Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua laments the Fighting Irish had a potential College Football Playoff berth "stolen" by the selection committee, but doesn't expect there to be any legitimacy questions in 2026 and beyond. Bevacqua said Sunday language in a memorandum of understanding signed by Notre Dame last spring guarantees the Fighting Irish a playoff appearance if they rank inside the top 12 of the final poll.

In this scenario, Notre Dame would have been this season's final at-large selection over Miami . Notre Dame's playoff "assurance" for being ranked inside the top 12 doesn't go into effect until next season, according to Yahoo Sports . The Fighting Irish opted of bowl season altogether. Multiple sources confirmed to CBS Sports that the Pop-Tarts Bowl invite

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