After a heartbreaking loss to Northern Illinois on September 7th, head coach Marcus Freeman has improved his team with each passing game. They are crushing their opponents like they are the beasts out there! Currently; they are holding a solid 8-1 record in the 2024 college football season. But look at their playoff hopes! As per the ESPN playoff predictor, Notre Dame has only a 66 percent chance to play among the 12 teams in the playoffs. Now college football analysts are sensing something fishy for this year’s college football playoffs.

On the ESPN college football show’s recent episode released on November 12th, Pat McAfee talked with the sports experts who predicted which teams can be in the playoffs and which names will get snubbed from the 12 teams list. ESPN analyst Heather Dinich made some shocking revelations about favouritism in the final playoff rankings.

“The fifth team from the SEC potentially coming if Notre Dame loses. That’s the only way you think that maybe five SEC teams get there, especially at three losses. Yes, because I think if Notre Dame loses, that opens the door. But think about this too. What if you have BYU as the runner-up in the Big 12? If you have Colorado as the two-lost Big 12 champion and BYU’s only loss is a close game to Colorado, then do you have two Big 12 teams that, to me, are going to be a good debate for the selection committee, a three-loss SEC team or a one-loss BYU Big 12 runner-up?”

If that happens, it will be a real injustice to Notre Dame and head coach Marcus Freeman. After all, our man has worked so hard to earn that 8-1 record. They’ll be playing against Virginia this weekend; if what Heather has pointed out comes true, then the upcoming game is going to be a game-changer for Marcus Freeman’s team. The fifth SEC team Heather pointed out with 3 losses in Georgia, who recently got defeated by Ole Miss.

And the argument? Well, they say Georgia has the toughest schedule in the country. You’ll be shocked to hear that the analysts are even predicting that Ole Miss might not be in the playoffs, but Georgia will be. What kind of favoritism is that, man? With that, let’s learn both Georgia and Notre Dame’s remaining schedules.

Marcus Freeman’s team’s remaining schedule against The Bulldogs

The last three games of the fighting Irish will decide their fate in the playoffs. Marcus Freeman’s boys will be facing Virginia next on November 16, holding 96 percent to win. Virginia is coming out of a 19-24 loss to Pittsburgh. Notre Dame will be facing the Army on November 23 with an 89 percent chance to secure another win.

However, their last game will be on November 29th against the USC Trojans. Although the Trojan’s playoff hopes are underwater, this game holds so much intrigue because of the rivalry. But shockingly, the Irish hold only a 69 percent chance of winning this game. If they lose this game, their playoffs might also be affected.

On the other hand, the Georgia Bulldogs were certainly determined to be in the playoffs after last year’s painful exit, even after losing a single game. Everyone stopped talking about Kirby Smart’s loss to the Saban-less Alabama, but a recent loss to Ole Miss sprinkled salt on their wounds. Not sure if it is good news or bad! The Georgia Bulldogs still hold a strong 73 percent chance to make it to the playoffs. That’s just wild!