After a 10‑2 season that saw the Fighting Irish win ten straight games, Notre Dame announced it would not play in a bowl, citing disappointment at missing the 12‑team playoff.
The Season
The Irish finished 10‑2, dropping their first two games to Miami and Texas A&M, both of whom made the playoff field announced Sunday morning. They then won ten consecutive games, including blowout victories over ranked USC and Pitt.
Playoff Decision
Notre Dame ended up ranked 11th in the final College Football Playoff rankings, but the Sun Belt champion James Madison and American champion Tulane earned spots thanks to conference championships. As a result, the Irish opted to withdraw from bowl consideration.
“As a team, we’ve decided to withdraw our name from consideration for a bowl game following the 2025 season,” the university said. “We appreciate all the support from our families and fans, and we’re hoping to bring the 12th national title to South Bend in 2026.”
Other Teams Declining Bowl Participation
Iowa State and Kansas State, both hiring new coaches for the next season, have also declined to participate in bowl games and will be fined by the NCAA. It was not immediately clear if Notre Dame would be assessed a fine for not participating.
Key Takeaways
- Notre Dame declined bowl participation after a 10‑2 season and missing the playoff.
- The team finished 11th in CFP rankings but was edged out by conference champions James Madison and Tulane.
- Iowa State and Kansas State also declined bowl games, facing NCAA fines.
The decision underscores a growing trend among top‑five programs that, while not always enjoying the same glamour as traditional powerhouses, have produced some of the highest‑earning NFL players.
