The College Football Playoff debate is heating up, and this time the target is Notre Dame. After last season's controversial exclusion, the Fighting Irish are being accused of finding a backdoor into the postseason—one that critics say is rigged in their favor. The charge? That Notre Dame is 'cheating' college football by securing what some call a 'free pass' to the playoff.
USA Today columnist Matt Hayes didn't mince words in his latest diatribe, claiming that fans and teams alike are being hoodwinked. "We're getting cheated, people," Hayes wrote. "We've been sold a bag of College Football Playoff goods—a free pass, no less—that the SEC and Big Ten willingly gave Notre Dame for some long-gone ideal of 'television loves the Irish.' Only television doesn't love Notre Dame. It loves compelling games."
The controversy stems from Notre Dame's scheduling strategy and the recent expansion of the playoff to 12 teams. Last year, the Irish were so incensed by their playoff snub that they boycotted their bowl game, and the administration allegedly made moves to ensure they'd never be left out again. Now, with a top-10 matchup against BYU on the horizon, Hayes argues that a win would do little to validate the Irish's credentials.
"Not an SEC or Big Ten heavyweight, but BYU—the school that last season played two difficult games and lost both to Texas Tech. Just in case you've forgotten, Texas Tech didn't score a point on Oregon in last year's CFP quarterfinals," Hayes continued. "A Notre Dame win over BYU no more validates Irish bonafides than an Ole Miss win over Louisville. Same thing, different teams."
The backlash from fans was swift and fierce. "Imagine being mad about a team in the top 12 getting a spot in a 12 team playoff," one user on X quipped. "From an SEC homer. Imagine actually typing it is unjust that if Notre Dame finishes in the top 12 they're guaranteed a playoff spot and thinking this is a free pass. Shouldn't every team ranked in the top 12 get into the playoff? It's such a non issue it's laughable," wrote another. A third added, "Writing this article and not even mentioning, much more explain, what happened to ND last year is so revealing. You can almost taste the emotional and seething hatred while reading this."
At the heart of the debate is whether Notre Dame's path to the playoff is truly easier than other contenders'. The Irish have long been known for their independent status and a schedule that often lacks the grind of SEC or Big Ten play. But with the playoff expanding, some argue that any team ranked in the top 12 deserves a shot, regardless of conference affiliation.
Meanwhile, the Week 7 college football slate is packed with ranked showdowns that could reshape the playoff picture. And with College GameDay's antics drawing criticism, the spotlight on the sport's biggest stage is only intensifying. Even the sign restrictions at Provo for the BYU game have become a talking point, adding another layer to the drama.
So, is Notre Dame truly cheating their way into the playoff? Or is this just sour grapes from a media member with an axe to grind? The answer may depend on where you sit—and which team you root for.
