Marcus Freeman Advocates for Notre Dame as Top CFP Contender
As the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection approaches, Notre Dame’s football coach Marcus Freeman is making a compelling case for his team’s inclusion. The Fighting Irish currently sit at No. 10 in the CFP rankings and are vying for the last at-large bid. Freeman recently highlighted Notre Dame’s performance during an interview.
Freeman’s Advocacy for Notre Dame
Freeman stated, “The ultimate question is: ‘Who’s the best team now?’” He believes that this query resonates with both the playoff committee and college football fans. He argues that while certain data points can influence opinions, the ongoing debate primarily revolves around Notre Dame and Alabama.
Recent Rankings and Performance
Notre Dame was ranked No. 9 before Alabama leapfrogged them to the No. 10 spot following Alabama’s win over Auburn. This change occurred on December 2. Interestingly, Notre Dame has achieved ten consecutive victories after starting the season with two losses against teams that are also in the CFP conversation: Miami and Texas A&M.
Alabama’s recent loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship could negatively impact their playoff chances. In contrast, Notre Dame has been dominant, winning all ten games by double-digit margins. However, only one of those victories came against a currently ranked team.
Statistical Highlights
- Current Ranking: Notre Dame – No. 10
- Recent Wins: 10 consecutive victories
- Average Margin of Victory: Over 10 points in each game
- Ranked Victory: 1 (against No. 16 USC)
- Historical Context: Four teams in the top 25 have achieved ten straight wins by more than ten points.
Comparative Analysis with Other Teams
Freeman pointed out that while Notre Dame lost to the ranked teams, their combined loss margin was merely four points. On the other hand, Miami’s losses were to unranked teams, raising questions about their qualifications for the CFP.
Freeman concluded by emphasizing the need for a broader assessment when evaluating teams. He firmly believes that eliminating a team based on limited data is flawed reasoning.
As the playoffs loom, the conversation around Notre Dame’s CFP worthiness is more pertinent than ever. The Fighting Irish’s performance and Freeman’s advocacy make them a team to watch.
