### Notre Dame's Bold Decision: Skipping Bowl Games After CFP Snub In a surprising turn of events, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have opted to forgo participation in any bowl games following their exclusion from the College Football Playoff (CFP). This decision comes after a season where the team finished with a commendable 10-2 record, including a ten-game winning streak. The Irish's omission from the playoff has sparked significant backlash from the university's athletic department, particularly from Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua, who has publicly criticized the CFP selection process as unfair and a "farce" [https://abc7chicago.com/post/notre-dame-ad-says-cfp-selection-committee-pulled-rug-farce/18261423]. ### Breakdown of the Situation: Key Elements of Notre Dame's Decision 1. **CFP Exclusion**: Notre Dame was ranked No. 11 in the final CFP standings, missing out on the 12-team playoff despite a strong season [https://www.yardbarker.com/general_sports/articles/major_college_football_program_declines_bowl_game_after_college_football_playoff_snub/s1_17022_43173721]. 2. **Criticism of the Selection Process**: Bevacqua expressed disbelief and frustration over the committee's decision, stating that the playoff berth felt "stolen" from the team [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/football/2025/12/07/notre-dame-cfp-bracket-snub-pete-bevacqua/87658857007]. 3. **Decision to Skip Bowl Games**: Following the CFP snub, Notre Dame announced it would not accept any bowl invitations, emphasizing their dissatisfaction with the selection process [https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/sports/ncaaf/notre-dame-opts-out-of-bowl-game-after-failing-to-reach-college-football-playoff/3672432]. 4. **Impact on Other Teams**: Notre Dame's withdrawal opened the door for a 5-7 team to take the final bowl spot, highlighting the competitive nature of college football and the implications of the CFP's decisions [https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/notre-dame-football-news-5-7-team-gets-final-bowl-spot-after-withdrawal]. ### Supporting Evidence: Performance and Rankings - **Season Record**: Notre Dame finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, including notable victories against ranked opponents [https://www.yardbarker.com/general_sports/articles/major_college_football_program_declines_bowl_game_after_college_football_playoff_snub/s1_17022_43173721]. - **Final CFP Rankings**: The committee's final rankings placed Notre Dame at No. 11, just outside the playoff, while Miami, which had a head-to-head victory over Notre Dame, was ranked higher [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/why-notre-dame-missed-college-football-playoff-2025/8e0380af35cfdbf62b21ea17]. - **Public Statements**: Bevacqua's comments reflect a broader sentiment of frustration within the Notre Dame community regarding the perceived inequities in the selection process [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/12/08/notre-dame-skipping-bowl-game-college-football-playoff/87667829007]. ### Conclusion: Notre Dame's Stand Against the CFP In summary, Notre Dame's decision to skip bowl games following their CFP exclusion underscores a significant moment in college football, reflecting both the competitive pressures of the sport and the frustrations with the playoff selection process. 1. **CFP Exclusion**: Notre Dame's strong season ended in disappointment as they were left out of the playoff. 2. **Public Outcry**: Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua's criticisms highlight the dissatisfaction with the selection committee's decisions. 3. **Strategic Withdrawal**: By opting out of bowl games, Notre Dame aims to make a statement about their perceived mistreatment in the playoff selection process. This situation not only affects Notre Dame but also has broader implications for the college football landscape, as it raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the CFP selection process [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/us-sport/notre-dame-football-team-bowl-games-withdraw-cfp-b2879786.html].