Notre Dame football swung open a rare door for 5-7 teams Saturday. But it stems from the Fighting Irish declining a bowl bid — all because of ND's College Football Playoff snub. Now one team earned a bowl bid to top off the postseason.

Appalachian State, despite finishing under .500, gets in the Birmingham Bowl thanks to Notre Dame's decision. College football insider Brett McMurphy of On3/Rivals revealed the Mountaineers are officially the 82nd team to earn a bowl game . But earned the bid thanks to ND's stunning decision to end its season.

Notre Dame got passed over by the likes of Alabama, Miami, even James Madison in the CFP bracket. The committee's decision to bypass the Fighting Irish ignited chatter across the CFB universe.

The Sun Belt Conference representative Appalac

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