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Former Notre Dame defender Jordan Clark reacting in the middle of a college football game.
After playing in the national championship game just eight months ago, Notre Dame football’s season is suddenly on the ropes after just two weeks. The Fighting Irish fell to Texas A&M Saturday night, 41-40, in a wild game that was decided in the final seconds.
After last week’s top-10 loss to Miami, Notre Dame has started 0-2 for the first time since 2011, with both losses coming against ranked opponents.
As CBS Sports noted, “heading into the weekend, Notre Dame’s path to the College Football Playoff appeared straightforward. After Saturday’s loss to No. 16 Texas A&M, that clarity has vanished. The Fighting Irish are 0-2, falling to two ranked opponents, and the rest of the schedule offers few opportunities for signature wins.”
Late Game Mistakes Doom Notre Dame in 41-40 Loss to Texas A&M
This game was a back-and-forth thriller that was one for the ages. Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns, with Mississippi State transfer Mario Craver accounting for 207 of those yards and a score. The duo gave Notre Dame’s defense problems all night.
After the Irish regained the lead with just under three minutes left, they failed to convert the extra point when holder Tyler Buchner mishandled the snap, leaving the door open for the Aggies.
Then, on Texas A&M’s final drive, Notre Dame nearly sealed the game with an interception, but the pass was dropped. Just a few plays later, Reed connected with tight end Nate Boerkircher for the game-winning touchdown.
Irish fans will point to several moments where the game slipped away, but the larger issue was clear: Notre Dame’s defensive struggles were extremely apparent. As noted in Sports Illustrated, “this team, specifically the defense, is absolutely nothing like a year ago. This is a group that needs to figure it out fast, because it’s getting really late, really early in South Bend.”
Notre Dame’s 0-2 Start Leaves College Football Playoff Path Slim
After starting the season 0-2, the biggest question is whether a 10-2 finish would be enough for Notre Dame to reach the College Football Playoff. As an independent program without a conference championship game opportunity to bolster their resume, the Irish face an even steeper climb.
As CBS Sports noted, “Last season, the Irish lost to Northern Illinois in Week 2 yet still climbed to the No. 7 seed in the CFP, aided by a win over then-No. 20 Texas A&M and three additional ranked victories. This year, that kind of runway doesn’t exist.”
The problem for Notre Dame is opportunity. As the rankings stand now, Notre Dame does not have another ranked matchup left on their schedule. After a 3-0 start, USC has a chance to climb up into the rankings, and Boise State could possibly return as well, but beyond those matchups, Notre Dame has very limited opportunities to add quality wins. To stay alive in the playoff conversation, the Irish would need chaos across college football to help open the door.
After Saturday’s heartbreaking loss, Notre Dame’s margin for error is gone. Even marquee wins later this season may not be enough. For now, all Marcus Freeman and the Irish can focus on is handling their business week by week, though the prospect of a 10-2 Notre Dame team sparking debate on Selection Sunday is already easy to imagine.
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