Notre Dame faces scheduling challenges ahead of expanded playoff
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 22, 2026, 7:09 PM
Last updated Oct 22, 2026
Notre Dame’s football team finds itself needing to bolster its schedule after a loss to BYU. As the College Football Playoff expands to 24 teams, the Irish have an opportunity to secure playoff bids more easily, yet they face questions about scheduling tougher opponents. Upcoming games against Miami and SMU are crucial to their playoff chances. Analysts indicate that the trend may allow Notre Dame to pursue a less challenging path to the playoffs, impacting its traditional independence and competitive strategy for future seasons.
- •Notre Dame lost to BYU recently.
- •They need wins against Miami and SMU to improve playoff chances.
- •Expansion from 12 to 24 teams affects scheduling strategies.
- •Critics say Irish may avoid tough games to ensure playoff entry.
- 7:09 PMYahoo Sports — Notre Dame is getting a playoff lifeline thanks to the 24-team expansion. Will Irish use it to dodge tough games?
"With no real incentive to challenge itself with a difficult schedule in the 24-team College Football Playoff era, Notre Dame can have its independence and schedule as it sees fit too.
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