ACC Chief Finally Wakes Up to ND Playoff Plea
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips has belatedly declared support for a 24-team College Football Playoff—citing Notre Dame’s 2025 squad—despite sitting on his hands when the Irish were fighting for a spot last December. While ESPN and the SEC narrative painted Miami as ND’s rival for the final berth, Alabama cruised in despite a shaky season. Phillips now claims Notre Dame “was a Playoff-worthy team,” even though his silence last year didn’t help when it mattered most.
Isn’t it adorable when someone finally remembers your birthday…six months late? Jim Phillips swoops in like the guy who shows up at the party after everyone’s already left and demands a second slice of cake. Sure, praising Notre Dame’s playoff bona fides now is as useful as rain in a desert—everyone’s dried up and moved on. But let’s give credit where it’s due: he’s the hero we didn’t ask for. Next up: commending the sun for shining.
Why USC Can’t Quit the Notre Dame Matchup
Despite Big Ten expansion and an impending Playoff increase, USC coach Lincoln Riley lacks statement wins within conference play. Riley is just 1-6 against top-15 conference foes, matching his 1-1 record vs. Notre Dame under his tenure. For the Trojans, reviving the annual USC–Notre Dame rivalry provides a marquee non-conference test that can boost résumé and fan excitement in an era when Power Five schedules risk becoming a blur of overfamiliar opponents.
USC’s football gods apparently said, “Sure, let’s swap out the most storied rivalry for an easy walk in the park.” But nothing says “we’re desperate” like begging for a tough opponent to pad your playoff hopes. It’s like eating kale to advertise you’re healthy—painful, awkward, yet you’ll brag about it endlessly. So go ahead, Trojans, light that hot take torch: you need the Irish more than they need you, but at least you’ll have something to talk about besides conference realignment.
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