Irish Breakdown

Notre Dame Football: 5 Most Likely Bowl Scenarios After the Loss to Northern Illinois

Now what for the Fighting Irish when it comes to bowl projections and where they might go?

Pete Fiutak

Notre Dame corner back Benjamin Morrison (20) walks with his team during warm ups before a NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Northern Illinois at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend.
Notre Dame corner back Benjamin Morrison (20) walks with his team during warm ups before a NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Northern Illinois at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend. / Michael Clubb / USA TODAY NETWORK
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4. Notre Dame Bowl Projection at 9-3

Notre Dame isn't getting into the 12-team expanded College Football Playoff at 9-3.

It's not that 9-3 can't get it done, it's that 9-3 means the Irish won't have the resumé to get in over other 9-3 options, much less than 10-2 ones, even if they lose to Florida State and at USC.

But the branding still matters, every bowl would want the Irish and the audience no matter what, and the prospect of a ten-win season - while a massive disappointment to Notre Dame fans - would still be great.

The Pop-Tarts Bowl would be possible, and the Gator Bowl would be gettable, but the best option would be in San Diego.

With nine wins the Holiday Bowl makes the most sense. Notre Dame is national, the ACC schools would want to be regional, and the people at FOX would LOVE this. So if ESPN can't figure it out ...

Notre Dame Bowl Projection at 7-5 or 8-4: Holiday Bowl vs Oregon

NEXT: No. 3 Notre Dame Bowl Projection at 10-2 ... and a loss at USC

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Pete Fiutak

PETE FIUTAK

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