College Football Playoff committee sending message to Notre Dame by leaving Irish out of 12-team field

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark criticized Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, calling his recent comments regarding the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) 'totally out of bounds.' This criticism follows Bevacqua's expressions of disappointment over Notre Dame's exclusion from the College Football Playoff (CFP), which he described as a significant injustice to the student-athletes.

Big 12 commissioner has publicly criticized Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua for what he termed 'egregious' behavior following Notre Dame's exclusion from the College Football Playoff (CFP). Bevacqua expressed profound disappointment, describing the decision as a theft from the student-athletes, which has sparked significant backlash and debate in the college football community.

Indiana University achieved a historic victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship, securing their first outright title since 1945. This match, which drew record viewership, showcased the competitive spirit of college football's top teams, with Indiana emerging as a formidable contender in the College Football Playoff landscape.

Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua has expressed his dissatisfaction with the exclusion of the Fighting Irish from the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) field, calling for a reevaluation of the playoff format. This decision has left the team feeling overlooked after a strong season, where they finished with a 10-2 record.

Philip Rivers, the former NFL quarterback, hosted Riley Leonard and his Notre Dame teammates in preparation for Leonard's final college football season, sharing insights and mentorship. Rivers recently signed with the Indianapolis Colts, where he will join Leonard as they navigate the team's quarterback challenges.

Notre Dame is facing a pivotal decision regarding its conference affiliation, weighing options between the Big Ten and SEC, while Penn State has officially hired Matt Campbell as its new head football coach following the dismissal of James Franklin. Additionally, Utah has entered into a groundbreaking private equity deal that could reshape its athletic program.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team concluded the 2025 season without a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP), leading to their withdrawal from bowl game consideration. Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua expressed profound disappointment, describing the exclusion as a theft from the student-athletes. This unexpected turn of events has left the program in a state of reflection as they enter the offseason.

Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the team's exclusion from the College Football Playoff (CFP), describing the decision as a significant injustice against the student-athletes following what he deemed one of the most dominant 10-game runs in recent history.