Progrums

Notre Dame’s Hypothetical Run in a 24-Team CFP

Although opposed to postseason expansion, the author imagines how Notre Dame would’ve navigated a leaked 24-team College Football Playoff bracket. Starting with Georgia Tech at home, the Fighting Irish draw Ole Miss in the Round of 16 before a neutral-site quarterfinal likely against Georgia. A projected semifinal against Miami offers a chance for redemption after an early-season loss, with CJ Carr’s growth tilting odds. Finally, questions linger on whether Notre Dame could’ve handled Indiana’s power game in the title matchup, despite offensive short-yardage struggles and a stout Hoosiers front.

In a world where playoff brackets leak faster than coaches’ excuses, we’re treated to Notre Dame’s fairy-tale bracket—a path so smooth it makes red carpet installers blush. Campus quarterfinals? Check. SEC pats on the back? Double check. Neutral-field grudge matches against archrivals? Oh, please—this is peak sports fantasy booking. And while our author pretends to frown at expansion, you can almost hear him giggle at the thought of ND steamrolling everyone in cardinal and gold. Forget Cinderella; this is the Fighting Irish in a Disney crossover with March Madness—with just enough Group of Six hand-wringing to remind us they’re still humble.