Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love: Irish ‘put ourselves in that position’ to miss Playoff
Fighting Irish Reflect on Playoff Snub, Opt Out of Bowl Game
NEW YORK – The sting of being left out of the College Football Playoff lingered for Notre Dame, but ultimately, the Fighting Irish decided a bowl game wouldn’t accurately represent the team they were – or the team they’re building for the future. Star running back Jeremiyah Love and other Heisman Trophy finalists addressed the decision Friday in Manhattan, framing it as a proactive choice driven by potential player opt-outs and a focus on 2025.
A Season of What-Ifs and a Committee Decision
Notre Dame finished the 2024 season with a strong 10-2 record, capped by a 10-game winning streak. However, that wasn’t enough to convince the College Football Playoff selection committee. The Irish were initially projected to be within the expanded 12-team field for weeks, but ultimately landed just outside, watching as other teams secured bids. The frustration was palpable, initially.
“Everybody at that time didn’t understand why,” Love admitted. “But once some time passed, we realized that we were only in that position because we put ourselves in that position.”
The early season losses to Miami and Texas A&M – by a combined four points – proved critical. Those setbacks forced Notre Dame to rely on the committee’s judgment, a situation they ultimately wanted to avoid repeating. The team’s fate, Love emphasized, was in their own hands, and they fell short of controlling it completely.
Beyond the Field: Athletic Director’s Criticism and ACC Dynamics
The disappointment extended beyond the players. Notre Dame’s athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, publicly voiced his concerns about the selection process and the role of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Bevacqua’s criticisms centered on the ACC’s lobbying efforts on behalf of Miami, which had defeated Notre Dame earlier in the season.
Notre Dame maintains an independent status in football, but has a long-standing scheduling agreement with the ACC. This unique arrangement often creates complex dynamics during conference championship and playoff considerations. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between maintaining independence and navigating the increasingly competitive landscape of college football.
The Opt-Out Factor and a Vision for 2025
Love’s comments hinted at a significant concern: potential player opt-outs. With the season over and the NFL draft looming, several key players might have chosen to forgo a bowl game to protect their future prospects. Rather than field a diminished squad, the team opted to focus on preparing for the 2025 season.
“Ultimately came down to us wanting to give the best representation of our 2025 football team,” Love explained. “We felt like we had a very special group, and at the end of the season, we weren’t going to have the same team that we did going into the bowl game. So we wanted to make sure that we didn’t want to represent the team in any light that it wasn’t throughout the whole 2025 season.”
This decision reflects a growing trend in college football, where players are increasingly prioritizing their long-term careers and carefully considering the risks and rewards of participating in non-playoff bowl games. According to data from the NCAA, the number of players opting out of bowl games has steadily increased in recent years, driven by concerns about injury and draft stock.
Heisman Aspirations and a Charitable Finish
Despite the playoff disappointment, Love remains focused on his Heisman Trophy candidacy. He’s aiming to become the first running back to win the prestigious award since Derrick Henry of Alabama in 2015. He finished the season with 1,372 rushing yards, a testament to his talent and the offensive line’s performance.
Love is competing against Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin for the Heisman. Mendoza and Sayin will lead their teams into the Playoff, while Pavia and Vanderbilt are headed to the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Before concluding their season, the Notre Dame team demonstrated their commitment to community service, participating in a charitable event earlier this week. This gesture underscores the program’s values and its dedication to making a positive impact beyond the football field.
The Broader Context: College Football’s Evolving Landscape
Notre Dame’s situation highlights the complexities of the modern college football landscape. The expansion of the Playoff to 12 teams was intended to increase access and reduce controversy, but it hasn’t eliminated the debate over selection criteria. The influence of conference affiliations, the impact of early-season losses, and the increasing prevalence of player opt-outs all contribute to the challenges of creating a fair and equitable system.
Globally, the influence of American football is expanding. According to a 2023 report by the Statista, the global American football market is projected to reach $18.49 billion by 2028, driven by increasing viewership and participation in international markets. This growth underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity and competitiveness of the sport at all levels.
Love concluded, “We understand, if we took care of business throughout the whole season, that there would have been no doubt we would have been in the College Football Playoff. But at the end of the day, we had the season that we had, which we’re not by any means disappointed, and we’re proud of the way we play. We’re proud of the way we ended the season. It just was disappointing that we didn’t get into the playoffs.”
ARTICOL ORIGINAL:
NEW YORK — Jeremiyah Love said Notre Dame not playing in a bowl game was a “team decision” and that the Fighting Irish put themselves in position to miss the College Football Playoff by leaving it up to the committee.
Love and the other Heisman Trophy finalists appeared Friday at a media availability in Midtown Manhattan. No. 11 Notre Dame’s season officially ended last Sunday when the school announced the team would not participate in a bowl after being left out of the Playoff.
Love alluded to the idea that many of Notre Dame’s best players might have opted out of a bowl game.
“Ultimately came down to us wanting to give the best representation of our 2025 football team,” Love said. “We felt like we had a very special group, and at the end of the season, we weren’t going to have the same team that we did going into the bowl game. So we wanted to make sure that we didn’t want to represent the team in any light that it wasn’t throughout the whole 2025 season.”
Notre Dame (10-2) ended the season on a 10-game winning streak and was the first team out of the CFP. The Irish had been ranked high enough to be in the 12-team field during a month’s worth of selection committee rankings before the committee moved them down one spot and out of the field in the final rankings.
Athletic director Pete Bevacqua spent several days publicly criticizing the selection process and the ACC, which publicly lobbied against Notre Dame as it tried to support No. 10 Miami, which defeated Notre Dame in Week 1. The Irish are independent in football but members of the ACC for most sports. Notre Dame also has a yearly football scheduling agreement with the ACC.
Love said the initial reaction to not making the CFP left out was sadness.
“Everybody at that time didn’t understand why,” he said. “But once, a few days went by, once some time passed by, we realized that we were only in that position because we put ourselves in that position.”
Notre Dame began the season 0-2 with losses to Miami and No. 7 Texas A&M by a total of 4 points.
“At the end of the day, we left it up to the committee to decide whether we’re going to be in the playoffs or not,” Love said.
Love, who ran for 1,372 yards this season, is trying to become the first running back to win the Heisman since Derrick Henry in 2015. The other finalists are Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. Mendoza and Sayin lead their teams into the Playoff as the No. 1 and 2 seeds, respectively. Pavia and No. 14 Vanderbilt are heading to the ReliaQuest Bowl against No. 23 Iowa.
Notre Dame closed out its season, Love said, with a team charity event earlier this week.
“We understand, if we took care of business throughout the whole season, that there would have been no doubt we would have been in the College Football Playoff,” Love said. “But at the end of the day, we had the season that we had, which we’re not by any means disappointed, and we’re proud of the way we play. We’re proud of the way we ended the season. It just was disappointing that we didn’t get into the playoffs.”