‘That’s What I’m Worried About’ — Hall of Famer Michael Irvin Raises a Stink Over Notre Dame’s Guaranteed Entry Into CFP Top 12
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Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame is heading into the 2026 season as one of the most probable College Football Playoff contenders.
The Fighting Irish have a litany of reasons to live up to those sky-high expectations, but Hall of Famer Michael Irvin is concerned that Notre Dame’s playoff advantage this season could create problems for his alma mater, the Miami Hurricanes.
Michael Irvin Questions Notre Dame’s Playoff Advantage Ahead of Miami Clash
Notre Dame was left stunned last season after being excluded from the 12-team College Football Playoff. The Irish were in the top 10 in every CFP ranking leading up to Selection Sunday, only to fall to No. 11 in the final rankings and become the first team left out.
Miami, which defeated Notre Dame in Week 1, jumped ahead of the Irish in the final rankings. Meanwhile, things later became more promising for the Irish after the CFP introduced a revised format that guarantees Notre Dame a playoff berth if it finishes among the top 12 in the final rankings.
Notre Dame’s highest-ranked opponents in 2026 include Miami and BYU. However, the Nov. 7 game with Miami is already one of the most anticipated games of the season, particularly after what happened between the two teams last year.
For Notre Dame, the formula is to finish in the top 12 and secure a playoff spot. But the new provision adds pressure on Miami, which Irvin is concerned about.
“About this promise to Notre Dame, we are going to get you in if you’re in the top 10, top 12, and now that promise means if Miami is ranked high, we gotta make sure they win that game,” Irvin told Edgerrin James on The White House Podcast on Friday.
“I don’t care (about) that. That’s (what) people are going to be saying, and I’m worried about that.”
Meanwhile, James said that he simply wants the game to be played fairly. He also believes both teams should still have a chance to reach the playoffs.
The timing of the Miami-Notre Dame game is very crucial. Irvin thinks the matchup could have a major impact on Miami’s standing, as Notre Dame will aim to exact revenge for last season while simultaneously kicking Miami out of the CFP race.
“That’s what I’m worried about right there,” Irvin said. “Because they think we can take care of two birds with one stone. We can get ahead of Miami, and hopefully Miami don’t ever get back in this thing again, but we don’t see that happening.”
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However, the CFP’s revised format also grants automatic bids to the ACC, which means Notre Dame defeating Miami would not necessarily end the Hurricanes’ playoff hopes.
Miami could still earn a CFP berth by winning the ACC.
PFN currently projects Notre Dame with an 88.1% chance of reaching the CFP, while Miami has a 74.2% probability.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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