Was Notre Dame unfairly snubbed from the 2025–26 College Football Playoff?
Notre Dame Snubbed from CFP: Playoff Controversy Ignites Fan Outrage
In a decision that’s sparked intense debate, Notre Dame has been left out of the 2025–26 College Football Playoff despite a strong season finish and competitive resume. The final bracket included Alabama and Miami over the Fighting Irish, causing backlash from fans and media. Analysts point to Notre Dame’s independent status — and lack of a conference championship game — as a key disadvantage in the selection process. Critics argue Alabama was chosen based on name recognition and conference power, rather than pure merit. Many fans believe the CFP selection committee’s process continues to show bias against independents and smaller-market teams. Meanwhile, Notre Dame's exclusion has reignited debates about how the new 12-team format should handle teams without conference affiliations. Whether a legitimate call or a political snub, the Irish are out — and fans are letting the committee hear it.
Options
- Yes, they deserved a spot
- No, the committee got it right
- It’s complicated
- Don’t care