Remember the time (if I may quote Michael Jackson) that we weren’t sure if an 11-1 Notre Dame football team would make the college football playoff or not? Polls taken among ND media and fan sites showed that conventional wisdom viewed the situation as a toss-up or 50/50.
With the first college football playoff rankings of 2015 released tonight, it’s pretty clear now. If you’re Notre Dame football, you go 11-1, you’re in.
Take a look at the rankings.
CFB Playoff Top 25 | Nov. 3
1. Clemson
2. LSU
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Notre Dame
6. Baylor
7. Michigan State
8. TCU
9. Iowa
10. Florida
11. Stanford
12. Utah
13. Memphis
14. Oklahoma State
15. Oklahoma
16. Florida State
17. Michigan
18. Mississippi
19. Texas A&M
20. Mississippi State
21. Northwestern
22. Temple
23. UCLA
24. Toledo
25. Houston
The Fighting Irish are just one spot outside the Final Four, so they’re right there. ND’s only loss is to the #1 team. Add in the fact that that they still have another fantastic resume building win opportunity at Stanford. The Cardinal checked in at #11. Yes, the Irish still have to find a way to over-compensate for not having a conference title game, and the all important “closing argument” aspect that comes with it.
However, if you’re a Notre Dame football fan, you couldn’t be any more happy with how the initial rankings turned out. The ESPN talking heads noticed what a huge gift the Irish received tonight.
“No. 4 Alabama and No. 5 Notre Dame, each with one loss, ahead of both No. 8 TCU and No. 6 Baylor, was ultimately the biggest surprise ranking,” said David Pollack.
“No. 5 Notre Dame being ranked as high. The Irish not only have a loss, but played Temple down to the wire; so that wasn’t a convincing win,” said Joey Galloway.
“Ultimately, I am just surprised they are head of the undefeated teams.”
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye. He also appears regularly on numerous talk shows all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.
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