The iconic golden dome of Notre Dame certainly has its influence over the College Football Playoff selection committee.

Following a disappointing home loss two months ago against a mediocre MAC rival, many speculated if the Fighting Irish would be eliminated from playoff contention.

The question arose: how would the committee view a one-loss Notre Dame compared to a two-loss SEC team with a more challenging schedule?

Well, it seems we have an answer now. The committee has decided to overlook the Irish’s earlier defeat. They currently hold the No. 6 spot in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, placing them ahead of several two-loss SEC teams that faced tougher opponents. It almost seems as if that 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois never occurred.

How naïve we were to think the committee would be tough on the team from South Bend. Let’s be honest, many members of this committee probably grew up watching “Rudy.”

Touchdown Jesus carries a heavy burden.

With victories over some weaker ACC opponents, the Fighting Irish, now 9-1, are not only in playoff contention, but they’ve also secured the advantageous position of hosting a first-round game.

But on what basis?

“Since their loss, the Irish have really performed well,” stated College Football Playoff selection committee chair Warde Manuel, who is also the athletic director at Michigan.

“Riley Leonard has really stepped up. He’s become a dynamic runner. Their opening win against Texas A&M was impressive. … They had a dominant outing against Navy, and we’ve been pleased with how Notre Dame has bounced back since their loss to NIU at home.”

Notre Dame Will Make the CFP, But Hosting is Excessive

Let’s be clear, everything Manuel said is accurate.

Notre Dame rebounded quickly from that defeat. Their defense is solid, and Leonard has settled into his role during his first season with the team.

While I have no objections to Notre Dame being in the playoffs, the decision to award them a first-round home game—despite their loss to Northern Illinois and a relatively weak strength of schedule—strikes me as excessive.

Consider this: none of the other teams currently being discussed for playoff spots lost to a Group of Five opponent. Alabama, for instance, losing to Vanderbilt does not compare with losing at home to NIU, yet the Irish are ranked above the Tide simply because they have one less loss and played an easier schedule.

Every team from the Power Four currently in playoff conversations scheduled at least nine Power Four opponents. Notre Dame has scheduled eight.

In total, the Irish have played only three true road games, one of which was against a struggling Purdue team, currently holding a 1-9 record. Every other playoff contender will have participated in more road games than Notre Dame.

Need more reasons? Here they are.

The seven Power Four teams Notre Dame has faced have an aggregate record of 30-40. While credit is due to the Irish for defeating weak and mediocre opponents, their impressive win against Texas A&M remains a highlight. However, the discussion shouldn’t be about whether Notre Dame ranks higher than the Aggies, because they clearly should.

The core issue is not about accepting Notre Dame’s entry into the playoffs, but rather if one strong season-opening win should be enough for the Irish to earn hosting rights. They currently rank above teams like Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia, all of which have faced tougher schedules than Notre Dame.

How High Can Notre Dame Climb in the CFP Rankings?

If the playoffs commenced today, Notre Dame would be placed at No. 8 and host the No. 9 seed. However, at least one of the teams ranked higher will definitely lose, since Ohio State and Indiana are scheduled to face off. Other teams ahead of the Irish might also stumble in their conference championship games, which Notre Dame avoids as an independent.

If you think I’m overreacting about the importance of being seeded high enough to host a first-round game, just ask any coach. They’ll affirm that seeding is extremely important. The fifth through eighth seeds are desirable because they guarantee that every playoff game will either be at home or at a neutral site.

On selection day, the Irish could very well secure a No. 5 seed and host the weakest playoff team, despite holding the most embarrassing loss among all teams vying for a spot and relying heavily on their past successes.

This is significant, especially since a No. 5 seed is the highest spot Notre Dame is eligible for; the top four seeds are reserved for conference champions.

However, there’s a possibility that everything could sort itself out in the upcoming games.

Notre Dame still has challenging matches ahead against undefeated Army and at Southern California—two of their biggest tests. If they lose one, the debate about whether Notre Dame should host a first-round game won’t matter because they might miss the playoffs altogether. Such a loss could open up a playoff position for Tennessee.

If the Irish manage to win their next two games, they will be in a prime position.

This would allow them to take it easy during the conference championship weekend, review some game footage, and shine the iconic golden helmets that caught the attention of the selection committee.