The penultimate week of the college football regular season is here. Notre Dame comes into rivalry weekend sitting in a playoff position. There is plenty of football left to play for the Golden Domers and the rest of the country. With that comes a few scenarios where the Fighting Irish would miss out on the college football playoffs. 

First things first, Notre Dame needs to hit the farm and win against Stanford. The game kicks off at 10:30PM Eastern (yes, seriously) on Saturday night. Doing so would mean a tenth consecutive victory for Freeman and the Irish. It would also further bolster a decent playoff resume that has them sitting in 9th in the CFP rankings. 

But that is just hurdle number one, as Notre Dame will not be playing in a conference championship game. (In case you did not know, they are independent; I mean, it only gets brought up every day.) But, this could be the thing that keeps them from a second consecutive playoff appearance. As the top five ranked conference champions automatically qualify for the playoffs. 

College Football Playoff Top 12 (As Of 11/25/25)

1. Ohio State (11-0) Big Ten
2. Indiana (11-0) Big Ten
3. Texas A&M (11-0) SEC
4. Georgia (10-1) SEC
5. Texas Tech (10-1) Big 12
6. Oregon (10-1) Big Ten
7. Ole Miss (10-1) SEC
8. Oklahoma (9-2) SEC
9. Notre Dame (9-2) Independent
10. Alabama (9-2) SEC

—————————————— <- The Cut Line For The Final Two CCs 

11. BYU (10-1) Big 12 (Will End Up Being The ACC Champ)
12. Utah (9-2) Big 12 (Will End Up Being The Group Of 5 Highest Ranked Champ)

Barring something crazy this Saturday in Ann Arbor or West Lafayette, it is likely that Ohio State will meet Indiana. But regardless of the result in the Big Ten Championship Game both teams would be in. Which means there are ten playoff spots remaining, four conference champions, and six at-large bids. 

The SEC will snag another handful of spots if a few games go their way. Simply put, if Georgia beats Georgia Tech, Oklahoma beats LSU, and Ole Miss wins the Egg Bowl they are in. As all three of them will sit at home to watch the SEC title game. Of course, pending the winner of Texas-Texas A&M and the Iron Bowl. Finally, as far as the top 12 are concerned, Texas Tech and BYU could give the conference two bids. 

With two more conference champions to snag a spot, the ACC winner and the Group of Five leader. As the playoff field will take shape late Saturday night. Possibly during the Notre Dame-Stanford game in Palo Alto. Truthfully, Notre Dame’s playoff bid could shrink in a big way if all results hold for the favored teams. As it is hard to see the Irish jumping up the rankings without some upsets occurring this weekend. 

The Nightmare Scenario 

WELL, lets talk about the elephant in the room, because every ND fan is avoiding it. Only three outcomes stand between Notre Dame and the Pop-Tarts Bowl this season.

1. Texas beats Texas A&M, Bama beats Auburn
2. BYU wins the Big 12 (THE BIG ONE).
3. Someone other than OSU or Indiana wins the Big Ten.

That would be three automatic bids that would knock ND down the pecking order. With Notre Dame in 9th, the conference champions would slide the Irish right out of the playoffs. Now obviously that’s still a week and a half away, but all it takes is a Texas win this weekend. It would really put Notre Dame on the bubble. It would knock the Aggies out of the SEC title game, but not out of the playoffs. The head-to-head win by Texas A&M earlier this season would surely keep them above Notre Dame in the final rankings. 

A Guide Of Who Notre Dame Fans Should Pull For In Week 14

Thursday, November 27th

Navy to beat Memphis 

• With a Navy win, they would play in the AAC Title Game and give ND a huge resume builder.

Friday, November 28th

Mississippi State to beat Ole Miss

• A second loss by the Rebels amid coaching uncertainty could drop them below Notre Dame before conference championship weekend.

• Would also allow Notre Dame to host a playoff game for the second consecutive year.

Texas A&M to beat Texas

• Texas A&M would officially end the Texas playoff conversation and clinch a spot in the SEC Title Game.

Georgia to beat Georgia Tech

• I know it sounds silly, but it is likely that the committee would move Georgia Tech ahead of Notre Dame.

• Plus they are unlikely to drop Georgia below Notre Dame with a Bulldogs loss on Friday night. So it’s best for the Irish that the Bulldogs beat the Yellow Jackets.

Saturday, November 29th

Ohio State to beat Michigan

• Hard feelings aside, a Buckeye win is much more beneficial to Notre Dame. As this is a playoff team regardless of the outcome on Saturday.

Auburn to beat Alabama

• A loss knocks the Crimson Tide out of the playoffs and virtually secures Notre Dame as a lock. Provided they take care of business after the nighttime Iron Bowl.

LSU to beat Oklahoma

• See reasoning above with Auburn/Alabama impact, as a loss ends Oklahoma’s playoff aspirations.

Texas Tech and BYU to both win 

• Keeping both teams in the top 12 is huge. If both lose, Miami inches closer to Notre Dame. While Texas Tech at 10-2 likely stays ahead of them as well.