Notre Dame AD Calls CFP Snub a ‘Bitter Pill to Swallow’
Notre Dame’s athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, expressed strong disappointment regarding the team’s exclusion from the College Football Playoff (CFP). He emphasized the shocking nature of the decision and described it as a “bitter pill to swallow.”
Notre Dame’s Strong Season
The Fighting Irish had a remarkable season, completing ten straight victories after an initial setback. This successful run included wins against notable teams such as:
- Boise State
- USC
- Navy
- Pittsburgh
Despite their impressive performance, which Bevacqua referred to as one of the most dominant stretches in college football history, they failed to secure a spot in the CFP.
Factors Behind the CFP Snub
Several key factors contributed to Notre Dame’s exclusion from the playoff field this season:
- The loss to Miami and Texas A&M in the early part of the season.
- Miami’s head-to-head victory over Notre Dame, which played a pivotal role in the selection process.
- BYU’s position dropping after losing the Big 12 championship game.
- Alabama’s controversial move up in the rankings despite their poor performance, securing a playoff spot with three losses.
Notre Dame’s Future Plans
Following the CFP decision, Bevacqua hinted that it may take time for the team to recover from this disappointment. In response to being snubbed, Notre Dame opted to withdraw from consideration for any bowl games this season.
