1) When you compare apples to apples, Notre Dame played 12 regular season games, as did Georgia, Ohio State and Oklahoma. Notre Dame was the only team to run through its schedule undefeated, a schedule that was comparable in strength (Sagarin) to Ohio State's and Oklahoma's, and only marginally weaker than Georgia's.
2) Ohio State and Oklahoma, at least one of which is almost certainly going to be left out, are undoubtedly going to use the argument that Notre Dame did not play in a conference championship game, much less win one. See 1) above. You can only use conference championships (or at least should only use them) to compare conference champions to other conference champions.
3) Precedent has been set in regard to a "13th data point," as Ohio State and Alabama both made the playoff without even winning their divisions, and played only 12 games.
There is absolutely, positively no way Notre Dame is left out.
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It would take some really extraordinary circumstances for an undefeated ND to get left out. Almost unimaginable.
...with one loss in each of those years.
I get that it doesn't figure in this year. I have no idea why people would dismiss it as unimportant.
People are quick to dismiss it as "nonsensical," but it is pretty obvious. I think part of it is people just conflating the issue of a theoretical problem that is likely to happen in the future with what is happening this season. They are so eager to proclaim that an undefeated ND is "in," something almost nobody disagrees with that they shout over the discussion of what the underlying dynamic is and what the potential problem is. Oh well, . . like someone said: Sunday can't get here soon enough.
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That doesn’t mean the “13th data point” is a myth. I don’t know why people won’t grasp this. The lack of a conference championship could cost ND in the future. The possibility isn’t debatable. The committee claims conference championships as a consideration. More importantly, I think, is the opportunity for a contending team to make a case on the field during the final weekend via a championship game while another contender sits idle. Look at it this way: if Pitt had pulled off the upset, ND would be locked in a battle with OSU and OU — with pretty comparable credentials— for spots behind Alabama and Clemson (assuming Bama and Clemson win), ND would be disadvantaged sitting at home while Urban and Kyler get to show off on a big stage.
With the exception of maybe one or two posters everyone here believes ND will be in this year. That doesn’t mean the 13th data point can’t be a back breaker down the road. It isn’t hard to imagine. Yes, you can get in with one loss and no conference championship. I get that. But it definitely could be a deciding factor among one loss teams too.
Every other NC was a result of an undefeated season, as it should be! Conference or no conference, winning solves everything.
An undefeated ND isn't compromised. The only point I'm making is that a one-loss ND most certainly can be disadvantaged by the lack of a conference championship. The so-called "13th data point" isn't a myth. It's one consideration among many. That's all. There doesn't appear to be any solution. It is what it is.
...with one loss teams.
Should they lose to Georgia on Saturday...they will still get a shot.
...out.
The problem is that this year's ND team with a loss (say Michigan in the opener) would be left out next Sunday when it may very well be deserving. But you can't schedule a 13th game (if ever allowed) and insure it will carry the same weight as a conference championship game generally does. Do see merit in presenting the committee with a 12-1 record when it's judging you against others with the same.
Provides additional pressure for ND to join a conference. Not something I personally really favor
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This is nauseating to read over and over. Talk about a bunch of insecure pansies.
ND doesn’t need the 13th game because we don’t schedule 1-2 FCS schools for OOC games