While it’s clear that Notre Dame must defeat Penn State on Thursday to keep their College Football Playoff championship hopes alive, it’s also time to get a little optimistic.
The new 12-team playoff format has changed the game for the better, in my opinion. Though some issues remain, such as undeserving teams getting byes or selecting weaker teams with good records, the overall shift has been positive. Despite these challenges, Notre Dame is on the cusp of claiming its first championship since 1988. Here are five reasons why that drought will end in just over two weeks.
Notre Dame’s Defense
This unit continues to impress, having allowed only 27 points across their two CFP games. Holding opponents to about two touchdowns per game is a significant achievement. While they benefitted from not facing Georgia’s starting quarterback, their defense has been outstanding, and it has proven to perform on the road.
Special Teams
While Notre Dame wasn’t flawless against Georgia, there were several standout moments, particularly from kicker Mitch Jeter, who seemed to have recovered from a groin injury, making all his field goals and extra points. The Irish have relied on trick plays all season, with the most notable one coming against Georgia. It’s clear the coaches still have more surprises in store.
Notre Dame’s Confidence
Although it’s hard to measure, Notre Dame is currently playing with an undeniable confidence. There isn’t a team across from them that they don’t believe they can beat. The SEC was taken down last Thursday, and now the Big Ten stands in their way. Believing in their ability to win against any opponent is a powerful asset, and the Irish have that confidence right now.
Marcus Freeman
The belief in a coach and his vision is crucial, and this team has bought into Marcus Freeman’s leadership. Quarterback Riley Leonard shared that Freeman made last-minute adjustments to a play, leading to its successful execution and even confusing Georgia’s head coach. Freeman has instilled a belief in the team that they can win, and that confidence can take them a long way.
Battle-Tested
Experience is key in this environment, and while Notre Dame may not have had a lot of playoff experience in the past, they now have plenty. What sets them apart from other teams is their big-game experience. Penn State, for example, has only faced two tough opponents this season, both of which they lost to. Meanwhile, Notre Dame is the first team ever to defeat an AP-ranked opponent in six different months, according to OptaSTATS, and has faced more ranked teams in the semifinals than any other team.
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