BREAKING | Notre Dame Invited To College Football Playoff

That loud beeping you’re suddenly hearing is the sound of Notre Dame backing its way into the College Football Playoff.

After very little went right for the Irish during a 34-10 defeat to Clemson in the ACC Championship on Saturday, they got some good news on Sunday afternoon, learning that their ugly display wasn’t enough to drop them out of a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The Playoff Committee just announced its final rankings – the only set that truly matter – and Notre Dame (10-1) landed at #4, setting up a matchup against #1 Alabama (11-0) in what was once the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day in one semifinal in Dallas.

#2 Clemson (10-1) will face #3 Ohio State (6-0) in the Sugar Bowl in New Oreleans. 

Championship Saturday caused a shuffling in a set of rankings that had been static for over a month, with all three schools besides Alabama changing spots, but #5 Texas A&M (8-1) was the one left standing in place with no chair when the CFP music stopped.

The Aggies had hoped Notre Dame’s poor showing against the Tigers would be enough to bounce the Irish down one more spot and allow them to creep in, but it’s clear the Committee placed a premium on Notre Dame’s win over then #1-Clemson last month.

The Irish can breathe a sigh of relief that their season didn’t come to a sudden and unexpected halt in Charlotte yesterday, but it’ll need to be a brief one.

After watching the performance against Clemson, Notre Dame can’t afford to waste anytime preparing for the Crimson Tide, who could be an even more daunting challenge than the Tigers ever presented.