Pat McAfee Breaks Down Notre Dame's College Football Playoff Hopes & Challenges

Sports talker and College GameDay analyst discusses Irish standing in CFP

Pat McAfee sits on the ESPN College Gameday set prior to the NCAA football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Since losing to Northern Illinois in early-September, the thought with Notre Dame has been that it has to win out and it will still likely get into the College Football Playoff.

Say it loses to Army or USC in the final two weeks of the season, could Notre Dame possibly have a little bit of wiggle room in making the playoff, however?

My first thought is an immediate "NO!" but the question was asked on Saturday morning's edition of College GameDay, and Pat McAfee seemed to think there is a path to the dance for a potential.10-2 Notre Dame team.

Pat McAfee on Notre Dame's Need to Win Out

McAfee mentioned Notre Dame's two wins over current ranked teams before discussing the growth of Riley Leonard and if the Irish have a path to the playoff it they lose again before the end of the year.

Notre Dame has 2 wins over 2 teams currently ranked in the top 25..

I think that’s a big deal when you’re talking about strength of schedule..

Riley Leonard is playing VERY good right now#CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/VHXY5dyao1

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 16, 2024

Nick Shepkowski's Quick Take

I think McAfee is nuts here. If Notre Dame falls to any of the three teams it has left on its schedule its chances of making the CFP are done unless absolute madness breaks out across the rest of college football.

Is there a path if Notre Dame loses any of its remaining three games?

Technically, sure, but the amount of hoops to jump through to get there are almost endless.

Just make life easier and win out, preferably in convincing fashion.

More from Notre Dame on Sports Illustrated

Bold Senior Day Predictions as Notre Dame Welcomes Virginia to South Bend

Why Notre Dame is a National Championship Contender in 2024

What an Ideal College Football Playoff Draw Would Look Like for Notre Dame

Notre Dame's Path to Hosting College Football Playoff Game Becomes More Clear

Latest National Notre Dame College Football Playoff and Bowl Projections

Notre Dame Updates Depth Chart Following Significant Injury for Virginia Game