Here’s what has to happen for Notre Dame to make College Football Playoff

After falling to Cincinnati for their first loss of the year, Notre Dame football may have sunk their chances of returning to the College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame may not have the qualifications to make a return trip to the College Football Playoff.

Brian Kelly’s team is no longer undefeated after losing at home to No. 7 Cincinnati who made a playoff statement of their own behind the first win over a top-10 foe in program history.

But for the Irish, they have a long road to go and need a lot to happen to get back into the College Football Playoff conversation.

Can Notre Dame still make the College Football Playoff?

Let’s assume the SEC will get two teams in this year. And let’s assume those two teams are No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Georgia. One of those teams will lose to the other in the SEC Championship Game, so that leaves two spots open.

The Big Ten has four teams that look like they have a chance between Iowa, Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State. The Buckeyes are the only one with a loss so far. Iowa plays Penn State next week so one of them will have a loss. This could come down to a potentially undefeated Michigan and one-loss Ohio State getting the Big Ten bid.

Oklahoma hasn’t looked like world-beaters but the Sooners are undefeated and may not have much of a threat in the Big 12. If they beat Texas next week, they may be just as much of a lock as Alabama and Georgia.

Clemson losing twice means the ACC won’t have a berth this year.

That leaves Oregon who has a win over Ohio State, Cincinnati with a win over Notre Dame and the next tier of teams in the Big Ten and SEC fighting with the Irish for the last spot.

For Notre Dame to overtake Cincinnati, the Bearcats will have to lose twice, and the schedule may not even have a single loss on it.

Oregon could get tripped up, but as long as OhiO State doesn’t go in the tank their win over the Buckeyes will put them in good shape to be the best one-loss team behind the loser of the SEC Championship Game.

In short, Notre Dame needs Iowa, Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida and Cincinnati to lose twice.

That’s a lot to happen for Notre Dame to make the four-team field. Even in a 12-team field, they may not have the resume needed to get in this year.

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