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NCAAF · 1 year ago

Fallout from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s Stunning Upset to NIU

Sammy Jacobs

Host · Writer

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5. Time to Join a Conference?
This ties into number four. Notre Dame prides itself on being independent in football, but money talks. If the Irish miss the CFP, is it time for them to re-evaluate their conference affiliation? Maybe there’s too much money on the line.
1. A Swing and a Miss on Riley Leonard?
Notre Dame went to the transfer portal again in 2024 for standout Duke quarterback Riley Leonard. He has not played well over the first two games. Leonard has not thrown a touchdown and has two interceptions while completing just 61 percent of his passes. His job security is not looking great right now.
2. New Group of Five Playoff Contender
The Group of Five gets one automatic bid to the College Football Playoff, which goes to the highest-rated team in the CFP rankings. It was thought that Liberty would run away with it this year, but NIU just scored a top-five win and finds itself in the top 25 with another shot at a P4 school later this month. But, despite the love, the Huskies are still +8000 to make the CFP.
3. Marcus Freeman’s Seat is Getting Hot
It is Year 3 for Freeman, who was handed the job without head coaching experience. He’s had some ups and downs so far at Notre Dame, and Week 1 saw him score a significant win on the road at Texas A&M. However, this is his second home loss to a G5 school. The Irish have high expectations, and Freeman is not meeting them.
4. Another At-Large Spot Open?
After Notre Dame's win over Texas A&M, pundits penciled them into the fifth seed for the CFP. Notre Dame can only get an at-large bid with no safety net of a conference championship. This loss could completely knock them out of the CFP, opening up another bid for a P4 conference school. Notre Dame's championship odds have moved from +1600 to +8000, and their odds to make the CFP are now +300 (tied for 16th best).
5. Time to Join a Conference?
This ties into number four. Notre Dame prides itself on being independent in football, but money talks. If the Irish miss the CFP, is it time for them to re-evaluate their conference affiliation? Maybe there’s too much money on the line.
1. A Swing and a Miss on Riley Leonard?
Notre Dame went to the transfer portal again in 2024 for standout Duke quarterback Riley Leonard. He has not played well over the first two games. Leonard has not thrown a touchdown and has two interceptions while completing just 61 percent of his passes. His job security is not looking great right now.

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