregation of Holy Cross -- the religious congregation that founded the University of Notre Dame.