Texas Upset Over Ohio State Could Clear Notre Dame's Path to CFP Top Seed
Notre Dame took care of business Saturday with a dominant 52-0 shutout of Rice, but the real story for Fighting Irish fans came later in the day when Texas stormed back from a 23-3 halftime deficit to stun Ohio State, 24-23. That result reshuffled the College Football Playoff picture and may have quietly improved Notre Dame's chances of landing the No. 1 overall seed.
The Longhorns jumped to No. 1 in the AP Poll after the win, while Ohio State tumbled to No. 6. But for Notre Dame, the bigger picture is what lies ahead for both teams, and the schedules are loaded with potential pitfalls.
Texas and Ohio State Face Brutal Remaining Schedules
Texas still has to travel to Tennessee, face Oklahoma at a neutral site, host Ole Miss, and hit the road against both LSU and Texas A&M. That gauntlet leaves plenty of room for a second loss, even after Saturday's marquee victory.
Ohio State's road is no easier. The Buckeyes have trips to Iowa, Indiana, and USC still on the docket, plus a home showdown with Michigan. A second loss is hardly out of the question there.
For Iowa fans, Ohio State's visit to Kinnick Stadium on October 10 just got a lot more interesting. The Hawkeyes have a history of knocking off top-tier opponents in Iowa City, and with the Buckeyes already showing vulnerability, that game could have major CFP implications.
Notre Dame's Path to the No. 1 Seed
Notre Dame's route to the top seed is straightforward but demanding. The Fighting Irish must finish 12-0, and they need help. A one-loss Big Ten or SEC champion will be tough to unseat, so Notre Dame needs its wins over Miami and BYU to look as impressive as possible down the stretch.
If Miami finishes 12-1 and wins the ACC in convincing fashion, that boosts Notre Dame's resume significantly. The same goes for BYU, which has looked strong early in the season.
CFP Projection After Week 2
Here's how the College Football Playoff field shapes up after two weeks of action:
- 1. Indiana
- 2. Notre Dame
- 3. Georgia
- 4. Texas Tech
- 5. Miami
- 6. Texas
- 7. Ohio State
- 8. LSU
- 9. Alabama
- 10. Texas A&M
- 11. Penn State
- 12. Memphis
First Round Matchups
- 5. Miami vs. 12. Memphis
- 6. Texas vs. 11. Penn State
- 7. Ohio State vs. 10. Texas A&M
- 8. LSU vs. 9. Alabama
Notre Dame's Biggest Weakness: The Run Game
Despite the perfect start, Notre Dame has a glaring concern. The Fighting Irish run game has not shown the consistency needed to win a national championship. That's the one thing holding this team back right now.
Head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock have time to fix it, but it's a question mark that looms large. Georgia and Indiana both have defenses that match up well with Notre Dame's current offensive limitations.
What This Means for the Rest of the Season
We're only two weeks into the season, and there's plenty of football left to play. Notre Dame has the talent and the schedule to make a serious run, but the running game must improve. The Irish face Michigan State this week, followed by a trip to Miami on October 4, which will be a major test.
For now, the Fighting Irish are in a strong position. The Texas win over Ohio State may have bumped Notre Dame down a spot in the rankings, but it also opened the door wider for the Irish to claim the top seed if they handle their business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Notre Dame still earn the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff?
Yes, but only if the Fighting Irish finish 12-0 and get help from other teams. A one-loss Big Ten or SEC champion would be difficult to unseat, so Notre Dame needs its wins over Miami and BYU to carry significant weight.
How does Texas beating Ohio State help Notre Dame?
Both Texas and Ohio State have brutal remaining schedules with multiple potential losses. If either team drops a second game, it opens the door for an undefeated Notre Dame to claim the top seed.
What is Notre Dame's biggest weakness this season?
The run game has been inconsistent through the first two weeks. Until the Fighting Irish show they can run the ball effectively against top-tier defenses, they will face questions about their ability to win a national championship.
This article was adapted from reporting by Nick Shepkowski, originally published on SI.com.