Overview
- The final College Football Playoff rankings moved Miami to No. 10 for the last at‑large berth and dropped Notre Dame to No. 11, excluding the Irish from the 12‑team field.
- Notre Dame announced it will not play a postseason game and, per multiple reports, declined a Pop‑Tarts Bowl invitation that would have matched it with BYU.
- CFP chair Hunter Yurachek said a side‑by‑side comparison forced reliance on Miami’s 27‑24 Week 1 win after the committee rewatched the game and noted the Hurricanes’ defensive and athletic edge.
- Critics, including ESPN’s Joey Galloway, questioned why the Miami–Notre Dame flip was made on Selection Sunday after weeks of rankings that placed Notre Dame ahead.
- Debate over media influence intensified with reports of ESPN on‑air advocacy for Miami, while Notre Dame’s independent status means no conference fine for its opt‑out and raises concerns for non‑playoff bowl viability.