The College Football Playoff Selection Committee made several notable statements when they selected the James Madison Dukes and Tulane Green Wave for the 12-team field over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame's College Football independence won't be rewarded. A conference championship could've gotten their resume over the top, but not playing on the ESPN family of networks cost them, while benefiting Tulane and James Madison.
The Fighting Irish were offered a clear edict to fully join the ACC, Big Ten, or SEC. It looks like Notre Dame instead may plan on using the SEC and B1G to spite the ACC, where they're a member in non-football sports.
AL.com's Joseph Goodman believes it's "absurdly stupid" that we're having this conversation at all, and that the Fighting Irish should've made the field over the Dukes and Green Wave.
"Alabama was chosen over Notre Dame based on the Tide’s body of work, but I understand Notre Dame’s anger after watching the SEC championship game. Alabama fans were angry, too. The Tide’s offense looked like it had been replaced by the guys from Bishop Sycamore," Goodman prefaced before saying, "Meanwhile, Notre Dame finished its season with 10-straight wins, was one of the hottest teams in the country and featured running back Jeremiyah Love, arguably the best player in the country.
"But never mind Alabama bumping off the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame is out of the playoff and James Madison and Tulane are in? It’s absurdly stupid. Isn’t the point of the College Football Playoff to feature the best teams?
"This whole thing needs a fresh start."
Alabama, not JMU or Tulane, should give up its spot to Notre Dame
The conversation keeps focusing on the wrong things. it's not about Notre Dame being snubbed for the Miami Hurricanes. Or JMU. Or Tulane.
The conversation should focus on the fact that the Alabama Crimson Tide unfairly secured a spot in the field, despite having three losses and being blown out 28-7 by the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game.
The SEC flexed on the rest of the sport by getting five teams into the field, but ESPN was the one flexing at the end of the day.
It was the one entity that refuses to play by the same rules as everyone else and maintains ties with NBC that got the shaft for it. Not the little guys, because even they appear on ESPN airwaves.