The College Football Playoff picture isn't quite set as there are several games that could decide the fate of some teams already thought to be in the final four of the football season. However, there is one team that ESPN analyst Heather Dinich believes could 'disrupt' all of it by winning out and having a much better-looking résumé than some potential conference champions.
Here's what she said via ESPN:
It's possible that Notre Dame will finish with wins over the Pac-12, Big Ten and ACC champions. NC State is the only team in the ACC's Atlantic Division that is still undefeated in league play and controls its own destiny, while Miami is still undefeated and leading the Coastal Division. Stanford or USC can still win the Pac-12. Heck, Michigan State can still win the Big Ten.
Brand name and tradition aside, how could the committee exclude any team with a résumé like that? According to FPI, the average top-25 team would only have a 7 percent chance to go 11-1 against Notre Dame's schedule. Should the Irish run the table, they would have a strength of record rating comparable to past CFP semifinalists.
So let's say they're in. Who's out?
Most likely the Pac-12 and Big 12.
So as much as people hate the Notre Dame "brand" and think the Fighting Irish are overrated, they have played really well this season. The one-point loss to Georgia is looking better and better as the Bulldogs keep destroying teams and make the SEC East look absolutely silly. Should Notre Dame win out, they could knock out some of their own competition for a CFP spot in N.C. State and Miami to strengthen their case as well.
[h/t The Spun]
