Back to Notre Dame. The way it works with the selection committee is that head-to-head results are something of a tiebreaker. The committee judges teams in small groups, and if teams are close, the result of a game between the two is generally supposed to rule the day.

Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman could consider leaving the program, but only for two specific opportunities.

Penn State walked into East Lansing carrying more than a game plan. The Nittany Lions needed proof—proof that the season still held meaning, that the locker room hadn't splintered, that Terry Smith's interim leadership could stabilize a program absorbing body blows from every direction.

The Irish (8-2) jumped out to an early 14-0 lead with a 56-yard, highlight-reel run by Heisman Trophy contender Jeremiyah Love and, moments later, a 49-yard interception return by Tae Johnson. Notre Dame cruised from there, nearly doubling Pitt’s yardage.

Notre Dame lost to Michigan by 39 points on Saturday, three days after Hannah Hidalgo set an NCAA record with 16 steals against Akron.

Michigan uses sharp shooting & and-ones to dominate Notre Dame in Shamrock Classic, and pick up a top-20 win at the Wayne State Fieldhouse

Enough time has passed since those season-opening losses to Miami and Texas A&M to see Notre Dame for the Playoff team that it is.