ESPN’s Paul Finebaum argues Notre Dame, now 7‑1 and ranked No. 4, “has no business” in the College Football Playoff unless it beats top‑seed Miami in South Bend. Finebaum says the Irish’s 40.3‑point offense and 13.4‑point defense aren’t enough without a marquee win, citing last season’s 10‑2 record that left them out at No. 11. He notes a tougher landscape after seven top‑25 upsets on Halloween, but also highlights Notre Dame’s safety net: a top‑12 finish guarantees a spot. The upcoming Miami clash, with the Hurricanes averaging 49 points, will be the decisive test.
Notre Dame remains steady in the latest College Football rankings, holding No. 4 in the AP Top 25 and No. 5 in the Coaches Poll as the CFP rankings approach. Despite a dominant 35‑13 victory over Navy, the Irish saw no movement, but an upcoming showdown with No. 1 Miami could boost their CFP chances and shake up the top‑5. Analyst predicts the team will stay in the top 10 but likely slip out of the top five when the playoff committee releases its final list.
Entering Week 10, Miami stays atop the AP Top 25 after a 38-35 win over North Carolina, remaining one of three unbeaten FBS teams. USC shocks No. 2 Ohio State, while Northwestern and Oklahoma State also pull off upsets on Oct. 31. Georgia drops to No. 2, followed by Utah, Notre Dame and UCLA in the new poll. The full AP Top 25 list is provided, with notable votes for Northwestern, Oregon and UTSA. The AP rankings, key to College Football Playoff selection, date back to 1936, underscoring their historic significance.
The Big 12 has officially admitted it erred on a goal‑line call that gave BYU a touchdown against Arizona State on Oct. 31. After a replay review, officials ruled the ball dead and awarded the score, but the conference says the ball should have been awarded to ASU at the two‑yard line, giving BYU a third‑and‑goal instead. The disputed play put BYU ahead 7‑0 early, and they eventually won 31‑24, improving to 7‑1 and staying in the CFP race. This marks the second recent replay mistake involving BYU, following a similar admission from the BYU‑Notre Dame game on Oct. 17.
College football fans are lamenting a loss of the sport's traditional 'villain' – a dominant team to hate. The author argues that NIL deals and the transfer portal have leveled the playing field, weakening depth at powerhouses like Alabama and spreading talent to mid‑tier programs. Without a perennial dynasty such as Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide, Ohio State, Texas or Notre Dame, viewers lack the petty hate that once drove TV ratings and weekly excitement. Playoff expansion and increased parity further dilute drama, leaving fans yearning for a clear adversary to rally against.
The Game Haus releases its November 1 College Football Playoff bracketology, highlighting the current first‑round byes and hosts. Miami (8‑0) and Georgia (7‑1) lead the byes, with UCLA, Utah and Indiana also in the mix. BYU, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Texas, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Boise State round out the top 12, each with key wins and upcoming matchups noted. Notable games include Miami at Notre Dame, Georgia at Ole Miss, and Utah versus BYU. The list also flags LSU and other teams on the bubble as the CFP committee weighs strength of record and eye‑test factors.
Week 9 of college football delivers five clear takeaways. Ohio State’s title hopes sputter after backup QB Luke Fahey’s inefficient start in a 24‑17 loss to USC, exposing depth issues. Georgia rebounds from an upset loss to Auburn with a dominant 27‑8 win over Florida, reasserting its elite status. Indiana’s overtime win over Minnesota highlights offensive woes and a quarterback shuffle that could jeopardize a CFP bid. Notre Dame’s margin for error shrinks after a narrow victory over Navy and a lackluster schedule, making a win over Miami crucial for CFP aspirations. Meanwhile, Utah’s 49‑25 road triumph over Cincinnati keeps its CFP dream alive.
Week 10 college football rankings reveal a season of chaos and shifting power. Unranked USC shocked No. 2 Ohio State, while Miami stays unbeaten at 8‑0 but shows defensive cracks after allowing 34 points to North Carolina. Georgia climbs to No. 2 after a stout defensive showing, though concerns linger over Gunner Stockton’s pass game. Notre Dame jumps to No. 4 after a 28‑0 second‑half surge against Navy, but a slow start could haunt them against Miami’s high‑scoring offense. Utah breaks into the top five, riding quarterback Devon Dampier’s play and a recent win over Houston. Indiana, sparked by a quarterback swap and a 60‑yard field goal, sits at No. 7 after an overtime win over Minnesota.
Notre Dame beats Navy 35-13 to improve to 7-1, but its playoff résumé takes a blow as two scheduled opponents falter. Wisconsin, now No. 25, is shut out 30-0 by Iowa, and No. 19 SMU drops a 30-27 decision at Syracuse, erasing potential top‑25 wins for the Irish. Analysts warn the upcoming home game against No. 1 Miami is now a must‑win, and the SMU matchup loses its boost. The Irish must win on the field to stay in CFP contention.
ESPN announces that College GameDay will broadcast live from South Bend on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, ahead of the Notre Dame vs. Miami showdown. The road show follows Notre Dame’s 35‑13 victory over Navy, and while Miami still faces North Carolina, the South Bend game could serve as a de‑facto playoff decider for a top‑five spot. Expect a full day of hype, analysis and fan excitement as the marquee matchup approaches.
No. 13 Stanford will conclude the regular season home slate with a top-15 matchup against No. 9 Notre Dame on Sunday
Notre Dame’s secondary faces a growing crisis after starting cornerback DJ McKinney suffers an ankle injury at BYU that will sideline him through the Nov. 7 clash with No. 1 Miami. Coach Marcus Freeman confirms an “extended period of football” for McKinney, leaving Jayden Sanders as the next starter while his backup Mark Zachery recovers from a concussion. Freshmen Chaz Smith is out for the season, and Khary Adams remains limited. With ranked opponents Miami and No. 19 SMU looming, the Irish must rely on nickel back Christian Gray and safety Joey O’Brien to fill the gaps.
During the Oct. 17, 2026 clash where No. 8 BYU edged No. 2 Notre Dame 28‑24, College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit mistakenly said Notre Dame was “still thinking of trying to win this thing in regulation,” implying a three‑point deficit instead of the actual four. Chris Fowler corrected him on air, and New York host Dave McDonald blasted Herbstreit on the Oct. 22 Davey Mac Sports Program, calling him “air‑headed.” The gaffe adds to a pattern of analyst slip‑ups, including recent misguided remarks about Indiana’s offense. Herbstreit, a former Ohio State QB and long‑time ESPN analyst, says he’ll keep focusing on his work despite the backlash.
Veteran coach Brian Kelly, the all‑time winningest leader at Notre Dame with 113 victories, outlines why three open head‑coach jobs—Baylor (Big 12), Maryland (Big Ten), and NC State (ACC)—stand out. On SiriusXM College Sports Radio he highlights Maryland’s fertile DMV recruiting, NC State’s ACC appeal amid shifting power dynamics, and Baylor’s Texas talent pipeline and playoff potential. Though Kelly isn’t yet linked to any vacancy, he admits rumors about his name are uncomfortable and says he focuses on daily work. The former LSU boss hints at a possible return to college football, leaving fans to wonder which program could be his next stop.
No. 5 Notre Dame looks to answer its first loss of the season when it faces Navy on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
During BYU’s 28-24 upset of No. 2 Notre Dame on Oct. 17, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit sparked controversy with a comment that seemed to overlook the Irish’s four‑point deficit, suggesting they might still consider a field goal. New York radio host Dave McDonald erupted on the Oct. 22 Davey Mac Sports Program, hurling profanity‑filled insults at Herbstreit and accusing him of a basic scoring blunder. Co‑host Chris Fowler quickly clarified the situation, noting a touchdown was the only realistic win. The incident drew criticism from Awful Announcing and fans, while also highlighting Herbstreit’s packed schedule that day. The article examines the exchange, the game’s key moments, and whether the pundit’s remark was a genuine mistake or a phrasing misstep.
Brian Kelly weighs in on the three Power‑5 vacancies that opened after NC State, Baylor and Maryland each dismissed their head coaches. On a SiriusXM interview with Danny Kanell, Kelly praises the ACC allure of NC State’s recruiting belt, the Big Ten’s prestige and DMV talent pool at Maryland, and the Texas‑rich talent and playoff potential at Baylor. He notes how NIL, the transfer portal and the expanded CFP change the attractiveness of these jobs, and suggests each program could quickly become a national contender with the right hire.
After BYU’s first loss (39-31 in double overtime to UCF) dropped the Cougars from No. 2 to No. 8 in the AP Top 25, former Heisman winner Robert Griffin III took to X to argue they deserve a higher spot than Notre Dame. Griffin points out both teams sit at 1‑1, with BYU holding a 28‑24 head‑to‑head win. While Notre Dame slipped only one place, BYU fell six spots, now sitting behind undefeated Utah and UCLA. Griffin’s protest highlights the poll’s voting breakdown as BYU looks to rebound against Arizona State.
Indiana football climbs to No. 4 in the latest AP Top‑25, jumping from No. 6 and overtaking Notre Dame after a 13‑6 win over Michigan. The Hoosiers’ only loss was a narrow defeat to No. 2 Ohio State, while they hold a ranked victory over No. 20 Northwestern. Upcoming games vs. Minnesota and USC could solidify their top‑5 spot. The article also notes related coverage on Indiana’s basketball NIL spending and fan sentiment about the program’s national contender status.
During Notre Dame’s recent bye week, fans and pundits flooded social media with heated takes on college football’s power balance. Critics argued the SEC’s dominance is overstated, while others warned that BYU’s stumble against UCF hurts Notre Dame’s CFP chances, emphasizing the need for BYU to keep winning. The post highlights these online overreactions, using a cheeky “cheesburger” analogy, and sets the stage for the upcoming game week.
Week 8 of the college football season erupts with four top‑11 AP teams losing, deepening the playoff scramble. Black Shoe Diaries’ bracketology now lists Miami, Georgia, Ohio State and Utah as the P4 champions, with Boise State leading the G6 race. At‑large contenders include Indiana, Notre Dame, UCLA, BYU, Kentucky, Alabama and Texas, while teams like Ole Miss and LSU hover on the outside. Notable shifts: James Madison slips in the G6 race after a loss; Kentucky climbs three spots after beating Vanderbilt; BYU’s 39‑31 defeat at UCF hurts its margin, though its win over Notre Dame remains crucial. The Big Ten sits in chaos, and Wake Forest quietly emerges as a potential at‑large.
On his Saturday Down South show, analyst Josh Pate argues Kentucky should rank ahead of Notre Dame in the Week 8 AP poll, citing the Wildcats’ superior resume and top position in ESPN’s strength‑of‑record metric. He dismisses neutral‑field win‑probability arguments, claiming a blind resume test would favor Kentucky ten‑to‑one. Kentucky sits alone atop the SEC, is on a bye week, and prepares to travel to Tennessee on Nov. 7, while Notre Dame remains ahead in the poll despite Pate’s criticism.
The ACC’s new “Receipts” ad campaign, spotted during fall ACC Network games, introduces Mr. and Mrs. ACC as fans of all 18 conference schools, including Notre Dame. While the initial spots celebrate conference highlights, the writer speculates that future installments could take a darker turn—imagine a Curry Barker‑directed series that flips from nostalgic moments to revealing legal battles involving Clemson, FSU and a possible SEC‑related lawsuit, with ominous music and stark visuals. The piece teases how the campaign might evolve over the 2026‑27 athletic year, mixing fan cheer with potential controversy.
Week 8 sees Notre Dame still riding a 7‑1 record, but its opponents are struggling. Wisconsin (5‑2, AP #25) lost to USC 24‑7, while Rice (1‑7) fell to FAU 51‑49. Michigan State (2‑6) dropped a 28‑10 game to UCLA and Purdue (3‑4) sat out with a bye. North Carolina (4‑3) lost a nail‑biter to Syracuse 31‑30 and Stanford (4‑4) was beaten by NC State 31‑28. BYU (6‑1) fell to UCF 39‑31, and Navy (2‑5) suffered a 49‑39 defeat at North Texas. The Irish remain heavy favorites despite a recent 28‑24 loss to BYU, and they head to New England to face Navy next.
There are several curious rankings in the Week 9 US LBM Coaches Poll, along with a big move up by UCLA and Utah. Here is the latest Top 25.