The 12-team playoff system has faced criticism since its conception, but this year’s Notre Dame team serves as a strong argument in its favor.
With the semifinals of the College Football playoffs to begin this week, it’s worth recognizing that the new 12-team playoff system is working as intended. Notre Dame will compete against Penn State in the Orange Bowl this Thursday. Ranked number seven and number six respectively, it’s a match-up that likely wouldn’t have occurred under the previous 4-team playoff system. Hypothetically, the 4-team playoff structure rewarded teams more for their strength of schedule and dominance – which would have likely given Penn State the nod over the likes of Arizona State and Boise. Notre Dame, however, would have still been on the outside looking in considering they have the “worst” loss on their record.
Considering that Notre Dame still operates as an independent entity in the FBS division, the university already had an uphill battle with no conference championship to grant them a way in. Having been upset by Northern Illinois in just their second game, Notre Dame knew they had to win out for the remainder of their schedule. Going undefeated since then, this included convincing performances against ranked Army and Navy teams – as well as close wins over Texas A&M and Louisville. Still, this probably wouldn’t have been enough to get a chance at the National Championship in the past.
Following up on what has been one of the most exciting college football seasons in recent memory, the playoff games so far have been (mostly) a series of trounces. Beating Georgia in a 23-10 romp, the Fighting Irish still have more to prove in the eyes of many. Despite his turbulent performances throughout the regular season, some feel that a healthy Carson Beck could have been a difference-maker for the Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. To put that discussion to bed, Notre Dame will have to show up again versus the Nittany Lions.
Part of why this year of college football has been such a spectacle has been the idea of opportunity present throughout every game, and how that idea built upon itself as the season went on. Notre Dame is no Cinderella story or stranger to the title shot, but they’re a good example of what’s possible in the current system.
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